John Plishka

Biography

John Plishka is a mostly self-taught artist who paints mostly in pastels.
Born in Chicago, he grew up in the suburb of Northbrook and now resides in Lindenhurst, IL. He loved to draw and paint from an early age but was also very interested in science and biology. Thus, he opted for the science route and became a veterinarian. He was in private veterinary practice for 25 years before making the switch to academia, where he is now a professor of Anatomy and Physiology, and Animal Biology at Gateway Technical College in Elkhorn, WI. However, he never gave up his love of painting and continued his art throughout his professional career.
John paints in a realistic style with an emphasis on light interactions with his subjects. He spends a lot of time ensuring his compositions will draw the viewer in and get them to linger on the painting for more than just a few seconds. He has loved pastels from his junior high days; the immediacy and the ability to blend the colors are just a few of the reasons.
Animals are typically his most frequent subjects as his love of animals has carried on from his veterinary career to his art career. John often chooses to paint subjects that are not often depicted by other wildlife artists. He realizes each and every individual animal possesses its own inherent beauty.

John’s work has garnered awards at the national level and his art has been featured in various publications. His paintings have been exhibited throughout the U.S. and his pieces are in private collections throughout the country. He is a Signature Member of the Society of Animal Artists, a member of the Masters Circle of the International Association of Pastel Societies, an Associate Member of the American Academy of Equine Art and a member of the Chicago Pastel Painters.

2022
International Exhibition of Animals in Art Baton Rouge, LA.
Chicago Pastel Painters Members Biennial Exhibition Chicago, IL
Society of Animal Artists Winged Things Online Exhibition
Pastel Society of Southern California Make Your Mark Online Show 2022
Pastel Journal Pastel 100 Honorable Mention Animals and Wildlife
International Association of Pastel Societies 40th Pastel World Exhibition Albuquerque NM
Sidelines Magazine Featured Artist March 2022

2021
The Kingdom presented by the Society of Animal Artists Midland, MI
Pastels Chicago 2021 Chicago, IL
International Association of Pastel Societies 39th Juried Exhibition Webshow
Recent Works College of Lake County Grayslake, IL.
Animal Impressions Arizona Sonora Desert Museum Tucson, AZ
Best of the Pastels Chicago Pastel Painters Chicago, IL.
15th International Art Renewal Center Salon Competition – Finalist
Pastel Journal Pastel 100 Honorable Mention Animals and Wildlife

2020
International Association of Pastel Societies Online Exhibition
Pastel Society of the West Coast 34th Annual International Open Exhibition
Cover Art- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association July 15, 2020
International Association of Pastel Societies Exhibition Dunedin, FL.
American Academy of Equine Art Annual Juried Exhibition Aiken, SC.
Pastel Journal Pastel 100 5th Place Animals and Wildlife
2019
Richeson 75 Animals Birds and Wildlife Finalist
Chicago Pastel Painters Biennial National Exhibition Highland Park, IL.
Society of Animal Artists 59th Annual Art and the Animal Exhibition San Antonio,TX.
Pastel Journal Pastel 100 Honorable Mention Animals and Wildlife
This week in Tryon Horse Country Featured Artist September 23, 2019

2018
Pastel Journal Pastel 100 Honorable Mention
Society of Animal Artists 58th Annual Art and the Animal St. Petersburg, Fl.
Marilyn Newmark Award for Realistic 3D. 58th Annual Art and the Animal
Cover Art for the Exhibition Catalogue Society of Animal Artists 58th Annual Art and the Animal

Artwork to be Showcased