John Wentz is a contemporary realist exploring the human condition through the lens of psychology and mythology. Inspired by the writings of psychologist Carl Jung, Wentz’s work explores how the archetype of the hero – and specifically the superhero – influences the human experience. Juxtaposing vintage comic book characters with surreal depictions of children, John aims to create a dialogue between his childhood and the childhood of today, which seem to lack or misunderstand this timeless archetype. John was born and raised in the Bay Area and graduated with distinction from the Academy of Art University, where he won multiple awards. His work has been shown in international publications and resides in numerous private collections. John currently teaches at his alma mater focusing on painting, drawing, human anatomy, color theory, and composition.