Welcome

Welcome! I'm John Crum, an expressionist painter working to capture the magic and beauty of the coastal Lowcountry surrounding Hilton Head Island. My whimsical representational figures, and gently surreal landscapes, invite you in to stop, take a closer look, and then smile.

Naturally inspired by the surreal landscape of the Lowcountry and travels to nearby mountains in the Highlands. My style blends serene realism with surreal elements and whimsy. My art explores themes of love, inner peace, and nostalgia, using bold brushstrokes, bright colors, and meaningful symbols to create visually striking and emotionally engaging images.

Storytelling is an integral part of the creative process, using narrative themes to bring coastal scenery to life in new and compelling ways. My artistic journey continues to be fueled by an unstoppable urge to create; painting is not simply a choice but a vital necessity. I dedicate extensive hours in my studio, nurturing ideas and allowing my work to develop organically.

Bold brushstrokes, bright colors, and thoughtful symbolism, my aim is to create paintings that are visually striking and emotionally resonant. A layered acrylic technique builds depth and dimension by beginning with wet negative colors and finishing with dry brushwork that reveals underlying layers. This approach invites you to explore my paintings up close and embark on your own magical journey. I take great pride in the personal connections my work fosters; hearing viewers and collectors express how my art makes them smile and what it means to them, it is a source of profound satisfaction and motivation.

A graduate of Ringling School of Art in 1973, I have been drawing inspiration from a very diverse artistic community and continue to develop and grow my distinctive style. Within the Hilton Head community I am a member of Pluff Mudd Art Gallery, the Art Beyond Tradition Group, and Art League of Hilton Head, and regularly participate in exhibitions that highlight my exploration of nature through constant experimentation.

Through my work, I offer a joyful celebration of the human spirit and encourage you to see the world in a new, uplifting light...
“Art that makes you smile”.

CV

2026 - Rhythms of Nature - Solo Featured Artist @ Art League of Hilton Head. October, 2026
Medical University South Carolina (M.U.S.C.) Clement's Ferry Peninsula, Charleston added 6 of my paintings to their permanent collection.

2025 Art Beyond Tradition group show @ Coastal Discovery Museum. Aug/Nov.
2025 The Artist's Gallery at Hilton Head Island Town Hall - Art Beyond Tradition Group Show. Jan/Feb.
2024 "Visual Theatrics" - April-June, Art Beyond Tradition - University of South Carolina Performing Arts Center, Beaufort.
2024 "Featured Artist" - Pluff Mudd Art Gallery - April.
2023 "Art That Makes You Smile" - featured artist The Art League of Hilton Head.
2022 "Interpretations" - The Art Beyond Tradition Group - Coastal Discovery Museum, Honey Horn Plantation, Hilton Head Island.
2021 "Biennale" - 27th National Juried Show at Art League of Hilton Head Island, SC.
2021 "Art Beyond Tradition Group Show" - Coastal Discovery Museum, Hilton Head Island.
2019 "Island Hop" - Mitchell-Hill Gallery, Charleston, SC.
2019 "9X12" - Solo show - Karis Art Gallery, Hilton Head Island.
2019 "Art in the City" - Ryan White Wellness Center, Roper St. Francis, Charleston, SC.
2019 "Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibition", Charleston, SC
2018 "Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibition", Charleston, SC.
2018 "The Locals: Twelve Artists from One Special Place" - Coastal Discovery Museum, Hilton Head Island.
2018 "Collaborative Dreams" Karis Art Gallery, Hilton Head.
2017 "Art That Makes You Smile" - Solo Featured Artist Show, The Art League of Hilton Head Island.
2017 "Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibition", Charleston, SC.
2016 "Invitational Gullah Celebration", Walter Greer Gallery, Hilton Head Island.
2016 "St. Simon's Invitational Exhibit" St. Simon's Island, GA.
2016 "Gullah Experience Exhibition Invitational" Coastal Discovery Museum.
2016 "Art For Charity" group show, Michael Mitchell Gallery, Charleston, SC.
2015 "Making Smiles, The Gentle Surrealism of J.K.Crum" - Solo Show, The Art League of Hilton Head Island.
2015 "Sailing Among the Clouds" Solo Show, The Gallery in Beaufort.
2014 "A Surrealistic Journey" - Picture This Gallery, Hilton Head Island.
2014 "The Art of J.K.Crum" - Solo Show, Brewer's Gallery of Beaufort.

