"I start with a photograph (generally my own, but occasionally I'm inspired by some tiny something [e.g. this] that I find on the Internet) and I then rebuild it pixel by pixel in Photoshop using only the most basic tools: Marquee, Lasso, Paint Brush, Eraser.  This process allows me to correct compositional flaws, sharpen details and eliminate extraneous or distracting elements.  I do realize that it may appear as though I've simply 'filtered' my original images to create these graphics, but each one is the result of hundreds of individual decisions and countless hours of work.  It is in trying to achieve this transparency, the seeming effortlessness, from which the technique emerged."

Check out a side-by-side comparison for more insight into John's technique - you will find them included whenever the "translation" is based on an original photograph.