John Arena grew up in an Italian family in New York. He spent his
formative years performing in rock bands as a lead singer, inspired by
recording artists of the 70’s. However, his passion for music took a back
seat to a career in the healthcare industry. Years later, after settling in
South Florida, his creative inclinations were re-kindled when he heard a
presentation by Erik Wahl, an artist and motivational speaker who
believes everyone should seek to find their inner creativity without
fear. During the 2020 pandemic quarantine, John began looking for a
creative outlet and was inspired by Ed Chapman, a world-renowned
mosaic artist from the UK. John decided to create mosaics of musical
legends made entirely of guitar picks. Each piece is one-of-a-kind, made
with thousands of guitar picks on canvas. John’s unique interpretation
reflects the musician’s influence on music and culture.
In addition to his art, John has reconnected with his former band
members and once again is the lead singer for the Bourbon Stills Band
(a tribute to the Allman Brothers), bringing him full circle back to the
icons that inspire him.