John Botz

Botz, John John Botz passed away in Solvang, CA, on Sept. 22 of brain cancer. He was born in Englewood, NJ, on Nov. 24, 1925 to James Harold Botz and Ruth Katherine Adams. He leaves brothers, James Botz of Westover, Maryland and William Botz of Jupiter, Florida, and sisters, Betty Brush of New Smyrna Beach, Florida and Jane Shawver of Paola, Kansas, (Peggy Conzen predeceased him), and many nieces and nephews.
John graduated from Central High in Washington, D.C. and the University of Pennsylvania with a B.S. in economics (Wharton School). He was a lieutenant in the Naval Reserve from 1945 to 1955. Upon graduating from university he went into merchandising with Garfinkel's in Washington D.C., and moved to San Francisco in 1948 where he was a buyer for I. Magnin. Being a Francophile he moved to Paris to study French at the Alliance Francais, and also worked briefly in London at the American Embassy before returning stateside in 1950, and resumed working as a buyer at I. Magnin, Beverly Hills. In 1964 he opened his own buying office in Los Angeles. John began painting at an early age mostly in gouache and his style was strongly influenced by Matisse and Dufy. His first one-man show at the Pantechnicon in San Francisco in 1970 was an enthusiastic sellout. Thirty-two of the thirty-four paintings in the show sold the opening day. The success of several exhibits prompted him to begin painting full time and he moved to Laguna Beach where he had his own gallery. He was commissioned to design fabrics for Brunschwig and Fils, of New York, and Brule and Cie of Los Angeles and Pierre Frey of Paris as well as stationery for T.V. Allen and the Crane Co. His work is known for the vivid colors in his landscapes and still lifes of flowers, and is owned by many collectors. His serigraphs have been spotted from London to Beijing. John has left a priceless legacy. His talent and creativity will continue to bring joy to all who love his work. John moved to the Santa Ynez Valley in 1996. He called it his "Provence" and enjoyed his retirement gardening, painting, and being involved with his church. He was a reader at the Christian Science Church. There was no memorial service and his ashes were spread at sea as he requested. - Joseph Thomas