Jewel Box Tour, come find your gems!

 

I'm really excited about a new series of paintings I've been working on. I'll be introducing them at the Taos Studio Tour. Yes, we are going forward with our Studio Tour this Labor Day Weekend, Saturday September 5th - Monday September 7th, 10-5pm daily. 19 artists will be participating.

 

 

 

It'll be a hybrid tour, both in person studio visits as well as virtual tours. The Preview Party will solely be virtual via ZOOM. See info below.

I'm #13 on the studio tour map at 500 Cruz Alta Rd, Casita #2, along with Adorn Your Life 2, #12 with Mosaics, Jewelry and Cards. We are set up in two separate garage bays. The large doors, at opposite ends, will be open so there will be plenty of fresh air. We'll be inside yet outside! We'll have shady, socially distanced seating spots outdoors if there are too many people to be inside the space at one time. 

We will be following all state safety guidelines. Masks are required.

Come pick out a favorite piece of art. This is your chance to see my newest paintings, experimental pieces, and work from previous series. See where my inspiration comes from, engage with the art, and find out my techniques and process. Now that many of us are working from home, it's time for new art on the walls!

You can download a Tour Brochure and Map here. 

If you're not in the area, or uncomfortable with in person visits, this year there will be virtual opportunities.

Contact me by email at art@lydiajohnston.com if you are interested, and we'll set something up. If you'd like to schedule an in person appointment during the tour, we can do that too. Time will be set aside just for you for a private viewing.

The Virtual Preview Party is scheduled for Friday, September 4^th at 5:00 pm. Visit the TAO website to get the ZOOM link, pour yourself a glass of something refreshing, and join in to meet the artists and see examples of their work. The artists will all be there and each one will speak for a minute about his or her work and process.

 

"Scratching the Surface" - Opening Reception September 26th, 6-9 pm

"Scratching the Surface", Oil Paintings by Lydia Johnston and Ceramics by Lori St. Pierre will be on view at NAACO Gallery in North Adams, MA from September 26th through November 25th. Please join us for the opening reception Thursday, September 26th from 6-9 pm.

"Take Me In", 24" x 30", oil on linen

My newest group of oil paintings are infused with vibrant color and incorporate printed patterns and carved lines. Some of the paintings for this show have an arched wall or trellis with flowers, from which you look out across an intriguing landscape. A number of smaller pieces have an urban sensibility created by overlaying printed patterns.

"Red Winds", 9" x 8", oil on linen

I am working with wide color shapers, instead of brushes, that give my work its distinctive look. In addition, I am carving marks into the wet paint with the edge of these tools, as well as printing patterns on the surface.

"Gotham One", 15" x 11", oil on linen

My paintings in this show are complemented by Lori St. Pierre's new ceramics which revolve around texture and incised patterns.

Lori St. Pierre, bowl

NAACO Gallery is located at 33 Main Street, North Adams, MA (diagonally across from MASS MoCA). 413-664-4003. Gallery Hours: Monday, Wednesday thru Saturday 11-6 pm, Sunday 12-4 pm, closed Tuesday.

"Seduced by Color"

For the month of August, I have a solo exhibit hanging at the Canfield Gallery in Arlington, VT. There are thirty-one pieces hanging in the show, representing many of my recent series. Here is a link to the collection of paintings in the show, "Seduced by Color". There are sky paintings from my "Sky Sonata" series, flower paintings from my "Garden of Desire" series, meadow paintings, and a number of my newest more abstract landscapes.

"Tumbling Down", 16" x 12", oil on canvas

The Canfield Gallery is located at the lower level of the Martha Canfield Library, 528 E. Arlington Road, Arlington, VT. Gallery hours are: Tues. & Thurs. 9-8, Wed. 9-5, Fri. 2-6, Sat. 10-3. 802-375-6153.
The show will be on view until August 30th.

Lydia Johnston - Meet the Artist Reception

Please join us for a Meet the Artist Reception on Saturday August 20th from 1 - 5pm. The reception will be held at the Lenox Gallery of Fine Art, 69 Church Street in Lenox, MA. Light refreshments will be served.


"From the Field", 20" x 16", oil on canvas

I will be showing a number of my new series of vertical flower paintings. Each has underlying vertical and horizontal panels of color over which a vase with flowers is interwoven. They are full of rich vibrant colors and lots of energy.