press

2025 Lowcountry Weekly, September cover art
2025 Local Life Magazine - September issue - the ABT Show.
2025 PINK Magazine - September cover
Canvas/Rebel Interview, Fall 2022
VoyageSavannah Interview, Spring 2022.
Local Life Magazine - April 2022 issue
Contributor profile, and illustrated poem using "Swept Away".
Same Roots Different Barks - December image, Art League of Hilton Head 50th Anniversary Commemorative 2022 Calendar.
Cultural Affairs - Hilton Head Island.
2024 Carolina Arts, April 2024 issue. p37.
2024 Lowcountry Weekly Magazine cover - April edition.
2024 The Bluffton Sun, Cover and inside article Vol 27, Issue 7.
2024 ArtWanted.com - Featured International Artist of the Day - April.
2023 Donna Ashworth, The Times #1 writer in the UK showcased my "Weight of the World" painting.
2023 PINK Magazine - April 2023 cover.
2023 LocalLife April & May issues - Art news.
2023 Lowcountry Weekly cover - April edition.
2023 Bluffton Sun - April 4th edition.
2022 Canvas/Rebel Interview, Fall.
2022 VoyageSavannah Interview, Spring.
2022 Local Life Magazine - April issue.
2022 Contributor profile, and illustrated poem using "Swept Away".
2022 Same Roots Different Barks - December image, Art League of Hilton Head 50th Anniversary Commemorative 2022 Calendar.
2022 Cultural Affairs - Hilton Head Island.
2022 Local Life Magazine - April profile article and illustrated poem, pages 20 & 181.
2022 VoyageSavannah Magazine interview.
2022 Same Roots Different Barks December's image, Art League of Hilton Head 50th Anniversary Commemorative Calendar.
2021 In Our Comfort Zone, Art League of Hilton Head Island "Got Art?" annual fund raising auction.
2021 The Other Sister's Wine Bar "Wedding Party" on exhibit August, Shelter Cove, Hilton Head Island.
2021 Anything Goes - Member Show Art League of Hilton Head Island.
2021 Lulu's, "Where Roses Run Rampant"exhibited June, Hilton Head Island.
2021 The Other Sister's Wine Bar "Viva Sangria (Laughing Lady in Red)" exhibited in May, Shelter Cove, HHI.
2021 Exhibition of miniature paintings Pluff Mudd Gallery, Bluffton, South Carolina.
2020 Show Judge - Promising Picassos of Island School Council for the Arts, Hilton Head Island.
2020 Walmart Community Mural Project - winner, Hilton Head Island.
2019 Island School Council for the Arts charity auction "Moonshine" painting.
2019 The Bluffton Sun - 9x12 exhibit article.
2018 Published "The Book Of Minis" by J.K.Crum - Ltd Edition.
2018 Art Market Historic Honey Horn /Coastal Discovery Museum.
2017 ARTPOP Winner - Beaufort County ArtPop Street Gallery.
2017 Lowcountry Weekly cover.
2017 The Bluffton Sun - Art That Makes You Smile article
2017 Juried Outdoor Art Exhibition, Old Town Bluffton, SC.
2017 Juried Outdoor Art Exhibition, Coastal Carolina Discovery Museum, Honey Horn Art Exhibition 2017.
2016 Invitational Honey Horn Art Exhibition, Coastal Discovery Museum.
2014 The Galleries Cabarrus Arts Council Juried Show "Comic Relief", Concord, NC.
2012 Sea Island Scene of Beaufort cover.
2010 Art For Charity - Charleston Scene, Michael Mitchell Gallery.
2009 City Guide Arts - Hilton Head Monthly.
2008 Pink Magazine cover.
2008 Clouds, Earth, & Fire - Hilton Head Monthly Magazine.
2008 Artist Portrait - Lowcountry Life, The Island Packet.
2008 Art News cover - The Arts Council of Beaufort County.
2008 Island Packet - Life On The River, Coastal Discovery Museum.
2008 Articulate - Sailing Among the Clouds, a Surreal Voyage by John K. Crum.
2007 Artist Portrait - The Island Packet.
2007 The Gentle Surrealism of John K. Crum - Fishbone Gallery, Bluffton, SC.
2005 The Daufuskie Island Museum Art Show.
2005 Artist-In-Residence - The South Carolina State Park Service.
2004 Elder Gallery, Charlotte - Ringling Comes To Town, alumni show.
2004 An Artist's Touch - Sea Foam, Island Packet.
2004 The Repository Page Two Column - Bold Face.
2004 Making Smiles – The Gentle Surrealism of J.K.Crum - Art League of Hilton Head.
2004 An Eye for History - Visions of Honey Horn - Coastal Discovery Museum, HHI.
2004 The Fantastical Paintings of J.K.Crum - Upper King Street Charleston Magazine.
2004 Design Walk - Charleston Upper King Street Design Group Featured Artist.
2004 Two Views of One Horizon Featured Artist –The Mitchell-Hill Gallery, Charleston.
2004 An Evening of the Arts - Island School Council for the Arts.
2003 Daufuskie Island - Embarkation Center Exhibition.
1969 - Woodstock :) - Peace & Love

Welcome

CV

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