Inspiration for Doreen St.John’s emotive semi-realistic landscapes comes from her love of nature and natural forms.  “I want my work to engage the viewer… to capture the spirit of the subject or scene… evoking an emotional response or memory.  Painting ‘en plein air’ has become a passion, allowing me to combine my love of nature and being outdoors with art.  Plein air painting is challenging and has helped me to grow as an artist.”  St.John’s watercolor and oil landscapes have been characterized as powerful but sensitive, employing strong values and rich color.

St.John has given workshops and exhibited her watercolors nationally in juried outdoor art shows, has been represented in galleries in Canton and Akron, and has won numerous awards, including “Best in Shows”.  Her works can be found in collections locally and abroad.   After taking several years off from painting to pursue a Master’s degree, St.John started painting works en plein air in 2005.  A member of the Ohio Plein Air Society, St.John won Third Place in their 2005 annual competition.  St.John paints both plein air and studio works and has recently branched out to include works in oil.

Born and raised in the art center and resort town of Saugatuck, Michigan, Doreen St.John exhibited ability even as a small child, receiving art instruction from Cora Bliss Taylor, a graduate of the Chicago Art Institute and a well-known local artist.  Although St.John pursued undergrad and graduate degrees in education, the need to create was always a driving force.  St.John first took watercolor classes at the Canton Art Museum after the birth of her daughter, and later studied under Bette G. Elliott of North Canton and also with other nationally recognized artists such as Edgar Whitney, Frank Webb, Frederick Graff, Marilyn Hughey Phillis, and others. She was chosen to be the “Artist in Residence” for a community art project called “Leave Your Mark” in Canton, Ohio in 2008.   

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