Terry Johnson is happy. His painting ideas and subjects for his
fantasy art images are all around him as he works, his beaming smile an
invitation to chat for a while.
For Terry's subjects are us and his everyday surroundings. His keen skills of
observation are matched by his light-hearted approach to life as he
finds much to amuse him – and us.
Deftly he blocks in bright colour or adds a flourish here and there to
an engaging painting, using his well practised acrylic painting
techniques. With considerable skill, belied by his light-hearted
approach, he makes comment or tells stories about an imaginary situation
into which he draws the viewer.
Painting ideas flow so that
reflections on drops of water, types of tropical fish, even lovers
floating in the sky, are all part of Terry's fantasy art images.
'Fishermen's Dream' - acrylic on canvas
Terry enjoys painting his joyous stories...lovers float in Chagall-like
poses in the sky, fish circle a bather or leap with abandon into his
arms, crabs are juggled by a dancer in high heels as she prances along
the beach, while a fisherman strings out his impossible-looking catch
for all to admire.
Patterns in nature fascinate Terry and are
increasingly being explored as part of his investigation into surfaces
and interactions that happen there - whether they be surfaces of water,
the ground, sky or air itself.
Fantasy art images, humour and frivolity are Terry’s companions – and what fun he has with them as he journeys through life! Painting ideas just flow; his latest being an exploration of surfaces.
For all true artists have an insatiable curiosity and explore and
research their subjects with a concentration and sense of purpose that
non-artists may not appreciate.
Originally from USA, Terry lives for the summer months in South
Australia with his wife, Nancy, where they run their own fine art
gallery. But once the chill winds roll in from the Antarctic, across the
Southern Ocean, they head north for the warmth of their other home in
Port Douglas, North Queensland.
It seems to me that Far North Queensland, where everything seems to be
exaggerated and larger than life and where the weirdest things seem to
happen, is fertile ground for this imaginative artist.
Future directions: Along with an interest in surface planes, Terry wants
to experiment with turning his explorations into three dimensional
interpretations of the two dimensional painting surface, possibly using
his burgeoning computer skills to do so.
He enjoys using other
media such as textiles, clay or printmaking methods to express his ideas
and feels that they enrich him as a painter.
In 2013 a new series of lithographs developed as a result of Terry's involvement with Editions Tremblay in Cairns.
It seems that Terry's painting ideas tumble forth, almost unbidden and that he is blessed with considerable artistic and personal skills, which help him to enjoy his life, his family and friends and particularly his job.
“What I seek to provide in my work is a feeling of well-being, of joy and a zest for living”, says Terry.
In this aim he has well and truly succeeded! But who knows what
painting ideas will develop from Terry's new explorations and
observations?
For example, his interest in William Morris has led him to explore
patterns in the rainforest
as he sketches and paints in the jungle or by a rainforest creek. Abstraction interests him as he investigates the shapes of tidal movements on Four Mile Beach, Port Douglas
This recent article sums up Terry's attitude to life and his work rather well.
Watch this space and also check out Terry's own website for more images or to ascertain whether certain paintings are still available contact him direct via this form.
Recent paintings by Terry Johnson
Article - Terry Johnson
Australian Tropical Artists' Directory
Art in Tropical Australia Home Page