John Stone: A Life of Painting
By Brittany Willsie
Spending his life in the vast and diverse wilderness of central Alberta, John Stone captures what he observes around him through his realistic artwork.
A former farmer and horseman, Stone continues to paint in his retirement. His love for wildlife, along with his keen eye, allows him to paint what he knows from memory. “I love animals and I always want to include them, so I study them,” he said.
Stone started out sketching animals in school. “I was sketching all the time and we never had an art class,” Stone said. “I guess I was the art teacher because every kid wanted me to draw a horse for them – we rode horses to school."
At the age of 12, Stone was introduced to oil painting. One of his neighbours at the time, whom Stone affectionately called Mother Burke, saw his work and provided him with some of her old tubes of the primary colours to get him started. Stone’s first ever oil painting was a sunset scene that currently hangs in his gallery among all his other creations.
Among the various animals Stone has painted, he holds a special affection for horses.
“Growing up we used horses for farming. I grew up with them and loved training them,” he said. A horse Stone spoke fondly of was a white Arabian who was very well trained.
“He was so smart that I told my wife he’ll follow me into the kitchen and so I had him do that,” he said while laughing.
Horses are depicted in a large portion of Stone’s artwork, including his personal favourite, ‘River Valley Stagecoach,’ which is unique because of the techniques used to show lighting and distance. “It gives it character that it wouldn’t have had,” Stone said.
Stone painted, ‘Wagons West,’ depicting the pioneer wagon train as a tribute to his mother who was originally from Oklahoma.
“She’s seen some great things happen – a real pioneer spirit,” he said of his mother. “She was a beautiful woman with a heart of gold. She bought the first three or four of my originals, moms will do that for you to keep you encouraged.”
Stone also had lots of encouragement from his late wife Mavis. “She never told me what to do,” he said. “She just encouraged me through comments.”
“One night she got up at three in the morning while I was still painting the picture of the ducks. I told her I was having trouble with the water and she said, ‘well if it was any more real it would be running on the floor.’” Stone enjoyed taking drives through the bush with his wife, just observing nature.
“I’ve enjoyed painting over the years,” Stone said. “I like the wild animals and the motion, but I have to be feeling good about a picture, or I won’t paint it. Right now, I’m doing the black wolves.”
“Before I even started, I had it in my mind how I wanted it, but it’s never exactly like you want because you can’t paint like you want. It’s nice to come as close as you can, but I’m too critical of myself and I want it perfect.”
Stone has illustrated three books and many wildlife magazine covers. “I’m a sucker for commission work,” he said.
Stone refers to his painting as a gift and seems contented when he looks back on his life. “I believe that people have a gift and they have to develop it. I’m satisfied with how it went, with my family and painting and ranching.”
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Stone's gallery resides along highway 22 North of Sundre, Alta.
