John W. Quinn

Mr. Quinn uses an old traditional watercolor technique, once used by the Masters, when he paints. For the most part, he uses a transparent method of painting, while many painters today use "designer colors," an opaque method of water-based painting, which is not recognized by the Watercolor Societies as a true watercolor. The difference is, when using watercolors, because they are transparent, everything is visible. The artist cannot correct or change anything. Another aspect unique to watercolor is that there is no white paint. If a mistake is made or a correction needed, the only options are to incorporate the error into the design or start over. When white is seen in a watercolor, it is really the paper itself that is being seen. This makes watercolor the most difficult and unforgiving form of painting.

Mr. Quinn paints with a great deal of planning and understanding of his subject before committing it to the paper. The resulting works are breathtaking in their realism and detail. Speaking of his painting Aged to Perfection, Mr. Quinn says, "I realize now, this depicts my life story. I see my triumphs and tribulations here, maybe a kind of self-portrait."