Now In: All Artists → French, John

Born January 10, 1936, in Waco, Texas, most of his boyhood years were spent in West Texas and New Mexico, where he learned to appreciate the rustic weather-beaten cowboys and Navajo Indians; their native lands and animals, and their old traditional way of life.

 

The only art training he had was self-taught as a child starting with colored chalk then to watercolors, oils and acrylics. His subject matter varies from fine colonial mansions to crude settlers cabins; from all types of western and wildlife to the peaceful Texas landscape. This same theme is used in his bronze sculptures. All of his works have had many hours spent on research to assure historic accuracy.

 

His work is known throughout the United States and most of Europe. Some of his paintings that are on permanent display can be seen in the International Bank of Japan in Tokyo; Texas Rangers Museum in Waco, Texas, and Museum of the Horse in Arizona. He also illustrated the book Women of Texas; painted the picture from which the poster and bookmarker for the National Library Week were made; and did the commemorative painting of the original meeting house of the Texas Farmers Union to be hung in the National Office. One of his paintings was hung in the White House, by Mrs. Jimmy Carter.

 

There are many collectors of his works. Some of the more noted people are Sandy Duncan, Marvin Watson, Bob Lilly and Walt Garrison, of the Dallas Cowboys, Ken "Festus" Curtis and John Connally.

 

The French's enjoy being outdoors either camping, or trail rides or going to mule shows. Many of John's paintings are from actual experiences of breaking horses, horse shoeing and general ranch work. They make their home in Waco, Texas along with their dogs, horses and mules.