Lydia Johnston's Art News

When is a painting finished?

2020-09-20T13:11:00.001-07:00

Often people wonder how I know when a painting is finished. It can be hard for an artist to decide. It's easy to overwork a painting and lose the freshness, the raw energy and flow that makes a piece particularly strong.

A few years ago I came up with a system that works for me, the bedroom test! It isn't fail-safe for telling me when to put my brushes down and stop in my studio! But it seems to be spot on for determining if I am satisfied with my painting when I think it is finished.

I work in oils, so I always have numerous paintings ongoing at any one time; while a layer on one is drying, I turn to continue on another. This means there are always a lot of unfinished pieces along with ones near completion, hanging on the viewing wall in my studio at the same time.

My viewing wall

This can make it hard to assess one painting, when seen surrounded by others. There are many times when I think I've nailed a piece, made the final marks, I'm excited by the result. Still, I always put it through my bedroom assessment test. And more often times than I like, I find the painting is not done to my satisfaction, there's something that's not quite right, some elusive element.

"Out of the Blue", full color

I, along with many other artists, check the photo of a painting in black and white, or even better, remove the saturation in an editing program. This strips the colors away differently than black and white. But neither is like viewing the actual painting with the colors stripped away.

"Out of the Blue", color saturation removed

Look really carefully and you'll see that the "light" and "glow" in the painting is quite different in these two photos. The yellows and oranges don't show up as light in the black and white photo (below), yet they do in actual low light. Removing the color saturation comes closer (above), but not like viewing in person in low light.

"Out of the Blue", black and white photo

My work is all about color, and color can have great contrast without much light and dark contrast. I want my painting to work when fully lit and you see all the colors, but also when you are only seeing the design and all the color is stripped away.

I always like to hang a painting in my dining area. A dining room is a great place to enjoy art, and often people like to dim the lights for eating. I want my pieces to be just as strong whether brightly or dimly lit.

I've found that hanging a piece in my bedroom is the perfect way to assess it. For starters, it's not surrounded by all the other pieces I'm working on. Having a series or group being worked on together is great, but I need each to stand on its own.

"Expanding Universe", full color

Second, in the bedroom, I see the piece in all different light levels, artificial light in the evening, flashlight in the night, and the best is the early light at dawn before the sun rises. This is natural light, but the very first light at daybreak only shows the lights and darks, the values in the painting. This is the most important part about the composition, the design of the piece.

"Expanding Universe", color saturation removed

I suppose the fact that I'm a lousy sleeper helps with my bedroom test! I wake up numerous times in the night and at daybreak. I love to crack my eyes open when there is just the slightest light and look at my painting, all I see at first is the composition, so I can tell instantly if it is a strong one.

"Leap of Faith", full color

Then I shut my eyes and snooze some more. As the day brightens, I crack my eyes open to take another look. I have found this the best way to assess my paintings. As the light levels change, the painting seems to come alive; I love when I can barely make out the colors, and then when they become more intense as the sun actually rises.

"Leap of Faith", color saturation removed

I think the other reason this assessment works so well is that I am using my subconscious mind. There is something powerful about looking at the piece before I'm fully awake, and then snoozing, and then looking again. Years ago I named this state "shmirling", not awake and not asleep. This is a vital part of my painting process.

Bedroom test!

If at first glance, I love the piece, I know it is complete. But there are times when I've put a painting in my bedroom that I'm sure is done, and then the early morning light will reveal that it needs more work. This is when I crack my eyes open to take a look and just know something is off.

I often don't know right away what is bothering me. So I shut my eyes for a bit, drift back to sleep, and then take another look. Most of the time, I can then tell what it is that bugs me. Maybe that intense orange, (I love to use orange), isn't a deep enough value. In full light it stands out strongly, but as to the light and dark design, it is not enough. Many different things reveal themselves, they aren't huge flaws, but just enough to bug me. A couple of shapes are too lined up, or the dark shapes are too similar. More often it is to do with the color values, and I always want my paintings to work even when the colors are stripped away.

Early stage of a new painting

Color saturation removed, orange shapes are lost

So if a piece doesn't pass the bedroom test, it's back to the studio, until I achieve the "grace" I am looking for in my paintings.

We did it! Thank you!

2020-09-13T16:11:00.000-07:00

We took a chance on holding an in person Taos Studio Tour over Labor Day Weekend, and we pulled it off! A huge thank you to everybody who stopped in, wore a mask and safely kept their distance.

