JOHN R. BELFONTAINE, JR
CIRCUS
Action, excitement, joyful laughter, these are the thrilling elements of the circus ring. Dedicated hours of practice, intense focus, and anticipation are the elements of circus life behind the curtain. A close community with strong bonds of caring surrounds the circus performers. Belfontaine understands all the “faces” of circus. Belfontaine has been studying and painting one of his favorite subjects, “CIRCUS LIFE” for 39 years.
A self-taught photo-realist painter for 45 years, he has won numerous awards throughout New England, including Best of Show and People’s Choice, depicting life with the circus.
“The circus inspires me. It has all the elements that challenge me artistically, color, movement and drama,” says Belfontaine. In July 2003 John traveled with “The Big Apple Circus,” one of the few remaining traditional one-ring traveling tent circuses fashioned in the European Equestrian Circus style. His goal was to paint, draw and photograph the performer’s life, both in the spotlight and behind the scenes. “I want to record visually the extraordinary dedication, proud tradition and family spirit that the one ring circus carries on!"
CAPE COD
John and his wife Karen, after vacationing on the Cape for years, have now established a home and studio in Centerville. As an artist, John’s passion has been to capture the sights of Cape Cod. The paintings in oil & watercolor, known as “Postcards for Karen”, are painted primarily on location. Karen said, “the Cape wraps its arm around you and welcomes you home.”
Lighthouses are well known landmarks of the Cape, but the real gems are found in the little out of the way places... flowering arbors over doorways, reflections on the waters, the cliffs along the seashore and that Cape Cod grey.
The Belfontaine Art Studio is at:
18 Cat’s Paw Way
Centerville, MA 02632
Email: circuscirco@yahoo.com (Preferred)
Phone: 860.488.0929
coming events
Falmouth Public Library
April 3-30, 2024
Sturgis Library, Barnstable
May 1-29, 2024
Eastham Public Library
July 1-31, 2024
Shanty Show, Hyannis Harbor Overlook
July 8-14, 2024
Marion-Craine Gallery/Snow Library, Orleans, MA
September 2-30, 2024
Mashpee Public LIbrary/NUBA Presentation
October 2-30, 2024
Open Studio Show
November 2024
AWARDS AND testimonials
John's exhibit at the Centerville Public Library in the fall of 2018 set a sales record!
-- Librarian
current deals
Veterans' discount 20% on portraits of veterans