My name is João Magalhães, which is Portuguese for John Magellan. I was born in Jacutinga, a tiny town in the southern part of the state of Minas Gerais in Brazil, the oldest of three siblings. The inhabitants of the town are mostly of Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish heritage, as is our family.
As a young child, one of my favorite interests was drawing. I dreamed of learning how to paint with oils, but opportunities in our little town were non-existent. Fortunately, when I was fifteen, our parents decided to relocate the family to Pouso Alegre, where we would have access to better education. In our new town, we immersed ourselves in extracurricular activities, and I was soon enrolled in oil painting classes, which I attended for three years. I was in heaven.
However, as time passed, other responsibilities took precedence: military service and then college, graduating in 1987 with a degree in law. The summer of 1989 saw me in school in California, studying techniques for teaching English as a second language (ESL), followed by a trip to Oklahoma in the fall, where time with friends helped with my language skills and understanding of American culture. Upon returning to Brazil, I started my own business, a school offering classes in English, Spanish, and art. Establishing the school opened the door to acceptance in a prestigious two-year educational program in small business administration, run by the government agency SEBRAE. While operating the business for ten years, I became increasingly compelled to further my education. In 2000, I was accepted into the master’s program in Teaching English as a Second Language at the University of Central Oklahoma, in the quaint town of Edmond.
Leaving Brazil was a painful and difficult decision, but determination and faith in God won out. After much preparation, I landed in Oklahoma City on May 11, 2001 to start summer school.
Soon after graduation in 2003, The Language Company agreed to sponsor a work visa and sent me to Pennsylvania in January of 2004 to work in one of their branches as the Director of Admissions and as an ESL instructor. I remained on the job with The Language Company until the end of October 2018. By that time, it had become clear to me that art should finally take center stage. This was the beginning of a new chapter in my life as a full-time artist.
It is important to mention a date of deep gratitude, April 22, 2016, when I was sworn in as an American citizen. Counting all the blessings along the way would be impossible, but the journey goes on.
I work with oils because they translate into a better interpretation of the world around me.
Whatever pleases my eyes, touches my heart, and brings me joy holds potential for a painting. I am especially fascinated by contrasts of light and shadow and the ways we can use color to convey depth, mood, and shapes.
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This scene of the Pemaquid Point in Maine makes me feel secure because of the massive structure of the rocks. Nature is constantly changing, but the rocks stand firm against all weather. The lighthouse looks at it all, and remains undisturbed. It seems to be telling me that troubles come and go, but it is wise to count our days. Rock Solid Foundation, oil on linen canvas 12x16 framed with an espresso color plein air frame.
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Even though the end of warm weather season can be bittersweet, fall brings an array of colors and that alluring, evoke calmness and herald a mellow transition in nature. I want to soak in the change and embrace quietness and contemplation. Hues of Change, oil on linen canvas 9x12 inches framed in an espresso color plein air frame.
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This West Coast vista brings to mind that life is good. I appreciate being alive in the world, grateful for every sunrise and sunset. Nature sings through the flood of afternoon light reflected on the rocks and the water. All Bright and Beautiful, oil on linen canvas 12x16 framed in an espresso color plein air style frame.
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I'll take the tranquility of this path in the battlefields of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania over the rush hour of a large metropolis any day, any time. It is a life style I aspire to achieve, far from the hustle and bustle of the city. The peace and quiet revives the soul. Autumnal Path, oil on linen canvas 6x8, unframed. It comes with a mini display easel made of German birch. For more information or purchase, please contact me directly at artbyjoao23@gmail.com.
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Peaceful views along the shore invite us for a pause. Here, human endeavors cease, and the ocean infuses the air with smells and sounds. For the spiritual soul, it is a moment of contemplation, and a taste of the simple pleasures of life. Beach Scenes, oil on linen canvas 6x8 inches, unframed. They come with a mini display easel made of German birch. $155 each, pick your scene. For more information or purchase, please contact me directly at artbyjoao23@gmail.com.
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There are two places in my life that bring me great contentment. One if them is Cape Cod in the summer. The other is Lancaster County, PA in any season of the year. I love the old farms and barns, and the winding roads of the Amish country. January Light, oil on linen canvas 11x14 and framed in a plein air style frame. For more information, please contact me at artbyjoao23@gmail.com.
I would like to keep you posted on new paintings and new adventures!
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