I was able to provide a private viewing for most parties, how special is that!

As an artist, the best thing is to have the chance for people to view my art and discuss it with me, to let me know which pieces are favorites and why. I love it when I can see where my paintings have gone to live!

"Little Adobes" in its new home.

One really special aspect about a studio tour, besides meeting and speaking directly with the artist, is you get to see the newest work along with previous paintings. I often bring some pieces from my personal collection, ones that have been hanging in my house. These are usually some of my strongest pieces, they've gone through my "bedroom assessment test" (more about this next week, stay tuned!) to be 100% sure they are finished. These are the pieces I have held onto in order to learn from.

"Out of the Blue", 30" x 30", oil on canvas, sold

It can be bittersweet when they sell. I loved having "Out of the Blue" hanging in my dining area, but I'm always glad if they find a new home, and then I pick another to hang in my house!

This year I hung paintings from my sky series as well as my newest pieces painted during the pandemic. The groups may be different, but you can see the common theme of color running through all of my work when they are viewed together.

"Trace of the Sun", 12" x 12", oil on canvas

For the Taos Studio Tour I was teamed up with another artist at a central location in town. Want a glimpse into my actual painting studio where the magic happens? Click here for a video to take you there.

In this video, I talk about my intent, to have light and depth in my paintings, to have you "sink into my art, and be transported." When you look at one of my paintings, I want you to find your own story. I want you to be able to find something new each time you take a look.

"Walking Through Time", 12" x 12", mixed media on canvas

I talk about my inspiration, how it comes from nature. I want my art to make me feel what I was feeling when I was out on a hike or watching a gorgeous sunset, or standing in the wind as a storm rolls through.

I also talk about my process and show some of my new explorations. I start by laying on color. I want lots of layers, they add translucence and luminosity, depth and a richness. I love to add dots and patterns.

Detail from "Find Your Way", 24" x 24", oil on canvas

As I progress, the painting takes on a life of its own. I paint intuitively, never knowing where I'll end up, but loving the results.

Jewel Box Tour, come find your gems!

2020-08-23T12:42:00.000-07:00

I'm really excited about a new series of paintings I've been working on. I'll be introducing them at the Taos Studio Tour. Yes, we are going forward with our Studio Tour this Labor Day Weekend, Saturday September 5th - Monday September 7th, 10-5pm daily. 19 artists will be participating.

It'll be a hybrid tour, both in person studio visits as well as virtual tours. The Preview Party will solely be virtual via ZOOM. See info below.

I'm #13 on the studio tour map at 500 Cruz Alta Rd, Casita #2, along with Adorn Your Life 2, #12 with Mosaics, Jewelry and Cards. We are set up in two separate garage bays. The large doors, at opposite ends, will be open so there will be plenty of fresh air. We'll be inside yet outside! We'll have shady, socially distanced seating spots outdoors if there are too many people to be inside the space at one time.

We will be following all state safety guidelines. Masks are required.

Come pick out a favorite piece of art. This is your chance to see my newest paintings, experimental pieces, and work from previous series. See where my inspiration comes from, engage with the art, and find out my techniques and process. Now that many of us are working from home, it's time for new art on the walls!

You can download a Tour Brochure and Map here.

If you're not in the area, or uncomfortable with in person visits, this year there will be virtual opportunities.

Contact me by email at art@lydiajohnston.com if you are interested, and we'll set something up. If you'd like to schedule an in person appointment during the tour, we can do that too. Time will be set aside just for you for a private viewing.

The Virtual Preview Party is scheduled for Friday, September 4^th at 5:00 pm. Visit the TAO website to get the ZOOM link, pour yourself a glass of something refreshing, and join in to meet the artists and see examples of their work. The artists will all be there and each one will speak for a minute about his or her work and process.

'Taos Is Art' Banner

2020-08-02T14:31:00.000-07:00

More highlights since moving to Taos. For the past three years, I've been honored to have my artwork selected for the 'Taos Is Art' Banner competition to celebrate and acknowledge the living artists of Taos County.

2020 'Taos Is Art' Banner

This year my banner is hanging on the east side of the Taos Plaza.

"After the Storm", 24" x 36", oil on canvas

Here is the full painting for you to see. As the banners are long and vertical, I used a thin slice of this horizontal piece.

This painting sold back in early February, pre-Covid-19, that now seems like a lifetime ago. At the time, I was thrilled to get news of the sale on the same day I got news from the Town of Taos that they had accepted my art for the banner!

