Opening June 5, 2025

JOHN ANDRO AVENDAÑO

FORTY YEARS OF PLEIN-AIR LANDSCAPES, 1984-2024

Working in Impressionism to Fauve, the Artist Captured the Romantic Natural Beauty & Light of Italy, California, Washington, & France.

Seattle-based artist, John André Avendaño was born and raised in Arleta, California, near Los Angeles. Visual art is in his DNA – his great uncle was famed Mexican muralist, Jose’ Clemente Orozco (1883-1949). His mother painted and so from an early age he has been a focused and prolific artist. Over the course of his professional career, he’s developed a mastery of sculpture, painting, drawing, and printmaking.

For several years Avendano worked under Hal Reed, who learned his techniques by studying under Nicolai Fechen and working at Walt Disney Studios in Los Angeles. Avendano was Hal Reed’s assistant for five years at the Art League of Los Angeles while perfecting his skill of color theory, composition and anatomy. Later, he taught art at the Art League and at several elementary schools in the L.A. area. In 1983 Avendano sold everything he had and left for Paris to study art. He painted, studied and traveled as much as he could while working part-time. He wound up staying in France for three years before returning home.

On his return to California, he met Mr. John Kerr, a photographer and collector of art. Kerr owned a large piece of property and being so impressed by John and his creativity, gave him a place to stay in exchange for paintings. This was a pivotal time in terms of Avendano developing his-own personal style. He started out copying as many artists as he could, referring to this as, “deliberate practice.”…You copy to learn, you copy what you like and you continue until more of yourself comes out. Deliberate practice absorbs you and gives direction to your work.”

In his thirties and forties he traveled several times back to South of France, then expanded his travels to Galapagos Island, Fiji Islands, and Tahitian Island. New culture, music and foods broadened his influences and was expressed in his paintings. His work is deeply influenced by 20th century European Modern and American Abstract Expressionism, and music; and he’s known for an eclectic approach to his practice.

This exhibition, “FORTY UEARS OF PLEIN-AIR LANDSCAPES: Capturing The Romantic Natural Beauty, Color, and Light of Italy, California, France, & Washington”, brings the focus back to his early years as a plein-air painter to today, having developed a masterful grasp of both Classic Impressionism and Contemporary Fauvism over four decades of painting. Avendaño has often returned to paintings in his studio, even after ten years or more, to rework and enhance them finally to his satisfaction.

Avendano lives in Seattle with his wife and muse, Denise, and teaches painting at The Kirkland Arts Center, Kirkland, WA.

Forty Years of Plein-Air Landscapes, 1984-2024