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

My Story

Emerging International Artist John Galan resides in Los Angeles, California. His work focuses on the inextricable connection between humankind and the natural world. Its 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 tap into the psychological aspects of the mind, hoping to trigger a sense of unified subconsciousness. This connectivity, in turn, relates to 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 the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival. Galan’s artworks have been displayed in Pasadena, Pacoima, and Santa Clarita City Halls. On November 2, 2019, Galan’s paintings were featured at Hollywood Forever Cemetery’s Dia de los Muertos Festival. The festival is the largest in the United States and has an estimated fifty thousand attendees.

Galan unveiled the 20th Conejo Cottontail. The Conejo Cottontail Public Art Project features painted fiberglass rabbit sculptures surrounding the Conejo Valley community. 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 2020, Galan painted ‘The Garden,’ a mural in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The mural represents the challenges and growth of American livelihood. It was also published on the cover of the July Issue of 805 Magazine.

Teaching Journey:

I’ve taught art to California public schools, corporate industries, and non-profit organizations. In June 2019, I was invited to teach art to the locals of Samoa at Tiapapata Art Centre. I created a curriculum based on Culturally Responsive Teaching practices and Universal Design for Learning there. 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. I have also developed lesson plans aligned with state standards that 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, which is 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 at Art Trek Inc., I started the Teen and Family Paint Night programs and created STEAM lessons to teach thousands of students within Ventura and Los Angeles Counties. In my final semester of California Lutheran University’s credential program, I received the Apple Award for Teacher Candidate of the Year 2020 for Single Subject Teaching.  

From 2020 to 2025, I developed a ceramics and AP art history curriculum in Ventura County and Los Angeles County school districts. Since then, I have used technology supports like Canvas and Google Classroom to provide equitable access to all my students during the COVID-19 pandemic. In my first year of licensed teaching, I provided mental health wellness checks to my students and engaged in engaging lessons to earn teacher of the month. I continue to incorporate these methods today.

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

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

Sincerely,

John Galan