Life has now changed dramatically, but know that art is still alive and thriving throughout the world, and more important than ever for our collective well-being.

2019 'Taos Is Art' Banner

Here is my 2019 banner. In 2019, the Taos Arts Council partnered with SOMOS, the literary organization, to create Poetry and Art in Public Places. I was honored to have my piece chosen for the project.

Eighteen Taos poets each selected a single art image from the Banner Project and wrote an Ekphrasis Poem inspired by the piece of art. [Ekphrasis is art inspired by another art form, primarily from painting.] Margery Reading wrote a beautiful poem to pair with my painting.

"Until That Moment", 24" x 24", oil on canvas

Here is the full painting for my 2019 banner. The banners are long and narrow, and I'm primarily painting square, so I used a slice of one of my paintings.

2018 'Taos Is Art' Banner

Here is the full painting used for my 2018 banner.

"Radiance", oil on canvas, 24" x 24"

"Out of The Blue"

2020-07-26T15:42:00.000-07:00

Here's a highlight from this past year. "Out of The Blue" received a second place award at the Taos Fall Arts Festival this past September.

"Out of The Blue", 30" x 30", oil on canvas

I was honored and thrilled to get this award, and was so glad to have a chance to speak with the juror at the opening reception.

Here's what the juror, Andrea Pichaida had to say:

"'Out of The Blue'. What a beautiful composition where light, shadows, shapes and color play together to transport the viewer into a world of dance, happiness with music, warmth and togetherness. Well done!"

She told me had it fit the theme of the show better, she would have given it first place, the theme being "Of Heaven and Earth". Have I mentioned that I won't paint to themes! My artwork is intuitive, I never know where I am going when I start, I let the painting take me where it needs to go. For me, that's the way to create my strongest art.

Sadly, the Taos Fall Arts Festival has been cancelled this year due to Covid-19. We can all hope it takes place in 2021! Stay safe!

"Sink into my art and be transported."
To view more of my work, visit: www.lydiajohnston.com

Long Last Update!

2020-07-24T15:12:00.001-07:00

Wow, I last posted in 2013, I guess I dropped the ball on this one!!! It sure has been a long time with lots of changes.

In 2012 I started coming out to Taos, New Mexico, at first renting a place and bringing out all my painting supplies for a month at a time. And then the big move in 2015.

"Leap of Faith", 12" x 12"

Moving from Vermont to New Mexico meant a big transition in my artwork. I was entranced by the open land, big mountains and big sky. My work moved from impressionistic to much more abstracted landscapes. Color has always been my main focus and now my paintings are becoming even more abstract, while retaining a sense of light and depth.

"Scratching the Surface" - Opening Reception September 26th, 6-9 pm

2013-09-16T08:59:00.000-07:00

"Scratching the Surface", Oil Paintings by Lydia Johnston and Ceramics by Lori St. Pierre will be on view at NAACO Gallery in North Adams, MA from September 26th through November 25th. Please join us for the opening reception Thursday, September 26th from 6-9 pm.

"Take Me In", 24" x 30", oil on linen

My newest group of oil paintings are infused with vibrant color and incorporate printed patterns and carved lines. Some of the paintings for this show have an arched wall or trellis with flowers, from which you look out across an intriguing landscape. A number of smaller pieces have an urban sensibility created by overlaying printed patterns.

"Red Winds", 9" x 8", oil on linen

I am working with wide color shapers, instead of brushes, that give my work its distinctive look. In addition, I am carving marks into the wet paint with the edge of these tools, as well as printing patterns on the surface.

"Gotham One", 15" x 11", oil on linen

My paintings in this show are complemented by Lori St. Pierre's new ceramics which revolve around texture and incised patterns.

Lori St. Pierre, bowl

NAACO Gallery is located at 33 Main Street, North Adams, MA (diagonally across from MASS MoCA). 413-664-4003. Gallery Hours: Monday, Wednesday thru Saturday 11-6 pm, Sunday 12-4 pm, closed Tuesday.

Lydia Johnston - Meet the Artist Reception

2012-08-17T12:34:00.001-07:00

Please join us for a Meet the Artist Reception on Saturday August 25th from 1 - 5pm. The reception will be held at the Lenox Gallery of Fine Art, 69 Church Street in Lenox, MA. Light refreshments will be served.

