JC Burleson is a landscape painter whose work reflects a lifelong dialogue with the natural world. He grew up between two distinct environments - the wide, rugged expanses of Texas and the quiet, snow-laced mountains of Karuizawa, Japan - where his parents served as missionaries. These early experiences shaped his visual memory and instilled in him a deep appreciation for the variety and beauty of nature. The red earth of the Southwest, the stillness of mountain lakes, and the soft greens of pine forests became foundational elements of his artistic voice.
From an early age, JC felt compelled to draw and paint, driven by a desire to capture light, atmosphere, and the fleeting moods of the landscape. That impulse matured into a disciplined pursuit of craft. He studied the works of master painters such as Frederic Remington, Andrew Wyeth, John Singer Sargent, Anders Zorn, and William-Adolphe Bouguereau - artists known for their technical excellence and emotional depth. He also draws inspiration from contemporary masters including Jeremy Lipking, Clyde Aspevig, and Matt Smith, whose reverence for the natural world closely aligns with his own.
After a long and successful career as an engineer and raising a family, JC returned full-time to painting - the calling that had quietly accompanied him throughout his life. In 2021, he moved to Portland, Oregon, where the dramatic beauty of the Pacific Northwest expanded his visual vocabulary even further. The mist-covered forests, rugged coastline, river valleys, and shifting coastal light of Oregon now feature prominently in his work.
Working primarily in oils, often en plein air, JC seeks to convey not just the appearance of a place, but its spirit. Each painting is an invitation to slow down, observe carefully, and reconnect with the enduring beauty of the natural world.
"Nature restores something essential in us. That is why I paint it. I grew up moving between the open spaces of Texas and the quiet mountains of Japan. Those early landscapes shaped the way I see - wide horizons, changing weather, still water, long shadows. Over time, I realized that what moves me most is not just the scene itself, but the light within it - the way it defines form, reveals structure, and creates mood. My work is rooted in observation. I begin by establishing the darkest darks and the lightest lights, building the structure of the painting through value before color takes its place. Light is never singular. The warmth of the sun is balanced by the cool influence of sky, reflected color, and atmosphere. Shadows are alive. Secondary light sources - blue sky, green grass, canyon walls, water - shape the truth of what we see. When these relationships are honored, the painting feels real. When they are ignored, it feels flat. I work primarily in oils, often en plein air, because direct engagement with the landscape forces honesty. Nature does not simplify itself for us - we must simplify it with intention. My goal is not to copy every detail, but to suggest the essential forms and allow the viewer's experience to complete the story. After many years in engineering, painting became a return - not a departure. Engineering trained me to value structure and clarity. Painting allows me to pair that structure with emotion. Each canvas is a conversation between order and atmosphere, discipline and intuition. I paint to honor the places that have shaped me - Texas, Japan, and now Oregon - and to invite others to slow down long enough to see what is already there." |
Media: Oil
Studio Number: 50
Address: 5225 SE Pardee St Portland OR 97206
Community: SE Portland
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
Email: jonny.burleson@gmail.com
Website: jcburlesonartist.com
Instagram: @jcburlesonart
Facebook: @JCBurlesonArtist
