J.C. Heywood

John Carl (J.C.) Heywood was born in Toronto, Ontario in 1941 and decided to pursue his interest in becoming an artist by studying at the Ontario College of Art (today the Ontario College of Art & Design University) from 1959 to 1963. Throughout his education, Heywood was trained in the classical skills of figural painting and drawing up until he discovered printmaking. Heywood would learn how mysterious and stimulating printmaking could be from his instructor Fred Hagan and fellow artist Michael Stewart would introduce him to new ways of finding freedom with colour through a technique called silk-screening.  

After graduating, Heywood spent four years in Toronto doing landscape paintings and teaching art at a high school but felt there was a creative spark missing and decided to travel to Paris where he hoped to gain new perspectives and inspiration.  He found his way to Atelier 17, a legendary studio in Paris founded by renowned English painter Stanley William Hayter. From 1967 to 1969, Heywood gained the exciting opportunity to work with like minded printmakers from around the world and learn everything there was to know about the art of etching.

Heywood met his wife Renate Laxgang and together they lived in Paris for another two years. When they returned to Canada, Heywood became a professor at Sheridan College in 1970 which helped him to restore an enjoyment for teaching art. From that point forward he would go on to teach at a number of universities, travel to artist residencies abroad, and exhibit worldwide. Heywood has presented his prints in numerous solo shows across Canada and participated in many international graphics exhibitions. Today, J.C. Heywood currently lives and works in Montreal. 

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