For artist John McCormack, a.k.a. JR, the deep South of the South Island is home. Born in Wyndham and now residing in Queenstown, JR’s road to becoming an artist was more about bringing out what was already within him.
“I popped into this world with a wicked imagination, so it was just a matter of time before it was used in an artistic sense. The term ‘artist’ to me means the use of one’s personal energy in whatever direction you choose and for me that included athletic pursuits and even a stint at poetry. I used to walk about with a sketchbook and pencil for a couple of years at one stage, drawing anything and everything, which introduced me to the murky world of shadows and light.” Formally a white water rafting instructor, medical ski patroller and action photographer, this lover of the outdoors dropped the paddle, skis and camera and traded them in for canvas and brushes. “Eventually my other careers ebbed away. I came from a pretty intense work environment with 30 years wearing a crash helmet as a professional white water river guide and tandem paragliding pilot. I became more and more obsessed with the art world. Those previous careers still influence the way I think and work to some degree.” This change introduced JR to a wider landscape of work, using an instinctive gazing ability to find inspiration from many different areas, some of which may come as a surprise to some.
John McCormack
