The subject matter of his sculptures and paintings ranges from gifts of affection such as flowers and candies to symbols of social groups: a school of fish, birds nest.
In 2012 Sue Bell Yank wrote that the two Johns "construct workshops, interventions, and public actions that catalyze awareness of one’s influence on their environment and community.
"[10] Their projects included "Make Your Own Effigy Workshops" on public sidewalks, a neighborhood wide Stone Soup, and releasing thousands of ladybugs in corporate retail spaces.
[18][19][20][21] Burtle is a founder of the Eternal Telethon, a sporadically occurring live streamed performance art show that raises money to start an artist retirement home.
[26][27][28][29] Burtel has been a supporter of the Los Angeles Contemporary Archive and has donated over 200 pieces of ephemera, documents, and artworks by acclaimed and lesser-known artist to their collection.