"Laden with Flowers", 20" x 16", oil on canvas

"Seduced by Color"

2012-08-12T07:31:00.001-07:00

For the month of August, I have a solo exhibit hanging at the Canfield Gallery in Arlington, VT. There are thirty-one pieces hanging in the show, representing many of my recent series. Here is a link to the collection of paintings in the show, "Seduced by Color". There are sky paintings from my "Sky Sonata" series, flower paintings from my "Garden of Desire" series, meadow paintings, and a number of my newest more abstract landscapes.

"Tumbling Down", 16" x 12", oil on canvas

The Canfield Gallery is located at the lower level of the Martha Canfield Library, 528 E. Arlington Road, Arlington, VT. Gallery hours are: Tues. & Thurs. 9-8, Wed. 9-5, Fri. 2-6, Sat. 10-3. 802-375-6153.
The show will be on view until August 30th.

Lydia Johnston - Meet the Artist Reception

2011-08-12T06:34:00.004-07:00

Please join us for a Meet the Artist Reception on Saturday August 20th from 1 - 5pm. The reception will be held at the Lenox Gallery of Fine Art, 69 Church Street in Lenox, MA. Light refreshments will be served.

"From the Field", 20" x 16", oil on canvas

I will be showing a number of my new series of vertical flower paintings. Each has underlying vertical and horizontal panels of color over which a vase with flowers is interwoven. They are full of rich vibrant colors and lots of energy.

Come visit and see some of these vertical pieces as well as many of my meadow paintings.

New Paintings

2011-01-19T09:38:00.008-07:00

"Eastern Light", 36" x 24", oil on canvas, Lydia Johnston

I've continued all fall and into the winter on large vertical flower paintings.

"Just Picked", 40" x 30", oil on canvas

Color continues to be the main focus of these paintings.

"Coneflowers", 40" x 30", oil on canvas

"Tall Vase" and "Coneflowers" can be seen at AZ Fine Arts in Wellesley Hills, MA, outside of Boston.

"Tall Vase", 40" x 30", oil on canvas

Four more can be seen at The Lenox Gallery of Fine Art in Lenox, MA. "Eastern Light", "Just Picked", "Freesias", and "White Dreams".

"Freesias", 36" x 24", oil on canvas

"White Dreams", 40" x 30", oil on canvas

Moving Towards Abstraction

2010-09-21T06:11:00.003-07:00

"Tall Vase", 40" x 30", oil on canvas, Lydia Johnston

I'm very excited about a new series of paintings I've been working on. These are large vertical pieces, full of rich vibrant color and lots of energy.

Opening Reception, Saturday September 18th, 5-8pm

2010-09-09T07:31:00.011-07:00

"Autumn Fields", 16" x 16", oil on linen, Lydia Johnston

Please join us for the opening reception Saturday, September 18th from 5-8pm at the Bennington Arts Guild. The exhibit will run from September 18th until October 11th. I will be showing pieces from my "Sky Sonata" series as well as some of my flower paintings.

Each month the Bennington Arts Guild invites two artists to exhibit in their guest gallery. I will be showing my oil paintings along with potter, Ray Bub, who will be exhibiting his ceramic art. For more information about the Lydia Johnston - Ray Bub exhibition, please visit Guest Gallery Opening.

"The Old Barn", 20" x 30", oil on canvas

The Bennington Arts Guild Gallery is located at 103 South Street at the Four Corners intersection of Downtown Bennington. It is a cooperative gallery run by artists from Bennington and the surrounding communities, open daily except Tuesdays and Wednesdays. For more information call 802-442-7838 or visit Bennington Arts Guild.

Meet the Artist Reception

2010-08-12T08:08:00.006-07:00

Please join us for a Meet the Artist Reception on Saturday August 21st from 1 - 5pm. The reception will be held at the Lenox Gallery of Fine Art, 69 Church Street in Lenox, MA. Light refreshments will be served.

"Dreaming of Flowers V", 20" x 16", oil on canvas

Some of my newest meadow paintings will be on view, many in my ongoing "Gem series", as well as a new group of smaller paintings, "Dreaming of Flowers". These paintings are filled with a profusion of flowers, full of rich, vibrant colors.

Lydia Johnston's Open Studio Tour

2010-06-20T06:48:00.011-07:00

Come visit my art studio as part of a House Tour in Pownal, Vermont. The goal of the tour is to demonstrate how energy technology has influenced architectural design through the ages. There will be five houses on the tour, the oldest from 1740, with a central chimney/vertical thermal mass, to the most recent, a highly insulated thermal mass house built in 2009. My house is an energy efficient ferrocement dome house, off the grid with a photovoltaic electric system.

