About Me

John Gerstner has career experience as a writer, photo-journalist, magazine editor, multi-media artist, video producer, Internet/intranet strategist, and book author/creative director.  He authored and edited Genuine Value: The John Deere Journey, a coffee-table art business book named Best Coffee Table Book of 2001. Amidst his corporate career, John has never wavered in his passion for art. His art has been published and exhibited in U.S. shows and galleries and is in private collections worldwide. His latest works combine digital photography and painting.

ARTIST STATEMENT

I strive for paintings that are raw, energetic, and speak to human experience. My painting process is to be playful and intuitive. I start with no set idea, goal or direction. I try to keep my conscious mind from getting in the way.

I begin by disturbing the white canvas with marks, patterns, colors and often, texture. I then look for the hint of an image that can be developed. With patient observation, the canvas invariably speaks and gives me direction.

I would be happy to have my art seen as a collision at the intersection of photography, painting and sculpture. I believe it is at this multi-media intersection that “reality” and “fiction” becomes most interesting, and sometimes clear.

My images begin with the beauty I find in life, but never end there. Just as in life, the beauty in my work is bittersweet … adorned with ambiguity, mystery and conflict. Alluring but abstract. I strive for images that raise questions about life and the human condition. I am questioning the truth of beauty.

EDUCATION

• Video Art & Multimedia, MA, University of Iowa, 1989 
• Journalism & Mass Communication, MA, University of Iowa, 1984
• Journalism, Kansas State University, BS, 1968.

EXHIBITS AND AWARDS

EXHIBITS

AWARDS