About the Artist: John Crum
About the Cover Artist
September 2025 Issue
About the Cover Artist — John Crum
by Lindsay Gifford
As an artist, John Crum strives to develop paintings that speak about the world and the moments that affect our lives and environment—personal moments that have made a fond memory or lasting imprint. He believes a painting should evoke thought, awaken a memory, or spark an idea.
“My subjects begin as an observation or in a passing moment. Capturing that image and putting the message onto canvas is my most gratifying accomplishment. I consider a painting successful when the viewer stops, takes a closer look, and smiles,” said John.
John’s illustrious art career began early. As a child, he had an active imagination and loved to draw. After graduating high school, he decided to take destiny into his own hands, enrolling at Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida. After receiving classical art training from nationally acclaimed instructors and talented fellow artists in figure, portraiture, landscape, and graphic design, John graduated in 1973. His training has allowed him the fortune of enjoying a life-long creative career in the arts as an illustrator, graphic artist, and painter.
“Your art makes me smile” is the most common compliment John receives about his work. This loving expression encourages him to continue pushing his limits and indulging his imagination. His painting styles include representational figures and gently surreal landscapes. “Gentle surrealism”, a self-coined word, uses whimsical, narrative imagery to preserve memorable life moments. “The paintings are images in my head. I add curiosity and fantasy in a dreamlike, painterly quality for the effect I am looking to achieve,” John explained.
In 2001, John relocated to Hilton Head Island from Bay Village, Ohio. He can now be found in his art studio, along with his studio assistant, Zoey, where he concentrates on painting and sharing his visions. “I love the feel and sight of paint rolling onto a canvas. Developing new ideas and the just the process, such as directing eye-flow with brush strokes and color is exciting!”
Pink Magazine is honored to feature John’s work on our cover for the fourth time. This piece, entitled “Purple Rain,” which features a woman sitting at the end of a pier, invites endless speculation about her thoughts and feelings. John said he wanted to capture “a suspended moment, a sense of longing that encourages the viewer to project their own story.” Encapsulated with a palette of purples, blues, and soft lavenders, “Purple Rain” establishes a tranquil, almost otherworldly mood.
Meet the Artist: See John’s work in person at Coastal Discovery Museum on HHI now through November 4 at “DELIBERATELY UNPREDICTABLE” art show, an exposition by the Art Beyond Tradition Group, which is comprised of 12 artists. Opening reception will be on October 11, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM and the public is welcome. A special Gallery Walk for this show is October 25 at 11:00 AM.
John’s art is available directly through his website www.JohnCrumArt.com and at these local art galleries: Pluff Mudd Art Gallery on Calhoun Street in Bluffton and The Art League of Hilton Head Island Gallery (inside Arts Center of Coastal Carolina on Hilton Head Island). John can be reached by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and you can follow him on Instagram @johncrumart and Facebook “John K. Crum.”