John Varriano - American Artist

One of the most influential artists of the modern age, John Varriano is an American artist internationally recognized for his multi-disciplinary works, and what many consider to be a true mastery of the visual arts. With quite an expansive body of work, Varriano's is most well known for his abstract paintings that have hung everywhere from galleries to the living rooms of some of the New York City elite. With every painting, Varriano strives to truly captivate his audience and make the viewer think. Using rich and robust colors that pop off the canvas as well as a melding of layers – his work reveals carefully crafted, finely honed psychological examinations.

Born and raised in New York City, Varriano grew up surrounded by the vibrant culture and artistic energy of the city. From a young age, he showed a natural talent for art and quickly became fascinated by the works of the great artists who came before him. Varriano's artistic roots run deep, as he was born into a family of artists and artisans. His father, Angelo, was a brilliant sculptor and inventor, also known for having a talent for abstract works. In addition, Varianno has other family members who teach art and work as art historians and even graphic designers.

As with many artists who came before him, growing up in New York City influenced Varriano and sparked his passion to become an artist. Immersed in the arts from an early age, Varriano has been drawing, painting and sculpting since childhood. At the age of 5, his father further sparked that interest and introduced him to the artists' tools such as oil paints, sculpting clay, art pencils, and other implements that he would go on to use during his illustrious career in the art scene. For much of his youth and into his young adulthood, Varriano would spend most of his time honing his passion for the arts within his father’s studio.

As he entered highschool age, Varriano was accepted to the famed High School of Art & Design – one of the most prominent schools in New York City, Art & Design has birthed a number of equally influential artists over the years, and is known as a great place for young artists looking to hone their skills. Varriano credits the schools’ higher aesthetic applications from multiple periods, as well as the schools’ proximity to some of the best art museums in the world, including The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Guggenheim, MOMA, and Frick for truly opening his eyes to the possibilities of a career as an artist. An atmosphere such as this was key to his development as an artist, and allowed him to connect with other like minded individuals, who shared his passions and spurred a love that would truly allow him to become one of the most prominent artists in New York City.

While Varriano's time at Art & Design was certainly a major influence on his life as an artist, it taught him that he should pursue an autodidactic course of higher education. Varriano’s own curiosity and passion for learning led him to study everything from art, architecture, engineering, and higher mathematics, to history, philosophy, politics, music, literature, and even foreign languages. Many would credit such a passion for knowledge to be a driving force in his art and led him to truly examine the human condition and psychology through his mediums.

As a professional artist, John Varriano has truly become a staple of the New York art scene. From his abstract works, to landscapes, megaliths and more – his art has not only become a favorite of countless individuals across the globe, but also been an inspiration to many artists who have come after him. His works have been praised across the world, and Varriano was actually the first artist in over 50 years to have a painting featured on the cover of the New York Times, as well as an accompanying article. In addition, his works have been featured everywhere from NBC news and Vanity Fair, to international news outlets from as far and wide as Brazil and Spain. While his paintings are for sale via his own personal studio and viewing space on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, he’s had the privilege of exhibiting his brilliant works throughout galleries in New York City, and as far as Abu Dhabi.