John Tierney

John Tierney is a British artist based in Durham City, England, who creates oil paintings inspired by Los Angeles architecture and culture.

Through regular visits to the West Coast over many years, he has developed a substantial body of work exploring the city's diverse urban landscape and distinctive light.

His work has been featured in publications including the LA Times, Hypebeast, WWD, Angeleno Magazine, Trendland, The Jealous Curator, AnOther Magazine, and Curating LA.

John has held a number of solo exhibitions in Los Angeles and other cities, and has done two collaborations with British fashion designer Paul Smith.

Working in oils on stretched canvas, his highly detailed paintings typically require 80 to 150 hours to complete. Influenced by artists such as Edward Hopper and David Hockney, he aims to create work that conveys a strong sense of place—capturing what it feels like to experience LA's eclectic cityscape and intense California light.

Before retiring in 2010 to focus on painting full-time, Tierney worked as Senior Lecturer in Criminology at Durham University.

'John Tierney x Birdhouse Pop-Up, LA' - July 2025
'Beverly Hills Art Show' - October 2022
'Gallery Brown Presents: John Tierney's Los Angeles' - December 2020 - February 2021
Gallery Brown (Online Exhibition), Los Angeles

'L.A.ndmarks' - July - October 2019
Tracy Park Gallery, Malibu

'Postcards From LA' - June - August 2019
Maddox Gallery, Los Angeles

'Blackwood Coffee Bar, Los Angeles (pop-up exhibition)' - July - September 2018
Gallery Brown, Los Angeles

'John Tierney's Los Angeles' - June - August 2017
Gallery Brown, Los Angeles

'Melrose Pink' - October - November 2016
Paul Smith, Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles

'New Paintings' - Sept 15th - Nov 1st 2014
Hamburg Kennedy Photographs, NY

'American Light 2' - April 5th - May 1st 2014
Skidmore Contemporary Art, Santa Monica

Joshua Tree Art Show - December 2013
Artist of Distinction Award (Top prize)

'Cool Brio' - March 5th - April 19th 2013
The Horsebox Gallery, Knightsbridge, London

'American Light' - May 2012
Paul Smith, Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles