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Discover John Morton Thomas Art
The Pathway 2024
My journey as an artist began with a sculpture course at the Fine Arts Center in Irvine in 1980. Taught by Ruthann Anderson, who specialized in wall-hung paper sculptures, the process of working with clay, creating plaster molds, and shaping pieces with mulched cotton linters quickly became a passion. The resulting work resembled architectural artifacts from ancient civilizations.
The first big break came with a commission from Palm Valley Country Club in the desert. A studio was rented in Costa Mesa, and work in this medium continued for about ten years. During this period, exhibitions took place at the Laguna Beach Art Festival for four years and at the Devorzon Gallery at the Pacific Design Center. Devorzon sold several pieces, including a diptych to Twentieth Century Fox, which hung over the reception desk on the TV show LA Law. A fun memory from this time is how proud parents switched from watching Dynasty to LA Law, just to catch glimpses of the work on screen.
In the ’90s, most of the time was spent managing a floorcovering showroom in Palm Springs, returning to this job during slow economic periods. In 1998, after moving back to the Laguna area, a studio was shared with close friend and teacher Patrick Kely, who introduced the masking tape technique, still in use today. When Patrick moved to the desert in 2002, the guest bedroom of a Laguna Niguel condo became the new studio.
Artwork has been shown at Avron Gallery in Laguna Beach, LagunaArt.com, The Shops at Mission Viejo, and online at Wescover Galleries. The style is hard-edge, straight-line abstraction using the masking tape technique, where each element, even the smallest lines, is taped off, painted, and then the tape is removed, creating eye-catching paintings through shape, color, and movement.
Rather than planning the entire canvas ahead of time, each shape is drawn and painted as it develops, allowing the painting to reveal its direction, sometimes requiring the canvas to be rotated. This spontaneity brings excitement to the process. What brings the most joy is seeing a client’s reaction to a piece. Titles are intentionally avoided, using only numbers, so viewers can interpret the work in their own way, free from influence.
Installation Vision
CORPORATE
John’s art collection has a powerful ability to shape the atmosphere and mood of any space, especially in corporate environments where first impressions matter. When you walk into a building and feel captivated by the art, it’s not just the beauty or the scale that draws you in. It’s the way the art has been thoughtfully chosen and placed to resonate with the building’s purpose, culture, and aesthetics.
COLLECTORS
Acquiring art for investment is not just about the financial return—it’s about passion, creativity, and building a personal connection with pieces that resonate.
John Morton Thomas’ modern art is an excellent example of collectible investment art. Known for his hard-edge, contemporary style, his original works hold a unique position in today’s art market. With his pieces showcasing precision, bold shapes, and a captivating use of color, collectors have the opportunity to invest in art that not only stands out aesthetically but also appreciates in value over time. John Morton Thomas artwork offers both personal fulfillment and significant financial potential for serious art collectors.
HOSPITALITY
John Morton Thomas’ art brings a commanding presence to hospitality interior design installations, elevating spaces with his bold, contemporary works. His mastery in hard-edge techniques and acrylic compositions creates striking visual focal points that resonate deeply with viewers. The geometric precision and vibrant colors in his pieces generate a sense of energy and movement, transforming ordinary environments into dynamic, engaging experiences.