John Long

The work itself. The painting. The ink work. Calligraphy. The psychic state of work-driven contemplation that focuses the mind, heightens awareness, frees the ego and makes time dissolve. That is what drives me.

I work from the kernel of an idea or a feeling; not a plan. Even when there is a design, my work is spontaneous, improvisational, jazz-like. My precision is imprecise, my exactness is inexact. Perfection is a temptation and an enemy. My work invites close inspection: contemplation of imprecision, inexactness and imperfection.

Many of my pieces have multiple layers. They have their own history, manifold incarnations, patterns that compete with one another, contrast, complement, build complexity, or reduce to simplicity.

For nearly 30 years I have worked consistently and intensively in the studio. Beginning with assembled objects in painted boxes, one medium led to another, one style to another in an ongoing intuitive exploration. Three-dimensional assemblages led to two-dimensional collages I dubbed ‘woven photos.’ Then followed three-dimensional ‘tape on books’: books mummified within quilt patterns of colorful electricians tape. Then abstract painting: vaporous landscapes; neo-geometric; anti-minimalist; text-based ...

Studied writing, film making, photography and design at Yale.

Art Santa Fe * Santa Fe, NM * 2025
Reno-Tahoe International Art Show * Reno, NV * 2025
Artist Studio Tour * Estes Park, CO * 2025
Solo Show * Bucey’s Brew Pub * Nederland, CO * 2025
The Other Art Fair * Los Angeles * 2025
“Unfinished Democracy” * Cultural Center of Cape Cod * Yarmouth, MA * 2024
One of a Kind Show * Chicago * 2024
Artist Studio Tour * Estes Park, CO * 2024
The Other Art Fair * Dallas, TX * 2024
"Regional Fine Art Show" * Lincoln Gallery * Loveland, CO * 2023
"The Other Art Fair" * Dallas, TX * 2023
"Featured Artist" * Art Center of Estes Park * EP, CO * 2023
Estes Valley Open Studios Tour * Estes Park, CO * 2023
“Colorado Creatives Unleashed” * R Gallery * Boulder, CO * 2023
“Magic of Masks”* Art Center of Estes Park * EP, CO * 2023
"Industrial" * R Gallery * Boulder, CO * 2023
“Labyrinth: 57th Annual Own an Original” (third place award) * Littleton Museum * Littleton, CO * 2022
Solo Show * U.S. Bank * Estes Park, CO * 2022
Estes Valley Open Studios Tour * Estes Park, CO * 2022
The Other Art Fair * Dallas, TX * 2022
Absolutely Abstract * Modern Visual Arts Gallery * Bethlehem, PA * 2021
Estes Valley Open Studios Tour * Estes Park, CO * 2021
The Other Art Fair * Dallas, TX * 2021
The Second Half (50 & older) * L...