I have been drawing and painting for as long as i can remember, and creating artwork has always been a driving force and passion in my life.
My style has developed through many years of experience working in professional fine art studios and working for international design companies - designing and producing artwork for hotels, restaurants, commercial spaces, public areas and private estates worldwide.
I am now an established independent freelance artist, and have been teaching art classes and courses, running painting workshops and doing painting demonstrations throughout the UK & Europe for 15 years. Recently over the past 2 years i have also been teaching painting holidays.
I am a regular contributor to the Leisure painter magazine, and my artwork has been featured in national & International publications including International Artist magazine, Artist and Illustrator magazine, The Artist Magazine, Paint magazine, Trail Magazine and the Great Outdoors Magazine.
Short interview by Anthony Hughes
Spending time with nature has always been a huge source of inspiration, and the Mountain environment holds a special fascination for me. Painting outdoors ‘en plein air’ is simply the best way to really immerse yourself in a landscape and connect with your subject. Mountainous areas have their own weather systems which can provide you with all four seasons in one day, and as the artist you can pick and choose elements of these moments to add to your painting. The painting then becomes a story of the whole day, rather than a quick snapshot.
Back in my studio i will then use these ‘Plein air’ studies as reference for colour, tone and light, and my photos for composition and detail.
I have been shortlisted for the ‘Artists and Illustrators Artist of the Year’ award 4 times, my work has been exhibited in many competitions and galleries throughout the UK including the Mall galleries in London, RWA Bristol and the RBSA in Birmingham. My work is currently represented by Galeri in Betws-y-Coed, North Wales and at the Artifex Gallery in Sutton Coldfield. You can also view and purchase paintings and prints from this website here
Testimonials
“ It isn't all that common to find artists who are equally comfortable sharing their talents with us. The very nature of it, painting with your back to the audience is not comfortable, but somehow DJ really pulls that off. You feel like he's there for you only.
There are lots of negative quotes about skills, such as “Jack of all Trades, Master of none” and the one that says "those who can - do, those who can't - teach". But what about Jack of all trades, Master of all trades - and if you can, then teach as well - Step up DJ.
He is not just a very fine artist, but an example of the very best Master of all. It's fun being taught by DJ, and his written instructions are also clear and accessible. Check out his Leisure Painter articles
I asked membership to help me out with this testimonial, So here they are:
Bob
“ I really look forward to DJ doing appraisal night at the Club. He's always encouraging as well as giving positive advice so we all leave feeling better about our work and full of good ideas to improve. His enthusiasm is infectious. “
Lesley
" DJ has been a regular demonstrator to Hagley art club over the last 10 years.. He has often stepped in to help us out at the last minute both with demonstrations and appraisal evenings
He is very popular with our members , not only is he a brilliant artist he is such a good communicator, he connects with young and old alike with his amiable demeanour and always takes time to answer questions from his audience . He is always welcome at our club "
Ann
" DJ is not only extremely talented but a great teacher. He is able to inspire people to challenge themselves something that we all need to do. ”
Hazel
" DJ's versatility knows no bounds. From his murals, commissioned by Dudley art gallery many years ago for education projects,to murals on buildings, (Katy Fitzgerald pub), to his postcard size northern lights paintings, and every size in between!
Whatever he is working on , he is a pleasure to watch, and is always in great demand. ”
Sue Merrill (Chair)
“ For many years now David Johnson (DJ) has been a good friend to Hagley Art Club, for which I am Chair. He has given us many workshops and demonstrations, including one this year when we asked him to stand in at the very last minute. He opened our Annual Exhibition for us in November 2022 and will be coming again in October to appraise the member's own work. He is always lively, funny and very personable. ”
OK to summarise: fine artist in many styles - tick. Enthusiastic demonstrator, able communicator - tick. Encouraging, skilful teacher & empathetic appraiser - tick. Published national article writer - tick. Talented community artist - tick. Have I've forgotten anything?
Yes! I forgot to mention, David, DJ, is also just a really nice bloke.
Sallie Gurney - Hagley Art Club, Website/Publicist
Dj is not only an amazing and intrepid artist, he is also a very experienced and enthusiastic demonstrator.
I got to know him about 5 years ago through Dudley society of artists where he has provided several well received demo’s and a workshop. One demo featuring the northern lights and the workshop featured autumnal trees. His enthusiasm is un-teachable as you either have it or you don’t, and Dj has bundles of it.
On the intrepid side, tales are well known about Dj painting on mountain tops, in blizzards, and having to tie down his materials so as to be able to produce his excellent mountain-scapes. Very few artists would enjoy/endure these conditions, let alone produce stunning paintings which can be seen in featured articles in several publications including ‘International artist’ magazine.
Terry Glazebrook - Chairman Dudley Society of Artists
Notable Exhibitions and awards
2011 RWA 159th Autumn exhibition, Bristol.
2011 RBSA Open all media exhibition.
2012 National Open art competition.
2014 Shortlisted for ‘Artist of the year 2013’ award at Mall galleries, London.
2014 Weston Park National fine art Competition, Weston Park.
2014 Finalist for the American ‘Artists magazine 31st annual Art competition.
2015 Finalist in an international Abstract/Experimental competition and published in the April/May edition of International Artist magazine.
2016 Shortlisted for ‘Artist of the Year’ award at the Mall Galleries in London and winner of the ‘Wild & Tame’ £500 art prize.
2016 Finalist in an international Landscape competition and published in the April/May edition of International Artist magazine.
2017 Shortlisted for ‘Artist of the Year’ award at the Mall Galleries in London
2018 Finalist in an international ‘Favourite Subjects’ competition and published in the April/May edition of International Artist magazine.
2018 Finalist in an international ‘Landscape’ competition and published in the December/January edition of International Artist magazine.
2019 ‘Open all Media’ exhibition at the RBSA
2019 Leamington Spa Open 2019 Biennial exhibition and Winner of the Peoples choice award £500
2019 RBSA ‘Prize Exhibition’ at the RBSA.
2019 Highly Commended in ‘The Artist’ category for the Patchings ‘Artist of the Year’ award
2020 RBSA ‘Prize’ exhibition
2020 Wales Contemporary Art prize 2020 exhibition at the Waterfront gallery, Haverford West.
2021 Summer - Finalist in an international ‘Landscape’ competition and published in the August/September edition of International Artist magazine.
2021 Summer - 2 paintings selected for the ‘The Artist’ exhibition at the Patching art festival.
2022 Spring - ‘Y Lliwedd’ selected for Wales Contemporary Art prize 2022 exhibition, and on show at the OXO gallery in London.
2022 Summer - ‘Branching out’ selected for the ‘The Artist’ exhibition at the Patching art festival.
2022 Autumn- Finalist in an international ‘Landscape’ competition and published in the December/January edition of International Artist magazine.
2023 Summer - ‘Parvati Valley’ painting given Highly Commended in ‘The Artist’ category for the Patchings ‘Artist of the Year’ award