Close-up portrait of the artist with a beard, smiling slightly, wearing a dark sweater against a dark gray background.

I’ve spent my life immersed in performance, education, creativity and art.

For three decades that mainly meant theatre: I performed, directed shows and taught all around the world.

It was an extraordinary time - though there was a cost. I burned out and encountered serious ill-health.

Now, recovered, I live in remote Ireland - in a tumble-down house near the sea.

My focus is writing, coaching and painting.

I’m growing a forest in my garden. There’s over a hundred trees now, and thick hedgerows laden with berries shelter the birds.

I paint to create calm and space - in my mind and in the world. My dearest hope is that you’ll want to pause for a few moments with these paintings and remember how wonderful this world can be.

Artist’s Statement

John Britton is an abstract and contemplative painter, originally from Wales, now living in County Donegal, Ireland.

For thirty years he travelled relentlessly as a theatre artist, specialising in physical performance, improvisation, presence, interconnectedness, and fearless creativity.

Now, living more quietly, those skills  inform his painting.

He crafts botanic or mineral inks from locally-harvested or dried pigments, and generally works on handmade papers or raw canvas.

His paintings are elemental, flowing, organic, fierce yet ultimately tranquil. He’s driven by a passion for discovery, seeing painting as a conversation between artist, ink, and surface - each contributing unique, organic qualities to a shared creative journey.

His painting celebrates, and pays homage to the richness of our planet, and to human creativity.

He invites viewers to pause, imagine, reflect, and to encounter mystery and calm.

John also writes, occasionally  performs and teaches, and mentors other artists across many disciplines. He gives speeches and offers consultancy to businesses or education.

He maintains a regular qi-gong practice and tries to be as human as possible in this remarkable world.

CV

2026

‘Monk Alone’ accepted into ‘And Again…’ Juried exhibition at Artlink, Fort Dunree, Donegal

Organised and exhibited in Fanad Creatives Exhibition at Fanad Head Lighthouse

Took sole occupancy of studio in The Courthouse, Bushmills

Established Fanad Inks

‘The Art of Calm: Painting With Ink’ - Workshop, Bushmills

2025

Group exhibition ‘Garden of Earthly Delight’, Derry, UK

Initiated ‘Global Localism’ project - local, handmade, speciality materials across borders

Took shared occupancy of studio in The Courthouse, Bushmills

Six-week funded course on ‘The Art of Calm: Painting With Inks’: Fanad

Group exhibition ‘Coast’ at Fort Dunree, Co. Donegal - with Donegal Visual Arts Network

Published ‘Everyday Encouragement’

2024

Established Fanad Art

2010 - 2022

Artistic Director of DUENDE and THE DUENDE SCHOOL OF ENSEMBLE PHYSICAL THEATRE

Published ‘How To Teach Performance’, ‘Climbing The Mountain’, ‘Presence’, ‘Encountering Ensemble’

2004-2010

Senior Lecturer (Drama) & MA Course Leader, University of Huddersfield (UK)

1997-2004

Freelance Performer, Director & Teacher, Australia

1988 - 1997

Freelance Performer, Director & Teacher, UK

1988

MA Theatre Studies, Leeds University, UK