By The Rocks

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Port Elliot is a favourite place for John McCartin. John and his wife Julie, make frequent trips to this spectacular place when they need to take time out and relax. This part of the coastline is picturesque and on many visits they have seen whales from the coastline. Port Elliot is a town in South Australia toward the eastern end of the south coast of the Fleurieu Peninsula about 1hr from Hahndorf. It is situated on the sheltered Horseshoe Bay, a small bay off the much larger Encounter Bay. Pullen Island lies outside the mouth of the bay. Port Elliot had a population of 2000, although this section of the coast is now built up almost all the way from Goolwa to Victor Harbor.
John McCartin was born in Sydney on March 9th, 1954. He showed remarkable drawing ability at a young age and felt strangely attracted to the Australian landscape. Painting as a hobby since 1974, John has taken on landscape painting on a professional basis since 1991. John has been influenced greatly by artists such as Hans Heysen, Elioth Gruner and Arthur Streeton whose unpretentious works have inspired him over many years.
John’s subject matter is wide and diverse and he possesses extraordinary drafting skills. He demonstrates great versatility with a wide range of mediums such as pencil, charcoal, conte, pastel, oils and watercolour to produce landscapes, seascapes, floral/still life, human figure/portraits as well as works featuring birds and animals. Visually striking and convincing representations of the real thing, Johns’ works have great beauty and intense realism, designed to stir the heart and lift the soul. John uses colour and tone to create a powerful illusion of space, light and atmosphere. Light, particularly, is a notable feature of his work, prompting comments by viewers, artists and reputable judges. These qualities combined with John’s keen powers of observation, superb drawing skill and passionate response to an inexhaustible array of subjects, sets him apart from most other artists. His works can be found in private and corporate collections worldwide.
In 2011 John won International Artist Magazines prestigious first prize, making him ‘Best Artist in the World’. It was a complete surprise to a humble John, yet a reward for the incredible artworks he produces. In 2014, John became a member of the Art Guild Master Painters of the World. Another highlight of John’s career was in 2016 when John was named Grand Master Artist World. Only a few elite artists in the world have this title. John who lives in South Australia travels widely to capture his subjects, always making sketches and studies as he travels. He has been described by many of Australia’s leading artists as one of the most talented artists in Australia and now the world agrees! This is because John uses such soft light through his scenes. John’s international success still continues to this day. John has won 115 international art awards and his paintings are excellent investments.