Born in 1962 in Provo, Utah, John Collins is an American artist who focuses on images from the Hawaiian Islands and the South Pacific. He captures landscape and still life in acrylic, oil, and watercolor. Many of his works are large murals and frescos. He is interested in abstractism, realism, and impressionism. Collins grew up in Utah and received early training from his father and sister.

In 1981, Collins was awarded a scholarship to study art at the University of Utah, where he majored in fine art and design. While at the university he explored and developed his skills and interests in painting, design, and illustration. During his thirty-plus year career he has collaborated with other artists for major mural projects in Seattle, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Palm Springs, Miami, and Hawaii. His work is regularly the subject of exhibitions in Utah and Hawaii.

In addition to his commissions, Collins also teaches watercolor on river trips along the Colorado River. One of his favorite subjects, often encountered on his river trips, is fish. "They fascinate me," Collins said. "I have painted fish for many years. He first began to notice what was happening beneath the surface of the water while waiting for some fishing gear to be delivered. "I love the way the water plays with the light," he said. "...the refracted image almost becomes abstract." Collins currently resides in Salt Lake City, Utah. Art critic Jamaica Trinnaman remarks that Collins displays "a particular sensitivity to color...[which] comes naturally to John," and that he "has a great love and respect for nature, a relationship with the land [that] is communicated fiercely through his work. In his artist's statement, Collins explains that he likes to "evoke sensations and emotions from the people who view my paintings...I paint landscapes, abstracts, and images that have meaning to me...I love the changes of the seasons, the textures and smells of the mountains and deserts." He goes on to say that "I often work 'on location,' painting outdoors and usually in the mornings or evenings when the changes in light and texture can be both subtle and dramatic -- sometimes at once. I try to capture these nuances for people who view my paintings. I want them to gather as much pleasure and meaning from my paintings as I do when I paint them."