Nancy Davis Johnson

Nancy has been drawing and painting most of her life. Though mostly self-taught, she has taken art courses at Cornell University and studied watercolor painting in several workshops.
She worked as a graphic artist for several years, providing design and artwork for ads and brochures, as well as wall murals for various clients. Since 1989, she has devoted her efforts to painting full-time. During her memberships in several art associations over the past 40 years, she has won awards for her work in oil, pastel and watercolor. Her paintings are in private and corporate collections throughout the U.S. and abroad.

Artist's statement:
The medium of watercolor provides me with a most satisfying and versatile way to express my love of the natural world. Much of the inspiration and ideas for my paintings have been acquired on summer sailing trips along the coast of Maine. For many years I have been fortunate to be able to sail with my husband and explore this beautiful part of New England from an ocean-side perspective.

I often work from photos I have taken, since sailing is usually not compatible with on-site painting. I use them as reference material to help re-create my emotional reaction to a scene. The process of looking through the lens at the landscape allows me to search out a center of interest more easily and to record details I might otherwise overlook. Sometimes elements from three or four photos will be used in the composition for maximum effect.

The greatest challenge to me as an artist is to communicate my reason for creating a painting, to convey to others the essence of a scene and the emotions that it inspires in me. When I can accomplish that, I know the painting is a success.

Publications: Her work was included in an article in the summer, 1996 issue of “Watercolor” magazine, a national quarterly publication of “American Artist” magazine.
“International Artist” magazine has included one of her paintings in its 2004 book titled “How Did You Paint That? 100 Ways to Paint Landscapes, Vol. 1”.

Memberships:
New England Watercolor Society
New Hampshire Art Association
Great Bay Art Association

Phone: (603) 742-7612