Jay Johansen: Paintings

Artist Reception Friday, January 7, 2022
Exhibition runs from January 7-17, 2022

Face coverings required.

Born in 1946 and raised by his artist-father in Oakland, California, portrait artist Jay Johansen, began his journey into the art world at a very young age. His father, Melvin Johansen, was a respected artist who struggled to make ends meet, working tirelessly with little financial reward. Seeing that harsh reality left a lasting impression upon Jay who often joined his father in the studio to create his own work.

Working increasingly to perfect his skills, Jay mastered a hyper-photorealism style, which he though of as the pinnacle that would earn him respect in the art world. Painting ballerinas, matadors, and Hawaiian dancers, Jay established an international collector base, which ultimately led to commissioned paintings of music icons, world dignitaries, as well as a long list of celebrity collectors.

Today, Jay enlivens monochromatic faces of women with vivid colors that seem to bring life to the canvas. Using broad strokes, as distinct frim his previous style, Jay enjoys a freedom he’s never felt as a professional artist, imbued with an energy of renewal that allows his to create art as he did when he was a child in his father’s studio.