John is a founding member of the chamber ensemble Southerly Winds, he has served as principal bassoonist with the Illinois Chamber Orchestra and the Mobile Opera, Springfield Symphony, and Jackson Symphony Orchestras. Bivins has also performed as a contrabassoonist with the New Orleans, Alabama, and Mississippi Symphony Orchestras. He has served on the faculties of the Sewanee Summer Music Center, Columbus College, and Auburn University. A student of Art Colaianni, David Weber, Laurence Morgan, and John Patterson, Bivins holds a BM and MM from Auburn University and a DMA from Louisiana State University. Although he still performs with numerous symphonies, he has retired from teaching and spends much of his time painting. In addition to painting, John enjoys gardening and grows many of the plants in his works - a true botanical study! His studio is in Hattiesburg, MS where he lives with his wife and children.
Welcome to B line artworks, the online gallery of abstract and botanical paintings by artist John Bivins. Born in New Jersey and raised in Bowdon, Georgia, John established his love for the arts early in life and began seriously painting in the 1960's. Though this was purely for his own enjoyment, it laid the foundation for a life-long affection for fine art. His primary avenue is watercolor though he frequently experiments with various other mediums. A multi-talented artist and cancer survivor, John also has an extensive background in music.