Come visit and see some of these vertical pieces as well as many of my meadow paintings.

Opening Reception, Saturday September 18th, 5-8pm

"Autumn Fields", 16" x 16", oil on linen, Lydia Johnston


Please join us for the opening reception Saturday, September 18th from 5-8pm at the Bennington Arts Guild. The exhibit will run from September 18th until October 11th. I will be showing pieces from my "Sky Sonata" series as well as some of my flower paintings.

Each month the Bennington Arts Guild invites two artists to exhibit in their guest gallery. I will be showing my oil paintings along with potter, Ray Bub, who will be exhibiting his ceramic art. For more information about the Lydia Johnston - Ray Bub exhibition, please visit Guest Gallery Opening.


"The Old Barn", 20" x 30", oil on canvas

The Bennington Arts Guild Gallery is located at 103 South Street at the Four Corners intersection of Downtown Bennington. It is a cooperative gallery run by artists from Bennington and the surrounding communities, open daily except Tuesdays and Wednesdays. For more information call 802-442-7838 or visit Bennington Arts Guild.

"Sky Sonatas"

"Sky Sonata XXIV", 10" x 10", oil on linen, Lydia Johnston

I just hung "Sky Sonatas", an exhibit of twenty-eight of my new sky paintings, in Spiral Press Café at Northshire Bookstore, Manchester, VT. Nine are mid to large paintings, and the rest smaller ones.

“I want my paintings to have mystery, to allude to the familiar while remaining wholly ambiguous. I'm not interested in supplying all the details of a specific place. I want there to be more than one interpretation. By hinting at things, I hope to trigger your imagination; I want you, the viewer, to bring some of your own experiences and recollections to the process. This collaboration allows you to connect in a profound way. I want you to sink into my art and be transported.”


"Sky Sonata XV", 10" x 13", oil on linen

Many of the new small oil paintings hanging in the exhibit are not yet up on my website, so I put together a page that shows all of these paintings. Just click HERE to see all twenty-eight paintings in the show. They will be hanging until June 2nd.

Bennington, VT Art Exhibit, 100 for $100

"Summer Sonata", 7" x 8", oil on linen, Lydia Johnston

The second annual "One Hundred for $100" Art Exhibit and Sale will be taking place in downtown Bennington, VT this coming Friday, March 19th, and Saturday March 20th, 2010. The event will be held in the 210 South Street Building, Bennington, VT. The exhibit is from 6-9pm Friday evening and 10-2pm on Saturday. The event is free and open to the public.

One hundred works of original art by local and regional artists will be exhibited and offered for sale. All 100 pieces of art will be priced at just $100. There will be paintings, mixed media, jewelry, photography, sculpture, pottery, fiber arts, and more.


"Sky Sonata XXIII", 7" x 8", oil on linen


I will have four small original oil paintings in the exhibit, all from my ongoing "Sky Sonata" series.

A special feature this year will be an exclusive preview of the exhibit from 5-6pm with champagne, hors d'oeuvres, and live smooth jazz by Blueprint. Tickets for the preview event are $15/person at the door or $12 in advance. Tickets are available in advance at the Downtown Welcome Center.


"Sky Sonata III", 6.5" x 9", oil on linen

At 6pm the doors will open to the public, admission is free, and the artwork will be available for sale. Come enjoy an evening of live entertainment, appetizers, cash bar, and purchase one of the 100 beautiful pieces of art that were jury selected from over 350 entries. Meet with the artists and learn about their techniques and inspirations.

On Saturday, the doors open again from 10-2pm, your final opportunity to find that perfect piece of art for only $100, a price you won’t find in galleries or stores. The proceeds of the event benefit the non-profit Better Bennington Corporation.


"Sky Sonata XIX", 7" x 8", oil on linen

210 South Street is located on the corner of South St. and Hillside St.(directly across from Friendly's Restaurant). There is plenty of parking in the rear of the building and the exhibit is handicap accessible with an elevator located in the glass atrium at the front of the building.

For more information please call the Better Bennington Corporation at 802-442-5758 or visit Better Bennington Corporation.

