johnny p. johnson

the gifts he brought to our community keep giving by collette caprara

Fredericksburg's beloved icon, Johnny P. Johnny, who passed from this life on November 5 at the age of 86, has been hailed as an artist, humanitarian, teacher, mentor and coach. In sum, the life that Johnny lived was broad, deep, and heartfelt. He was truly a servant leader with a depth of heart and generosity that compelled him to respond to anyone who came to him in need. And those needs were, most often, not material but internal-including the need for encouragement, inspiration, confidence, self-worth and, at times, the need to be challenged.

The recipients of the spectrum of Johnny's blessings ranged from the students in Walker Grant and James Monroe High School at the cusp of integration and the inmates of a correctional facility to a loyal and admiring "family" of older folks who joyfully attended his Thursday morning water-media workshops at the Dorothy Hart Community Center and the Fredericksburg Library.

When family obligations required the time Johnny would have spent in the workshop, the members of the group continued to come together and their weekly gatherings were infused with the heart and spirit that Johnny had brought to them, always mutually supportive and encouraging. The artists say they will continue to meet in the future to carry on Johnny's legacy, and they recall memories from their cherished times with him.

In Michele

"Micki" Costello's words: "What a wonderful gentleman, teacher, mentor, husband, and father. He was a true Fredericksburg icon who will be missed by many. He always had encouraging remarks and lit up the room when he entered."

"He changed the course of my life ten years ago when I began taking his watercolor class," said Suzi Bevan. "I had never painted in that medium and never thought that I could, but from the first day, he lit a spark in me that exploded into a decade of delight and enduring friendship, not only with him but with the whole class as well."

"Johnny wore many hats, and, as a student at Mary Washington College, I interviewed him about the historic preservation work he accomplished on lower Charles Street," said Pat Knock. "He later mentored my daughter Jen Callahan who is now an acclaimed artist. When she first came to his watercolor class, he teased her about being so young to be a member of the group!"

William Wachter, who has been with the workshop since 2015, recalls a portrait he painted of Johnny. When he learned that Johnny's wife Jean really liked that painting, he gave it to her. "I learned that spirit of generosity from Johnny," he said. "He was generous with his knowledge, his tools, and his friendship."

The "coach" in Johnny created a critique session that was held at the end of each workshop, which always included praise for the highlights and impressive elements of each painting, as well as some suggestions. "Coach Johnny" also presented challenges for participants when he introduced unusual mediums and tools to spark creativity and take the artists beyond their comfort level. These included painting tools of plastic wrap, toothbrushes, and sponges that produced transforming effects and "happy accidents."

In addition, when a session involved a still-life painting, artists were more likely to find some rusty tools in the arrangement, rather than the traditional bowl of fruit of vase with flowers. This

celebrated the essence and history of objects that may have been dismissed or discarded by others. In some cases, the objects that Johnny presented for a painting opened artists' eyes to some of

their assumptions that they were unaware of. Katie Green recalls a still-life setting connoting African American culture that included a beautiful African mask, a cantaloupe, a butternut squash and a slice of watermelon carved of wood. "But Johnny," Katie said, "as a white woman of a certain age, I really don't feel comfortable with that watermelon!" His response was a sly smile and chuckle. "He had introduced me to my own "white fragility!"

Cathy Herndon, who was an art teacher at Gayle Middle School in the late 70s, participated in an Art Participation Day for students. "All the art teachers were encouraged to join and work with the students who came to create art. I remember Johnny the most because he had such a fun way of engaging with children, and he engaged me!" she said. "He became my idol that day!"

Bev Coates, an acclaimed local water-color artist, has been with Johnny's Workshop almost since its first year. "I had become unfamiliar with watercolor and acrylic pigments. Johnny came to my rescue and enlightened my painting efforts!" she said, "I will never forget Johnny's enthusiasm, skill, humor, and patience!"

"Johnny was a great artist, an even better teacher, and an even greater human being," said Jim Ramsbotham. "He is an example of what humility should look like, with a modest sense of his considerable gifts and a passion for sharing them with others. For the folks in the Workshop who came to know him, he will be with us in perpetuity. We were blessed."

Collette Caprara is a local writer and member of Brush Strokes Gallery.

photos contributed by Cathy Herndon, Vicky Neely, Pat Knock & Michele Costello. painting by Ed King