John Newman
The Artist’s Eye
by Maryevelyn Jones
Fayetteville Free Weekly
2002/3
One of my former professors, John Newman, teaches printmaking at the University of Arkansas. He sat for me while I drew and interviewed him. Newman teaches different forms of printmaking such as lithography, silk-screen, etching, and monotypes. In addition to teaching, he produces his own prints as well as paintings for show and sell.
After he was drafted and returned from the military Newman thought about school but wanted to work first. He decided to get a teaching certificate and attended school while working as a commercial artist at Hallmark. He finally chose graduate school full time.
Printmaking captured his attention in graduate school, but a University of Kansas professor asked him to also paint, so Newman completed a double major in printmaking and painting. He has done a number of paintings. One of his paintings hangs in the University of Arkansas- Little Rock Law Library. He has had several shows mainly with prints and drawings.
Though prints may be thought of as a copy of an image, Newman finds excitement in the many different ways a single image will appear through multiple layers of color or different techniques. Painting provides a more immediate feeling because each brushstroke is as it is.
Newman defines art as speaking to life and to life’s experiences in all it’s forms whether beautiful or ugly. He said that art celebrates existence and the ability to use the resources around you. The list of possible resources never ends: acrylic, oil, watercolor, printmaking, computers, neon… “I need to document my experiences to be motivated to paint or say something.” said Newman.
For the most part, social commentary is his purpose in creating art. In some instances people look and are disgusted or turned off by a piece, but Newman said he likes that he has that effect.
He believes it’s worthwhile to have things that he has seen and thought about around him. For example, he thinks about the murder of Emit Teal and the Billy Holiday piece called “Strange Fruit” written by a white man speaking to the hangings throughout the country. Another example is his series depicting black on black crime.
Newman also enjoys more beautiful and lighthearted subjects that don’t require as much thought. He said that sometimes subject matter can be less important than the act of doing the art.
He does not ask his students to make social comments through their work. However after the work is completed, he does ask what message they meant to send. If a student expresses uncertainty, then Newman guides them or suggests ways for them to become more clear the next time. He was one of my favorite professors.
A sample of Newman’s artworks can be viewed on the art department section of the University of Arkansas uark.edu website.