Biography
Richard Johnson’s contemporary art radiates beauty and elegance, infused with a richly organic quality. He is constantly inspired by the beauty of nature and the effects it has on surfaces and objects over time. His textural and deconstructed surfaces and multi-layered compositions echo the natural world, capturing its ever-changing essence with a modern gestural quality that breathes life into each piece. He responds intuitively throughout the process of creating evolving each piece gradually into a finished work of art. He uses a wide range of materials in his art, preferring environmentally friendly mediums and paints such as beeswax, earth pigments, natural inks and handmade papers.
Richard's art has been exhibited in galleries on the east and west coasts of the U.S. and is in private collections in North and South America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Originally from Colorado, he now lives and works in Asheville, North Carolina surrounded by the wild beauty of the Appalachian mountains,
Professional Milestones
A curated chronicle of exhibitions, awards, and significant achievements in the contemporary fine art landscape.
2026: WILD: Echoes Of Nature
A solo exhibition of Richard Johnson's wildlife paintings featuring his unique style of interpreting nature.
2026: The Living Edge - A conversation between border/boundary, human/environment, natural/artificial
A juried show of encaustic paintings by 13 international artists.
2025: The 828 Show
A group exhibition showcasing fine art by 12 Asheville area artists.
2025: Pushing The Boundaries
A curated group exhibition centered around the theme of texture in art.
2024: All Creatures
A group exhibition of paintings featuring the works of 10 nationally and internationally acclaimed artists.
2019: Larger Than Life
A group exhibition featuring figurative work that explores the limitless thoughts, feelings, and experiences of life.
2018: Guggenheim: An Homage
A group show of paintings inspired by the historic work of renowned contemporary artists of the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice, Italy
2015: Simpatico: Tomasina Delgado & Richard Johnson
A two artist exhibition featuring over 40 figurative works centered around themes of cooperation, fellowship, and unity.
2012: Richard Johnson: The Beautiful Unknown
A solo exhibition of contemporary figurative and portrait paintings that challenge conventional notions of identity, beauty, and human presence.
2011: Rare Forms
A group exhibition featuring a collection of contemporary figurative works that capture the expressive power of bodies in motion.