Baker Artist Portfolios

John Ralston is a multifaceted artist and carpenter based in Baltimore, Maryland. A Virginia native, Ralston honed his skills at Old Dominion University before pursuing advanced studies in fine art at the Maryland Institute College of Art's Mount Royal program. Under the guidance of esteemed artists such as Frances Barth, Alice Aycock, and Luca Buvoli, he refined his artistic vision. Ralston's work is influenced by a cadre of distinguished artists, including Tony Cragg, Ursula Von Rydingsvard, Ron Nagle, Carol Bove, and Bram Bogart.

In his professional life, Ralston oversees renovation projects across Baltimore, drawing inspiration from the materials and methods he encounters to fuel his artistic endeavors. He takes pride in the tactile experience of creation, valuing the integrity of well-crafted objects in both art and design.

Ralston's artwork has been showcased throughout America. His talent earned him an honorable mention for the Circle Arts “Artist of the Month” accolade. His current artistic practice is focused on upscaling his smaller pieces for more impactful exhibitions, optimizing his creative process, and enhancing the conceptual vigor of his work.

His recent solo exhibit, “The Endless Wake,” held at the D’art Center gallery in Norfolk, Virginia, in August 2021, displayed a selection of his latest works alongside earlier pieces. Following this, Ralston's work featured in the Abington Art Center's fall solo exhibition series, with his show “Omni-Threshold” debuting in November 2021. He was also included in the group exhibition “Untitled 3” at the Athens Art Gallery in Indiana, alongside a roster of exceptionally talented artists.

Looking ahead, Ralston plans to spend the remainder of the year exhibiting his newly completed works and crafting a new series that ventures into more striking, otherworldly visual explorations.