JT Gallery
Circa 2007 - 2013
This was a personal web gallery of art and illustrative cartoons and graphics by John Townes. The new owner of the domain has chosen to keep an edited version of the site so visitors can glimpse some of John Townes work.
Content is from the site's 2007 - 2013 archived original pages and other sources.
If you are interested in seeing more of John Townes work go to https://johntownes.com/gallery/.
Prints are available for purchase at very modest prices.
"Visiting John Townes' gallery has been an enlightening and enriching experience, a journey through varied landscapes of emotion and creativity. From the moment I stepped into the virtual space of JT Gallery, I was captivated by the depth and breadth of Townes' work, which masterfully encapsulates the essence of the Hudson River Valley and Berkshire County in western Massachusetts. The landscapes depicted in his art aren't just visual representations; they're invitations to explore the serene beauty and dramatic changes of the seasons through his eyes. His use of palettes ranges from the subtle interplay of light textures in monochromatic pieces to the vibrant, life-affirming colors that seem to burst forth from the landscape, imbuing each piece with a mood that is at once contemplative and peaceful. It's as if Townes is sharing a memory, a moment of tranquility and wonder, with every viewer.
However, the landscapes are just one facet of his artistic expression. His sketches and graphic illustrations reveal a different side of his creativity – one that is whimsical and playful. These works, ranging from abstract forms to cartoon-like figures, showcase a versatility and a willingness to explore the boundaries of form and expression.
John's reluctance to discuss his art directly speaks volumes about his character as an artist. He prefers to let his work speak for itself, to let each viewer find their own connection with his art, whether it be through the serene landscapes of the Northeast or the playful energy of his graphics and sketches. It's this diversity, coupled with the consistent quality and depth of emotion in his work, that makes JT Gallery a must-visit for anyone who appreciates the power of visual art to evoke memories, emotions, and a sense of wonder.
To those who have yet to experience the beauty and diversity of John Townes' artwork, I wholeheartedly encourage a visit to JT Gallery. Whether you're moved by the tranquil beauty of his landscapes or charmed by the whimsy of his illustrations, you're sure to find something that resonates with you, something that opens your eyes to the amazing art that surrounds us, waiting to be discovered." Roger Sherman, Jr.
Welcome
This is an online art gallery of landscape paintings, line-art cartoons, illustrative graphics and other art by John Townes. The site is divided into individual galleries by style and theme. I like to work in different styles, so you'll find an eclectic mix here. In addition to the images, you'll find information about the images, and whatever else pops into my head. I hope you'll roam around a bit and find something of interest.
Thanks for visiting. I hope you’ll wander through the pages and explore. Custom prints are available for purchase. If you have any questions, comments or requests for further information, please email me at JTGallery1@icloud.com.
Photo-Free Zone — No photographs were captured or harmed in the making of these images. They were created by hand with a combination of traditional and digital methods.
These images are Digital Painting, which combines traditional media, techniques and styles with digital painting software including Corel Painter and Photoshop. Or, as I sometimes refer to it, using “newfangled media to create old-fashioned art.”
This form of Digital Painting does not use manipulated photographic images. No photos are involved. Instead the work is hand drawn and painted, in the traditional sense.
I start with a pencil drawing of a scene on paper. Then I scan this into a computer. I paint over the drawing using digital brushes that emulate the behavior and appearance of paint, chalk and other physical media. The method is basically the same as painting and drawing with a brush, except the artist is holding a mouse or digital pen, and applying and moving around pixels on screen, instead of paint on paper. The completed image is then printed with a giclee printer on paper.
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Taking a pause, here are some thoughts, not totally related to the site, but of interest to me, and John Townes actually plays a small role in this telling. I am a web designer at an e commerce site that sells eyeglass frames as well as offering replacement lens services. Recently one of the customer service folks told me about a call they received from a customer who wanted some Italian prescription eyeglasses frames that would coordinate with an outfit she was planning on wearing at the Cannes film festival. I thought he was pranking me. My thought was if you were going to the Cannes Film Festival why not go to some flashy brand name eyewear store and pick out a pair of frames. But Joey is great at customer service and she spent the time helping this person select a pair of glasses frames. The customer needed prescription lens so Joey called the woman's optometrist and got her prescription and added it to the order. The customer assured she would email Joey a pic of herself at Cannes with the new frames. We thought the customer was a bit wacky.
