About
Bio
Born and raised in Kansas, Larry Johnson is an emerging artist working in the medium of acrylic paint and mixed media.
After graduating from University of Kansas, Johnson moved to Sacramento California where he opened the Posh Shoppe Florist. He worked there as owner and floral designer until he retired in 2008.
Johnson is a self taught artist and showed his work for the first time in an exhibition at the Temp Contemporary Gallery in Sacramento in June 2014.
Since then he has shown his work at Jesuit’s Art Event 2015, Bob Androvich Gallery 2016, Archival Gallery 2016, Crocker BNSA Auction, 2016, and ArtHouse Gallery 2017, Crocker Art Museum BNSA 2018.
Johnson still resides in Sacramento, California.
Artist Statement
After retiring in 2008, I developed a passion to find a new outlet for my artistic endeavors. Up until then, I only painted for my personal enjoyment and to satisfy my creative needs.
After much encouragement, I exhibited my paintings for the first time in 2014 at the Temp Contemporay Gallery in Sacramento California.
In an unorthodox way, I begin my paintings with little to no idea of how the painting will evolve. Usually beginning with a pallet of earth tone colors, I create a textured background using multiple materials and layers such as collage strips, cement, and stain. I then often sand and scratch the surface to reveal what’s underneath.
I derive inspiration from weathered wood, peeling paint and even rusted metal. Sometimes this background becomes the completed painting, other times I add objects for balance and interest, all the while keeping simplicity a major goal.
I am often asked what a particular painting means and for that I have no real answer - only that I make art and work on it until it feels right to me. I then move on to the next piece.
As with many artists, I prefer to leave the emotional response between the viewer and the art, without any unnecessary words.