John Blakemore Sellers
Grandson of Matthew B. Sellers, II
Art Collection
John Sellers, born in 1956, is a self-taught artist whose inspiration for water color and oil painting creations are inspired by his appreciation of Dutch and early American artists. He has an interest in American history and the history of those ancestors that lived during the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. He has a deep respect for the Native American cultures, is troubled by their demise at the hands of the American Government and land barons, and would like to help through his art to preserve their history and culture.
John's other interests lie in documenting the histories of families that are directly and indirectly related to his family. Many of his father's ancestral roots lie throughout northern Kentucky and originate from North Carolina and Virginia. A number of his father's ancestors immigrated to Jamestown Colony, Virginia from England. A few of his father's ancestors fought in the Second Virginia Regiment, George Washington's Regiment, during the Revolutionary War, and sympathized with the South during the Civil War. He is related to George Washington through George Washington's aunt. Two of John's mothers ancestors emigrated from England and arrived at Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts aboard the Mayflower. Some of the descendants moved to Maine. During the Civil War, John's mothers ancestors sided with of the Union.
Having served in the US Navy in helicopter and jet aircraft squadrons and a career as a Geologist, John unknowingly followed the root interests of his grandfather Matthew Bacon Sellers II, an aviation pioneer and mining enthusiast. His grandfather is considered to have flown the first lightest aircraft ever flown about the time of the Wright Brothers first flight, first to fly in Kentucky, built a higher quality wind tunnel than the Wright Brothers, invented the retractable landing gear, and served with Thomas Edison on the Naval Consulting Board prior to World War I as their aviation expert reviewing and rendering opinions on helicopter and aircraft designs for use in the war effort. Generations of Carter County families in Kentucky to this day still believe that Matthew Sellers flew before the Wright brothers.
John's oil painting of his great grandfather's Oakland Plantation currently is displayed at the Louisiana Cotton Museum at Lake Providence, Louisiana. Union General McPherson, his officers and troops occupied the plantation during the Civil War while preparing for the Battle of Vicksburg. At the same time, General Grant occupied the Arlington Plantation across Lake Providence from the Oakland Plantation. An oil painting of his grandfather flying his quadraplane (four-winged) at his home in the hills above Grahn, Kentucky is on display at Carter Caves State Park, as John's grandfather frequented the park in the late 1880s. More recently, John has commenced painting portraits of Native Americans who are making their needed contribution to preserve and educate current generations of the Native American history and culture, past and present.
Ultimately it is Johns desire to leave behind a legacy through his artistic expressions and research of Native Americans, descendants of pioneers, and personal ancestors.
"Tilling of the Field"
Original Oil Painting has been Donated
"The Girl with a Pearl Earring"
Original Oil Painting is available with a Gold Antique Frame
Oval 16.00" x 20.00" $250.00*
*If interested in the original please email me at barbarasellers57@sbcglobal.net
to discuss shipping costs and arrangements. I will send you an invoice.
"The Dutch Mistress"
Original Oil Painting is available with a Gold Antique Frame
Oval 16.00" x 20.00" $250.00*
*If interested in the original please email me at barbarasellers57@sbcglobal.net
to discuss shipping costs and arrangements. I will send you an invoice.
"Summer Dreams"
Grayson Lake, Kentucky
Winner of the "People's Choice Award"
Grayson Art Gallery Show
Grayson, Kentucky
January 31, 2014
Original Oil Painting has been Donated
"Returning from the Hunt"
Original Oil Painting has been Donated
"Meadow Fall Color Melange"
Original Oil Painting has been Donated
"Old Locomotive # 115 C&O Railroad"
Original Oil Painting has been Donated
The Original Oil was painted on a remnant wood plank
from the Old Hitchin's Depot in Kentucky.
"Inlet Solitude"
Original Oil is available on Canvas with wrap around sides
18.00" x 24.00 $350.00*
*If interested in the original please email me at barbarasellers57@sbcglobal.net
to discuss shipping costs and arrangements. I will send you an invoice.
"Evening at the Beach"
Original Oil Painting has been Donated
"Amerigold Jewelers"
Original Oil Painting has been Donated
"Yellow Fin Tuna Feed"
Original Oil Painting has been Donated
"Clamming in the Harbor"
Original Oil is available with a Wood Frame
12.00" x 23.75" $150.00*
"Jordan's Pond"
Original Oil Painting has been Donated
"Coastal Guardian"
Original Oil Painting has been Donated
"Joe"
Original Oil Painting has been Donated
"Calm before the Storm"
Original Oil is available with a Wood Frame
24.00" x 48.00" $150.00
"United in Marriage - Sauk and Cherokee"
Original Oil has been Donated
"Spreading the Gospel"
Original Oil is available with a Wood Frame
14.00" x 20.00" $50.00*
"The Family Tree"
Original Oil Painting has been Donated
"Outgoing Tide"
Original Watercolor has been Donated
"Flying on a Whim"
Original Watercolor has been Donated
"Homeward Bound"
Original Watercolor has been Donated
"Rembrandt Self Portrait"
Original Oil Painting is available with a Gold Antique Frame
Oval 16.00" x 20.00" $250.00
"Cape Voyage"
Original Oil Painting has been Donated
"Blakemore"
Grahn, Kentucky
Original Painting is hanging above the Reception desk at Carter Caves State Park in Kentucky.
*Prints are available 8.00" x 16.5" unmounted $25.00
ALL PRINTS ARE PERSONALLY SIGNED. Shipping not included.
If you live in Carter County John will deliver to you.
Make an offer at barbarasellers57@sbcglobal.net