The still life paintings are inspired by my collection of vintage North Carolina Pottery. The pottery images are not literal, but my interpretation of the pots, adding color and shapes that the actual pots inspire.  The objective is to create a colorful active series of shapes and textures that have an interchange of space within the boundaries of the canvas. "That is to say, the planes of colors and textures seem to be either closer or farther away from the viewer". The center for Art Pottery in North Carolina is SEAGROVE.

The Fruit Bowl Paintings are a call from the past, Mr. Johnson did similar studies in the 1970s and was reminded of them during his recent visit to the Chrysler Museum in Norfolk, Virginia where he saw for the first time in over 30 years their Matisse "Bowl Of Apples". 

For examples of how Mr. Johnson's Still Life paintings may look in a room click here!