National Endowment for the Arts - Magic Realism in Taxco, Mexico

[Our National Endowment for the Arts project team and participating young artists in Taxco, Mexico]


Have you ever had a time in your life when there seemed to be a beautiful, poetic theme that ran through everything? This time last year, I had a remarkable opportunity to experience that sense of unity and spiritual connectedness...
I received a travel grant from the N.E.A., the National Endowment for the Arts, to participate in an art and literacy program called "The Big Read." The theme was "Magic Realism in Mexican Literature."

"Magic Realism" is a term that was originally coined to describe the haunting, dreamlike writings of a truly brilliant generation of Mexican authors who came of age during the transitional years of the revolution. Octavio Paz, Juan Rulfo,
were being celebrated in a special volume of their collected works called : Sol, Piedro Y Sombras, translated as "Sun, Stone and Shadow." We were asked by Olga Garay, the General Manager of the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, to create a visual Arts and Literacy project which would enhance the National Endowment's mission. One component would be to travel to Taxco, in Guerrero, Mexico, undertake the project with youth from the local schools. The dream-like themes we were going to be exploring in the Book were often related with images of transition and death.

Almost all stories we would be teaching carried overtones of journeys to the spirit world...



And during this time, my own Father was dying in the hospital, his body trying to recover after a debilitating stroke. My family had agreed that my Father would not have wanted me to miss this honored opportunity, so I continued with the planned trip, with my heart torn, but fully alive with passion.

Taxco is a gorgeous, rich Spanish-colonial town in the mountains of Guerrero, south of Mexico City.



After introducing the ideas of "Magic Realism" in literature, and "Surrealism" in visual arts, we had students read Piedo, Sol, Y Sombras. They each chose a favorite story, or author, and designed a block print using imagery from the text.



[Teaching a young artist about printing methods.]







The resulting artworks were displayed at the Bridge Gallery in City Hall, Los Angeles

Digital Speed Painting

The world's largest social networking site for artists, "deviantArt",
asked me to create a portrait using their new digital painting program, called "Muro." Here is the finished promotional video, featuring the sped-up creation of my digital portrait. My wife Martina is the model.

All Children Have Guardian Angels

[John Paul Thornton with his portraits of America's Missing Children.]


In observance of National Missing Children's Day, May 25th, Volunteers from across America have been asked to play "Guardian Angel".
Each volunteer has received by mail an oil painting of a missing child, created by Los Angeles artist John Paul Thornton. The volunteers have been challenged to dream up creative ways to display these paintings in their communities, bringing the artworks to schools, workplaces, to churches and temples, galleries and meeting centers. One volunteer couple is even embarking upon a month-long, thirty-state road-trip to spread awareness about a little lost girl... a girl they have never even met. The purpose is to find these children...and to not let their cases fade from the public awareness.


[Dina Martin served as guardian angel for Missing Child Abby Jo Blagg. She conducted a series of educational workshops and presentations shedding light on Abby Jo's case. She also created a drawing of her own, detailing how Abby Jo might appear today as a young adult.]



[Guardian angel Sandie Blair arranged a remarkable educational presentation and resulting exhibition to honor missing child Jozlynn Martinez.]






[Jake and Jeanett Van Donge serve as guardian angels for Aja Danielle Johnson. ]



How can paintings possibly impact the way viewers think, feel and act? It seems that in this era of greed, collapse and fear, selfless acts of hope and humanity offer a welcome change.

Three Artists-One World

I am honored to be exhibiting along with two brilliant artists: Toni Scott and Charlie Morey for the exhibition "Three Artists-One World" at the Burbank Creative Arts Center.

The exhibition has an opening reception on Friday, June 4th 2010 from 7 to 9pm and runs until June 24th. For gallery information and hours, please call 818 238-5397.

I will be featuring my large paintings of world ceremonies, including images inspired by my experiences in Tibetan refugee settlements and from my recent residencies in Taxco, Mexico.


[John Paul Thornton in front of his painting "Las Angelitas"]

Here is the press release from the show:

Three Artists - One World
Three compelling visionaries present artworks which address human dignity, the passionate longing for spirituality and the all-pervasive natural world which grounds us all. "Three Artists- One World" focuses on three successful mid-career artists: Toni Scott, John Paul Thornton and Charlie Morey, who offer a delightfully diverse range of media, all based upon what compels them most: the discovery of meaning in today's world. Ms. Scott, who recently completed her "Bloodlines" installation for a two-year run at the California African American Museum in Los Angeles, has worked in almost all art media, including paint, sculpture, photography, digital, and found objects. Mr. Thornton is known for his "Missing Children -- Portraits of Hope" series of paintings derived from missing children flyers received in the mail and for his large-scale figure paintings inspired by religious ceremonies from around the globe. Mr. Morey has devoted his artistic life to photography and exploration, where he found thoughtful images in such visually fulfilling locations as his home state of Maine, the big island of Hawaii, Yosemite National Park (where he served as an Artist-in-Residence, producing an exhibit called "Digital Yosemite"), and other locations in California, where all three artists currently reside.

Portrait of Aja Danille Johnson

[Portrait of Aja Danielle Johnson, by John Paul Thornton]


As I continue to paint portraits of America's missing children, I was asked to paint a portrait of Aja Danielle Johnson. She was born January 5th, 2003, reported as missing January 2010.

After I began her painting, she was found deceased.

I could not bear to put her painting aside. Finishing it was one of the most emotional experiences I have had. My heart goes out to her family, and to all of us.