About the Artist

John Crum - Biography

JOHN CRUM ART

Art that makes you smile

Welcome! As an (abstract) expressionist painter I work to capture the magic and beauty of the coastal lowcountry surrounding Hilton Head Island and the coast. 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, my style blends serene realism with surreal elements and a touch of whimsy. My art explores themes of love, inner peace, and nostalgia using 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 create paintings that are visually striking and emotionally resonant. My layered technique builds depth and dimension, beginning with wet negative colors and finishing with dry brushwork that reveal the underlying layers. I invite 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 is a source of profound satisfaction and motivation.

A graduate of The Ringling School of Art in 1973. I draw my inspiration from very diverse artistic communities that encourage me to develop and push my style. Drawing has always been a part of my life. From my earliest memories there has always been a sketchbook involved, as early as third grade when I won best in show at the county school art show, up to present. Art has been and always will be my lifeline.

Memberships include:
- Pluff Mudd Art Gallery
- The Art Beyond Tradition Group
- Art League of Hilton Head

I hope that you find my work a joyful celebration of the human spirit and encourage you in a new, uplifting light...
“Art that makes you smile”.

CV

2026 - Finding the Rhythm of Nature - Solo Featured Artist @ Art League of Hilton Head. October 13 - November 13
2026 - BOLD JOURNEY interview June, 2026
2026 - Local Life Magazine September issue. "Early Signs of Spring" painting for Bluffton Art Scene article.
2026 - Notes from the Lagoon cover art: " - poems by Elizabeth Robin. Cover painting: "Hello Darkness" by J.K.Crum.
2026 - Art Market at Historic Honey Horn. Coastal Discovery Museum April.
Medical University South Carolina (M.U.S.C.) Bluffton - 2 paintings added to their permanent collection, and dded 6 paintings to the Clement's Ferry Peninsula permanent collection in Charleston.
2025 Art Beyond Tradition Group Show @ Coastal Discovery Museum.
2025 The Artist's Gallery at Hilton Head Island Town Hall - Art Beyond Tradition Group Show.
2024 Visual Theatrics - April-June, Art Beyond Tradition - University of South Carolina Performing Arts Center, Beaufort.
2024 Featured Artist at Pluff Mudd Art Gallery.
2023 Art That Makes You Smile - featured artist The Art League of Hilton Head.
2022 Interpretations - The Art Beyond Tradition Group Show - Coastal Discovery Museum, Honey Horn Plantation, Hilton Head Island.
2021 Biennale - 27th National Juried Show, Art League of Hilton Head Island, SC.
2021 Art Beyond Tradition Group Show - Coastal Discovery Museum, Hilton Head.
2019 Island Hop - Solo show 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.
2019 Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibition exhibitor - Charleston, SC
2018 Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibition exhibitor - Charleston, SC.
2018 The Locals: Twelve Artists from One Special Place - Coastal Discovery Museum, Hilton Head Island.
2018 Collaborative Dreams - Solo exhibition - 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 exhibitor - 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 - featured artist - Picture This Gallery, Hilton Head.
2014 The Art of J.K.Crum - Solo Show, Brewer's Gallery of Beaufort.

press

2026 Local Life Magazine, September. Bluffton's Thriving Art Scene. pg161 Church Street Gallery Row
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 Cabarrus Arts Council Juried Show "Comic Relief", Concord, NC.
2012 Sea Island Scene magazine of Beaufort cover image.
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

John Crum - Biography