Meet Jeff Johnson | Artist & Composer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jeff Johnson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jeff, what habits do you feel helped you succeed?
Rest, iced coffee, and hiking in the Santa Monica mountains – thats where my success comes from. Many of my best ideas come while I’m out walking with iced coffee in hand, out on a mountain ridge top overlooking the sea. I used to hustle and work myself to the bone, but it ultimately had no lasting benefit and only lead to more trips to the doctor’s office. I kept hearing people say, “work harder, longer hours.” Every job description I ever read said: “applicant must be able to work in a fast-paced, high-stress environment.” I realized that it was the folks in charge at these jobs that made for the stressful environment, not the nature of the work itself.

Self care, self respect, and an appreciation for my creative method of working has helped me tremendously in the past couple of years. I hope our culture can develop healthier ideas surrounding work and start to respect our human nature and our need for rest and inspiration.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I create bold, impressionist paintings that draw upon elements of classic impressionism and modern art. My art is more than what just meets the eye. It is a meditation on the hardships and beauty of life. It is a prayer for redemption; hope in vivid color. Up-close each painting is made up of seemingly nonsensical, even violently out-of-place brush strokes. But take a few steps back and the brushstrokes become a whimsical mosaic of paint transporting you to a dramatic scene. I look for hope in life the same way as in my art, by taking a step back and meditating on the beauty before me.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If you come to visit me we will be swimming in the ocean, visiting art galleries in Santa Monica, and getting donuts and coffee at Sidecar Donuts. The next day we will be heading up to the Sierra Nevada mountains for either skiing, hiking, or paddle boarding. On your way back to the airport we will stop by the Coffee Connection in Mar Vista for tasty treats.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My parents and close friends and family have stood behind me and supported me through it all. I am forever grateful. I am especially thankful for my lovely AK for always standing by me. And I’m thankful for my brother and sister-in-law for purchasing my first paintings and helping me get started in the art-selling business. (Remember friends reading this to support your artist friends and family – your support is how they get their feet off the ground.)

Website: https://artbyjeffco.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artbyjeffco/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@artbyjeffco

Other: https://musicbyjeffco.com

Image Credits
Images by AK and Jeff Johnson