Basics

Channels:
Art and Crafts
Genres:
Collage, Decorative, Fantastic Realism, Fantasy, Figurative, Folk, Kitsch, Mixed Media, Portrait, Realism, Traditional
Roles:
Artist, Craft Artist, Illustrator - Traditional, Painter, Web Designer
Specialties:
Portrait painter working mainly to commission: people and animals. Also produces illustrations and traditional Canal folk Art. Please visit my websites for more information.

Biography

Nicola A. Johnson (also known as "Naj") is a self-representing artist based in Norfolk, UK. Her work has sold to private individuals as far afield as Australia and the US, in addition to mainland Europe and the UK. She is a flexible, multi-skilled artist who undertakes a diverse range of commissions. She has been painting and drawing all her life and is part formally-educated in Art, and part self-taught.

Following "A" Level Fine Art and a Foundation Course in Art & Design in the 1980's, she then pursued a technical and town planning career. Her work involved technical drawing of plans and maps, illustration and graphics, much of which has been published in government documents. She changed careers in the 1990's which has enabled her to dedicate more time to her artwork.

Statements

Much of my artwork is commissioned portraiture on paper. In this field, I strive to capture the spirit and personality of subjects, be they human or animal. Here, I am very much a painter of bespoke artwork, working to include client's preferences and within boundaries of what you might be loosely called a traditional realism style. In portraiture, I often seek a strong focus on my subjects, by use of a simple minimalist style background.

It should be said that I do not put any confinements or boundaries on my art, and will freely explore different styles, genres and mediums.

Styles

traditional realism illustration cartoon fantasy portraiture decorative

Creative Tools Used

pastels pencils crayons acrylic ink gouache enamel

Techniques

Painting, drawing

Exhibitions

Independent Artists Group 1st International Show The Pavillion Cafe Dulwich Park London 2006
Independent Artists Group, Rugby Art Gallery and Museum 2008

Specialties

Portrait painter working mainly to commission: people and animals. Also produces illustrations and traditional Canal folk Art. Please visit my websites for more information.