About Karen Johnston: Karen Johnston is a visual artist residing in Nashville, Tennessee. Holding a BFA in Illustration from Columbus College of Art and Design, her art continues to expand and change alongside her inner and outer journeys. She has explained, from the bounty of inspiring relationships, stories, and attitudes she has encountered through years of service efforts down to the devoted time she spends in nature, every moment she meets eventually winds up on canvas.
Title of Her Overall Portfolio: “The Journey of Life”
Price Range: $650 – $2700 (for artworks shown here)
All rights reserved. Do not reproduce images without the artist’s permission.
Having a deep sensitivity to the emotional world, her work not only recognizes and honors vulnerability, it also delights in the power of resilience. With a style that both ponders and celebrates life, she paints with “a desire to uplift the spirit and stimulate growth”.
Karen’s award-winning artwork is represented in Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee galleries, and can be found in numerous private and corporate collections throughout the U.S. Her many exhibitions include those at Customs House Museum, Church Street Gallery, Williamson County Performing Art Center, and Fuller Art House.
Her healing art has been shown at Alive Hospice, installed in Vanderbilt University Medical Center clinics and in the Nashville Women’s Rescue Mission in Tennessee.
Karen is also a dedicated instructor who teaches her personal process of combining the principles of art with meaningful life stories. She encourages each of her students to mine for a pure, authentic voice while nourishing their visual journey of discovery.
Her art has been curated into the Manhattan Arts International “The Spirit of Resilience” and “HerStory” 2023 juried online exhibitions.
Karen’s art was selected for “The Healing Power of Color” 2024 Invitational Exhibition, “Inspirational Art in Mixed Media”, “The Healing Power of Art Inspired by Nature”, and more, presented on this website.
Click on thumbnails for larger views.
Karen Johnston’s Artist Statement: “My art is a colorful interpretation of the human story (histories, experiences, memories) from an intuitive, sensory perspective. It is an unfolding of emotion and internal imagery based on my life and the countless lives of others – stories bound by hope and guided with intention. I let my artistic voice enunciate landscapes of the heart, then tenderly lace them with buoyant, light-filled inspiration to evoke a sense of calm and healing amidst life’s deep journey. My touch is sensitive, my marks flowing, and my palette bright so that viewers may ease into a place of peace and be uplifted.”
Fascinating Facts About Karen Johnston: Karen is an avid writer who incorporates writing into her multi-layered painting process. In 2011 she founded The H.O.P.E. Ministry, a support community she leads for those with cancer, life-changing illness and caregivers. She also partners with non-profits who want to make a positive difference using art.
Visit Karen Johnston’s Website: studiokarenjohnston.com
Join Karen Johnston on Social Media
Facebook.com/karenjohnstonartist
Instagram.com/karenjohnstonartist
Linkedin.com/karenjohnstonartist
Judith Rohrer says
Beautiful vibrant work!!
Vicki Maguire says
Karen’s work has such a lyrical character to it. No secret that I love her surprise markings complemented with color choices.
Steve says
Wonderful 🙏☯️❤️
aNna rybaT says
It’s true! The joyful colors (slightly neutralized so not too “sweet”) really did attract me to her painting. Color choice has huge emotional impacts and her palette shows how she understands this and uses it to create an uplifting sense of optimism, playfulness and joy. Lots of white for good measure and some interesting marks. Love it! Happy New Year!