Aaron Cordell Johnson Interview By Realism Without Borders
RWB: Where are you from? Tell us a little about you? Aaron Johnson: I am an Idaho native, I grew up in a creative environment. My father was an artist and taught High School Art. This creative environment is something I try to recreate in my own home with my family. I lived in France for two years before attending college. I went to Pacific Northwest College of Art in Portland, Oregon where I received my B.F.A in Painting. I received my Masters in Fine Arts from the University of Idaho, in Moscow Idaho, where I know live with my wife and four children.
RWB: How did you end up a painter? AJ: How did I end up a painter? I've had many influences that have guided me down the path of becoming a painter. My father was an artist, so I was introduced to the idea of being an artist at a very young. I was exposed to painting and paintings very early. Then when I was 19 I moved to Paris for two years and was able to see the paintings I had learned about in life and I knew that was my path. In the end I believe I have always been a painter, it is who I am supposed to be. I can't imagine myself doing anything else.
RWB: Most of your work seems to be plein air. Why plein air? AJ: In my work I am trying to capture an experience of a place. What it feels like to be in an place. I paint en plein-air because I believe it provides the best opportunity to really experience that place. When painting I can immerse myself into nature, the heat/cold, the sounds, the light, everything affects the outcome of the painting. And as Edgar Payne said on painting Nature "If she is to be represented, she demands that she not occasionally but often consulted. Otherwise there is liable to be trouble"
RWB:
What painters influenced you the most?
AJ: I've had a lot of painter influences through-out my life, from my father to my peer painters, I have gained something from all of them. I would probably say at a critical moment in my education I discovered Edgar Payne. I read his book, studied his paintings, and practiced his ideas on composition and color. So I guess I would say Edgar Payne. I also love William Wendt, I love his brushwork and colors. There are so many great painters that have influenced me it is impossible to name them all! Living artists I love the watercolorist Joseph Zbuckvics work.
RWB: What is you aim in your art? AJ: I want my art to express the idea/experience of a place. What it is like to be there, the feel of a cloud going over your head or the cold of winter. I want my art to draw attention to the beauty we have around us.
RWB: Your style is very distinctive. How did you develop it? AJ: I believe that style is innate. That hard work and of time behind the brush help expose your style that is already there.
RWB: You paint a lot of epic skyscapes. I am curious to know your attraction to it? AJ: As I paint primarily en plein air, I become quite connected to the place I live. Since I live on the Idaho Palouse, which is mostly rolling hills of wheat dominated by epic skies. I feel I can't ignore them.
RWB: What is your painting process? AJ: I do a lot of searching than half the time I usually end up in a place I've painted before. I have always been interested in drawing and all of my paintings begin as a small compositional/value sketches. Once I feel I have the right composition I sketch the drawing onto the painting surface. Then I start the painting process.
RWB: What is the painting you would love to do that you have not done yet? AJ: Every summer I go on a 5 day wilderness hike into a proposed wilderness area called the Scotchman Peaks. As it is pretty intense hiking and I also have to take in my supplies to survive, I take my watercolors. My dream painting would be to do large oil based on those experiences.
RWB: Advice for young artists? AJ: Listen to your inner voice, paint a lot, and don't give up.