charles a johnson

Mediums Used

Sculptor, Charles A. Johnson originally from Fort Worth and graduate of TCU, sculptor Charles A. Johnson began his sculpting tutelage under San Diego sculptor TJ Dixon. Dixon taught figurative sculpting technique. She also introduced Johnson to restoration and repair of outdoor terra cotta. Once Charles A. Johnson developed a portfolio of figurative work in drawing and sculpture, he left California bound for The Graduate School of Figurative Art of The New York Academy of Art. There he continued intensive studies on the figure. After earning a masters degree in figurative sculpture, Johnson worked as an assistant to Nina Akamu on the enlargement of the Leonardo Da Vinci Horse. Johnson soon landed a job with Barbara Israel, the preeminent dealer in the United States for garden ornament. Johnson now for over ten years works for Israel as her in-house conservator for antique garden ornament. Johnson has built an ornament restoration business in the Northeast mostly for clients in the Westchester County, NY and Greenwich, CT areas. However, there are objects for private clients that Johnson has restored throughout the United States. It makes sense that Johnson’s one of a kind, limited edition organic sculptures are made of a state of the art breathable restoration material: reconstituted stone. Johnson has first hand experience of the seasonal effects on outdoor ornament in the Northeast. The hands on training from Dixon and Akamu, studies at the academy and his consultations with conservators at The Metropolitan Museum of Art create a perfect storm for the development of Johnson’s sculpture. He wants his objects made of a good lasting material. In 2011 Johnson won first place at Gallery 364 in Brooklyn, NY for his Quince sculpture. In 2012 he won Best in Show at the Architectural Digest Home Design Show in New York City. 2013 has connected Johnson to Allan Knight and Associates. Being originally from Texas, this representation is close to Johnson’s heart. When in CA while developing his figurative skills, Johnson earned a Masters degree in Counseling Psychology. It was during these studies while working in family therapy that he was able to connect to the importance of a childhood relationship with a junior high school art teacher and mural artist, Nina Shaw Moorman. Moorman, Johnson says is the reason he is an artist today. That profound relationship is a constant reminder to Johnson of everyday connections in life that go uncelebrated because of other drama in our. lives.
Charles A. Johnson personal statement.
“In regard to the botanical sculpture…
I strive to keep this sculpture elemental and relating to early development and as an expression of the possibility of potential. I hope that these objects can remind us of beginnings of life that grow into the extraordinary. I hope that these objects not only present as powerful symbols but as metaphorical objects that can help us remember connection and purpose in our lives. The graceful old oak tree does not exist without first the mighty acorn. Connection if not lost in the theater of life does grow into the extraordinary if we pay attention and allow it. Even though we are lazy in our attachment to the familiar, I want to encourage people to ponder familiarity in their own lives. Everything that you need to be inspired is around you everyday.
Simple organic objects are commonly presented in multiple packs and packets. They become totemic when out-sized in presentation. The singularly sculpted heroic Cypress Cone is allowed space so that the viewer can aggrandize the importance of beginnings of life. I believe beginnings of life can be awakened at any age. We all have gifts. An important journey is to recognize our gifts and to pursue them and to support others in the discovery of theirs. We are each as individual as the similar yet differing form on each walnut in a bucket of walnuts.
I design this sculpture to occupy specific space with purpose and meaning. Its force in size is meant to suggest possibility
Sculptures by charles a johnson
Credentials
Qualifications
Education and Training:
2005 to present C.A. Johnson Ornament Restoration, Katonah, NY restoration artist
1995-1997 MFA in Figurative Sculpture, The Graduate School of Figurative Art of The New York Academy of Art
1990-1994 Sculpting tutelage under sculptor, TJ Dixon, San Diego, CA
1990 MFA in Counseling Psychology, National University, San Diego, CACertification for stone restoration from Cathedral Stone in Hanover, MD
Related Work:
2005-to present Out-sized botanical studies
2005 to present C.A. Johnson Ornament Restoration, Katonah, NY restoration artist
2003-2005 Thirteen studies for mythological fountain heads
2003 to present Barbara Israel Garden Antiques, Katonah, NY in-house conservator technician
2002 Multiple garden ornament commissions for Knock But Once, owned by Jim Walb and Jim Key
1999-2002 Five plaster portrait studies
1998 Sheryl commission, half life-size figure
1998 The Leonardo Horse, Beacon, NY sculpting assistant to Nina Akamu
1997 Plaster finisher for Studio EIS in Brooklyn, NY,Education and Training:
2005 to present C.A. Johnson Ornament Restoration, Katonah, NY restoration artist
1995-1997 MFA in Figurative Sculpture, The Graduate School of Figurative Art of The New York Academy of Art
1990-1994 Sculpting tutelage under sculptor, TJ Dixon, San Diego, CA
1990 MFA in Counseling Psychology, National University, San Diego, CACertification for stone restoration from Cathedral Stone in Hanover, MD
Related Work:
2005-to present Out-sized botanical studies
2005 to present C.A. Johnson Ornament Restoration, Katonah, NY restoration artist
2003-2005 Thirteen studies for mythological fountain heads
2003 to present Barbara Israel Garden Antiques, Katonah, NY in-house conservator technician
2002 Multiple garden ornament commissions for Knock But Once, owned by Jim Walb and Jim Key
1999-2002 Five plaster portrait studies
1998 Sheryl commission, half life-size figure
1998 The Leonardo Horse, Beacon, NY sculpting assistant to Nina Akamu
1997 Plaster finisher for Studio EIS in Brooklyn, NYExhibitions
yes
Awards
2011 Best in Show, Gallery 364, Brooklyn, NY (juried)
2012 Top Pick, Architectural Digest Home Design Show, New York, NY (juried)Publications
http://www.bi-gardenantiques.com/Newsletter/Restoration.aspx#.UysJG73D-71,http://www.bi-gardenantiques.com/Newsletter/Restoration.aspx#.UysJG73D-71
Highlights:
2011 Best in Show, Gallery 364, Brooklyn, NY (juried)
2012 Top Pick, Architectural Digest Home Design Show, New York, NY (juried)
2013 Permanent Representation, Allan Knight and Associates, Dallas, TX
2014 Joel Silver Commission, Rhyton Sculpture for remodeled post office in Venice Beach, CA
Sculptor assistant for Nina Akamu on the Leonardo Da Vinci Horse
Conservator Technician currently for Barbara Israel Garden Antiques from 2003 to now
http://www.wagmag.com/stone-cold-calling/
http://robbreport.com/Home-Design/Statues-with-Style
http://athoughtfuleye.wordpress.com/2012/03/28/ad-home-design-show-highlights-part-two/
http://cajohnsonsculpturecom.businesscatalyst.com/assets/bayridge.jpg
Charles A. Johnson
Recent Commission:
Two Rhytons for Joel Silver in Venice, CA
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/joel-silver-reveals-venice-post-378056
Assistant to Nina Akamu on Leonardo Horse installed in Milan, Italy
