Gregory Burns

Gregory Burns, MFA, (born 1957) is an American athlete, painter, author, motivational speaker and member of Art of the Olympians. As a competitive swimmer, Burns represented the USA in the 1992, 1996, and 2000 Paralympic Games, winning five medals; he has broken five world records and numerous American records. As a contemporary artist, his paintings have been shown in dozens of solo exhibitions plus dozens of group exhibitions in at least sixteen countries, and Burns has taught in thirty Artist-in-Residence programs around the globe. He is the recipient of the United States Sports Academy’s 2016 Sport Artist of the Year award, (painter). As an author, Burns has published three books in English and Mandarin. As a motivational speaker, Burns has spoken to many audiences with a wide range of interests such as business, culture, and international relations.[1]

Gregory Burns
Born1957 (age 62–63)
Washington, D.C.
NationalityAmerican
Known forPainting
Spouse(s)Angie Tan-Burns
Websitegregoryburns.com
Medal record
Men's para swimming
Representing  United States
Paralympic Games
1996 Atlanta 4×50 m Freestyle S1–6
1996 Atlanta 4×50 m Medley S1–6
1992 Barcelona 100 m Breaststroke SB4
1996 Atlanta 100 m Backstroke S6
1992 Barcelona 4×50 m Medley S1–6

Biography

Gregory Burns was born in Washington, DC, in 1957. As his father served in the diplomatic corps, he would spend much of his childhood abroad. He contracted polio in Jerusalem in 1958, which left him paralyzed from the waist down. At age three, he took to the water to learn to swim. At age six, he began painting lessons while living in Paris. His early schooling took place in France, Germany, Maryland, and the Netherlands. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies with a minor in Fine Art from University of California, Santa Barbara (1976-1980).[1]

As a competitive swimmer, Burns represented the USA in the 1992 (Barcelona), 1996 (Atlanta), and 2000 (Sydney) Paralympic Games, winning two gold medals, two silver medals, and one bronze medal.[2][3] He broke five world records in paralympic swimming and numerous national records. His athletic career has continued with endurance sporting events; Burns completed the 2006 Korea IronMan race and the Singapore Half-IronMan races in 2007, 2010, 2011, and 2012.[4] Burns has also taken up sit-down snow skiing.

As a contemporary artist, Gregory Burns has been described as an abstract impressionist.[5] Burns conducted postgraduate studies at (1) Cabrillo College, near Santa Cruz, California, studying commercial and fine art (1982-1984), (2) Chung Da University/National Chengchi University, Taipei, Taiwan, studying Chinese painting & calligraphy and history (in Mandarin; 1984-1985), and (3) Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Melbourne, Australia, earning a Master of Fine Art in Painting (1998-1999). His paintings have been shown in dozens of solo exhibitions plus dozens of group exhibitions in at least sixteen countries.[6] Burns has taught in thirty Artist-in-Residence programs around the globe.[1] He is the recipient of the United States Sports Academy’s 2016 Sport Artist of the Year award (painter).

As an author, Burns has published three books: Painted Journey[7] (2005) and The Art of Mindfulness (2014) in English, and Color Your Life (2008) in Mandarin.

As a motivational speaker, Burns topics include the following:

  • maximizing personal achievement beyond limitations
  • going beyond self-imposed limitations
  • adapting and making the most of one's assets
  • balancing work and personal life
  • persevering through uncertainty
  • developing passion
  • developing leadership
  • embracing disability and diversity

Burns also conducts arts-based, team-building, and creativity workshops.[8]

Medals

Records

Bibliography
  • Painted Journey, Gregory Burns, Singapore, 2005. ISBN 9810521286[7]
  • Color Your Life (Mandarin), Gregory Burns, Taiwan, 2008.

See also

References
  1. "Gregory Burns: Artist's Biography/Timeline". gregoryburns.com. Archived from the original on 18 July 2014. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
  2. "Barcelona 1992 Paralympic Games, Medallists, Swimming". IPC: International Paralympics Committee. 1992. Archived from the original on 11 December 2013. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  3. "Atlanta 1996 Paralympic Games, Medallists, Swimming". IPC: International Paralympics Committee. 1996. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  4. "Gregory Burns: Speaker's Biography/TImeline". gregoryburns.com. Archived from the original on 17 December 2013. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
  5. "Q&A: Gregory Burns". TimeOut Shanghai. 3 February 2013. Archived from the original on 12 December 2013. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  6. "Gregory Burns: Artist's Resume". gregoryburns.com. Archived from the original on 15 December 2013. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  7. "Library of Congress Online Catalog". Library of Congress. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  8. "Gregory Burns: Speaker's Portfolio". gregoryburns.com. Archived from the original on 16 December 2013. Retrieved 9 December 2013.
  9. "Barcelona 1992 Paralympic Games, Swimming, Results (search)". IPC: International Paralympics Committee. 1992. Archived from the original on 13 September 2012. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
  10. "Atlanta 1996 Paralympic Games, Swimming, Results (search)". IPC: International Paralympics Committee. 1996. Archived from the original on 13 September 2012. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
  11. "American Records, Swimming". American Record - Long Course (Meters). United States Olympic Committee, U.S. Paralympics. 8 October 2013. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
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