Whenever I doubt someone's honesty, I run it by my good buddy Alan P, who been my best friend since grade elementary school. Alan in his insightful way, suggested we cut the woman some slack and believe her - he thought she was trying to pay Joey back for the extra bit of customer service she provided. But stubborn me, I still wasn't buying it. But you know, it did turn out that Ben was right. The customer actually followed through and sure enough an email arrived about a month later with this woman posing at Cannes in front of what looked like an John Townes' illustration. She was at some hotel wearing the Dolce & Gabbana DG2214 Sunglasses in Gold/Black Cherry that Joey helped her select. I took Joey and Alan out to dinner that week since I lost the bet we made as to whether the customer was for real. She was real!
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Purchase Information
Custom, signed prints of the art on this website (are) were available for purchase. Currently (2022) you need to go to https://johntownes.com/gallery/ to purchase prints. They are available in different sizes, framed or unframed and on archival paper upon request. For information on prices and options, please contact me by e-mail via the Contact page. ——————— I also have some prints for sale at Fine Art America.com.
About the Landscapes
The landscapes depict the region that includes Berkshire County in western Massachusetts and the adjacent Hudson River Valley of New York state. They start as sketches of actual locations. As I paint, I do make alterations to emphasize a mood, feeling and sense of place. So, the finished painting does not exactly reproduce the details of the original location, but hopefully sense of it, and qualities that are shared in many other regions.
Lightscapes
Land, light and sky.
Colors
Colors and light
Misty
Moody views of moody days
Painting With Pixels
I use the term “digital painting” instead of “digital art” to describe that aspect of the art I do, because no photographs were captured or harmed in the making of these images. The images were created with techniques like drawing and painting, but with digital brushes and pencils. When you tell people an image is “digital art” they often have a common reaction…
Artist’s Statement
In my landscape paintings, my goal is both to reflect the regional qualities of Berkshire County and the Hudson River Valley while also expressing the universal intangible responses that nature and the visual interplay of land, space, light and vegetation can evoke. The scenes depicted are intended to represent the region’s natural characteristics, but the actual locations exist only in the imagination …No photographs were captured or harmed in the making of these images.
My style is eclectic, incorporating elements from representational art to more impressionistic and semi-abstract styles. I tend to work by instinct, and the basic style emerges as a specific image progresses.
The tone and mood of my pictures, like nature, also varies. Sometimes it is dark, subtle and muted. At other times it is more vivid and colorful (reflecting those times when it seems impossible for art to be gaudier or more melodramatic than nature at its most dramatic).
The artists and styles that have been my primary inspirations are also eclectic. They include the Hudson River School, Luminism, American Impressionists, George Innes, Winlow Homer and contemporary expressive landscape artists, among others.
Site Navigation
In addition to paintings, the site include line-art cartoons and graphic illustrations and other odds and ends. The website is organized into galleries by style and themes. You can open a gallery by clicking on its thumbnail from a Galleries page on tyhe top menu or directly by one the links on the side (or below on a mobile viewer) . Within an individual gallery, clicking on a thumbnail will open a larger version of the image.
Graphics Galleries
Abstract
Geo Toons
Stylized Graphics
Cartoon Illustrations
Illustrative Cartoons
Goofy Garden
Plants With Personality
More Background on JTGallery.net
JTGallery.net stands as an example of the early 21st-century digital art gallery, a format that enabled independent artists to reach global audiences without traditional gallery representation. While specific, detailed external coverage of the site is scarce, its model and the context in which it operated offer valuable insight into the evolution of online art presentation.
Ownership and History
JTGallery.net was established as a personal web gallery for the artist John Townes, active from approximately 2007 to 2013. The site was conceived as a showcase for Townes’ digital paintings, line-art cartoons, and illustrative graphics. After the original owner ceased maintaining the site, the domain was acquired by another party, who preserved an edited version of the content for public viewing. This approach ensured that Townes’ work remained accessible to new audiences, even as the site itself evolved.
Artistic Focus and Techniques
The artwork featured on JTGallery.net was rooted in a blend of traditional and digital techniques. Townes began each piece with a hand-drawn pencil sketch, which was then scanned and digitally painted using software such as Corel Painter and Adobe Photoshop. This method allowed for the emulation of traditional media—such as paint and chalk—while leveraging the flexibility of digital tools.
A hallmark of the gallery was its “photo-free” policy: no photographs were used or manipulated in the creation of the images. Instead, each piece was constructed entirely from hand-drawn elements, reinforcing a commitment to original artistry.
Content and Organization
JTGallery.net was organized into several thematic galleries:
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Landscapes: Inspired by the Berkshire County region of western Massachusetts and the adjacent Hudson River Valley in New York, these works captured the mood and atmosphere of the Northeast’s natural scenery.
