John McKinstry

Cornwall-based artist John McKinstry creates tranquil landscape paintings that evoke calm, stillness, and a deep sense of peace. His work focuses on quiet corners of the landscape, rendered in gentle, harmonious colours that invite the viewer to pause and reflect.

Inspired by the emotional atmosphere of a place rather than a fixed visual memory, McKinstry paints intuitively, seeking to recapture how a location felt at a particular moment. A keen walker, he finds inspiration while exploring Cornwall’s small harbours and coastal hamlets, as well as remote farmhouses and cottages nestled beneath granite tors on the moors.

His home studio is situated in one of Cornwall’s peaceful riverside hamlets, much like those depicted in his paintings. Surrounded by natural beauty and quiet rhythms, this setting plays an integral role in shaping both his creative process and the mood of his work.

Before becoming a full-time artist, McKinstry spent over 30 years working in horticulture across various parts of the UK. In 2013, he fulfilled a lifelong ambition by transitioning into professional landscape painting, signing with one of the UK’s leading art publishers and supplying galleries nationwide and internationally.

In September 2022, McKinstry became an independent artist, allowing for greater creative freedom and a more personal relationship with collectors. His work is now available directly through his website, as well as through a select number of carefully chosen galleries.