Cheryl Johnson: Abstract Expressionist, Luxury Art for Interior Design

About the Artist: Cheryl Johnson

The Abstract Artist of Choice for Leading Luxury Interior Designers

Explore the journey of Cheryl Johnson, a collected Abstract Expressionist painter specializing in luxury, investment-grade art for high-end interiors. Read her process and biography.

The Abstract Artist of Choice for Luxury Interiors

Cheryl Johnson is a celebrated contemporary American Abstract Expressionist painter, highly sought after by interior designers and art collectors worldwide. Her dynamic, large-scale canvases are not merely decoration; they are definitive investment pieces created to anchor and transform sophisticated residential and commercial spaces.

With a career spanning over 50 years, Johnson's work is held in distinguished private collections across the US, Europe, and Canada, solidifying her status as a highly collectible, established artist.

Artist Statement: The Art of Intuitive Expression

I refer to my paintings and drawings as "psychological" or "invented landscapes." The work is purely an honest, intuitive, and immediate expression of deep inner emotion, skillfully informed by a deep knowledge of art history and compositional balance.

My greatest reward is seeing the artwork transcend the canvas, transforming the entire space rather than simply the wall where it is displayed. My practice is focused on building dynamic pictorial environments on the surface, allowing color, line, and form to engage in a spontaneous, energetic conversation.

“Every gesture I make is a chance for the painting to change and transform into something unexpected and powerful.”

— Cheryl Johnson

Core Philosophy

Desire, Opportunity, and Time (The DOT)

My approach to painting begins with an internal distillation, guided by a specific feeling or thematic interest. For me, this moment is best represented by the DOT: a potent starting point that encapsulates Desire, Opportunity, and Time. I believe in letting this dot "take a walk," allowing the initial impulse to find its direction before logic can intervene.

My works are a collection of memories, philosophies, and experiences, often reflecting my surroundings: the oceans, the skies, the beautiful secret forests, faces, and figures that light my path. I hope to ignite a sense of joy, connection, and optimism in the viewer.

Technique and Process

Mediums and Style

As an extremely versatile multi-media artist, I work primarily in Abstract Expressionism, with cues drawn from past memories, extensive travels, and life experiences.

My body of work is characterized by:

Rich Layering: Creating depth and texture through the deliberate, slow overlapping of oils, acrylics, latex, and silicone encaustic over a period of time.
Bold Coloration: Deftly mixing chromatic strokes with achromatic tones, using deep grays, blues, greens, and reds to obtain unique, complex nuances.
Gestural Energy: Emphasizing energetic, animated brush strokes, splatters, and drips that balance poetic form with a sense of surprise and spontaneity.

Technique and Process

Mediums and Style

As an extremely versatile multi-media artist, I work primarily in Abstract Expressionism, with cues drawn from past memories, extensive travels, and life experiences.

My body of work is characterized by:

Rich Layering: Creating depth and texture through the deliberate, slow overlapping of oils, acrylics, latex, and silicone encaustic over a period of time.
Bold Coloration: Deftly mixing chromatic strokes with achromatic tones, using deep grays, blues, greens, and reds to obtain unique, complex nuances.
Gestural Energy: Emphasizing energetic, animated brush strokes, splatters, and drips that balance poetic form with a sense of surprise and spontaneity.

Dual Studio Inspiration

My creative output is energized by the contrast between my two studio locations:

Kauai, Hawaii: My studio in Hawaii is surrounded by the ocean's inspiration, with valley views that shimmer with waterfalls and rainbows.
Charlotte, North Carolina: My studio in Charlotte is near a secret forest, nestled in the vibrant energy of a beautiful cosmopolitan city.

The exploration between this island freedom and the energy of city living is profoundly evident in my style and creations.

Biography and Career

Cheryl Johnson (b. 1947, Kellogg, Idaho) is a long-established, mid-career American painter.

Education & Background

Art Career Highlights

Academic: Received a BFA from Oral Roberts University and an MA in Education from the University of Tulsa.

Style: Primarily an Abstract Expressionist, inspired by masters like Joan Mitchell, Mark Rothko, and Gerhard Richter.

Professional Transition: After a long and varied corporate career, including 20+ years in senior roles as a Talent Manager and Websites Manager at IBM, Cheryl retired in 2010 to pursue her love of painting full-time.

Exhibitions: Regularly exhibits work in galleries and art fairs throughout North America.

International Recognition: Selected as an Art in Embassies Artist, contributing to cross-cultural dialogue through visual arts in U.S. embassy residences around the world.

Travel: Travels extensively to visit major global museums (Louvre, Tate, Guggenheim, Uffizi Gallery) to study the masters, using these experiences to inform her color and technique.

Invest in Art That Inspires. I invite you to explore my portfolio and discover the perfect pieces to elevate your space and inspire your soul.

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