John Schartung

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&ensp&ensp&ensp&ensp&ensp John Schartung was born in Owensboro, Kentucky. While in grade school, he began creating, drawing, and painting, learning more about art than regular studies. In 1976 to 1977 he studied photography through the New York Institute of Photography for a short time and then at the Nashville Technical College. He studied with W.T. Williams in 1972 to 1974 before leaving Owensboro. After moving to Nashville, Tennessee he studied with Michael Vaughn from 1977 to 1978. After his marriage, it was decided that his art was a hobby he could not afford. He put his art on the back burner and did not paint seriously for 25 years. After his divorce, he broke out the brushes and took a painting class at Owensboro Community and Technical College and is presently a working artist.

&ensp&ensp&ensp&ensp&ensp Moving to Florida, after only a semester, he met a design builder and decided to start a business designing, building, and installing closets in upscale homes. The business was a success, providing John the finances he hoped for.

&ensp&ensp&ensp&ensp&ensp John had been in Owensboro visiting for his grandmother's 100th birthday. On his return trip to Florida on June 10th, 2002, John exited from the interstate to get gas and food. The ramp was very sharp forcing the truck over on its side and sliding to a halt, leaving John with a broken neck. It took two and one-half hours to remove enough metal to free him. This was a trying time as it took a few days before any movement returned. He had broken the third vertebra splitting it in half and went through two surgeries and lost all muscle tone. He did not know what to expect, but knew that how he went through this was the way he would come out. He spent nine days in the University of Birmingham Medical Center. When it was time to start therapy, he chose to do it in Owensboro where his family lived. He moved in with his mother after spending three weeks of therapy in an Owensboro hospital. Therapy continued for another two months as an outpatient. He walked with the ad of a walker, not able to button his shirt most days, and wondering if he would be able to paint or do the things he once could with his hands.

&ensp&ensp&ensp&ensp&ensp In late October 2002, he became restless, folded his walker up and decided to start school in January 2003. He started with design and drawing classes, which put his hands to the test. He also found time to take a painting class. Many times he just could not sit or stand in the classroom, because the pain from his neck was so intense. If it was not his neck, it was his hands would tire and cramp. He would have to leave the classroom, sit or walk the halls until the pain went away, then he would start again. His love of art and the hope to be a painter that was in his dreams as a young child started to resurface. On even in class he decided to paint with a large putty knife and created his first non-representational piece. It was instant love to create in a way he had not thought of before. It was as if the subconscious was in total control. To watch a piece develop was as much a surprise for him as it was for other to watch the transformation. It seem like another part of his mind had opened up that had been closed before. John wants to pursue his talent with great passion. John finds enjoyment creating non-representational and finds mush satisfaction and excitement working with composition and balance, trying different approaches, especially with his abstract work. These need balance, harmony, and composition as much as any other work of art. John finished his studies at the Owensboro Community College and now has completed his Bachelors Degree from the University of Southern Indiana. He has applied to several schools to work on his Master of Fine Art.

&ensp&ensp&ensp&ensp&ensp While attending college, he has completed a large body of work and has several pieces in Europe as well as in corporate and private collections. He has had several one man shows and awards.