After teaching art full-time for 33 years I’ve retired and formed my own art and entertainment business, EssexArt ABC, LLC. The “ABC” refers to me being an Artist, Bagpiper and Caricaturist. This is my life. This is my passion. This is my job… what I do for a living… and I love it more than words can tell. It is my way of exploring creative expression and, a majority of the time, being of service to others.
My fine art is about journey and place. This came about as a result of my Arts ... view more »
Artist Style: Music: World; Visual: Abstract, Collage, Contemporary, Decorative/Ornamental, Expressionistic, Figurative, Focus on Color/Light/Movement, Illustrative, Impressionistic, Land/Cityscape, Nature/Wildlife, Non-Objective, Photo-Based Painting, Pop, Portraiture, Realism, Representational, Site-Specific; Bagpipes
Essex describes his fine art (paintings) as being about journey and place.
After recently retiring from a 33-year career as a full-time art teacher, Essex is expanding his availability as a special events caricaturist. Having done black and white caricaturing for over 25 years at corporate, private and collegiate events, and commissioned full color caricatures, Essex is much more available now to make any special event more memorable for attendees.
Essex continues to create artwork both as he is inspired and on commission. Though his fine art is most often centered around journey and place, Essex is also available for portrait commissions and illustrations.
The variety of subjects and mediums Essex has had to cover as a full-time art teacher for more than three decades has vastly expanded his interests as an artist. Finding working in one or two mediums too confining, Essex enjoys choosing the medium that best suits the expression he is wanting to make. Consequently he works in oil, acrylics, watercolor, guache, color pencil, graphite and archival markers.
September 1 through 15, 2018, I’ll again be in ART BÄKS at Davlan Park near 430 Massachusetts Ave, Indianapolis. During that time I will be using the ART BÄKS as a studio and gallery.
The prices of my art works range from under $100 and up. Each piece is priced with time-on-task, cost of materials, framing, etc considered. The best thing to do is to contact me concerning a work or commission.
The price to secure me as a bagpiper, most of the year, at an event is $225, plus mileage. On St. Patrick’s Day (or weekend depending when March 17 falls) is $200 a performance and is strictly done on a first-come, first served basis.
BA, Art, Franklin College, 1976
MS, Education/Secondary Art, IUPUI, 1985
2009-2014 adjunct Professor of Art Appreciation with Marian University’s Adult Program
Before it disbanded I was an artist member of the Indianapolis Downtown Artists and Dealers Association.
Though a bagpipe soloist now, I have been affiliated with three different bagpipe bands in Indianapolis.
Though not directly artist oriented, but service oriented, I have chosen to use this space to list affiliations that tell a deeper story of who I am.
I belong to and support the good works of: my church, Freemasonry (since 1988), Scottish Rite Freemasonry (since 1994), Shriners Hospitals for Children, Shriners International (since 1994) and the Humanitarian Foundation of Grottoes International (since 2023).
Two time Lilly Endowment Teacher Creativity Fellow
Arts Council of Indianapolis Creative Renewal Arts Fellow
Official logo design for a department in Indiana government
Ribbons from both the Indiana State Fair and the Hendricks County Fair
Central Indiana Artists’ Art of Indiana, Town of Avon Purchase Award
2000 Indiana State Fair Artists in Residence Day, second place
Top Prize Blue Ribbon winner at the final Indianapolis Downtown Artists & Dealers Association members exhibit, 2017
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Hi John,
We had a business contact us looking for a caricature artist for an employee event on March 1. They will have 18-22 employees who will need caricatures done. Do you have any interest in this work? What do you charge? Are you available during working hours on March 1?
Thanks
Hi John,
We had a business contact us looking for a caricature artist for an employee event on March 1. They will have 18-22 employees who will need caricatures done. Do you have any interest in this work? What do you charge? Are you available during working hours on March 1?
Thanks
View lessHello Joanna,
John will likely not see this comment, as it is monitored by our team. Please reach out to artists via their listed contact information. Thank you!
The Indy Arts Council
Hello Joanna,
John will likely not see this comment, as it is monitored by our team. Please reach out to artists via their listed contact information. Thank you!
The Indy Arts Council
View lessJoanna, though I would have been interested, I just now saw this but/and I was not actually available March 1. However, please consider me if another event like this occurs.
Cheers.
Joanna, though I would have been interested, I just now saw this but/and I was not actually available March 1. However, please consider me if another event like this occurs.
View lessCheers.
Mr.Essex. Do you remember me? I was an exchange student iin Western Boon High School. I was on your art club. You took me out with your wife. You were the best teacher for me while I was there.
I found a picture you and Pam are on it. If I can get to touch,I’d love to.
Mineko Sugiwaka(Hori)
Mr.Essex. Do you remember me? I was an exchange student iin Western Boon High School. I was on your art club. You took me out with your wife. You were the best teacher for me while I was there.
View lessI found a picture you and Pam are on it. If I can get to touch,I’d love to.
Mineko Sugiwaka(Hori)
Mineko, I just now saw this and am SO glad you followed up and contacted me on Facebook. It was a joy to have you in class and I’m happy we are back in contact. 🙂
Mineko, I just now saw this and am SO glad you followed up and contacted me on Facebook. It was a joy to have you in class and I’m happy we are back in contact. 🙂
View lessI bought two of your paintings of fish at an estate sale in The Villages , Fl.
Just love both of them ! One was when you were at cable beach , waiting up for your son to get home ! Caricaturist of fish ! 1998
Just wanted to say how much I love both of them !!
Karen
I bought two of your paintings of fish at an estate sale in The Villages , Fl.
Just love both of them ! One was when you were at cable beach , waiting up for your son to get home ! Caricaturist of fish ! 1998
Just wanted to say how much I love both of them !!
Karen
View lessKaren, Thank you for the note and kind words. Talk about a great start to my day. It was very nice of you to take the time and convey your message. Much appreciated.
If you’re on Facebook, and are curious about what I’m up to in my artwork, my page can be found at:
https://www.facebook.com/EssexArt/
If you are on Instagram, I have a page there at: https://www.instagram.com/essexart_abc/
Last,
View moreKaren, Thank you for the note and kind words. Talk about a great start to my day. It was very nice of you to take the time and convey your message. Much appreciated.
If you’re on Facebook, and are curious about what I’m up to in my artwork, my page can be found at:
https://www.facebook.com/EssexArt/
If you are on Instagram, I have a page there at: https://www.instagram.com/essexart_abc/
Last, but not least, I also offer my work on various products at:
https://society6.com/essexart
Again, thank you so much for taking the time to share with me your kindness.
View lessJohn