“Sculpting with metal is violent and dangerous. Molten steel, flying metal particles and a torch flame test the flesh daily. My art requires all of my strength, patience, and surprising subtlety. I can’t imagine anything more rewarding.”View My Animoto Video
Steel dominates Karen Johnston’s thoughts, time and artistic expression. Since childhood Johnston has expressed her imagination with pencil, acrylic, oil and fused glass creations. In 1995 she discovered metal as an artistic medium and began a passionate and prolific body of work.
The natural world is the catalyst for Johnston’s material—from the spartan cacti of New Mexico to the lush botanicals of Hawaii and Florida, and most especially the diverse and whimsical creatures who inhabit her San Joaquin Valley hillside property. Johnston reciprocates for this inspiration by incorporating art into her daily life. In addition to her fine art pieces, she sculpts chairs, benches, tables and gates. For Johnston, any practical object is worthy of her creativity.
While much of her work is housed in private collections, Johnston’s public commissions include installations at The California Cancer Center and Sierra Endocrine & Associates Medical Group, in Fresno, California and Table Mountain Casino in Friant, California.
A reclusive artist, Johnston is finally coming out. She and her partner, professional photographer Tamela Ryatt, have recently established Ryatt Johnston Gallery.
Contact
Ryatt Johnston Gallery
22140 Frontier Road
Clovis, CA 93619
*gallery open by appointment only*
e: karen@imaginationmetals.com
p: 559.299.2899
Photos by:
ryattphoto.com