John Porter Lasater IV | Plein air painter

'Art is a trifle. I think I can take it too seriously. It will soon be lost in time. I don’t mean the artists are a trifle.

What we are doing is of great importance. It’s the art itself that in my mind is of lesser value.

Most of us hope and wish that somehow our product will be epic and immortal, and it might be, but I can’t let that be my motivation' - John Porter Lasater IV

Born and raised in Houston, Texas, John P. Lasater IV is an award-winning artist who now lives, paints and teaches in Siloam Springs, located in the beautiful hills of Northwest Arkansas.

Lasater once known for his impressionistic style and bravado brushwork, has recently evolved under the mentorship of Jerusalem Master, Israel Hershberg, as well as from his travels to Italy and in depth historical and experimental self-studies.

His recent works have matured to a quieter, more thought out and simplistic approach, giving himself more time and focus on each painting.

Lasater has been a main figure on the plein air scene for several years, considered by many to be one of the best in the genre in American outdoor painting.

He has won many awards including Best of Show twice in Easels in Frederick, Best of Show twice in the Plein Air Southwest Salon, and Best of Show in Plein Air Rockies just to name a few.

Most recently Lasater has taken to his studio where he is creating more calculated and ambitious works, and although outdoor painting will likely always hold an important place in his process, he believes these new studio works to be the next step for him in his trek to wherever he is going.

John Porter Lasater the Fourth developed a love for art working as a designer and illustrator for a division of Hallmark Cards.

Fine art was a natural transition after years of study and practice.

John now paints full time, both from his studio in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, and on the road painting “En plein air”. He also teaches workshops.

Part of John’s mission is to promote the arts in areas currently indifferent to it. He is accomplishing this through Heart of America Artists’ Association, an organization cofounded with artist and friend, Todd A. Williams.

John also started a tour called “24 Paintings in 24 Hours” in which he partners with galleries in these art-starved areas by showcasing his ability to do 24 plein air paintings in 24 straight hours.

John’s honors include national plein air painting awards, artist-in-residency’s, a feature article in Plein Air Magazine, and mentions in art magazines including Art of the West, Southwest Art, International Artist and Plein Air Magazine.

John studied under master artists C.W. Mundy, Carolyn Anderson, John Budicin and Todd A. Williams.

Nato e cresciuto a Houston, in Texas, John P. Lasater IV è un artista pluripremiato che ora vive, dipinge ed insegna a Siloam Springs, situata sulle splendide colline del nord-ovest dell'Arkansas.

Lasater una volta noto per il suo stile impressionista e spavalda pennellata, si è recentemente evoluto sotto la guida del Maestro di Gerusalemme, Israel Hershberg, così come dai suoi viaggi in Italia e da approfonditi auto-studi storici e sperimentali.

I suoi lavori recenti sono maturati in un approccio più tranquillo, più ponderato e semplicistico, dedicandosi più tempo e concentrarsi su ogni dipinto. Lasater è stato per diversi anni una figura principale sulla scena plein air, considerato da molti uno dei migliori del genere nella pittura all'aperto americana.

Ha vinto numerosi premi tra cui Best of Show due volte in Easels a Frederick, Best of Show due volte al Plein Air Southwest Salon e Best of Show a Plein Air Rockies, solo per citarne alcuni.

Più recentemente Lasater si è recato nel suo studio dove sta creando opere più calcolate ed ambiziose, e sebbene la pittura all'aperto probabilmente occuperà sempre un posto importante nel suo processo, crede che questi nuovi lavori in studio siano il passo successivo per lui nel suo viaggio verso ovunque vada.