Skip to main content
(Press Enter)
Gary John

Gary John


Gary John's passion for street art began in 1985 when he started creating eye-catching works that would eventually captivate audiences around the world. Originally from Seattle, he made his way to Venice Beach in 2003, where he started selling his drawings on the Venice Boardwalk.

After almost ten years of selling his work on the boardwalk and experiencing “a bout with homelessness,” John first exploded onto the international art scene during Art Basel Miami in 2013. John’s playfully bold work quickly gained attention and he was named one of 20 standout artists at the 2014 New York Affordable Art Fair. His artworks continue to be exhibited at galleries and major international art fairs in the United States, Asia, and Europe. Notable collectors include Kelly Clarkson.

John cites Pablo Picasso, Keith Haring, and Jean-Michel Basquiat as his artistic inspirations. Other influences are comic books and American Pop Culture, which he infuses with emotional and impulsive gestures. His mixed media works blur the boundaries between Pop Art and Abstract Expressionism with Street Art elements.

All artworks by artist



Originally from Seattle, Gary John found his way to Venice Beach in 2003, where he embarked on his journey by selling his drawings on the Venice Boardwalk. Gary John's deep-rooted passion for street art traces back to 1985 when he first ventured into creating visually striking works that would go on to captivate audiences globally.

After almost ten years of selling his work on the boardwalk and experiencing “a bout with homelessness,” John first exploded onto the international art scene during Art Basel Miami in 2013. John’s playfully bold work quickly gained attention and he was named one of 20 standout artists at the 2014 New York Affordable Art Fair. His artworks continue to be exhibited at galleries and major international art fairs in the United States, Asia, and Europe. Notable collectors include Kelly Clarkson. 

John cites Pablo Picasso, Keith Haring, and Jean-Michel Basquiat as his artistic inspirations. Other influences are comic books and American Pop Culture, which he infuses with emotional and impulsive gestures. His mixed media works blur the boundaries between Pop Art and Abstract Expressionism with Street Art elements.


John says about his art, “I grew up in a dysfunctional, alcohol-filled home. It actually pushed me away from drugs and alcohol. I have never drank any liquor, smoked, or done any drugs. I always got lost in my art as an escape. Art is my passion. There is not enough time in the day to do all the painting I want to do. I’m consumed with it.”

Originally from Seattle, Gary John found his way to Venice Beach in 2003, where he embarked on his journey by selling his drawings on the Venice Boardwalk. Gary John's deep-rooted passion for street art traces back to 1985 when he first ventured into creating visually striking works that would go on to captivate audiences globally.

After almost ten years of selling his work on the boardwalk and experiencing “a bout with homelessness,” John first exploded onto the international art scene during Art Basel Miami in 2013. John’s playfully bold work quickly gained attention and he was named one of 20 standout artists at the 2014 New York Affordable Art Fair. His artworks continue to be exhibited at galleries and major international art fairs in the United States, Asia, and Europe. Notable collectors include Kelly Clarkson. 

John cites Pablo Picasso, Keith Haring, and Jean-Michel Basquiat as his artistic inspirations. Other influences are comic books and American Pop Culture, which he infuses with emotional and impulsive gestures. His mixed media works blur the boundaries between Pop Art and Abstract Expressionism with Street Art elements.


John says about his art, “I grew up in a dysfunctional, alcohol-filled home. It actually pushed me away from drugs and alcohol. I have never drank any liquor, smoked, or done any drugs. I always got lost in my art as an escape. Art is my passion. There is not enough time in the day to do all the painting I want to do. I’m consumed with it.”

EXHIBITIONS
2023 “Urban Ecologies: Cities Are Built for Art”, Artspace Warehouse, Los Angeles, CA
2022 “Breakthrough Artists of the Affordable Art Scene”, Artspace Warehouse, Los Angeles, CA
2021 AAF New York, NY
Kunstwarenhaus Zurich, Switzerland
Artspace Warehouse, Los Angeles, CA
2020 Art Palm Springs, CA
LA Art Show, Los Angeles, CA

2019 Art Palm Springs, CA
AAF Hong Kong
Artspace Warehouse, Los Angeles, CA
AAF New York
2018 AAF Hong Kong
Kunstwarenhaus Zurich, Switzerland
AAF New York, NY
“It Runs in the Family,” Artspace Warehouse, Los Angeles, CA
Art Palm Springs
2017 Affordable Art Fair Hong Kong
Artspace Warehouse Los Angeles, CA
Arteria Gallery Montreal, Canada
2017 Art Market San Francisco, CA
Affordable Art Fair New York, NY
2016 Art Hamptons, NY
Affordable Art Fair Hong Kong
Affordable Art Fair New York, NY
Palm Springs Fine Art Fair, CA
LA Art Show, Los Angeles, CA
2015 Artspace Warehouse, CA
Affordable Art Fair Singapore
Artspace Warehouse, Los Angeles, CA
Art Hamptons, NY
2015 Affordable Art Fair London, UK
Love Art Fair Toronto, Canada
Affordable Art Fair New York, NY
Palm Springs Fine Art Fair, CA
LA Art Show, Los Angeles, CA
2014 Red Dot Art Fair, Miami, FL
Kunstwarenhaus Zurich, Switzerland
Lurie Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
Houston Fine Art Fair
Artspace Warehouse, Los Angeles, CA
Love Art Toronto Fair, Canada
Stand Arte Gallery Madrid
Affordable Art Fair New York, NY
Palm Springs Fine Art Fair, CA 
Affordable Art Fair London
2013 SCOPE Miami Beach, FL
2012 Palm Springs Fine Art Fair, CA
2011 SOHO Gallery, Studio City, CA
2003-13 Abbot Kinney Art Walk, Los Angeles, CA
2008-13 Downtown Art Walk, Los Angeles, CA
2003-13 Venice Beach Boardwalk, Los Angeles, CA
1988-90 ‘COCA’ Center of Contemporary Arts, Seattle, WA

TV & FILM
The Flight Attendant, HBO
How I Met Your Father, Hulu
Insecure, HBO
Cherish The Day, OWN