#42 – Pointe au Baril Georgian Bay, 2025. Oil on canvas. 24″ x 36″

Inspired by Life

By Deena Dolan

Alive with light, calm and mystery, John Wallace Burton’s canvases offer a realistic rendering of nature’s nuances as you step into his sweeping landscapes and delicately textured florals.

As a self-taught artist, John Wallace Burton devotes considerable time, effort, and expertise to creating a realistic portrayal of his subjects while accurately emphasizing elements such as perspective, composition, lighting, and colour. Unlike other styles, Realism doesn’t adhere to formal artistic theory or stylization. In John’s case, this is perfect. Throughout his many years of experimentation, he has perfected a somewhat simple, straightforward manner in his work that is brilliant. Utilizing a direct wet-on-wet painting technique, without glazing or an underpainting, his representations of hauntingly beautiful wilderness spaces, pristine waterways and soulful still lifes capture the striking natural beauty of Georgian Bay and beyond.

When one spends any amount of time with John, the energy he emanates is palpable. He is quite honestly a force and a true, in-the-flesh example of the power of positive thinking.

Born in 1931, the middle of seven children, John’s mother insisted on naming him John Wallace, in memory of a beloved great, great, great, great uncle who was a famous landscape painter in England. As it happened, John’s passion and ability for producing art became evident early on. In fact, he was ‘drawing’ on walls as a four-year-old and that ability for artistic impression has surrounded him always. As the only child in the family who showed an interest and a talent in art, a dear aunt, insisted that he should attend art school. Those were the Great Depression years however and formal education simply wasn’t possible. So, as a young man, he entered the world of construction with his father and that became a successful, lifelong profession.

John Walace Burton painting at Mountainside Gallery web

John Wallace Burton begins with a sketch, then builds texture and light using brushes and palette knives.

With his first wife Peggy, he fathered seven children and having grown up himself in a large and loving family, being a truly hands-on dad came naturally. Camping, fishing, sailing, diving, skiing and various other sports—there was no time for boredom in the Burton family. Among other activities, John was a competitive swim coach, a scuba diving instructor, and he raced sailboats.

In later years upon retiring, John settled full-time in this region lured by the active lifestyle that included skiing, windsurfing and mountain biking. Throughout it all, John’s artistic passions never waned as he explored every form of creativity possible from soapstone and wood carving to stained glass design, watercolour and acrylic painting. Working with oils has now become his favourite medium.

Interested in absolutely everything, John’s days have always been chock full of activities. These interests are evident in his paintings. One can sense his emphasis on close observation and the careful rendering of details that create a sense of authenticity—his work represents subject matter truthfully, without artificiality, exaggeration, or speculative elements. He pays close attention to the nuances of the natural world, striving to capture the necessary details. The result is a depiction that is believable and true to life, yet still imbued with a sense of his creativity and artistic expression.

The Brakers, 2024. Oil on canvas. 24″ x 36″

John’s love of art spills over into his love for teaching others. Private and semi-private classes can be arranged through Mountainside Gallery in downtown Collingwood. You would be amazed what can be achieved in one or two 4-hour sessions with John. The gallery, owned by Maria Lamon is dedicated to connecting established and emerging artists to art lovers and the local community. The Gallery offers an array of original paintings, photographs and sculpture. The artist styles represented are diversified, ranging from traditional landscape painters to contemporary mixed media abstract artists. Many of the artists are nationally and internationally recognized and awarded, exhibiting across Canada, the USA, and Europe. John Wallace Burton along with his wife Sue are Mountainside Gallery’s “In House” artists.

Armed with a love of the outdoors, camping and canoeing, many of John’s paintings have been produced on site—en plein air— as he observes the scene directly in front of him, capturing the true colours, light, shadows, and reflections as they change throughout the day and, John’s sketchbook is always at his side. Always.

John’s advice to other or ‘would be’ painters is simple; “Sketch. Sketch. Sketch.” Done on site, his sketches identify shapes, details, and values and when beginning a new piece back in his studio, John works with his sketch close by for reference. He will also have a photo on hand for a reminder of the colours. Once he has transferred his sketch onto the canvas, and he’s ready to begin adding paint, he always begins with the sky, using brushes. “I love The Group of Seven”, smiles John, “but they painted their skies after they’d put in their trees and everything else—going up, over, under, and around—that was their style of painting. My skies are done differently.” The remainder of his paintings are worked using palette knives to expertly apply, mix and blend the oils in order to arrive at his desired rendition and texture.

John has strong thoughts about the need to know how to use tools correctly and effectively.

Pink Peony, 2024. Oil on canvas. 36” x 48“

Oxtongue Rapids, Algonquin Park. Oil on canvas. 30” x 36”

“With anything you do in life, the main thing is learning how to use the tools. If you don’t learn how to use the tools, it’s hard to achieve the end results, whether it’s cooking, construction, art or anything.” His palette knife is used with the finesse of a concert violinist. He also chuckles when he demonstrates how to properly use his ‘fluffy’ brush—a smallish, bristle brush that he soaks in turpentine then squashes, twists, and manipulates until it acquires the desired ‘fluffy’ state. It’s ideal for accurately representing leaves and other foliage. He achieves marvellous depth and richness of colour through mixing his own hues. “I never use green paint from a tube. I hate green paint. I make my own.” Likewise, with black. You won’t find it in his work since it appears dull, muddy, and flat. “There is no black in nature,” says John, “Mixing your own dark colours offers more flexibility and control over the final shade to make it truly authentic.”

Inspiration comes from everywhere but Killarney is a favourite. Moody or sunlit skies, twisted trees, expansive rocks and reflective waters intrigue him. The feeling of depth in his work is strategically captured by John’s expert application of pigments while always thinking light on dark. Light on dark. It works.

John Wallace Burton’s life remains purposely filled with joy, as are his paintings. He is truly an inspiration as he fills his days with activity, creativity and laughter. Drop by Mountainside Gallery to watch him in action or simply just to have a chat. In John’s sage words, “Always keep it positive. Don’t hang around with negative people.” E