John Bukaty is an American trailblazer of the live painting movement. One of his most unique gifts is his ability to capture the heart of live action on canvas. But he is not limited to live painting, as his creativity also shines through other mediums ranging from sculpture to poetry to apparel. He began his career over two decades ago on canvas, capturing weekly band performances at a Kansas City brewpub, and has since traveled to India, Ireland, Mexico, and beyond.

​

His personal battles with trauma, addiction, heartbreak, and economic struggle have fueled John’s creativity. His fiery devotion to art has been rewarded with opportunities to paint in some of the most historically significant and inspirational environments on Earth – most notably the Taj Mahal and the Vatican. John has been selected to commemorate such events as the NFL Super Bowl, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, and the American Century celebrity golf championship. Having owned and operated three fine art galleries himself, he has also been featured in shows at the Met, the Denver Art Museum, the New Orleans Museum of Art, and the Nelson-Atkins Art Museum in Kansas City.

He received national recognition for his project on New Orleans potholes and was asked to create the album art for Steve Windwood’s “Greatest Hits Live”. Celebrity collectors of his work include Matthew McConaughey, Penelope Cruz, J.J. Cale, and John Popper, and he has created important commissions for corporate clients such as Chipotle, Toyota, BMW, Budweiser, and Jameson.

​

With a euphoric dedication, John’s ability to harness his creative energy is unmatched. He has devoted his life to serving art by living with creative intention, giving back to his community, and using his talents to connect with the world around him. Through his art, he has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for organizations such as the YMCA, the American Cancer Society, the Community Service League, the SPCA, and the Halo Foundation. He is an annual feature in Paul Rudd’s charity event, The Big Slick, to help raise money for Children’s Mercy Hospital of Kansas City. He works often with Grammy Award-winning musician, Anders Osborne, on the Send Me A Friend project, which helps support newly-sober musicians on the road. He also devotes a great deal of time to teaching art to students of all ages. These charitable pursuits have not only shaped his work over time, but have cemented his belief in the powerfully important impact art can have on our communities.

​

For more on John's work: https://johnbukaty.com/