John Coburn Drawing Paris

John Coburn

Drawing Paris

Interview by Amina Touray

Canadian artist John Coburn has been a professional artist for 35 years. As you can imagine, his long line of work is imposing! You have probably even seen it if you've visited Paris, New York, Toronto, or Tokyo.

Coburn has 27 original pen & ink drawings in the permanent collection of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City. His work has been exhibited at Gracie Mansion by the Mayor of New York City, and seen in places like The Canadian Consulate and Wall Street, to name a few.

Coburn is passionate and happiest working Plein air - when he sets up his portable studio and watches the events on the streets happening before his eyes. It's all depicted in his fantastic work.

Tell us about your background and how that is influencing your work? My Father, Dr. Donald G. Coburn, was a dentist who also designed dental equipment. I watched him as a young boy designing dental equipment around the dining room table. My Grandfather Hubert Beckett was a great portrait photographer. I was curious about the creative process of making art in grade four. Loose & Interpretive - what I leave out in my drawings are equally as imported as what I leave in.

Your stunning work showcases cities like Paris and New York. What about those places are you the most drawn to and inspired by? Working on location, the immediacy and visceral energy of all your senses fired up - the constant motion of people, traffic, dogs, and noises affect change and ideas constantly while at work. You can't get that same feeling inside the four walls of your studio.

What is the best way to get started when pursuing a career as an artist? Like Michelangelo said: - "Draw 5 minutes a day." Picasso said: - "Inspiration comes, but it has to find you working." by Paris, as well as oil paintings; the collection is focused on black & white pen & ink line drawings - a celebration of architecture & style. Titled: A Paris Romance By John Coburn. Works will also include products, i.e., prints, pillows and bed sheets, and wallpaper greeting cards.

In Coburn’s own words; In no particular order, I’m street obsessive. I’m happiest working “ Plein air. “ The intensity x immediacy of setting up my portable studio smack down on any given street or avenue, whether New York, Paris, Toronto, or Tokyo, infuses me with the spontaneity I crave creating emotionally charged art.”

With hundreds of people flowing by, that thriving visceral connection to strangers and excited viewers ignites my work.

People stop and express their relationship and history of the subject I’m drawing. Their thrill and anticipation directly influence my work. Elements of music, fashion, and architecture skewer my palette, showing up in color, typography, and radical surprises encountered in the city - my ensuite of dreams.

Art school is fantastic, but passion is more important; Do the art, be productive. Be 30 % a business person and 70% creative. Find the balance, and you can be successful.

Anything else you would like to add? I'm building a body of work inspired

4 BOOKS ON NYC 1 .50 best places to enjoy and discover in Central Park 2. New York’s 50 Most wonderful boutique hotels 3. New York Neighborhoods 4 . Healing Hearts (Sept 11 tribute in drawings not published for the public

To learn more about John Coburn, visit: Gallery: beckettfineart.com johncoburn.art Instagram: itsjohncoburn

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