Weiss developed this appreciation during his childhood in Akron, Ohio. His father was a draftsman to whom John credits his disciplined approach to art. He drew throughout his childhood and developed his skill in high school art classes. On a trip to Maine, he saw an exhibit of Andrew Wyeth’s work, which inspired him to pursue art while attending Kent State University.

Weiss left college after two years to go into the landscape business, but he returned to full-time painting within four years. “My work is essentially self-taught,” he maintains. “I study the work of artists I admire and learn from their methods and techniques. I studied color theory by referring to a color wheel and mixing paints. Experience is the best teacher.”