John Rinaldi

 John has been a longtime aficionado of the arts. His creative journey began in large-format photography. After thirty-eight years in the beauty business, he moved to Arizona to pursue a different way of life. He became a guide with Arizona Highways magazine and established himself in the field of photography. In 2001, his work was accepted into the botanical gardens show in Scottsdale. It was then that he met his wife, Jennifer. Jennifer, a painter/sculptor, persuaded John to explore sculpture. Carving wood became John's passion for the next several years. 

In 2017, John decided to try painting and pastels. 

He has never looked back. 

 Having had no formal training in the field, John won Best of Show at the Santa Cruz County Fair in 2017 with his depiction of pueblos called “Dream Village.” The piece was done on an artboard layered with a thick impasto surface. It was a departure from the typical pastel in that the handling of the medium left the viewer guessing what it was. 

John and Jen moved to Show Low full-time in 2020, excited to become members of our unique mountain community. 

John’s most recent pieces often depict deserted streets, a decision that speaks to his years living in New York. He now seeks the serenity and beauty that our mountain home provides.  Artist of the Month July 2025.