John L. Semple

John L. Semple (b.1952) is a Canadian artist and surgeon who studied art and medical illustration at OCAD and University of Toronto. He received his MD degree at McMaster University. Upon completion of his surgical training at University of Toronto he became clinical Fellow in Microsurgery at the Toronto General Hospital. He was Director of the Advanced Regenerative Tissue Engineering Centre (ARTEC) at University of Toronto. He recently stepped down as Surgeon in Chief at Women’s College Hospital and has served as Chair of the Board of Governors at OCAD University. He is Past President of the Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Dr. Semple’s watercolours are subtle and spontaneous. His shapes and tints are not only means of representing reality, but they can in themselves furnish direct sensuous pleasure. No matter how naturalistic, his style always shows a mood for pure appeal of color and the patterns they create. His vision en plein air becomes more personal and his work more interconnected. Lightness pervades his art.

Dr. Semple is recognized nationally and internationally as a surgical clinical leader in Breast Surgery and Breast Reconstruction. He has received numerous awards and has published over 100 peer-reviewed papers published in the top clinical and science journals.

His current positions include: Professor in the Department of Surgery at the University of Toronto; Head, Division of Plastic Surgery, Women’s College Hospital; Senior Investigator Women’s College Research Institute; Adjunct Professor, OCAD University, Toronto; Senior Scholar, Graduate Faculty, OCAD University.

Dr. John L. Semple is a Fellow of the Canadian Geographic Society. His paintings are included in private collections in Canada and abroad.