Inspired by his love of nature, Johnson’s turn to Western subject matter, such as landscapes and wildlife, was a natural fit. “Paint what you love and the success will come,” he told himself.
After the Harvest, oil on linen, 24 x 36 in.
“I mainly work in oils on linen and mixed media on handmade paper,” he says. “After the Harvest is a painting that was selected for the 2022-2023 Conservation Print of the Year by the Quail Forever habitat organization. Besides painting 13 birds, the antique hay raker was a challenge as well. What makes the image dramatic is the dawn glow throughout. The Big Bull is one of my unique mixed-media paintings on handmade mulberry paper. I came up with this technique about 25 years ago.” The artist continues, “I photographed this moose in the Tetons in the fall rut season just before he decided to charge me. So, there was definitely an adrenalin spike in acquiring the reference for this image.”
Summer in the High Country, oil on linen, 40 x 60 in.
For Johnson’s Summer in the High Country, the artist was inspired by many trips to Glacier National Park. “Every time I go to Glacier, I always hike the Hidden Lake Trail out of the Logan Pass visitor center,” he says. “Almost always I come across mountain goats walking the trail with me. In August, the mountains above timberline are in full wildflower bloom. Truly idyllic! I chose to compose the mountain goat family with Reynolds Mountain and Glacier in the background just like you would experience this same scene if you were to hike the trail.” —
The Big Bull, mixed media on handmade mulberry paper, 13 x 20 in.
Want to See More?
(760) 402-9986
www.garyjohnson.com
Facebook: /garyjohnsonstudio
Represented by: Going to the Sun Gallery » Whitefish, MT » (406) 862-2751 » goingtothesungallery.com
Oregon Coast Galleries »
Florence, OR » (541) 997-7993
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