Biography

John Joseph GeisJohn Geis received a BFA from the University of Dayton, specializing in watercolors while studying under the well-known painter Richard Black (published in The Saturday Evening Post and credited with Smokey the Bear and Mr. Clean).

After college, John taught art at Loyola Academy, a college preparatory high school in the Chicagoland area, and has since gone on to a broad range of artistic endeavors. John's pursuits have included experience as a musical and comedy performer (Players Workshop at Second City, a national touring band), an accomplished graphic designer, and published songwriter.

Though his interest in the arts and communications has taken him in many directions, his experiences with young adult arts education—and an unexpected return to watercolors—led him to the idea of Art That Contributes. After a twenty-year hiatus from painting, John responded to a friend's commission request for a painting of a lighthouse. Once the painting was finished, John discovered a newfound longing to return to art, and with it, a newfound sense of purpose for his art.

In John's own words:

"Something happened...people began asking for the art, old mentors appeared. People re-entered my life that are more committed, more visionary, more evolved than I am. People who are doing great things...selfless things."

That alignment of positive influence spawned the idea of through art, creating a means of contributing resources to the people that can change things for the better. With that philosophy, John welcomes you to Art That Contributes. It's easy to get involved. If you like the art, buy it. Or, send the pictures to your friends and ask them to do the same.