Johnny Johnson

An Exhibit of Heart & Art

johnny johnson’s workshop annual exhibit

Pat Knock

All are invited to explore the uplifting and inspiring creations of the artists of Johnny Johnson ' s Watermedia Workshop in their annual exhibit which will be displayed at the Fredericksburg library throughout January and February. In addition to experiencing the delight of the artwork of a spectrum of talented and innovative painters, guests may also feel the magic of an atmosphere imbued with heart and depth. That spirit reflects the essence of the ultimate teacher, Johnny Johnson, which is also evident in the work of every artist whose life he has touched.

Launched more than 25 years ago and held at the Dorothy Hart Community Center, Johnny's workshop quickly became a legend in its own time, with artists queuing up to register before the class was full. Acclaimed watercolorist Beverley Coates recalls her experience when she joined the group in 1996 (which she still gathers with weekly). "When I joined my first session, my discovery of watercolor happiness began! Throughout

Cindy Whitesides

my 26 years with the workshop, our class has included a four-star general, florists, a veterinarian, a nurse, teachers, doctors, business owners, military personnel, and master gardeners!" she said. "Artists seldom missed a class. There was just too much good art fun and instruction to skip."

by collette caprara

watermelon. When she reacted with what today might be called "white fragility," Johnny just nodded and laughed.

Bev recalls that Johnny would often enlist a model who was an artist's family member or friend and that the workshop included periodic ventures such as plein air sessions at the Rappahannock rapids or the Potomac River shores at Aquia Harbor. The class typically included a period where artwork was displayed and "critiqued," but always with much praise and constructive suggestions. Johnny continually challenged the artists to move beyond their comfort zones, urging us to "use more pigment" to spark a subject to life or "faster, faster" when a wet-on-wet creation was in process. He

introduced surprising artistic tools, ranging from plastic wrap to toothbrushes and sponges in demonstrations where a "happy accident" would tap new levels of creativity and imagination.

"Johnny was kind and encouraging to those of us who were just beginning to find our 'art legs.' But, the experienced teacher that he was, Johnny could also be challenging. Our group still laughs about his tendency to set up stilllife arrangements that left us groaning about the aesthetics of a collection of rusty tools," said Katie Green who has painted with the workshop for nearly 10 years. She recalls that Johnny often challenged the artists not only to expand artistically but to explore and recognize their responses to subjects that might be considered sensitive, such as one still-life arrangement that included an African mask and a painted wooden slice of "I was so excited to join Johnny Johnson's Watermedia class five years ago, but that emotion was accompanied by a feeling of trepidation when I found myself among so many talented artists," said Kathleen Mullins. "In short time, that fear turned to gratitude when I recognized the fine nature of the man and teacher that Johnny is. I will always be grateful for the encouragement and guidance that he gave in his critiques. Not only am I a better watercolor artist because of Johnny, I am a better person for knowing and emulating him."

William Wachter, who has been with the workshop since 2015, recalls that he first met Johnny when a library exhibit was being set up. "I asked him if those artists were his disciples," he said. "He invited me to the opening reception and I subsequently joined his watercolor and acrylic classes." Wachter said he painted a portrait of Johnny based on another artist's photo, and when he heard that Johnny's wife, Jean, liked it, he gave it to her. "I learned that spirit of generosity from Johnny," he said. "He was always generous with his knowledge, his tools, and his friendship." Another portrait Wachter did of Johnny won a first-place at Fredericksburg Women ' s Club Exhibition and he gave that to Johnny as well. "His own generosity with charitable groups set the gold standard for donating art. Even today, I give away my family portraits," said Wachter. "He was unfailingly kind but willing to rattle the cage of anyone who could handle the ribbing. We had fun together."

"Simply put, Johnny is a towering figure in our local Fredericksburg history-an exceptionally gifted, internationallyrecognized artist with a style that is uniquely recognizable," said artist Jim Ramsbotham. "He is ten times as good a teacher of art as he was an artist. And ten times as good a human being as he was teacher. An example of what humility should look like--a modest sense of his considerable gifts and a passion for sharing them with others."

"The hallmark of Johnny's workshop is its wonderful camaraderie," said Coates. "This has been a top-notch experience of my lifetime. Johnny is an outstanding human being and I am so grateful to know him" William Wachter

William Wachter

The artists ' portraits that accompany this article reflect their respect and gratitude for Johnny Johnson and his guidance, as well as their appreciation for his heart and character. Their works can be viewed in the theater of the FXBG Branch of the Central Rappahannock Regional Library, 1201 Caroline Street, from January 3 through February 23. For hours, visit librarypoint.org or call (540) 372-1 1144.

