I deny my artwork as sculptures but define them as three-dimensional paintings, as these objects are entirely made out of the medium of paint. I challenge the notion of what painting is and where it could end.

            In the Treatise in Painting, Da Vinci wrote about which art was the most superior: sculpture or painting? He discussed which medium trumped the other and declared painting the victor. However, with technology over the decades people have claimed that 'painting is dead' and we start to see this debate again, which is the most superior?

           Within my work we see that painting has revived itself to evolve/adapt to our time and has begun to take over different mediums along with providing a social commentary. The idea of paint evolving or adapting can be seen as a ‘takeover’ on various media to survive in a world where fine art seems to be fleeting.

          My next series will be dealing with another medium 'takeover' & this whole process of paint evolution by adaptation

           John C. Wagoner currently resides in Shreveport, Louisiana. He has taught at Kendall College of Art & Design, Lake Michigan Community College, Cornell College and is currently teaching at Bossier Parish Community College in Bossier City, LA and Louisiana State University in Shreveport, LA. While concentrating on his 'paint' sculptures he does spend time working on two-dimensional paintings, such as commissioned portraits and various still-life imagery. If you would like to inquire about a commissioned piece or like to read the full artist statement please look under the contact page for more info.

           His influences mostly come from art theory and philosophical readings such as the work of Aristotle, Plato, Derrida, Material Illusionism, Hyperrealism, Purism, and the 'Treatise on Painting' by Leonardo da Vinci. He provides a commentary on famous art pieces combining the idea of the 'painting takeover'. Various art influences come from Rene Magritte, Marcel Duchamp, Jasper Johns, Andy Warhol, J.W. Turner, Jeff Koons, Claes Oldenberg, Fischli & Weiss, Kaz Oshiro, and Daniel Douke.