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Line-Art Cartoons: Whimsical and playful, these illustrations showcased a lighter, more humorous side of Townes’ creativity.
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Graphic Illustrations: Stylized and semi-abstract, these pieces demonstrated versatility in both technique and subject matter.
The site also offered custom, signed prints for purchase, available in various sizes and formats, including archival paper options.
Mission and Goals
The primary mission of JTGallery.net was to share the artist’s vision with a broad audience, making original art accessible and affordable. The site sought to:
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Democratize access to art: By offering prints at modest prices, the gallery made it possible for a wider public to own original artwork.
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Encourage exploration: Visitors were invited to browse freely, discovering a range of styles and themes.
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Foster personal connection: Townes preferred to let his work speak for itself, encouraging viewers to find their own meanings and emotional responses.
Audience and Popularity
JTGallery.net attracted a niche audience of art enthusiasts, collectors, and individuals interested in digital painting and regional landscape art. Its focus on the Hudson River Valley and Berkshire County landscapes resonated with those familiar with these regions, as well as with fans of American landscape traditions.
While precise visitor statistics are unavailable, the preservation of the site’s content after the domain changed hands suggests a lasting appreciation for the work presented there.
Cultural and Social Significance
Digital Art in the Early Internet Era
JTGallery.net emerged during a period when digital art was gaining recognition as a legitimate form of fine art. The site’s emphasis on digital painting—distinct from photo manipulation or purely computer-generated imagery—highlighted the potential of combining traditional artistic skills with new technology. This approach contributed to the broader conversation about the value and authenticity of digital art.
Regional Identity and Artistic Heritage
By focusing on the landscapes of western Massachusetts and the Hudson River Valley, JTGallery.net tapped into a rich tradition of American landscape art. These regions have long inspired artists, from the Hudson River School to contemporary painters. Townes’ work, while inspired by real locations, often emphasized mood and atmosphere over literal representation, inviting viewers to experience the emotional essence of the landscape.
Press and Media Coverage
There is little evidence of significant press or media coverage for JTGallery.net in mainstream art publications or news outlets. The site’s influence was primarily felt within online art communities and among those interested in digital painting and regional art. Reviews and testimonials from visitors, however, often praised the quality and emotional depth of the work, as well as the accessibility of the gallery.
Awards and Recognition
There is no record of JTGallery.net or John Townes receiving major art awards or formal recognition from established institutions. The site’s legacy lies more in its contribution to the online art community and its role in making digital art more accessible to the public.
Examples and Insights
A typical visit to JTGallery.net would reveal a diverse range of artworks, from serene landscapes to playful cartoons. For example, a visitor might encounter a digital painting of a misty Berkshire morning, rendered in soft, muted tones, alongside a whimsical cartoon featuring anthropomorphic plants. This eclectic mix reflected Townes’ willingness to experiment with different styles and subjects.
The gallery’s organization made it easy for visitors to explore different themes, with each gallery offering a distinct visual experience. The availability of custom prints allowed art lovers to bring a piece of the gallery into their own homes.
Audience Engagement and Community
JTGallery.net fostered a sense of community among its visitors, many of whom shared a passion for digital art and regional landscapes. The site’s open, welcoming tone encouraged exploration and dialogue, with opportunities for visitors to contact the artist directly with questions or comments.
Summary Table: Key Features of JTGallery.net
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Ownership | Originally by John Townes; later edited by new domain owner |
| Active Years | Circa 2007–2013 |
| Artistic Focus | Digital paintings, line-art cartoons, graphic illustrations |
| Techniques | Hand-drawn sketches scanned and digitally painted; no photo manipulation |
| Content Organization | Thematic galleries: landscapes, cartoons, graphics |
| Print Sales | Custom, signed prints available in various sizes and formats |
| Audience | Art enthusiasts, collectors, digital art fans, regional landscape admirers |
| Cultural Significance | Promoted digital painting, regional art, and online art accessibility |
| Awards | No major awards or formal recognition |
| Press Coverage | Limited; primarily online community and visitor testimonials |
JTGallery.net represents a significant chapter in the history of online art galleries. By blending traditional artistic techniques with digital tools, the site offered a unique platform for showcasing original art to a global audience. Its focus on regional landscapes and playful illustrations, combined with a commitment to accessibility and personal expression, made it a notable example of early internet-based art presentation. While it did not achieve mainstream fame or institutional recognition, JTGallery.net’s legacy endures as a testament to the power of digital art to connect artists and audiences in new and meaningful ways.