John Opie

John Opie has spent more than six decades painting with color. He trained at Kent State University in the 1950s and began as an abstract painter. Over time recognizable forms entered his work, but they kept the loose, open space of his abstract roots. Best known for his vibrant paintings of jazz musicians, John has exhibited widely in Pennsylvania, including at the Allentown Art Museum and Philadelphia’s More Gallery.

In this collection, he turns his colorist’s eye to flowers. Saturated hues and confident, joyful brushwork make each bouquet glow, and critics have long noted that his tone stays bright even in his nighttime scenes.

🎥 Learn more: Watch John Thornton’s YouTube documentary, “Painterly Imagination: Lessons from an Afternoon with John Opie.”