John C. Traynor
Swanzey, NH
Mr. Traynors’ painting style is reminiscent of late 19th century painters as well as the Dutch Masters. His knowledge of light and color creates a certain mood in each of his paintings. Creating atmosphere is also an important element in Johns’ paintings. Using soft and hard edges selectively, he gives a feeling that there is air with moisture and particles surrounding the objects he is painting; giving it an overall three-dimensional feel. Part of his success is connecting emotionally with others through his work reminding people of moments in their life or memories of the past.
Mr. Traynor has produced works of art from 2x3 inch miniatures to 40’x60’ murals. He is able to use his style to paint in any size. Painting outdoors on location is a prime source of inspiration fueling ideas for his landscapes. Smaller paintings can be finished indoors or used as studies for larger works painted solely in his studio. Still life painting is done both in his studio and outdoors, and his portraits are painted on a commission basis, in his studio or the home of the person to be portrayed. The portraits are painted in any size from head and shoulders to large group portraits.
Mr. Traynor spent his early years in Chester and Mendham New Jersey. His art studies began at Delbarton School in Morristown New Jersey; from there he went to Paier College of Art in New Haven Connecticut and studied with Dean Keller, one of the monument men of WWII. John studied figure painting at the Art Students League of New York, as a merit scholar, with Frank Mason, as well as landscape painting with Mr. Mason in Vermont. Mr. Traynor studied drawing with Carroll N Jones Jr. of Stowe, Vermont and studied sculpture for one year with Brother Jerome Cox in Florence, Italy.
Mr. Traynor travels extensively painting the landscape around him. He has made over thirty painting expeditions to Ireland as well as trips to Holland, Brussels, Italy, Austria, Germany, England, Scotland, Israel and France.
Professional Affiliations
Mr. Traynor is a member of the Hudson Valley Art Association, The Salmagundi Club of New York, The National Society of Mural Painters, Lyme Art Association, American Artists Professional League, Delbarton Hall of Honors and he is a Copley Master in the Copley Society of Boston.
Awards and Distinctions
In 2018 John C. Traynor was awarded the Annual Columbus Day Weekend Studio Show; One-man, 30 Year Retrospective show at Whitcomb Hall, Swanzey NH; Show at Sorelle Gallery, New Canaan, CT; Fresh Paint at Copley Society, Boston Mass; 10th Anniversary American Masters, Salmagundi Club, NYC: US Men’s Golf Open Fine Artist, Shinnecock Hills Golf Club 2019: Annual Columbus Day Weekend Studio Show; Mockingbird Gallery Show, Bend OR; 140th Anniversary Copley Masters Exhibition, Boston, Mass; Lyme Art Association Exhibitions, Old Lyme, CT
Mr. Traynor received The Salmagundi Club Medal of Honor and Merit award in 2010. This is awarded to distinguished citizens in various fields, in the name of the Club’s devotion to those endeavors which link one area of culture to another and one human being to another. In June of 1970, the Apollo XIII astronauts: Captain James A. Lovell, Jr., Fred W. Haise, Jr. and John L. Swigert, Jr. received the award for outstanding scientific achievements. Other recipients include artists: Norman Rockwell, Ogden Pleissner, Al Hirschfield, Frank Mason and Everett Raymond Kinstler as well as the director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art Thomas Hoving, Publisher Malcolm S. Forbes and art historian William H. Gerdts.
Mr. Traynor is the recipient of over two hundred awards of merit for his art, including the Grumbacher Gold Medal, the Robb Sagendorph award, and the Frank DuMond Memorial Award for best light and atmospheric effect in a painting. His work is enjoyed in over one thousand private and public collections in the United States and abroad, including the musician, James Taylor’s private collection as well as the Passaic Country College, the Patterson Historical Museum, the Ironbound Education and Cultural Center, Connecticut Bank and Trust, the Sony Music Corporation, the Naval War College Museum, McGraw Hill Publishers and the United States Golf Association Museum. In addition, Mr. Traynor was selected as the fine artist for three US Men’s Open Championships.
Publications
Mr. Traynor has been featured in several national publications. He is the first living artist to be interviewed for a feature article in American Art Review, August 2014 issue: “John C. Traynor, Past & Present Paintings”. Featured on the cover for Southwest Art, November 2015 in addition to the article: “True Calling”. Fine Art Connoisseur “Great Art Nationwide” exhibition previewing “Timeless Beauty”, July-August 2017 issue.
Website: www.www.johnctraynor.com