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