Collette Caprara is an artist & writer

Norma Woodward Guest Porch Editorial

Contributing Writers & Artists

Rita Allan Wayne Amann Sally Cooney Anderson Amy Bayne Laurie Black Dianne Bachman Sonja Cantu Collette Caprara Janet Douberly Frank Fratoe Bill Freehling Jon Gerlach Ann Glave Lisa Gillen Marcia Grimsley Kathleen Harrigan

Ralph “Tuffy” Hicks David C. Kennedy Jill Laiacona Indiana Lee Ray Mikula Vanessa Moncure Pete Morelewicz Patrick Neustatter Frank O’Reilly Lori Orlinsky Penny A Parrish ML Powers Paula Raudenbush Rob Rudick Terry Rensell Erica Terrini Mandy Smith Rim Vining Tina Will Norma Woodward

Front Porch Fredericksburg is a free circulation magazine published monthly by Olde Towne Publishing Co. Virginia Bigenwald Grogan, Publisher.

The mission of Front Porch Fredericksburg is to connect the diverse citizenry of Fredericksburg with lively features and informative columns of interest to our community’s greatest resource, its people.

Messages from our readers are welcome. All article submissions must be received by e-mail by the 16th & calendar items the 19th of the month preceding publication.

Writers / Artists / Photographers are welcome to request Guidelines and query the Publisher by e-mail.

ON THE PORCH

the road traveled

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Copyright 2022 Front Porch Fredericksburg Magazine All rights reserved.

by Norma Woodward

In these days of fast paced travel, it is possible to take a time saving flight over the vast landscapes of our country. However, by doing so one misses so much of the essence of the beauty and culture below.

There is another, slower, more interesting way - the once fashionable road trip. In earlier times, families traveled across the country in station wagons piled with suitcases, coolers, kids, and dogs for the All- American adventure stopping at national parks like Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Great Smoky Mountains and so many others.

There were no interstate highways. Two-lane roads with names like Route 66 "The Mother Road", or The Lincoln Highway stretched across the plains, the desert, and numerous mountain ranges. Or ran beside oceans where the kids could happily watch the waves and hear the shorebirds through the open windows of the unairconditioned car.

The ubiquitous fast-food giants of today were nonexistent. Coleman coolers were packed with carefully prepared homemade sandwiches, lemonade, and cookies. The family chose a grassy site beside the road, ideally under the shade of a large tree, spread blankets on the ground and enjoyed a picnic as a respite from time in the car.

Most either tent camped or pulled a travel trailer. The ones who could afford it stayed in places with names like Doc's Motor Court, Blue Swallow, Hilltop Inn, or Thunderbird where they could park and unload the car directly into the room.

Then the interstate highways were built to allow fast travels from east to west or north to south. They bypassed and eventually shut down many of the small towns. Local businesses closed as the new service stations, restaurants and motels stretched endlessly at the exits from the busy, new, fast, convenient interstates drawing travelers to a new type of travel.

Thankfully, it is still possible to take the slower, scenic routes - the ones described by William Least Heat-Moon in his book "Blue Highways." Traveling the back roads, you might meet the farmer in Kansas who tells you about this year's crop of wheat, the cowboy in Texas who talks about the roundup or the new calf he delivered that morning, or the Chesapeake Bay waterman who will display the day's catch and advise about the best seafood restaurant in the area.

Sample the food prepared by a local cook, not chef, at diners scattered across the country. Question the early morning coffee group in the old-fashioned cafés to find the most interesting routes, sights, and adventures. They know them all and are delighted to share.

Stop in towns like Wild Horse, Pumpkin Creek, Bisbee, Iuka, and Jim Thorpe. Discover the origin of their name. Find out what is important to those who live there. Drive the two lane, bumpy, gravel, dirt rural roads. Visit abandoned towns whose stories are told by what remains. Stand quietly and listen.

There is an America that can only be experienced by going there and interacting with the locals, some of whom have never left the immediate area where they were born. They are the glue that keeps the struggling towns alive. They are the women who save the historic buildings scheduled for demolition or the men who work to teach skills to the next generation or the teenagers who mow the lawns for elderly neighbors. They are important! They are America. Time constraints in our busy culture prevent many from experiencing the "real" America which still exists but is so often forgotten in our haste to get "from here to there."

America is a beautiful, amazing, fascinating country filled with a rich stewpot of people and cultures. Everyone should road trip across our vast country at least once. Such a trip will promote understanding of what it is to be American. They will return with a pride of place about what we really are as a people and an appreciation of the magnificent landscape contained within our borders.

I hope each of you will be able to make that trip and return safely to your home, read this Front Porch article, and ponder its message.

I wish you travel!

Norma Woodwrad is a photographer and back road traveler

messages

Thank you for all that you do on behalf of the art community! We so appreciate you!

Warmly, Lynn Abbott

Beautiful tribute to a wonderful woman (Lasting Legacy, Linda Pisenti, November, 2021)

Matt Jones Virginia, another beautiful issue. Thank you for the nice memorial to Carl Grenn (October). He loved Front Porch.

Tuffy Hicks

Virginia

Thank you for all you do to knit our community together and specifically to get the word out about Empowerhouse. Front Porch My wife and I just discovered your paper when I grabbed it upon our exit from The Sunken Well, and I am glad I did, we love it! We read it from cover to back page and really appreciate the event calendar in the middle. We will be making a point to secure it regularly from now on.

James Kotwicki