John Behm has a natural affinity for the landscape of Norfolk and the Scottish borders where he was occupied in the conception and execution of public sculptures. He had been unable to work for a while due to a near fatal accident but fortunately has sufficiently recovered to be back to creating art and sculptures and has been making some beautiful paintings en plein air.
John studied Drawing & Painting, Sculpture and Architectural Design in the US, and at the Edinburgh College of Art.
Several decades of working within art and design with turns in teaching, writing, portraits, life-drawing, and several exhibitions means that John has a strong background in art that he is currently augmenting by studying Art History. He has numerous sculptures on past and/or present display in Scotland and Norfolk, as well as work in public collections including the City of York, the National Museums of Scotland, “The House for an Art Lover” in Glasgow, and the Coldstream Museum.
Whilst mainly painting in oils, when not carving stone and wood, and casting sculptures in bronze, he has occasionally gone mixed media including adding twigs to a three-dimensional painting at Paint Out events; he is always willing to try something new. His preference of subject includes landscape as palimpsest, the spirit of place human experience, history, family, and sensory delights.
John says of his work that:
“The idea is first, then I choose the medium – paint, wood, bronze, steel, stone, film. The word ‘art’ comes from Sanskrit, from a root meaning simply to make: it’s the making, and what, that keeps me going.”
John made the press when, in 2018, he dived into the River Wensum to rescue fellow artist and Paint Out founder James Colman’s artwork that has fallen in, easel and all, and was floating face-up in the water, heading towards Fye Bridge. Despite the October chill, John handed over his own painting, stripped off his art clothes, mounted the bridge wall and dived in the cold river to cheers from onlookers. He swam towards the waterlogged gouache and dragged it to dry land, lifesaver-style!
Now a four-times winner of the Paint OutSpirit of Plein Air prize in two locations, John is renowned for getting into deep water! Back in 2009, he waded chest-deep into the sea to install bronze sculptures in the sea off the Berwickshire coast. “All in the name of art,” was his explanation or perhaps excuse, looking for any reason to get wet!
“Ultimately it was an adventure that took us over two hours in the sea wading about bringing everything ashore. We lit a fire to warm ourselves up then installed the waymark without two much trouble.” – John Behm
Haidee-Jo Summers describes her work as a celebration of sea, wind, sky, light and life revealed in rich and vibrant oil paint, using personal visual language of fresh and direct brushmarks. Painting en plein air is central to her practice, and she travels to seek new experiences and fresh inspiration to feed back into her studio work. She strives for simplicity and economy and to make every mark count, walking a fine line between shape and suggestion.
Haidee-Jo was one of the few artists chosen to record the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee River Pageant with an en plein air painting. Ken Howard RA gave her an award saying that her paintings “really make you see and very often reflections aren’t seen, her work makes you see them.”
From her four-times winning of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters (ROI)Young Artist Award, Haidee-Jo has emerged as a multi-award winning sought after artist and was Paint Out‘s first ever winner in 2014. She followed this up with sharing the Spirit of Plein Air Prize at the Royal Norfolk Show Paint Out for her “Waiting to be Judged” painting.
Paint Out Awards
Paint Out Royal Norfolk Show – Spirit of Plein Air Prize (2017)
Paint Out Norwich – selected and participated (2015), First Prize (2014)
Haidee-Jo Summers painting chickens at Royal Norfolk Show
Other Awards
Great Art Award (2016, 2015)
The Artist, ExhibitionAward (2016, 2014)
Buxton Spa prize, First Prize (2014)
Pro Arte Award (2014,2012)
Rosemary Brushes Prize, ABWTB (2014)
Royal Talens Award (2013)
ROI portrait evening, First Prize (2012)
SAA, Artist of the Year award (2012)
ROI, Young Artist Award (2007, 2005, 1998, 1997)
Sample Gallery & Works for Sale
Haidee-Jo Summers, 'Best of Breed', Norfolk Showground, Oil, 12x13in, FOR SALE
Haidee-Jo Summers, 'Championship Row', Norfolk Showground, Oil, 10x11in, FOR SALE
Haidee-Jo Summers, 'A First and Two Seconds', Norfolk Showground, Oil, 10x11in, FOR SALE
Haidee-Jo Summers, 'Waiting to be Judged', Norfolk Showground, Oil, 12x14in, FOR SALE
Haidee-Jo Summers, 'Whites and Darks', , Oil, 8x10in, FOR SALE
Haidee-Jo Summers, 'Cow Tent', Norfolk Showground, Oil, 11x14in, FOR SALE
Haidee-Jo Summers, 'Sunbathers', , Oil, 9.5x13.5in, FOR SALE
