" Where Your Art Matters "

Artist Owned and Operated since 1996

John Stillmunks

Iowa Artist

I paint because I must - there is no "Off" switch.
My work usually originates from noticing a chance shape or form in a rather loose preliminary wash or underpainting on a black canvas. The work then takes off from this anchor point – sometimes the initial shape is obvious in the finished painting and sometimes it is a more vague connection that develops the composition. I prefer to use intense brushwork and the “right” colors in my compositions rather than local color in order to push the idea of improvisation as much as I can in each painting. The compositions are usually worked and reworked to develop line, value, color, and texture. Each and every painting is prepped and painted entirely by me. I do not make prints of my work, each is an original composition.
After completing high school in Omaha, I studied art in Nebraska, Colorado, and Iowa and finished my degree at Iowa State. Two professors from there have a strong influence on my work. Lu Bro taught me how to harness the idea of using chance or random marks/events in developing compositions and Brenda Jones showed me how crucial art history is for a contemporary artist. I am grateful to both of them.
My paintings are shown in several galleries and fine art fairs/festivals throughout the year. As a displaced Nebraskan, I work out of my studio/gallery (Independent Thought Gallery and Studio) in Des Moines, IA with invaluable help from my wife Madonna and our two sons - Ian and Brock. Custom/special orders for both established and new clients always welcome and ordered through the appropriate gallery showing my work in a given area.

All artwork copyright 2009 John Stillmunks
Cannot be used in anyway without written permission from Artist

Show 5/15/2009

John (Artist) and Theresa (Keeper of the Long Swords)	Ann, Doin' the Wonderful Thing that She Does ...(Keeping the Help's inhibitions at bay)	Greg (Master of Customer Entertainment/Keeper of All things mysterious)
Irene (Owner) Talking it up with Deb (Volunteer/Slacker:) Thanks Deb! We know you worked hard!		John,Jessie,Casey and their new acquisition
The Challenge 30 x 40 $800	The World's Greatest Matador and His Noble Steed 30 x 40 SOLD	Doublecross: Ambush 30 x 40 SOLD
Trust, but Verify 30 x 40 $800	Brutus Ignored the Script 30 x 40 $800	Readjustment 30 x 40 $800
Again!! 16 x 20 $295	Balloon Guy 16 x 20 $295	Balloon Guy in a Storm 16 x 20 $295
Big Deal 16 x 20 $295	Whatever 16 x 20 $295	The Bluebird of Happiness 16 X 20 $295
Bring It! 16 X 20 $295	Damn! 16 X 20 $295	It's Always Something 16 x 20 $295
Doublecross: Attention Span 48" x 60" $1500	The Farmer's Wife 16 x 20 SOLD	Venus Flytrap $500
Happy Hour 16 x 20 $295	The High Diver 16 x 20 $295	Independent Thought 16 x 20 SOLD
The Juggler 16 x 20 $295	The Peasant 16 x 20 $295	The Show Must Go On 16 x20 $295
We'll Rebuild 16 x 20 $295	Uh, Well Rebuild 16 x 20 $295	The Unlikeable 12 x 24 $295
The Greatest Juggler in the World 16 x 20 SOLD		The Yawn 16 x 20 $295