View Gallery 3 Photos
John Martin Borg is an artist specialising in water colour; mainly maritime pictures and atmospheric landscapes
How did you get started?
I attended school of art under H. Alden, Vincent Apap, and Esprit Barthet.
What genre do you consider your work to be?
My works are mostly watercolours and some oils and acrylics, especially my more recent abstracts and experimental works.
Describe your work in less than 10 words.
Mostly atmospheric marine and landscapes, with a strong impressionistic rendering especially my townscapes.
Where was your first exhibition held?
The National Museum of Fine Arts in Valletta.
How long have you been painting?
Since my childhood days, But took up watercolour seriously after graduating from university in 1977.
Which is your favourite from among your own artworks?
My Maritime watercolours
Whose artist’s work are you most inspired by?
In my early days it was W. Turner, in later years J.S. Sargent and Edward Saego.
If you weren’t an artist, what would you be?
I graduated in pharmaceutical studies and worked as a pharmacist till 2003 when I changed my profession to full time artist. So the answer is a pharmacist.
What is the epitome of happiness for you?
With regards to painting it must be; returning back home from a plein air session with a painting that really worked. As for giving workshops; it is seeing your students successfully exhibiting their works.
What are you working on at the moment?
Apart from the odd commission, it is mostly experimental work, given I have just put up my twenty-fifth one man exhibition, which was all dedicated to my religious works, at this very moment I am going through a time of relaxation.
Are you a morning person or do you come alive at night?
A morning person, hardly ever work at night.
How many coffees a day? Don’t embellish.
About six or even more.
Sundays can be very productive for some and very unproductive for others. How do you spend yours?
I do not work on Sunday unless I am out and I decide to do an outdoor study.
Wine and cheese. Yes or no?
Not while I am working; but yes I love them.
If you were given a million euros, what would you indulge yourself with?
Do not really know I am satisfied with all I have.
Favourite place to holiday?
All Europe – I love Italy, Vienna and France.
See more artists and artisans work in our book for just 35 euro including delivery to Malta (at cost to other destinations)
