Jon Gibson McGill

Jon Gibson McGill, better known as J.G. McGill, paints life as he sees it in the countryside surrounding his studio on the banks of the Greater Neshannock Creek. The son of career Presbyterian missionaries, McGill grew up in Egypt. He earned a B.A. degree in English from Westminster College. After serving as an officer in the US Army, McGill secured employment with a large American concern in the Middle East.

In 1984, McGill pursued painting full-time and his art career has flourished since that time. Basically a self-taught artist, McGill drew his inspiration from such great painters as Andrew Wyeth, Rembrandt and many of the French Impressionists. "My Objective in painting is the creation of visual impact. While I paint, I like to succeed in using color, value, and texture contrasts in such a way as to breathe life into the composition. I want my artwork to reach out and pull you in. Pastel is the ideal medium to use in attempting to create something which might elicit this viewer response. I believe it is possible, given strong composition and optimum juxtaposition of color, value, and texture, to create a feeling of "being there". I want my viewer not only to be there, but to revel in being there!"

McGill's work was elevated to national prominence through Country Living magazine featuring seven of his paintings. His philanthropic activities include donations of original paintings to help preserve farmland and to the Hoyt Art Institute's permanent collection. His works can be found in private and public collections around the globe.

McGill resides in the country among the Amish with his wife Merrianne and their two daughters, Staci and Emilie.