Richard S. Johnson

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The luminescent beauty and lyrical quality of Richard S. Johnson’s work is what captivates collectors today. “Old Masters” technical virtuosity, pre-Raphael romanticism, and contemporary expressionism and abstraction all combine to create his unique works of touching depth and artistry. 

Rick’s expressive skill for capturing the human form has brought him to the attention of the international art world. He has has benn profiled in The American Art Collector and his skill has brought him numerous commissions: John F. Kennedy at the JFK Memorial Library in Boston, A commemorative painting of the presidents from Eisenhower to Bush currently hanging at the President’s Council on Physical Fitness in Washington D.C. Rear Admiral Richard S. Truly, USN, the first commander of the NASA Space Shuttle Challenger. Limited edition Lithograph for the USA Olympic Ski Team Promotional poster for the Biz International Classic Soccer Championship in Mexico 

Born in Chicago to an artistic family, his earliest reminiscences are of pouring through Charles Dana Gibson, N.C. Wyeth and John Singer Sargent books on rainy afternoons. While still in grade school he won a scholarship to the prestigious Art Institute of Chicago. 

He later attended the American Academy of Art and upon graduation began a very successful career as an illustrator. His commercial clients have ranged from industry leaders such as Volvo, McDonalds, Eli Lilly and United Airlines to editorial work for “Golf Digest”, ABC Television”, and book covers for Nora Roberts, Dr. James Dobson and Readers Digest. 

Turning his attentions to fine art after winning a competition in International Artists Magazine, Rick was invited to Japan where his Solo Exhibition was so successful that he has been invited back numerous times and has developed an international base of collectors. His two Solo Exhibitions at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada in 2007 and 2008 were enormous successes that further drew the attention of national and international collectors to Rick’s works. 

He has also won many awards in competitions here in the United States including recently the Best in Show at the National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society, Fall 2020 Online Show, as well as the John August Dietrich Memorial Figurative Award of Excellence in the Oil Painters of America - 2021 - 30th National Exhibition at the Escondito Museum in Californina. 

Past awards include the Award of Excellence, in the Oil Painters of America 2003 Midwest Regional Juried Competition, and The 2003 People’s Choice Award, Salon International 2003 International Museum of Contemporary Masters of Fine Ar