John Nichols -  Sacramento, California Artist

John has lived in the West Sacramento area all of his life.  His passion for painting stretches back to his youth when an influential high school art instructor and family support motivated him to keep plugging away.  John continued his art studies at Sacramento City College in the 1970s. 

Already accomplished in still life, John states that “Viewers have stated that my landscape paintings portray peacefulness and tranquility.  I strive to communicate with the viewer my interpretation of each venue, creating a ‘sense of place’.”  He added “my landscape paintings often reflect my interpretations of the places I love to be in the Northern California region.” 

Besides creating his art, John is actively involved in advancing the arts in his community through his membership in a variety of art affiliations, including serving on the Board of Directors and Member of the Show Committee Board for the Sacramento Fine Arts Center, Show Chair for the “2019 Animal House International Show and Exhibition” and Judging the “2022 Animal House International Show and Exhibition” this summer. 

Selected Awards

Sacramento Fine Arts Center Awards:

2022: “California State Fair”, Award of Merit

  2022: “Magnum Opus International Show”, Award of Excellence

2019:  “Artistic Journey Membership Show”, George Hargrave People’s Choice

   2019:  “Time to Shine”, Award of Excellence

  2019:  “Magnum Opus International Show”, Award of Merit

  2018:  “Artistic Journey”, 2nd Place, Advanced

  2016:  “Inner Views”, Honorable Mention and People’s Choice

Placer Artist League, 2017:  “Fine Art Competition”, 2017:  1st Place, Oil

Yolo County Fair, 2000-2019: Best of Show and various other awards, multiple years

West Sacramento Civic Center, 2003: “Neighbors’ Fair Juried Art Exhibit”, People’s Choice

Selected Exhibits

Blue Wing Gallery, Woodland, CA, 2015 to Current:  Selected works, ongoing

Tim Collom Gallery, Sacramento, CA, 2016-2018:  Participant in multiple exhibitions

Blue Line Art Gallery, Roseville, CA, 2016:  “As Real As It Gets” & “Lottery for the Arts”

Gallery 2110, Sacramento, CA, 2014-2016:  Resident Artist

Midtown Gallery, Sacramento, CA, August 2003:  Guest Artist

Erwin Meier Administration Building, Woodland, CA, 2002 & 2005:  Yolo Arts Council

Red Dot Gallery, Sacramento, CA, February 2015:  “California ‘Scapes, Beyond the Snapshot”

Selected Articles

www.AmericanSparkTV/Blog, April 26, 2019:  “Already accomplished in still life, in both oil and acrylic, John has found a symbiosis with the outdoors that he can’t seem to get enough of…”  [Full article available at www.AmericanSparkTV/Blog .]

News Ledger, West Sacramento, CA, May 28, 2003: “The September 11, 2001 terrorist attack in New York had a deep effect on Nichols.  ‘We Will Always Remember’ is his memorial to the sad event.  He paints the towers before the attack in a night scene.  The lights in the building contrast with the dark midnight blue sky as the moon shines down on the unsuspecting city.”

The Daily Democrat, Woodland, CA, December 12, 2003:  “John’s landscapes and ocean scenes demonstrate his many years of honing his craft.