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The mist from a whale's exhalation floats over one person in a kayak
slicing through the waters of the Inside Passage of Canada's east coast.
Eagles in nearby treetops call and screech to each other. The whales
pass underneath the man causing the kayak to ride their passing swell.
Not the way most people perceive an artist's studio, but John Ballou has made the outdoors an extension of his waterfront studio back in
Benicia,California.
To engage the viewer as a participant is the goal of this artist, and to achieve this unusual perspective, he travels far and wide, with sketchpad and camera in hand.
Scuba diving the whale birthing grounds off Maui, camping by kayak on small chains of islands, and spending a quiet day with an orphaned elephant. John's hands on approach to the environment and its inhabitants lends a special authenticity to his work.
Taking his experiences and sketches home with him John begins the creative process, building a composition in thumbnail sketches, which will evolve into the surface of Casein and ink, painted over white limestone. Lines are cut through the many layers with great care, as mistakes are irreversible. The process dates back to medieval times, adapted by the artist after extensive research.
John's work has been on, the 6:00 CBS NEWS, THE MAC AND MUTLEY SHOW on the DISCOVERY CHANNEL, the LOS ANGELES TIMES, UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL, the MIAMI HERALD, CONTRA COSTA TIMES, PACIFIC MAGAZINE and an AUDUBON SPECIAL, "DOLPHIN ADVENTURES", on the DISNEY CHANNEL.
A Book of John's art, prose and silent conservation data has been
published, "PATTERNS THAT CONNECT", Now in its second printing, John has done work with the ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF FLORIDA, to design a benefit poster commemorating the speaking tour of Kenya's wildlife director, Richard Leakey. John's work has been part of an ongoing fund raising effort for the COUSTEAU SOCIETY, and at present some of John's work hangs in the prestigious PARC DE OCEANOGRAPHIQUE in Paris.
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