VIRGINIA BEACH, Va — We're diving into the colorful world of James Nelson Johnson, a local artist who has been painting the Virginia Beach art scene for over half a century.
"That's the oldest one. It was behind my first studio," said Johnson.
James Nelson Johnson's journey in art began at a young age, inspired by his family.
"I guess I started, gosh, when I was really young, back in Charleston, West Virginia. My best art training came from my older brother Kenneth, who got me painting in oils when I was four years old. He would come home on his breaks and teach me the lessons he had learned at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh," said Johnson.
It was art that brought Johnson to Virginia Beach.
"I saw some people painting murals down at the beach and realized that I could paint a lot better than they did. So, I thought I'd give myself a chance at it. And it worked out," said Johnson.
For the last half-century, Johnson has dedicated himself to his craft.
"I've been painting totally in Virginia for 54 years. So it's been a long time," said Johnson.
When asked about his age, he replied, "I'm 84. I had to think about that. It's my life's work. It's more than what I do. It's who I am."
Johnson's artwork can be found in a variety of places, from well-known locations like Portsmouth's Commodore Theater and Navy ships to people's homes. His work is also featured in a gallery at the Simon Family Jewish Community Center in Virginia Beach.
"The name of the exhibit is 'Out of My Mind: The Art of James Nelson Johnson.' That's because most of the pictures are out of my mind instead of from some other reference," explained Johnson.
Johnson walked me through his exhibit, sharing stories about each painting.
"You said you have a character that's in a lot of your paintings."
"Yes, Mr. Status Quo. He's neither good nor bad. He just represents what is," said Johnson.
"This one is called 'Conversations with the Salesman,' and it's about the relationship between the salesman and the customer. We are all both salesmen and customers in life, trading our dreams for money and our money for dreams."
"This is a Musion painting, 'The Song of the Sea,' and it's about the water and the sky and the sound of the wind and the sails and the sea. That's the music in this one and the wind nymphs dancing."
"This one's called 'Sam's Jam and Nelly's Belly,'" said Johnson.
"This one's called 'Wednesday Night at the House of Jazz,'" he added.
"The way I see music in my mind's eye, when my eyes are closed, I listen to music, and I can see configurations and colors and things," said Johnson.
Johnson told me that one of his pieces won Best in Show at an exhibition of the Tidewater Artist's Association back in 1995.
"And then your favorite? This one's your favorite down here?"
"This was my favorite. This one has a lot of meaning. It's about who we are as a people, our society, and our daily pastime of earning and spending money. So, this is mainly about acquiring money," said Johnson.
But Johnson says when you look at his paintings, don't worry so much about meaning.
"Think about how it makes you feel. That's the important thing about any piece of art. It should give you an experience and take you to someplace you've never been before," said Johnson.
As for what he would say to an aspiring artist...
"Always paint the things that you feel. Paint what's in your heart," said Johnson.
Johnson's artwork can be viewed now through September at the Leon Family Gallery at the Simon Family Jewish Community Center.
OUT OF MY MIND, The Art of James Nelson Johnson
Now — September
Leon Family Gallery
Simon Family Jewish Community Center
5000 Corporate Woods Drive, Virginia Beach
jcc.jewishva.org
