John Meader
I grew up drawing pictures, carving chunks of pine, and loving art. Inspired by my sixth grade teacher, Carol Robinson Morin, who nurtured my artistic bend. She introduced me to Leonardo, Van Eyck, Monet, and Van Gogh. I carried that inspiration through many iterations as a teen.
I started taking photographs in 1978 on a cross country trip. Attempting to capture something more than a snapshot quickly became the aim of every shot. Though most of my images never reached that lofty goal, it became the reason to take pictures. Inspiration came quickly from my photographic heroes: Henri Cartier-Bresson, Ansel Adams, Todd Webb, Elliott Porter, Patrick Groleau, and Neil Parent—to name a few. It's not easy to get a good photograph, but it's rewarding when you hit the mark. To me, the greatest value in this endeavor is the process of learning to see, learning to anticipate, and putting myself in interesting places. I've learned you don't need to visit Yellowstone to get a great photo, you just need to open your eyes to what's around you where ever you are. It takes practice, and that's the joy of photography.
Today, I continue to explore all these creative endeavors. I seem to have a muse that demands that I draw, paint, carve, and photograph my interpretations of the world and the universe.
This website is an outlet to share my expressions of art. I am honored to share this space with Shawn Burke, one of my oldest and dearest friends. Shawn and I met in 6th grade, but became fast friends in high school. Despite our paths taking us geographically apart—he to Princeton, me to U Maine—our friendship has held fast. We continually grow and explore new places and ideas together, whether on wilderness canoe trips or through sharing music, art, and having long philosophical conversations over a dram or two of scotch. Our creative talents compliment each other well and occasionally combine in fascinating collaborations.
Curation:
2022 Retrospective—25 Years of MIFF Photography, at the Maine International Film Festival, Curated by John Meader, with photographs by Martin Aucoin, Holden Cookson, Patrick Groleau, Niko Hample, Deanne “Dede” Herman, John Meader, Lucas Pelotte, and Charles “Chuck” Robinson.
Photography Shows:
Current:
2023 InBalance/Imbalance, a themed and curated group show presented online and at the L.C. Bates Museum, Hinckley, Maine.
Past:
2022 Retrospective—25 Years of MIFF Photography, at the Maine International Film Festival, a retrospective show featuring all staff MIFF photographers.
2022 Wilderness and Culture, a themed and curated group show presented online, L.C. Bates Museum, Hinckley, Maine.
2021 Marks and Tracks, a themed and curated group show presented online, L.C. Bates Museum, Hinckley, Maine.
2017-2022 John Meader Photography, The Record Connection, Waterville, Maine.
2016-2022 John Meader Photography, Riverside Cafe, Oakland, Maine.
2020 Maine Waters and its Inhabitants, a themed and curated group show presented online, L.C. Bates Museum, Hinkley, Maine.
2020 Heatwave Getaway, Selah Tea/FrameMakers, Waterville, Maine.
2019 A Well-Tempered Lens, a joint show with Julie Searles and Raul Sirén, Central Maine Artist’s Gallery, Skowhegan, Maine.
2019 Maine Open Juried Art Show, Common Street Arts, Waterville, Maine. Awarded 3rd place in photography.
2019 Atmospheric Water, A themed group show, L.C. Bates Museum, Hinckley, Maine.
2019 Spring Show, a solo show, The Last Unicorn, Waterville, Maine.
2018 Ebb & Flow, A juried group show, Common Street Arts, Waterville, Maine.
2018 Visual Echoes, A joint show with Patrick Groleau and Chad Tracy, FrameMakers, Waterville, Maine.
2018 Bird on a Wire, A themed group show, L.C. Bates Museum, Hinckley, Maine.
2017 The Sky Surrounds Us, A joint show with Barbara Joseph, Railroad Square Cinema, Waterville, Maine.
2017 Perspectives, A collaborative show with Shawn Burke, combining John’s photography with Shawn’s original music, written and inspired by the photography, Curtis Memorial Library, Brunswick, Maine. A video featuring Shawn’s music set to John’s photography in this show is also called Perspectives.
2017 Maine Open Juried Art Show, Common Street Arts, Waterville, Maine.
2015 The Maine Photography Show, A juried group show, Boothbay Region Art Foundation, Boothbay Harbor, Maine.
2015 Poetry of Maine’s Fog, Rain, Snow and Ice, An open group show, Waterfall Arts, Belfast, Maine.
2014 The Maine Photography Show, A juried group show, Boothbay Region Art Foundation, Boothbay Harbor, Maine.
2013 Four Meaders Four, A joint show with Abbott Meader, Forrest Meader, and Nancy Meader, Central Maine Arstist’s Gallery, Skowhegan, Maine.
2013 Honey, I Shrunk the ARTworks, An open group show, Common Street Arts, Waterville, Maine.