biography

John Bredl is a self-taught artist who began painting and drawing at a very early age. John grew up on the Murray at Renmark, South Australia. One of four boys, John was the only one to follow in his aunt and grandfather’s footsteps by pursuing an art career. The other three brothers followed their father, all owning reptile parks around Australia.

John knew at an early age that he was greatly inspired with the Australian landscape. However he did not feel the desire to capture it with paint until much later, only drawing as a hobby.

In 1970 John served in the army for six years, then became involved in the music industry, which led to him forming his own band. All this time he painted as a hobby, mostly for birthday and Christmas gifts.

John started to paint full time in 1990, however he still worked part time in the music industry to supplement his income. It was not until 1998 that John decided to dedicate all of his time to his art.

Now John paints every day, and at least once a week on location. Through experimentation, trial and error and much hard work John endeavours to capture Australia: its beauty, ruggedness, emotion and life. He enjoys painting all Australian scenes and endeavours to capture the great expanse and light that is typical of the Australian landscape. His subject matter varies from the outback reds and the blues and greens of the Mornington Peninsula to rugged mountain scenes. John is committed to raising awareness of the natural beauty and fragility of the Australian landscape, and his work beautifully conveys to the viewer the emotion and intimacy of the artist being alone and at one with his scene, and his style reflects the influence of the Australian Impressionists. John took up pastels in 1997 and transferred his knowledge from oil painting to pastels.

John enters most Melbourne and surrounding Art Shows and has received many awards, including a Highly Commended from the 1992 Camberwell Rotary show. His work can be seen in collections in Australia, America, England, Germany, Japan and Canada.

John is a member of the Victorian Artists Society and has also started his own group, The Brushmen of the Bay. This is a group of Peninsula artists who regularly paint on location together, hold exhibitions and support one another with their art. The Brushmen of the Bay have been featured in the Australian Artist Magazine.