Encouraged as a child by the wealth of landscape and artist interpretation in the Bay Area and with such early experiences as Van Gogh's exhibition at De Young Museum in San Francisco, John Poon developed an appreciation of art at an early age. After completing four years in the U.S. Coast Guard, he graduated from the Academy of Art College (AAC) in San Francisco, winning numerous student awards and scholarships. After graduation, he accepted the AAC's offer to remain at the college as an instructor of painting and drawing, and eventually served as Director of Foundations overseeing all Freshmen Drawing, and Color and Design classes. Poon believes in the importance of an academic grounding in basic principles of art and adheres strongly to the classical premises of art education. He values his teaching and administrative experiences as having increased his perspective as an educator and artist. His professional awards and honors include "Best of Show" for The Society of Western Artists in 1999; Oil Painters of America Annual National Juried Exhibition in 1998, 1999, 2001 and 2002; Arts for the Parks Annual National Juried Exhibition in 1999 and 2001, including the "Landscape Award of Merit" in 1999; The Artist Magazine, finalist in the 1999 and 2001 Annual National Juried Competition; and the Sonoma Plein Air, "Artist Choice Award". John Poon lives in Jackson, Wyoming with his wife Jenny, their five children, and Sven the cat.

(Courtesy of AskArt)

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