Monica Johnson

Artist Bio

Monica Johnson is an acrylic and mixed media painter based in Carmel, California. She was born in Monterey, CA and moved to Kansas at a young age, and returned to Monterey in her 20’s. She earned an associate of science degree in dental hygiene and later completed her licensure for massage therapy, and practiced both professions for 20 years. A few years ago, with rising life challenges, Monica began painting. She discovered she had a natural talent and affinity for creating imagery.

She committed to refining her painting skills, and has studied with several accomplished artists and teachers. Through this journey, she found her artistic voice in the rich tradition of abstract painting. Today she creates images that use earthy colors, rich texture, and organic composition to capture and translate the natural world and human experiences. The natural beauty of the Monterey Peninsula and Big Sur wilderness is guiding her current work. She is expanding her work to large substrates (canvas and wood panels) to create the sensation of being surrounded by nature.

Artist Statement

As an artist, I am always searching for inspiration in the world around me. Nature is my primary source of influence and I find beauty in the way that everything is connected. My art is an exploration of these connections and the complexity that exists within simplicity.

My work is abstract so I strive to capture the essence of nature rather than its physical form. I capture the feeling of a moment, the emotion that is evoked when standing in a forest or watching the sunset over the ocean. I start my paintings by writing quotes or words on the canvas as a way to set an intention for the art. Marks are made from objects I’ve found in the forest and the beach; from leaves and bark, to feathers and bottle caps. I create my paintings with layers of acrylic paint, oil sticks, graphite, charcoal and collage that engage me in the moment, scraping back layers to reveal its history, then adding more layers. Through my art, I hope to convey this emotional connection to the natural world.

Simplicity is a key element of my work. I believe that there is beauty in the everyday, and I strive to capture it in my pieces. Even the most mundane objects can be transformed into something meaningful and impactful with the right perspective.

At its heart, my art is about finding a sense of calm in an otherwise hectic world. It is about being untethered from the chaos and finding a stillness within oneself. Through my work, I hope to create a space for reflection and introspection, allowing viewers to connect with nature and find a sense of peace within themselves.