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"I enjoy painting things people can relate to," John Weiss says, "perhaps because I can relate to them myself. They re familiar things, part of an everyday life we can understand and enjoy." Weiss developed this appreciation during his childhood in Akron, Ohio. His father was a draftsman to whom John credits his disciplined approach to art. He drew throughout his childhood and developed his skill in high school art classes. On a trip to Maine, he saw an exhibit of Andrew Wyeth s work, which inspired him to pursue art while attending Kent State University. Weiss left college after two years to go into the landscape business, but he returned to full-time painting within four years. "My work is essentially self-taught," he maintains. "I study the work of artists I admire and learn from their methods and techniques. I studied color theory by referring to a color wheel and mixing paints. Experience is the best teacher." Weiss persevered with his study and his dedication has paid off. Today his paintings of dogs and of horses have an avid and loyal following. "Word of mouth has resulted in my works being sold all over the world," he says. "There was even one portrait of a dog that was presented to Queen Elizabeth by Lady Barlow." Weiss work is exhibited regularly and recently he won the "Cover of the Year" award from the National Dog Writers Association.