Karen Johnson

Karen Johnson has been a textile designer for over 30 years, with her early training at UCLA focusing on screen printing, weaving, color theory, and painting in gouache. After beginning her design career, she expanded her artistic skills by studying printmaking at Fort Mason Art Center, where she produced monotypes that she exhibited at Open Studios and group shows for many years. Following a long hiatus to raise her son as a single parent, Johnson has recently returned to her personal work. She began exploring acrylic painting and encaustic on her own, and in 2019, she took an intensive workshop with Nicholas Wilton, which provided the impetus to elevate her art to a new level.

LOCATION:
San Francisco, CA

Karen Johnson - Additional Details

EDUCATION

  • 1986 - B.A., University of California at Los Angeles; Design
  • 1987 - Continuing Education at Otis/ Parsons School of Design, Los Angeles, CA
  • 1990-1993 - Printmaking, Fort Mason Art Center, San Francisco, CA

WORKSHOPS

  • 2020 - Color and Design workshop; Mark Eanes, instructor, Benicia, CA
  • 2019-2021 - Creative Visionary Program, intensive painting workshop; Nicholas Wilton, instructor, Sausalito, CA
  • 2016 - Sculptural Stitching Workshop with Lisa Kokin
  • 1994-1997 - Figure Drawing with Michael Markowitz, San Francisco, CA
  • 1988 - Paper making Seminar; Yoshio Ikezaki, instructor, Los Angeles, CA

JURIED EXHIBITIONS

  • 2023 - Voss Gallery, “Refusés of the Bay”, San Francisco, CA, juried group show; mixed media paintings
  • 2023 - Marin Society of Artists, “Water”, San Rafael, CA; juried group show; mixed media paintings
  • 2021 - Art2Life International Juried Art Exhibition, juried by Juan Kelly of Nuart Gallery, Santa Fe; online, mixed media painting
  • 2021 - Artist Alliance “Sugar High juried by Jen Tough, online, mixed media painting
  • 2021 - Museum of Northern California Arts, “Dream State”, Chico, CA; mixed media paintings

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS

  • 2023 - Pence Gallery, Davis, CA; mixed media paintings
  • 2021 - Crescendo Gallery, Solo Show, Mill Valley, CA; paintings
  • 1995 - Michael Thompson Gallery, San Francisco, CA, Artists Group Show; monotypes
  • 1995 - Michael Thompson Gallery, San Francisco, CA, Printmaking Show ; monotypes
  • 1994 - Michael Thompson Gallery, San Francisco, CA,“Miniatures”; monotypes
  • 1992 - Michael Thompson Gallery, San Francisco, CA, Printmaking Show, San Francisco, CA; monotypes
  • 1991 - Fort Mason Art Center, San Francisco, CA, ‘New Images”, new work by Fort Mason Printmakers ; monotypes
  • 1991 - Kaiser Hospital, Oakland, CA, Work by Fort Mason Printmaker;  monotypes
  • 1991 - Esprit Corporate Cafe, San Francisco, CA, Exhibition of work ; monotypes
  • 1991 - Marin Jewish Community Center, San Rafael, CA, Benefit Art Show ; monotypes
  • 1989 - On Tape Productions, Exhibition of work, San Francisco, CA; fiber sculpture

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

  • 2022 - Artspan Open Studios, San Francisco, CA; paintings
  • 1990-1996 - Artspan Open Studios, San Francisco, CA; monotypes, drawings
  • 1994 - Offices of Drs. Green, Hom & Wiggins, San Francisco, CA, Exhibition of women artists ; monotypes
  • 1993 - Farley’s Cafe, San Francisco, CA, Graphics Arts Workshop Exhibition ; monotypes
  • 1990-1992 - Fort Mason Art Center, San Francisco, CA, Fort Mason Printmakers Christmas Exhibition ; monotypes
  • 1990 - Southern Exposure Gallery, San Francisco, CA, Group Show; paper assemblage
  • 1986 - Frederick S.  Wight Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, “Emerging Artists; UCLA Undergraduate Art & Design Exhibition”; textiles
  • 1985 - Frederick S.  Wight Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, “UCLA Undergraduate Design Exhibition”, UCLA;  Art & Design Major class work

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

  • 1999 - Academy of Art College, Photoshop and Illustrator as it relates to Textile Design and Fashion
  • 1999 - Present Private classes to working professionals in Photoshop, and Illustrator

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

  • 2020-2024 - Artist Alliance, Global Art Community founded by Jenn Tough, Jen Tough Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
  • 2019-2022 - Art2Life Academy, Global Art Community founded by Nicholas Wilton, Sausalito, CA
  • 1992-1999 - Graphic Arts Workshop Printmaking Cooperative, Member, San Francisco, CA

PUBLICATIONS

  • 2021 - ‘Artists of the Bay Area’, published by Jen Tough Gallery: paintings