Bennington, VT Art Exhibit, "100 for $100"

The opening reception for "One Hundred for $100" Art Exhibit and Sale will be taking place in Bennington, VT this coming Friday, March 20th, 2009. The reception will be from 5-9 pm at the Nichols Building, 457 Main Street, Bennington, VT.

There will be 100 pieces of original art including painting, mixed media, jewelry, photography, sculpture, pottery, fiber arts, and more, all created by local professional artists. All 100 pieces of art will be priced at just $100.

I will have five small original oil paintings in the exhibit, including "Up the Road", 7" x 5", shown above.

Come enjoy an evening of live entertainment, refreshments, and one hundred works of art, meet with the artists and learn about their techniques and inspirations.

A special feature during this first annual event will be the unveiling of Will Moses’ newest painting created for the Shires of Vermont. The long awaited unveiling will be the beginning of a four month tour for the painting throughout Bennington County before being auctioned off in the summer. Will Moses will be attending the event for the unveiling, as will local and state officials to help celebrate and support Bennington County marketing initiatives.

The exhibition and sale, cocktail reception, and unveiling will be Friday, March 20th from 5PM until 9PM, but the studio will reopen on Saturday, March 21st from 10AM until 4PM for an opportunity to enjoy and purchase works of art at a price you won’t find in galleries or stores.


"In the Vermont Hills", 5" x 7", oil on canvas, Lydia Johnston

Admission is free to the public.

For more information please call the Better Bennington Corporation at 802-442-5758 or visit http://www.betterbennington.com.

"SEDUCED BY COLOR"

"Evening Glow", 24" x 36", oil on canvas, Lydia Johnston

For the month of October, I will be the featured artist at Deborah Davis Fine Art, 510 Warren Street in Hudson, NY. The exhibit, "Seduced by Color" opens October 9th, and will be on view until November 3rd.

Color is my passion. I love exploring different combinations of colors, finding just the right accent to make the piece sing. I am seduced by color, luscious orange and pink cosmos and their lacy green foliage against the deep blue of a cobalt vase; small clear yellow butterflies alighting on deep purple asters; the yellows and pinks of a sunset when the sky is infused with intense color. When I am painting, I am most consumed by the color interactions.

Lenox Autumn Art Festival

"Morning Gems", 24" x 30", oil on canvas, Lydia Johnston

Once again I will be participating in the 2008 Lenox Autumn Art Festival. This year, the two day event will be held Saturday and Sunday September 20th and 21st from 12 noon to 5 pm. The festival will feature 17 galleries within a two block area in historic Lenox Village, showing work by more than 500 artists, as well as outdoor demonstrations and exhibits.

I will be set up at 71 Church Street in front of Firefly Restaurant. Stop by to visit and learn more about my process. I will have small paintings for sale as well as giclee prints.

In addition, I have a number of my large paintings in the Lenox Gallery of Fine Art, located at 69 Church Street. The Art Walk will take place rain or shine. If the weather is bad, I will be at the gallery to meet with people.

Large Paintings on Display in Hudson, NY

"Taylor's Head", 30" x 40", oil on canvas, Lydia Johnston

In conjunction with Deborah Davis Fine Art in Hudson, NY, I am now exhibiting nine of my oil paintings in the lobby of Hudson City Square at 541 Warren Street. The lobby is diagonally across Warren Street from the gallery.


"Sweep of Land", 36" x 48", oil on canvas

We were able to hang six large paintings in the space, so if you are in Hudson to visit the gallery be sure to check out my additional exhibit at Hudson City Square.


"Lavender Dreams", 30" 40", oil on linen

Exhibit Opens at the Bennington Center for the Arts

"Reflections", 30" x 40", oil on linen, Lydia Johnston

This past Wednesday, I helped to hang a large group art exhibit at the Bennington Center for the Arts. Three of my oil paintings are included in the exhibit, "Reflections", "Shelter", and "Hummingbird's Delight".


"Shelter", 36" x 48", oil on canvas, Lydia Johnston

The exhibit space is large, so well suited to my large paintings. The show will open on Friday February 1st, and run until the end of May. If you are in southern Vermont, be sure to stop in to see it.


"Hummingbird's Delight", 30" x 40", oil on canvas, Lydia Johnston