Artist Focus: Kim Johnson

Artist Kim Johnson was born and raised in Sioux City, Iowa, and now splits her time between Phoenix and Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Johnson loves to paint animals—birds especially—figurative watercolors and portraits. After graduating from college, she realized she didn’t want an office job but something more creative. Her love of watercolor started in high school, but her love of art can be traced back to childhood. Johnson’s mother always encouraged her to be creative, and enrolled her in summer and after-school art classes so it was the natural course for her to continue drawing and painting.

Blue Macaw, watercolor, 15 x 11"

Johnson’s love of observing nature and human interactions has led her to express what she witnesses through her paintings. She uses unusual colors in an abstract way with traditional shapes infused with atmospheric effects. She chose watercolor for her medium for its transparency, versatility and immediacy, despite its challenging nature. Whether it be a portrait or wildlife, her use of splashy, lively colors convey her emotions through both light and color, a style that continues to evolve.

Cat Napping, watercolor, 15 x 22"

Johnson’s paintings have been juried into many national and international exhibitions and have won numerous awards. She holds signature status in several distinguished organizations including the American Watercolor Society, the National Watercolor Society, Transparent Watercolor Society of America, Watercolor West, San Diego Watercolor Society, Arizona Watercolor Association and Western Federation of Watercolor Societies. She sells her paintings and teaches classes in person and virtually throughout the United States and Costa Rica, and also accepts commissions. —