John DeFaro - Event Projects

Miami Artist DeFaro Returns to Southampton

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: JOHN DEFARO, 305.467.7976 OR JOHN@JOHNDEFARO.COM

Homegrown artist John DeFaro is returning to the Hamptons from Miami to water his roots and grow in

the light of another local treasure, Paton Miller.

 
Courtesy of a Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs 2015 Artist Access Grant, DeFaro is

undertaking a rare one-on-one, mentorship-style workshop with Miller. Miller’s works in oil and

gouache, while representational, have a foot firmly in the abstract camps of El Greco and Soutine.

His youth in Hawaii and world travels begun at an early age have left an indelible mark on his perception.

DeFaro’s work, across multiple media including oil and three-dimensional sculptural works, looks to

nature—both in Florida as well as Southampton—as well as social consciousness for inspiration. Seed pods

from the Royal Poinciana Tree, from Madagascar and now a common sight in South Florida, have

figured prominently in his work for years.

The July 27-31 workshop, conceived by DeFaro and funded by the grant, will see DeFaro adopting

Miller’s habit of making a drawing each day. The artists will first work in charcoal and graphite, then

moving into oil paint and surface-enhancing media.

DeFaro had Miller’s expertise in mind as soon as he decided to apply for the grant.

“I want to work with a person who knows his craft thoroughly, and Paton is that artist and then some.”

DeFaro’s family home was on Little Plains Road in Southampton, next to the home of pop artists

Larry Rivers. His connection remains strong as he makes frequent trips to visit his brothers: Chris DeCristofaro

(DeFaro’s original family name) who has made his home in the Rivers house since 2002, with

renovations supervised by another brother, Jim DeCristofaro.

John DeFaro-Event Projects, his latest undertaking in his adopted home of Miami, is a nimble 
endeavor functioning as production and planning company as well as a physical gallery space.
His residency with Miller is sure to inspire new perspectives and new growth.

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