Fine Antique Old California Plein Air Landscape Oil Painting, ADDISON JOHNSON
This is an enchanting and Fine Antique Old California Plein Air Impressionist Landscape Oil Painting on Artist Board, by early - mid 20th century Southern California plein air painter, Addison Irwin Jonhson 1892 - 1986. This artwork depicts a bucolic, heavily forested trailside scene, with tall, sylvan growth Eucalyptus trees, a small dirt path, and a tiny, dilapidated cabin to the left side of the trail. In the distance, a dense tree line can be seen. The detail in this artwork is phenomenal and displays the hand of an immensely talented Impressionist landscape painter.
The variations of green pigment are kaleidoscopic in scope, and beggar the imagination of how someone could capture the natural beauty of this image in such a profound and realistic way. Signed and dated: "Addison Johnson'61" in the lower right corner.
Additionally, this piece bears several exhibition labels on the verso, one of which reads: Addison Johnson... Approximately 32 1/4 x 38 1/4 inches including frame.
Actual artwork is approximately 23 7/8 x 29 7/8 inches. Very good condition for age, with faint scuffing and edge wear to the original period vintage wood frame.
Acquired in Los Angeles County, California. Original paintings by this artist seldomly turn up for sale, and this is arguably one of his best oil paintings. If you like what you see, I encourage you to make an Offer. Please check out my other listings for more wonderful and unique artworks!Mission and street scene painting, landscape, mural, cartoonist. Addison Irwin Johnson (1892 - 1986) was active/lived in California, Missouri.
Addison Johnson is known for Mission and street scene painting, landscape, mural, cartoonist. Biography from Crocker Art Museum Store.
Johnson studied at the ASL of NYC under Frank DuMond (1917-18). He worked in Minneapolis before moving to Los Angeles in 1922. There he further studied at Otis Art Institute and privately with George Meicher. In 1928 he authored Peregrinations of Miss Prints Long-Johnson Printing Co.
For 24 years he had a studio in Santa Monica; however, in 1940 he briefly lived in Jackson, TN where he was a cartoonist for the Sun. Johnson made his final move to Riverside, CA in 1951. There he taught at the Art Center as well as the Moreno Valley Ass'n and March Air Force Base. Johnson died at his home in Riverside on Feb. Working in oil and watercolor, he produced plein air landscapes of the back roads and secluded areas of southern California.
Member: Santa Monica AA pres. ; Desert Art Center (Palm Springs); Riverside AA. Of Art, 1922; Mission Inn (Riverside); UC Riverside (solo); Riverside Co. In: Huntington Library (San Marino, CA); Santa Monica Medical Center (mural, Oath of Hippocrates). & AAA 1924; CA&A; SCA; WWAA 1940; DR.
Addison Johnson was a talented artist in both oils and watercolors who captured a pastoral lifestyle which is only a memory to most Californians. Farm houses, barns, children swimming in the river, deserted coastlines and quiet places in the hills and mountains of Southern California were his subjects. (left: photo of Addison Johnson). Born in Missouri, Johnson studied art with Frank Dumond at the Art Students League in New York City in 1917 and 1918. During the same time he studied privately with Kate Swope.
Johnson displayed his work at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Also in that year he moved to Santa Monica, California. There, he studied at the Otis Art Institute in Los Angeles, as well as privately with George Melcher. He lived in Santa Monica for 24 years, working as an illustrator and commercial artist.As a member of the Santa Monica Art Association, he served as vice president and treasurer during the 1930s and 1940s. This is where he met Iris Richards, a talented artist and the secretary for the Association. They were married in 1930. During WWII Johnson drew political cartoons for the Honolulu Advertiser.
In 1950 Johnson completed a mural showing the Oath of Hippocrates for the Santa Monica. In 1951 he moved with his wife and son to Riverside. There he taught at the Riverside Art Center at the same time as Milford Zornes. Visiting artists to the Art Center included Millard Sheets and Sam Malouf. Johnson also taught at the March Air Force Base and the Moreno Valley Art Association.
He was a member of the Fine Arts Guild of Riverside and the Desert Art Center of Palm Springs. Mr Johnson showed his works regularly in Riverside County, having one-man shows at the. Mission Inn, University of California, Riverside and the Paschke Gallery, also in Riverside.
He was a two time winner of the Sweepstakes Award at the Riverside County Fair and won various other awards. In addition to his painting, Mr. Johnson was an accomplished musician.
He played the role of the cowboy, guitar-player in the 1940 production of the Will Rogers Memorial Pageant. His string quartet and Hawaiian band performed at various functions and parties. Addison Johnson's work will forever capture the Southern California back roads and quiet places where he loved to spend his private time.