Entertainers Backstage by John Holyfield

John Holyfield Art Gallery

Gallery updated on Friday, May 8, 2026

Authorized Dealer Limited Editions Numbered Series
John Holyfield portrait

Born and raised in Clarksburg, West Virginia, John Holyfield was orphaned and reared by his grandmothers. Early in childhood, his interest in art was evident. Encouraged by teachers, family and friends, he studied art throughout school and went on to Howard University and the university of D.C. to major in graphic design. John's interests, however, soon switched to the finer arts. Realizing the appeal of his works, he entered the art market and has become a leading African-American artist.
John's work has a strong southern folksy feel, capturing the essence of rural life. John paints with the maturity of a much older artist through the use of images that seem from an era past, yet with timeless messages.

John's main themes are family, spirituality, and culture. For much of the subject matter, he draws from his family members, childhood memories and stories from his grandmothers.

His grandmothers are his greatest inspirations; which explains the repetition of women in his works. Growing up a Baptist, he was captivated by the church and often depicts church scenes and images dealing with spirituality. Most memorable were the choir and the music; which are also repeated themes. John sensed, early on, that being black was something unique and special. he noticed that aspects such as music, spirituality, heritage, ways and traditions set his race apart from others. and he felt compelled to capture this experience, visually, on canvas.
Such artists as Ernie Barnes, Norman Rockwell, and Frederic Leighton inspire John's style. Like Barnes, his compositions are full fo movement and his characters elongated and fluid. Most of his paintings, at a glance, tell a story or create a scenario. This style of visual story-telling is similar to Rockwell. John's dramatic use of light and shadows within his images is a direct influence of Leighton.

Browse and enjoy the great African American Art work from one of Today's most collected African American Artists, John Holyfield.

John Holyfield Current Portfolio

Entertainers Backstage Perfect Harmony Relaxing on the Green Large The Righteous Path Remarque Benny's Uptown I Am Blessed Benny's Uptown Ascension Just Us Two Entertainers Soft Shoe Sergraph RIVER BEND REUNION Balladeer CHEMISTRY BLACKAMOOR WITH MONKEYS Ascension Lithograph Blessings III Pearls (from The Love Trilogy Series) Kings Of The Fairway Vintage Golfer (Female) The Flutist The Toast Steppers Delight Romantic Rendezvous Lithograph Reminisce Remarque The Poet Those We Meet Along The Way Mother's Love Angels Of Love Relaxing on the Green Medium Smitten Serenade 25Tth Anniversary Edition Kings Of The Fairway Large Heart And Soul In Our Solitude Serenade I Am Blessed X-Large Purple Cabbage And Red Hats Inner Peace Color Block Edition Canvas Rebirth The Dance (from The Love Trilogy Series) Balladeer Remarque Mother's Love ENTERTAINERS OVATION DOWN HOME I Am Blessed Friends COURTIN Inner Peace Rejoice Large Grown And Sexy Steppers Delight Entertainers ART of ROMANCE Vintage Golfer (Male) COURTIN ENTERTAINERS OVATION The Righteous Path Reminisce CROSSING PATHS Family Lithograph Vintage Golfer Male Large In the Mood Vintage Golfer Female Large Good Times Smitten CHEMISTRY Soul's Haven Rise Large Rise Entertainers Backstage RIVER BEND REUNION CUSTOMIZED FAMILY REUNION The Poet Remarque Just Us Two Relaxing On The Green Vintage Golfer Male Medium Mother's Love Xtra Large RIVER BEND REUNION Purple Cabbage And Red Hats In the Mood Inner Peace Color Block Edition Lover's Lane ENTERTAINERS OVATION Rise Oversize A Kiss ART of ROMANCE Rebirth SOCIALITES Inner Peace Sunday Lithograph Mamas Table Sweet Treasures EBONY GODDESSES SET Serenade Remarque Blessings II Kings Of The Fairway Medium SOCIALITES LARGE Rejoice COURTIN Sweet Treasures DOWN HOME Those We Meet Along The Way RIVER BEND REUNION CUSTOMIZED FAMILY REUNION My Angel Driftin Rhythm And Rhyme Canvas Mother's Love Embellished Edition Vintage Golfer Female Medium ENTERTAINERS - TWO MAN BAND REMARQUE Smitten In Our Solitude Soul Mates (from The Images Of Soul Collection) Blessings Entertainers - Mystique Lithograph Symphony Of Angels SOCIALITES XLARGE Rejoice Oversize Romantic Rendezvous A Kiss / Pearls / The Dance Love Trilogy Matched Numbered Set Come As You Are Giclee River Jubilee Limited Soul Clap Lithograph EBONY GODDESSES SET ENTERTAINERS - TWO MAN BAND Ascension Mother's Love Color Block Edition Entertainers - Mystique Soul Food Lithograph Jazz Lounge Rebirth XLarge EBONY GODDESSES SET A Kiss / Pearls / The Dance Love Trilogy Triptych Love Jones Soul Clap