The tour will take place Saturday, June 26th, from 11am to 4pm. The tour begins at The Studio Club Artworks, 3301 Rte 7 in Pownal Center, where you can pick up a map to locate the five houses. The tour is free. There is a brief video to view about the homes on the tour. Two of the homes demonstrate alternative energy methods using solar photovoltaic, solar thermal, and thermal mass. The five houses showcased are as follows:

Moore/Wright Defoe House, 1740

Quarry Hill Farm House, 1820

Victorian House, 1890

Dome House, 1985

Jordan Schell-Lambert House, 2009

In conjunction with participating in the house tour, I will be opening my art studio as part of the tour. This is your opportunity to see the beautiful spot where I paint my impressionistic landscapes, and view the various paintings in the studio that aren't out at a gallery yet.

"Summer Days", 36" x 48", oil on canvas, Lydia Johnston

People love to see my studio because it gives a feeling for how and where I work. You can see work that is experimental as well as pieces that are not yet finished.

So mark your calendars for Saturday, June 26th, and come participate in the House Tour in Pownal to learn more about energy and home designs.

If you would like more information about my Open Studio Tour, feel free to email me at: art@lydiajohnston.com or call 802-823-7713.
For further questions about the Pownal House Tour, please call 802-823-5328.

Lenox Art Walk on Memorial Day Weekend

2010-05-23T10:35:00.009-07:00

"Flowering Meadow", 18" x 24", oil on canvas, Lydia Johnston

This Memorial Day Weekend I will be participating once again in the Lenox Spring Art Walk. The art walk will be held both Saturday and Sunday, May 29th and 30th, from 11 am to 5 pm each day. There will be demonstrations and opportunities to meet with artists.

"Dreaming of Flowers I", 8" x 9", oil on linen

I will be outside the Lenox Gallery of Fine Art at 69 Church Street on both days. During the art walk I will be displaying some of my smaller paintings, not regularly shown in the gallery, as well as giclée reproductions of some of my favorites. Please stop by and say hello, and then step into the gallery to see my newest large works.

New Paintings Delivered to Lenox Gallery

2010-05-18T08:28:00.000-07:00

"Sun Gems", 30" x 40", oil on canvas, Lydia Johnston

The Memorial Day Artwalk in Lenox, MA is fast approaching, coming up May 29th and 30th. I just delivered three newly completed pieces in my gem series of meadow paintings to the Lenox Gallery of Fine Art, in preparation for the artwalk.

"Morning Bluebells", 24" x 30", oil on linen

Each of the "Gem" series is a close up view of a meadow in bloom, but each has a different color range evoking a different mood.

"Sunlit Gems", 30" x 40", oil on canvas

There are now nine of my "Gem" series at the Lenox Gallery, so stop by and see them all.

"Sky Sonatas"

2010-04-26T09:20:00.007-07:00

"Sky Sonata XXIV", 10" x 10", oil on linen, Lydia Johnston

I just hung "Sky Sonatas", an exhibit of twenty-eight of my new sky paintings, in Spiral Press Café at Northshire Bookstore, Manchester, VT. Nine are mid to large paintings, and the rest smaller ones.

“I want my paintings to have mystery, to allude to the familiar while remaining wholly ambiguous. I'm not interested in supplying all the details of a specific place. I want there to be more than one interpretation. By hinting at things, I hope to trigger your imagination; I want you, the viewer, to bring some of your own experiences and recollections to the process. This collaboration allows you to connect in a profound way. I want you to sink into my art and be transported.”

"Sky Sonata XV", 10" x 13", oil on linen

Many of the new small oil paintings hanging in the exhibit are not yet up on my website, so I put together a page that shows all of these paintings. Just click HERE to see all twenty-eight paintings in the show. They will be hanging until June 2nd.

"Morning Bluebells"

2010-04-10T06:58:00.003-07:00

"Morning Bluebells", 24" x 30", oil on linen, Lydia Johnston

I've just completed another piece in my gem series of meadow paintings. I love it in the early morning, mist hanging in the meadow, before the sun burns it off.

"Liquid Sunshine"

2010-03-30T10:45:00.004-07:00

"Liquid Sunshine", 30" x 40", oil on canvas, Lydia Johnston

On my painting trip to California in February, I stayed with Judith Anton, an artist friend, and her husband Kei Akagi, a superb jazz pianist. I loved painting to Kei's recent CD, "Liquid Blue", letting the music flow through me and energize the process.

