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Clay Johnson Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

American, b. 1963
Clay Johnson is an American abstract painter whose reductivist compositions explore the relationships between color, form, and texture. He lives and works in Laramie, Wyoming. Johnson earned his B.A. in studio art and art history from Duke University in 1985. Afterwards, he worked as studio manager for the painter Robert Natkin. Says Johnson, “Most of what I know about painting I learned from Bob.” The technique Johnson employs is extremely rigorous, involving, as he says, “pushing paint around with palette knives and drywall tools rather than brushes.” Johnson has exhibited in numerous group and solo exhibitions throughout the United States. His work is in the collections of the Kimpton Corporation and the University of Wyoming Art Museum, among others. The scraping and sanding creates a variety of different textures and leads to the emergence of unexpected forms. Because of the intensity of his method he prefers rigid surfaces, such as wood and aluminum panels, though he sometimes also works on paper and canvas stretched over panels. He prefers acrylic paint because of its fast drying time, which allows him to react quickly as the layers evolve towards a sense of completion.
(Biography provided by IdeelArt)
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Artist: Clay Johnson
Abstract Work on Paper by Clay Johnson, Untitled (#721)
By Clay Johnson
Located in White Plains, NY
'Untitled (#721)' 2023 by American artist, Clay Johnson. Acrylic on Arches paper, 20 x 16 in. This colorful abstract painting features bands of colors in red, yellow beige, white, an...
Category

2010s Abstract Clay Johnson Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Acrylic, Archival Paper

Abstract Work on Paper by Clay Johnson, Untitled (#725)
By Clay Johnson
Located in White Plains, NY
'Untitled (#725)' 2023 by American artist, Clay Johnson. Acrylic on Arches paper, 20 x 16 in. This colorful abstract painting features bands of colors in orange, red, pink, white, an...
Category

2010s Abstract Clay Johnson Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Acrylic, Archival Paper

Abstract Work on Paper by Clay Johnson, Untitled (#727)
By Clay Johnson
Located in White Plains, NY
'Untitled (#727)' 2023 by American artist, Clay Johnson. Acrylic on Arches paper, 20 x 16 in. This colorful abstract painting features bands of colors in red, blue, beige, orange, pi...
Category

2010s Abstract Clay Johnson Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Acrylic, Archival Paper

Abstract Work on Paper by Clay Johnson, Untitled (#708)
By Clay Johnson
Located in White Plains, NY
'Untitled (#708)' 2023 by American artist, Clay Johnson. Acrylic on Arches paper, 22 x 30 in. This colorful abstract painting features bands of colors in cobalt blue, light blue, bei...
Category

2010s Abstract Clay Johnson Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Acrylic, Archival Paper

Untitled 559 (Abstract painting)
By Clay Johnson
Located in London, GB
Untitled 559 (Abstract painting) Acrylic on paper - Unframed. The technique Johnson employs is extremely rigorous, involving, as he says, “pushing paint around with palette knives ...
Category

2010s Abstract Clay Johnson Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Acrylic

Untitled 557 (Abstract painting)
By Clay Johnson
Located in London, GB
Untitled 557 (Abstract painting) Acrylic on paper - Unframed. The technique Johnson employs is extremely rigorous, involving, as he says, “pushing paint around with palette knives ...
Category

2010s Abstract Clay Johnson Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Acrylic

Untitled 560 (Abstract painting)
By Clay Johnson
Located in London, GB
Untitled 560 (Abstract painting) Acrylic on paper - Unframed. The technique Johnson employs is extremely rigorous, involving, as he says, “pushing paint around with palette knives ...
Category

2010s Abstract Clay Johnson Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Acrylic, Paper

Untitled 559 (Abstract painting)
By Clay Johnson
Located in London, GB
Untitled 559 (Abstract painting) Acrylic on paper - Unframed. The technique Johnson employs is extremely rigorous, involving, as he says, “pushing paint around with palette knives ...
Category

2010s Abstract Clay Johnson Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Acrylic

Untitled 557 (Abstract painting)
By Clay Johnson
Located in London, GB
Untitled 557 (Abstract painting) Acrylic on paper - Unframed. The technique Johnson employs is extremely rigorous, involving, as he says, “pushing paint around with palette knives ...
Category

2010s Abstract Clay Johnson Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Acrylic

Untitled 560 (Abstract painting)
By Clay Johnson
Located in London, GB
Untitled 560 (Abstract painting) Acrylic on paper - Unframed. The technique Johnson employs is extremely rigorous, involving, as he says, “pushing paint around with palette knives ...
Category

2010s Abstract Clay Johnson Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Acrylic

Untitled 559 (Abstract painting)
By Clay Johnson
Located in London, GB
Untitled 559 (Abstract painting) Acrylic on paper - Unframed. The technique Johnson employs is extremely rigorous, involving, as he says, “pushing paint around with palette knives ...
Category

2010s Abstract Clay Johnson Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Acrylic

Untitled 560 (Abstract painting)
By Clay Johnson
Located in London, GB
Acrylic on paper - Unframed. The technique Johnson employs is extremely rigorous, involving, as he says, “pushing paint around with palette knives and drywall tools rather than brus...
Category

2010s Abstract Clay Johnson Abstract Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Acrylic

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Previously Available Items
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Clay Johnson abstract drawings and watercolors for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Clay Johnson abstract drawings and watercolors available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing the collection of abstract drawings and watercolors to introduce a pop of color in a neutral corner of your living room or bedroom, you can find work that includes elements of blue and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by Clay Johnson in acrylic paint, paint, paper and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 21st century and contemporary and is mostly associated with the abstract style. Not every interior allows for large Clay Johnson abstract drawings and watercolors, so small editions measuring 16 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Donise English, Andra Samelson, and Xanda McCagg. Clay Johnson abstract drawings and watercolors prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,600 and tops out at $2,800, while the average work can sell for $2,230.

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