Artist: Phil “PJ” Johnson

ARTIST STATEMENT

I used to only do pencil and pen because I was scared of paint… But then Bob Ross taught me that when painting, it’s my world and there is no mistake that isn’t a “happy accident.” It’s like how I feel in life… I messed up “today” bad… just gesso the canvas and start over tomorrow, with pencil or pen, I need a whole new “life.” Paint lets me paint the life I am given, I guess, so I choose acrylic. I grew up in and out of foster homes and Juvie and art was one thing I could control and escape, or make somebody smile by drawing what they imagined. I valued the depth and emotion to an image, the power of creating something from literally nothing. Most of all I love making others’ ideas, emotions, love etc. become an image they can see, feel, share. People told me to spend time doing something that pays… I guess some people’s ideas of payment is different. I get paid by the smiles, tears etc.

My aunt Bridget Sivanich always supported and loved me for my creativity, skateboarding, clothes etc. She once bought these $600 leather, multi-colored pants right, and that moment I realized what inspired art! Everything! Literally, religion or lack of, violence, peace, anger, love or lack of, life, death, and the spirits in between. It’s the who that inspires me, people like my Aunt even if we don’t see eye to eye, because my choices have been wrong, but if she ever really knew, it’s her that inspired me, to be an out of the box thinker and not be afraid to be different… I’m just gonna keep painting over my mistakes until I can find what I can be good at and love doing it, I guess…