Rose Johnson was an artist who's work inspired people, with her use of oils in figurative paintings, that often told storybooks and " truly came out of her soul".
Her paintings and murals alike brought "happiness to color"  with a little bit of mischief thrown in for fun.
The dancers, the dreamers and the whimsical look at life from her homeland of England to the southwest, gave originality setting her apart from others merely looking  for formulas in their work.
The great series on the electric buses for example totally contrast the powerful mural of the "Prayer of Saint Francis " on the wall  surrounding 16th and Thomas block of a mortuary in Phoenix.
Roses' last series and I believe her personal favorite, "Beautiful Bali" were created for a show that we had a year ago, celebrating her love of the spirit, people and place of Bali.
It was her lifelong dream to go to Bali, and there she found much love and peace, with renewed inspiration for her  work. She even tried to get me to open a gallery to sell her work there !

She will be remembered for her kindness to others,  her generous spirit and the power her paintings had, and still have among her many and varied collectors. I believe that many called her friend.
But as for me, I guess I remember the fun she and I had, brewing up a new show, or theme for a series together, and enjoying her excitement together over the continual growth in her work.
I hope it doesn't sound trite to say that Rose Johnson was an artist who's life work truly will live on, bringing hope, joy and happiness to its beholder.

We will honor Rose Johnson in our gallery at 29 Main Street Bisbee Az this Sunday at 2pm. All are welcome to share a thought, a prayer or a song, or a special memory about the lovely Rose of Bisbee.

Jane Hamilton June 3, 2009

 

Having just reviewed  last year's blessings... I was thinking about how fun it would be to write our own histories. Our own story  that creates the who we are today, from the where we were before.... Sometimes when I look at art with people I see them look for meaning beyond and through the colors they see. Recently, a lady was staring at a great painting by one of my artists Billy Blomquist  called "Pelican" when she said, " neither one is flying, even though they both could move ( or fly or soar). They  both, the Angel and the Pelican are standing still. What do you think ? HAPPY NEW YEAR...


Don Swanson bowl gets shipped to famous restaurant in FRANCE !! Where art reverses life ? Tucson artist Don Swanson's lovely country french  pattern bowl was shipped to France, by a collector of the gallery who wanted to give a gift to a restaurant in Fleurie, France where a great meal was enjoyed.... The  US post office can't be beat for overseas shipping !