John Barton
	John Barton was born December 7, 1941 in St. Louis, Missouri. John’s father was a welder and part-time lay mister and he drew a bit himself. His mother led a very disturbed life and died at forty-five of acute alcoholism. Because of his parents’ problems, John experienced a very tough and deprived upbringing. In August 2002, John called Laurie Carmody of Galerie Bonheur to ask her opinion of his artwork. Laurie saw the work and was immediately taken aback, impressed and enthusiastic about the obvious talent and deep message from this unknown artist who lived only 15 minutes from her home.
John says of this meeting: “Since getting in touch with [Laurie], I’ve gained or regained some enthusiasm. The last 2 years I had almost given up and found it extremely difficult to continue my artistic work. Now I’m at it again—some new things completed, some in process, others in my mind, heart, notes.” John’s new work is richly profound, with messages both political and spiritual, honed by John’s incredible perception and sometimes tinged with pain. He is not doing art to “please” or to decorate and sell a home. In this sense, he is a true “Outsider artist,” having been painting in isolation for most of his life. Galerie Bonheur is the sole agent for Barton’s work. He continues to paint everyday at his home/studio in Illinois and has retired from his other jobs to pursue his artwork full-time. He currently is working on several series of paintings with shared themes, saying that he will never run out of inspiration for his artwork. Ideas and images come to him at night in his dreams and sometimes wake him from sleep.

		All You Can Swallow Medium: oil on masonite Size: 24 x 42 Price: $1500
	First Kiss Medium: oil on canvas Size: 16 x 20 Price: Please Inquire		The Ten Commandments Medium: oil on canvas Size: 16 x 24 Price: $750
	Memories From Afar Medium: oil on masonite Size: 20 x 24 Price: Please Inquire		The Immigrants Medium: oil on canvas Size: 24 x 30 Price: $1200
	Who Am I Medium: oil on masonite Size: 22 x 28 Price: $950		666 Medium: oil on canvas Size: 45 x 45 Price: $6000
	The Fleeting Years Medium: oil on canvas Size: 33 x 27 Price: $2500		Greed Medium: oil on canvas Size: 16 x 20 Price: $1500
	Book of the Future Medium: oil on masonite Size: 22 x 28 Price: $1500		Death of Love Medium: oil on canvas Size: 21 x 25 Price: $850
	We Walk Down Memory Lane, When Love Was Grand, You Held My Hand Medium: oil on masonite Size: 19 1/2 x 15 1/2 Price: $495		In Love's Grandeur Medium: oil on masonite Size: 15 1/2 x 19 1/2 Price: $495
	Reunion Medium: oil on canvas Size: 24 x 18 Price: $1600		Attraction Medium: oil on canvas Size: 48 x 24 Price: $1800
	Life is a Stage Medium: oil on canvas Size: 12 x 24 Price: $750		Mid-Life Crisis Medium: oil on canvas Size: 24 x 24 Price: $650
	Women on the Move Medium: oil on canvas Size: 31.5 x 25.5 Price: $1600		Mother and Child Medium: oil on masonite Size: 20 x 24 Price: $575
	Wisdom on the Water Medium: oil on canvas Size: 16 x 20 Price: $650		Monastery Medium: oil on canvas Size: 20 x 24 Price: $650
	Beauty in Pain Medium: oil on masonite Size: 16 x 20 Price: $550		Woman in Thought Medium: oil on masonite Size: 16 x 20 Price: $495
	The Artist Medium: oil on masonite Size: 30 x 36 Price: $ 4850		Give Me Equality Medium: oil on masonite Size: 22 x 27 Price: $2900