“The Brush found my fingertips before I can remember anything else. Every time I paint, I am discovering a new part of me, an extension of myself which I can share with the world.”

My Story

Emerging International Artist John Galan resides in Ventura County California. His work focuses on the inextricable connection between humankind and natural world. Characteristics include: vibrant hues influenced by the artist’s Mexican heritage.  Galan’s paintings use symbolism to describe the human experience.

Galan’s work strives to taps into the psychological aspects of the mind hoping to trigger a sense of unified subconsciousness. This connectivity in turn, relates to the Carl Jung’s idea of “collective consciousness”. An idea of deep culture rooted in common beliefs and moral ethics. Galan’s artwork expands on those archetypes of universal connectivities as a means to explore and preserve his own cultural roots.

John began work on his "Organ Series" in 2019. Having grown to appreciate the connection between the physical body, particularly the gut, and mental health, John now looks to the foods and healing practices passed down by his ancestors to help treat his body and mind. The ongoing series combines the universal archetypes of the lungs, brain, and heart with symbolic imagery from contemporary Chicanx culture and cuisine. With each artwork, Galan reminds himself and others of their inherent strength (cactus lungs), wisdom (corn brain), and light (pomegranate heart).

In 2019 Galan painted his iconic Chicanx organ series. They are contemporary Chicanx Cultural symbols reflected in the ties to Meso-American & Western European traditions. His organ series were selected to be exhibited at Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival. Galan’s artworks have been exhibited in Pasadena, Pacoima, and Santa Clarita City Halls. On November 2, 2019 Galan’s artworks were featured at Hollywood Forever Cemetery’s Dia de los Muertos Festival. The festival is the largest of its kind in the United States and had an estimated fifty thousand attendees.

Galan unveiled the 20th Conejo Cottontail. The Conejo Cottontail Public Art Project features painted fiber glass rabbit sculptures that surround the communities of Conejo Valley. Galan’s Conejo Cottontail will depict the history of Conejo Valley and will be placed at the Thousand Oaks Inn. More info about this Public Project can be found at: http://www.conejopublicart.org

In July of 2020 Galan painted ‘The Garden’, a mural in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. It represents the challenges and growth of American livelihood. The mural was published on the cover of the July Issue of 805 Magazine as well.

Teaching Journey:

I’ve taught art with California Public School, Corporate Industries, and Non-Profit organizations. In June 2019 I was invited to teach art to the locals of Samoa at Tiapapata Art Centre. There I created curriculum based off Culturally Responsive Teaching practices and Universal Design for Learning. After six years of pedagogical practice, I have learned how to manage a classroom responsibly while creating positive learning environments for all kinds of learners, as well as developed lesson plans aligned with state standards which can be modified or accommodated for instruction.  

My successful outreach in the surrounding communities includes working with the Thousand Oaks Police Department’s Safe Passage Program, dedicated to keeping youth off the streets from gang related associations. I’ve taught visual arts lessons for young adults at the Camarillo Correctional Facility and have taught “at risk” youth from Casa Pacifica. I’ve had experience teaching various students with learning disabilities too. During my last three years working at Art Trek Inc., I started the Teen Paint Night program, Family Paint Night Program, and created STEAM lessons to teach to thousands of students within Ventura and Los Angeles Counties. In my final semester of California Lutheran University’s credential program, I was received the Apple award for Teacher Candidate of the Year 2020 for Single Subject Teaching.  

During 2020 – 2022 in Moorpark Unified School District, I developed curriculum in Ceramics and AP Art History. Since then, I have used technology supports like Canvas to provide equitable access to all my students during the COVID-19 pandemic. In my first of year of licensed teaching I provided mental health wellness checks to my students and provided engaging lessons to earn teacher of the month.

I paint because I love it, and I teach because I want to share what I love.

I want my students to know that the Arts are a plausible source of income which provides outlets for meaningful career paths.

Sincerely,

John Galan