Jack O'Rourke

Jack O'Rourke lives and paints on the Northern California coast, drawing inspiration from the rugged landscapes near Manchester Beach and the surrounding sand dunes. An MFA graduate of Vermont College, he works in watercolor and acrylics, as well as charcoal, soft pastels, and oil pastels. His technique and style reflect the influence of artists Alex Powers, Don Andrews, and Charles Reid in figurative work, along with early plein air workshops in the 1960s led by Mendocino artist Bill Zacha.

The nude figure is a recurring subject in Jack’s work, often rendered in realism but sometimes taking on a whimsical pop art or manga-inspired style. His paintings also include plein air landscapes and scenes inspired by sketches from his travels as a civil engineer. Recognized in numerous exhibitions, his award-winning paintings are held in private collections. In addition to painting, he enjoys the creative shift of printmaking, using a sliding table art press to explore relief block and intaglio techniques.