When I returned home to my studio, I immersed myself in this large up-close meadow piece, the rhythms of "Liquid Blue" infusing me with an energy that went right into the patterns and movement in the painting, strings of color harmonizing with each other.

Think Spring

2010-03-24T07:08:00.006-07:00

"Spring Gems", 30" x 40", oil on linen, Lydia Johnston

After a glorious week of early spring weather, I awoke to a new covering of snow. At least it gives me snow light in my studio. I am fully immersed in a number of new large meadow paintings.

"Hidden Path", 24" x 30", oil on canvas

Last week I delivered these four new meadow paintings to the Lenox Gallery of Fine Art.

"Spring Sun", 30" x 30", oil on linen

If you have a chance, stop in to the gallery to see the paintings. The originals have such vibrant colors compared to the online images.

"Summer Grasses", 30" x 40", oil on canvas

Bennington, VT Art Exhibit, 100 for $100

2010-03-11T13:38:00.009-07:00

"Summer Sonata", 7" x 8", oil on linen, Lydia Johnston

The second annual "One Hundred for $100" Art Exhibit and Sale will be taking place in downtown Bennington, VT this coming Friday, March 19th, and Saturday March 20th, 2010. The event will be held in the 210 South Street Building, Bennington, VT. The exhibit is from 6-9pm Friday evening and 10-2pm on Saturday. The event is free and open to the public.

One hundred works of original art by local and regional artists will be exhibited and offered for sale. All 100 pieces of art will be priced at just $100. There will be paintings, mixed media, jewelry, photography, sculpture, pottery, fiber arts, and more.

"Sky Sonata XXIII", 7" x 8", oil on linen

I will have four small original oil paintings in the exhibit, all from my ongoing "Sky Sonata" series.

A special feature this year will be an exclusive preview of the exhibit from 5-6pm with champagne, hors d'oeuvres, and live smooth jazz by Blueprint. Tickets for the preview event are $15/person at the door or $12 in advance. Tickets are available in advance at the Downtown Welcome Center.

"Sky Sonata III", 6.5" x 9", oil on linen

At 6pm the doors will open to the public, admission is free, and the artwork will be available for sale. Come enjoy an evening of live entertainment, appetizers, cash bar, and purchase one of the 100 beautiful pieces of art that were jury selected from over 350 entries. Meet with the artists and learn about their techniques and inspirations.

On Saturday, the doors open again from 10-2pm, your final opportunity to find that perfect piece of art for only $100, a price you won’t find in galleries or stores. The proceeds of the event benefit the non-profit Better Bennington Corporation.

"Sky Sonata XIX", 7" x 8", oil on linen

210 South Street is located on the corner of South St. and Hillside St.(directly across from Friendly's Restaurant). There is plenty of parking in the rear of the building and the exhibit is handicap accessible with an elevator located in the glass atrium at the front of the building.

For more information please call the Better Bennington Corporation at 802-442-5758 or visit Better Bennington Corporation.

Dreaming of Summer

2010-02-06T08:21:00.002-07:00

About this time in February, winter definitely starts to drag on. We are back in the deep freeze and yet there is barely even any snow left on the ground. So I immerse myself in thoughts of warmer months to come and start painting in my meadow series.

"Summer Grasses", 30" x 40", oil on canvas, Lydia Johnston

I am dreaming of summer, lush grasses growing alongside a stream, a warm breeze gently blowing. A world away from what is outside my studio windows.

The Allure of Ambiguity

2010-01-02T12:36:00.007-07:00

I want my paintings to have mystery, to allude to the familiar while remaining wholly ambiguous. I'm not interested in supplying all the details of a specific place. I want there to be more than one interpretation.

"December Light", 18" x 24", oil on linen, Lydia Johnston

By hinting at things, I hope to trigger the viewer's imagination, I want the viewer to bring some of his own experiences and recollections to the process. This collaboration allows the viewer to connect in a profound way. It allows the viewer to sink into the scene and be transported.

"Warm Glow"

2009-11-14T09:16:00.004-07:00

"Warm Glow", 18" x 24", oil on linen, Lydia Johnston

Bask in the warm glow of light spreading over the fields and glinting on the treetops towards the end of the day. On this rainy Saturday, I look at this painting and I can feel the sunshine.