John E. "Jack" Thursby is a former Professor of Art at Central Florida Community College in Ocala, Florida. He completed his undergraduate work at Syracuse University and the State University College of New York at New Paltz. His graduate and post-graduate work was done at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida.

Artist's Statement     

     Using acrylics on canvas as my medium and the human figure as my primary subject, I present the viewer with a range of human emotions and personal reactions to the world around me. Having been educated in the 1960's during the height of the Abstract-Expressionist Movement, I had to deal with the frustration over the lack of academic principles and processes being taught which previously were part of the traditional artist's repertoire. Realism, technical and interpretive, was still acceptable as an endeavor for the graphic artist and I, therefore, majored in drawing. However, I always responded to color and in the 1970's, I began to take professional workshops with painters who expressed color with a passion along with painters who expressed color with a passion along with a solic academic point of view. Through their insight into color, brushwork, and intrepretation of subject matter, I gained the knowledge to combine my drawing skill with the art of painting.

     Although feverishly trying to loosen up my style, I eventually chose a form of controlled realism that came naturally to me. I began to find everyday objects, settings, and the human figures involved with them as my favorite theme. Strong contrasts in lighting (chiaroscuro) which produced deep colorful shadows and intensely edged highlights became my trademark. As an artist I try to convey the complexity, as well as the simple serenity, of the world around us through color, light, shadow, and form. My subjects range from genre to the classical and allegorical, often serious, sometimes displaying a sense of humor. I want the viewer to bring his or her own experiences into play to give meaning to the figures and objects portrayed. My work, which is featured in many private and public collections, hopefully gives it audience some pause, reflection and maybe even a laugh or two.