The Art of Michele Johnsen

Rochester Museum of Fine Art

2019-06-24T18:47:00.001-04:00

Check out my upcoming show at the Center for Performing Arts in Rochester, NH. You can see the full announcement at http://www.rochestermfa.org/rpac.html

2018-12-26T20:20:00.000-05:00

Had the honor of being included in this show with 70+ amazing artists, juried by Nick Copasso from the Fitchburg Museum of Art. Wall to wall art lovers and artists attending the opening reception.

Good Vibrations

2018-07-08T09:16:00.000-04:00

Good Vibrations opening Friday, July 6th at 42 Maple in Bethlehem, NH. Had the opportunity to show another iteration of my thesis installation. Dropped off the pieces and was pleasantly surprised by how the gallery director installed the work. Some live music added an element of weirdness to the opening that I liked. If you're in Bethlehem this month check it out!

New Work

2018-03-14T10:48:00.001-04:00

I've been thinking about what's under the surface. This morning while watching a video with my granddaughter about Jackson Pollock I learned the name of one of his images--Enchanted Forest. I think about the idea of magic in the forest a lot now. That's something that informs my work these days.

Artist's Talk - MFA Thesis

2018-01-25T19:21:00.001-05:00

I've finally, a year later, opened a Youtube account and uploaded my artist's talk that took place during the final days of my MFA at NHIA. It recounts my journey through the degree program as I researched, read, painted and ultimately created an installation that seemed to summarize the exploration into my relationship to art and the landscape.

Have a listen.

https://youtu.be/gUpgz38o06I

Read Between the Lines

2017-10-25T16:25:00.000-04:00

My new show "Read Between the Lines" opens this Friday, October 27th at the Tillotson Center from 5 - 7 pm. Come check out some of my newest and largest pieces that delve into my relationship to the land, the landscape, nature and questions I've been working through as they relate to myself as painter, maker and rural dweller.

Catalyst: The Artist Mentor Dialog

2017-10-10T19:59:00.000-04:00

Great pop-up show at 3S Artspace in Portsmouth, NH, Oct.7 & 8. The show featured four alumni from NHIA and their mentors and proposed a dialog of artworks speaking throughout the gallery space. I was pleased to have an opportunity to show another iteration of my thesis installation. I've been thinking of ways to expand on this installation and have an idea I'm anxious to act on.

Reimagined Landscape

2017-08-15T21:16:00.001-04:00

Well attended opening reception for my show with Terry Ekesala at the Gallery at WREN in Bethlehem, NH. It will be there until the end of the month, so if you didn't make the opening, check it out! The combination of abstract and figurative landscape paintings and sculptures created a truly "reimagined landscape".

Shades of Green Online Exhibition

2017-07-20T16:50:00.000-04:00

And then there was this.

Reimagined Landscape

2017-07-20T16:48:00.000-04:00

Can't See the Forest for the Trees

2017-06-17T09:16:00.000-04:00

Great opening reception for my current show at Fiddleheads. There's still time to see it. Check it out until July 5th.

NHIA Residency Schedule

2017-06-17T09:12:00.000-04:00

I got a nice surprise in the mail today, both snail and email. Got work accepted into the online show "Shades of Green" hosted by Gallery25N and had my work selected for the cover of the NHIA Residency Schedule.

Graduated

2017-06-17T09:08:00.000-04:00

It's been a while since I've blogged. It's been a busy six months. I'm happy to say I completed my degree and graduated with a Master's of Fine Art from NH Institute of Art in Manchester. I don't regret a minute of it and am already missing it. I'm drawn to the academic world and living where I do, I miss the stimulation that I get from being engaged in it. PHD next?

2017-03-26T19:00:00.002-04:00

Work in progress. I'm thinking this might be a new direction. Further articulation on my relation to the landscape. I keep thinking about a Georgia O'Keeffe quote that speaks to her desire to have viewers see the landscape the way SHE saw it. And a smart man once said to me that Van Gogh painted his subjects the way HE saw them. Perhaps not everyone sees things the way those of us that call ourselves artists do.

And one that I recently finished.

2017-02-26T17:25:00.002-05:00

Phew! Finally getting a chance to post almost 2 months after graduation. It's been a whirlwind to say the least. The final residency was stressful and joyful at the same time. Graduation was intimate, personal and ultimately fulfilling. My sons flew out to join me which was the icing on the cake. And of course, most gratifying, the final installation was well received. Now to keep on making.

2016-12-30T08:51:00.002-05:00

The work is done! Out of my hands! Ready for the final review and defense of my thesis. Hard to believe it will all be over in a couple of weeks (January 14th, 2017). Or is it just the beginning! That's the hope. A new artistic adventure awaits! Myriad iterations at hand!

2016-12-30T08:45:00.002-05:00

Mark your calendar! I'll be showing in August with Teresa Ekasala. "Reimagined Landscape"

Master of Fine Art

2016-10-17T19:21:00.002-04:00

In the home stretch! Expecting to graduate on January 15, 2017 if all goes well. Currently in production mode on my thesis installation. Wrapping up my 50 page thesis paper as well. Sent in my final draft on Saturday. Finishing up cutting, sanding priming and painting the pieces that will eventually become my "Saving Place: Lament for Landscape" installation. Some lingering logistical questions still exist. This is new, but exciting territory for me. Developing a new language for articulating my response to the landscape that engulfs me daily. Interested in the idea of diorama and hoping I can achieve the magical feeling that they evoke.

What Forward Circus, Onward Pageant--Bread and Puppet, Glover, Vermont.

2016-07-18T17:09:00.001-04:00

Great event in Glover and one we've attended for probably around 30 years, with a few lapses in between. The circus is up a running and as social and political and art infused as ever. I think my favorite is still meandering through the museum and lingering on exhibitions. There's so much to look at and take in. So inspiring! I may have to begin some paper mache' sculptures soon.

2016-07-04T15:37:00.000-04:00

Fun opening night of "Over the River and Through the Woods" my 2-person show at the S.P.A.C.E. Gallery in Burlington, Vermont--Bernie country! Burlington has a rich and vibrant arts community that I enjoyed exploring while I was there. The show will run the entire month of July 2016. If you're in Burlington, check it out!

Weathervane Theater Collaborative Artist Fundraising Project.

2016-06-16T17:12:00.000-04:00

Had some fun painting a drum for the Weathervane Theater in Whitetfield, NH. A great little summer stock theater that I've long enjoyed. Happy to be a part of this collaborative to help sustain quality theater in the North Country. Looking forward to see what other artists have done at their opening event.

NH Public Television Holiday Card

2015-12-29T14:08:00.001-05:00

I was delighted to get a call from Grace at NH Public Television saying they had seen my work at the Tillotson Center for the Arts and loved it! They asked if they could use an image for their Holiday card and of course I said yes! The result is below.

Artist's Talk at the Gallery at WREN

2015-11-11T16:54:00.001-05:00

Sunday, November 15th, from 3 - 5 pm. Join us!

Visible Light

2015-11-11T16:50:00.000-05:00

Diane Taylor Moore and I had a fabulous opening night at the WREN Gallery in Bethlehem on Friday, November 6th. The place was packed!! It will be there all month so check it out. Sunday, November 15 from 3 - 5pm we'll do our artist's talk and demo. Come check it out!

Earthworks

2015-10-21T16:42:00.002-04:00

It's been super!!!! busy. Which is why I haven't posted in a while. Completely engaged in my MFA work along with my teaching duties. This Friday from 5:00 - 7:00 is a show at the Tillotson Center in Colebrook, NH with my friend and fellow artist, Linda Tase, a wonderful potter. Hope you can make it!