James Johnson’s art career began when he was just four years old when his 14-year-old brother Kenneth, introduced him to painting. Johnson remembers his brother sitting him down and saying, “Jimmy, I got you some paints and canvas board so you can make pictures like me.” Under Kenneth’s guidance, Johnson learned the intricacies of color mixing and composition, sparking a lifelong passion for art.
Though his passion was painting, Johnson decided to take a “safer” career path as an adult.
“The head of the art department at West Virginia State University said to me, ‘James, you are the best that we have, but please don’t become an artist; you will surely starve to death.’” Johnson recalls. He initially ventured into a career in interior decorating in Charleston, West Virginia.
At 29, seeking new opportunities, Johnson relocated his family to Norfolk, where he worked during the colder months doing interior design work at Haynes Furniture, Sears, and Garner’s Interiors. In the spring and summer, he painted murals. His talent soon caught the eye of Wall Illusions, a mural company in Norfolk, where he became an artist advisor, designing murals, supervising jobs, and assisting other artists on more difficult projects. His most notable project with Wall Illusions included the extensive art restoration at the Commodore Theatre in Portsmouth, completed in 1990 after more than two- and-a-half years.
Shortly following that project, Johnson returned to self-employment, painting murals at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. He has dedicated more than 54 years to mural painting in Hampton Roads. His portfolio includes murals in restaurants, schools, theaters, hotels, and government buildings, showcasing his versatility and skill.
A decade ago, at 75, Johnson decided he didn’t have the energy he used to and shifted from painting walls to painting on an easel. His “mural retirement” didn’t last long, though. In 2018, he completed a mural at Luther Manor Assisted Living Facility, and recently, he’s been back to painting at bars and restaurants.
Johnson has placed first at regional and national art contests and exhibits in Virginia and West Virginia and has been featured in local newspapers, television, and Southern Living Magazine.
At 85, Johnson contacted United Jewish Federation of Tidewater about exhibiting his work in the Leon Family Gallery. “I’ve been a Simon Family JCC member since 2016,” Johnson says, “and am thrilled to present my artwork at the Leon Family Gallery.”
The exhibit features three distinct sections: “Once Upon a Purchase,” a surrealistic interpretation of the conversation between salesman and customer; “Life,” showcasing his portraiture and realistic landscapes; and “Musion,” a visual interpretation of music inspired by his synesthetic experiences.
“Musion is the visual depiction of the music as I see it when I listen to music with my eyes closed,” Johnson says. “Feel free to step into one of my pictures and let me take you to some places you’ve never been to before. Enjoy the ride.”
The Leon Family Gallery is located on the second floor of the Sandler Family Campus. For hours and more information, visit JewishVA.org/Gallery or contact Hunter Thomas, director of Arts + Ideas, at HThomas@UJFT.org.
Local artist and JCC member to be showcased in Leon Family Gallery
