Today we’d like to introduce you to Marilyn Johansen.
Hi Marilyn, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
All my life I have enjoyed art. I became an elementary classroom schoolteacher after college. I had grown up in a military family and had lived all over the world. I had always dabbled with my art but in 2007 I started really getting involved in the local art community and watercolor painting. I had done oils, pastels, charcoal, and acrylic painting. I needed to invigorate my skills, so I took drawing and life study classes, painting classes, and portrait classes. I joined many local artist organizations competed in local competitions and winning prizes. Gold Coast Watercolor Society provided art workshops with national and internationally known artists. Then I started competing on a National level with State and regional organizations.
During this time my art began to take on different styles and ideas. I was encourage to do “Series” of paintings. I did a painting for my husband to honor his service in Vietnam then I started adding more and visiting relatives I had not seen in years to get more stories. These paintings got noticed and local curators that knew my work started asking for these paintings that honored our military. This series of paintings had been in many venues since 2016. It is currently at the Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport and has been there for the last six months.
I have many other series of paintings today in different styles. You can see these on my website and social media pages, www.marilynjohansen.com, FB, Instagram, and LinkedIn.–The Art of Marilyn Johansen.
In 2010 my past teaching experience and my art came together when I started teaching art at Michael’s in Fort Lauderdale. Today I teach art at Art Serve in Fort Lauderdale to adults who love art. It is a very satisfying occupation. Art Serve provides me the ability to run my own art business.
I have served as President of the Gold Coast Watercolor Society and the Florida Watercolor Society. I have been 2nd VP of the Miami Watercolor Society. I hold Signature Statues with all the local watercolor groups and many State and regional Societies.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Life comes with struggles. I see these as opportunities. My father had been a POW in WWII. His lesson to his children was we learn from adversity. I keep a positive attitude and move forward. I set goals but sometimes the best opportunities surprise me. I have not reached all my goals yet but am loving the beautiful surprises along the way.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I love to paint and compose a painting. I love the challenge of figuring the approach and how I will tackle the job. I’m drawn to various subject matter– people, scenes, birds, and stories.
I have my ‘Soldier Stories’ paintings that I am most proud of and my Generations Series of family and friends. Some of these paintings are done from heirloom photos.
My bird series is my take on all kinds of birds in the Florida area.
My Children’s series, mostly my grandchildren in all stages of life and done in surprising colors.
I love teaching too. I get so much from my students!
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
Enjoying and loving what I do! I enjoy the recognition for my work and sharing art with others.
I also have a need to share the stories. Stories of times in history and lives of people in those times.
I have recently finished a book of my memories being raised in a military family, coming out next year.
Pricing:
- Original paintings range in price from $1500-$2000
- Giclee’s depending on size $150 – $300
Contact Info:
- Website: www.marilynjohansen.com
- Instagram: artist.marilyn
- Facebook: The Art of Marilyn Johansen
