Featuring the Sculpture, Painting, Ceramic and Silkscreened Art of Folk Artist Rob Johnston
Rob Johnston | 21st Century Folk Artist
I am an artist who was born and raised in the Berkshire Hills of Western Massachusetts.
One of my first summer jobs as a teen was at Sheffield Pottery in Sheffield MA.
It was there I learned how to make clay, develop glazes and slips,
use plaster molds, fire all types of kilns, and learn about hundreds of ceramic materials.
I went on to study Art at Simon's Rock of Bard College in Great Barrington MA.
After receiving my BA in Arts & Aesthetics I returned to work at the Pottery for several more years, learning more and more about ceramic materials and techniques.
In my early twenties I was offered a screen printing job printing t-shirts at another local company in Sheffield MA - Blue Point Design. The owners hired me and my brother with the idea that they would teach us how to print and run the business, and we would eventually take over. A few years later we did exactly that.
After about 20 years of silk screening t-shirts I decided I needed a change. I wanted to pursue my own artwork, which had been a dream since I was a kid. I sold my half of the business to my brother, built a nice studio at my house, and began to create.
One of my first summer jobs as a teen was at Sheffield Pottery in Sheffield MA.
It was there I learned how to make clay, develop glazes and slips,
use plaster molds, fire all types of kilns, and learn about hundreds of ceramic materials.
I went on to study Art at Simon's Rock of Bard College in Great Barrington MA.
After receiving my BA in Arts & Aesthetics I returned to work at the Pottery for several more years, learning more and more about ceramic materials and techniques.
In my early twenties I was offered a screen printing job printing t-shirts at another local company in Sheffield MA - Blue Point Design. The owners hired me and my brother with the idea that they would teach us how to print and run the business, and we would eventually take over. A few years later we did exactly that.
After about 20 years of silk screening t-shirts I decided I needed a change. I wanted to pursue my own artwork, which had been a dream since I was a kid. I sold my half of the business to my brother, built a nice studio at my house, and began to create.
My Art incorporates many mediums now:
Painting, Acrylics & Watercolors, which I've loved since I was young.
Painting, Acrylics & Watercolors, which I've loved since I was young.
Clay, fired in my own kiln with hand screened decals I print myself.
Silk Screening, which I've done nearly every day for the last 20 years.
Wood & Metal, much of it reclaimed to achieve the weathered old look of Antiques.
With many thanks to my Dad, a Carpenter and Old World Craftsman with an incredible woodshop and even more incredible skill & knowledge to accompany it.
With many thanks to my Dad, a Carpenter and Old World Craftsman with an incredible woodshop and even more incredible skill & knowledge to accompany it.
Here are some of the things that fascinate and inspire me as I create my Folk Art . . .
Carnivals
Snake Oils
Mysterious Advertising
Odd Symbols
Antique Signs
Mythical Legends
Angels and Demons
Secret Societies
Rural Decay
Invisible Realms
American Folk Art
and much, much more . . .
My Art reflects the treasures I would love to uncover as I explore an old attic or barn.
The pieces I have always imagined were out there hiding, but could never quite find.
Thanks for stopping by - Rob
Carnivals
Snake Oils
Mysterious Advertising
Odd Symbols
Antique Signs
Mythical Legends
Angels and Demons
Secret Societies
Rural Decay
Invisible Realms
American Folk Art
and much, much more . . .
My Art reflects the treasures I would love to uncover as I explore an old attic or barn.
The pieces I have always imagined were out there hiding, but could never quite find.
Thanks for stopping by - Rob
