James Huston Johnson
medium: painting
Click on the image to see the full version.
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Before the End 2004 Painting |
 James #1 2005 Painting |
 James #4 2005 Painting |
 James #14 2005 Painting |
 Lost 2004 Painting |
Potential Energy 2004 Painting |
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The Magi 2002 Painting |
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Contact information
Artist resides in: Mineral Point, WI
Email Address: johnsonj@mhtc.net
Artist statement
I began my artistic career as a poet. I switched to painting in 2000, while I was finishing an M.A. in Theology and the Arts at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities. Poetry, especially the imagist school, has influenced me more than other painters. My primary concerns, therefore, are balance, line, space, color and simplicity of statement. I like concreteness to the point that my work is sometimes described as mathematical.
I have taught Chinese martial arts much of my adult life. This, for whatever reason, results in many of my paintings appearing Oriental. I like to think that because I have done so many thousands of Taoist-based movement, I am, in fact, painting the Tao.
A third influence has been Jungian psychology. The theme of many of my earlier paintings was the cross and circle symbolizing the human psyche. My goal is to paint work that people will find exciting in their homes.
Biography
Education: M.A. in English literature, University of Minnesota-Mankato. M.A. in Theology and the Arts, United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities.
Exhibits:
"A Poet Paints," United Seminary, St. Paul, Minn., 2000
Master's thesis, "The Oracle," a hardboard, painted sculpture of eight hexagrams from the Chinese I-Ching, exhibited at Spencer Library, United Seminary, St. Paul, Minn., 2000.
Chestnut Hill Studio, Mineral Point, Wis., 2001-2004
Howdle Gallery, Mineral Point, Wis., 2004-present
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