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Susan Johnson — oilbar

In the past 17 years, Susan Johnson has been exploring the medium of Oilbar. A crayon-like oilpaint sticks made of linseed oil, pigment an wax. Using drawing techniques, layer upon layer is drawn on rag board, producing strong textures, value contrasts and colors. Details are often scratched to the surface. Oilbars can be a frustrating but also rewarding medium.

The Arts Center Exhibitions:

• ‘Portals’—Winter Show & Silent Auction, Nov - Dec 2011
• Inside/Outside, June - July 2010

Statement for 'Portals' Exhibition:

"I take snap shots of scenes that catch my interest and later some become the inspiration for new oil drawings. I photographed this unique path to the beach in June. It was the perfect beginning for creating an image about a portal, a door, an entrance, a passageway.  With the addition of actual doors the artwork became a unique surreal interpretation of a passageway to a special place.

 The painting Pass to the Sea is created on mounted gesso board using oil paint sticks as the drawing material."

Statement for 'Inside/ Outside' Exhibition:

"My Oilbar landscapes form a journal, a personal calligraphy, based on my visual experience of the land that surrounds me - the land at my home and that I experienced during my travels. I live in the hills west of Corvallis surrounded by oaks and firs, deer and wild turkeys. I have also travelled widely throughout the West, the US, and much of the world. Always I am attracted to the natural, rural landscape. Trees, paths, rocks, and moving water speak to me.

Landscape can be more than pretty pictures. They can also express a mood and a personal theme or concern of the artist in addition to revealing the uniqueness of the medium. Using abstracted, simplified images of the land and nature, I have explored several themes including: pathways, the passage of time, and human relationships. Furthermore by placing the focused landscape inside an abstracted window or box, I hope to raise questions in the mind of viewers, encouraging them to stay in the image longer and to think about what is precious in the land or what the image might mean to them."

Biography:

Johnson is living in Corvallis, Oregon and is represented by Waterstone Gallery in Portland, Freed Gallery in Lincoln City and Pegasus Gallery in Corvallis.

Since 1970 my work has been in over 25 juried exhibits, 30 one or two person exhibits, and 31 invitational group exhibits, mostly in the Northwest.  My 1998 solo Exhibit at Waterstone Gallery, Portland was reviewed in the December 1998 issue of Artweek Magazine.  One of my drawings was reproduced for the 2001 OSU Art in Agriculture exhibition poster and later added to their collection.  Another image was selected for the 2002 Corvallis Fall Festival poster. From April 7-June 5, 2008 my landscapes were featured in the Oregon Governor’s office in a show I called Windows into Oregon.

My work has been included in exhibitions at the Corvallis Arts Center, Spokane Annual Juried Art Exhibition, Art in Agriculture, OSU, da Vinci Days, Corvallis; Monarch Contemporary Art Center, Tenino, WA; Oregon State Fair, Fairbanks Gallery, OSU; Guistina Gallery, OSU; Schubert Gallery, Albany OR; Seal Rock Gallery, Oregon; Small Space Gallery, New Haven CT; Memorial Union East Gallery, OSU; Freed Gallery, Lincoln City; Benton County Historical Museum Oregon; Linn-Benton Community College, and Mount Hood Community College.  My work can regularly be seen at Waterstone Gallery in Portland (www.waterstonegallery.com) where I will be the featured artist in April 2012.

I studied art at Connecticut College for Women, University of Washington, University of Oregon, and Oregon State University and have, spent many years as an art instructor for all levels including preschool, elementary, community college and college. I was Executive Director of The Arts Center from 1985-1992 and have been part owner of Waterstone Gallery in Portland since leaving TAC.

Education:

• 1960 BA Degree, visual art major, Connect College, New London
• 1960-61 teachers certification, Southern Connecticut State College, New Haven, CT
• 1962-63 University of Washington, 5th year in fine art & education
• 1964-65 University of Washington, 5th year in art
• 1978 Oregon State University M.Ed. degree in education & fine art

Arts Administration:

• 1985-1993 Executive Director Corvallis Arts Center (now The Arts Center)/ Linn Benton Arts Council
• 2003-04 Benton County Planning Committee to develop the Benton County Cultural Plan for the OR Cultural Trust
• 2004-present Benton County Cultural Coalition

Visit Susan Johnson's website.