Skip to main content

Mary Ellen Johnson Art

American, b. 1967

Mary Ellen Johnson is one of the foremost American photorealist painters working today whose extraordinary images of food have won her international acclaim and recognition from her many devoted followers in the U.S. and abroad. Johnson also enjoys commissions and has executed many for some of the top restaurants in the country as well as for the Canadian Government, which commissioned Johnson to paint images of 5 Canada's favorite foods to reproduce the images as stamps. Mary Ellen Johnson states, “I make the panels large to give a monumental feeling to the painting when viewed. These large images not only confront the viewer with their size but with their tremendous sense of extravagance. My work explores the deep connection that food has with humanity.” Johnson describes herself as a Precision Realist whose primary subject is food - cheesecakes, PB & J sandwiches, parfaits, pancakes, banana splits, ice cream, hot dogs, cupcakes, waffles, muscles, sushi and more. One of the leading photorealists in the country, Johnson's paintings are unequaled for their brilliance and dramatic depictions of mundane subjects with their connotations of nostalgia, comfort and tradition, but her scale, cropping and extraordinary technical skill is what renders them so overwhelmingly stunning and appealing. Johnson's paintings are acknowledged by the leading collectors in the country to represent the very best of the Photorealist tradition.

to
1
2
1
Overall Width
to
Overall Height
to
4
4
2
2
4
4
3
1
1
1
1
4
4
4
4
4
9,442
2,689
1,375
1,359
4
4
Artist: Mary Ellen Johnson
"Big Cherry Pie a la Mode" Photo-Realist Cherry Pie Slice/ Vanilla Ice Cream
By Mary Ellen Johnson
Located in Wellesley, MA
Mary Ellen Johnson is internationally recognized as one of the top Photo Realist painters working today whose extraordinary area of expertise is large-scale unimaginably realistic, stunningly beautiful, and delightful images of food. Currently available are this mouth-watering slice of cherry pie...
Category

2010s Photorealist Mary Ellen Johnson Art

Materials

Oil, Wood Panel

"Strawberry Sundae" Large Photo Realist Ptg., Ice Cream Parfait & Whipped Cream
By Mary Ellen Johnson
Located in Wellesley, MA
Mary Ellen Johnson is internationally recognized as one of the top Photo Realist painters working today whose extraordinary area of expertise is large-scale, unimaginably realistic, stunningly beautiful and delightful images of food. Currently available are this gorgeous strawberry parfait sundae, a mouth-watering slice of cherry pie with vanilla ice cream, a delicious slice of cherry cheesecake and bowl of berries with whipped cream: Mary Ellen Johnson "Strawberry Sundae" 2018 Oil on Wood Panel 39.75 x 34.25 Inches Note: This painting is framed in dark wood. The artist has also completed many commissioned food paintings including the Canadian Government's request for images of 5 of Canada's favorite foods which subsequently became stamp images - and The Cheesecake Factory's two commissions for their corporate headquarters and the owners' Malibu beach house. A quote from the artist: “I make the panels large to give a monumental feeling to the painting when viewed. These large images not only confront the viewer with their size but with their tremendous sense of extravagance. My work explores the deep connection that food has with humanity.” Mary Ellen Johnson Johnson further describes herself as a ‘Precision Realist’ whose primary subject is food. Sold works include paintings of PB & J sandwiches, pancakes with blueberries and syrup, banana splits, ice cream, hot dogs, cupcakes, waffles, muscles and sushi, among others. Unequaled for their brilliance and dramatic depictions of mundane subjects with their connotations of nostalgia, comfort and tradition, it is also her scale, cropping and over the top technical skill that renders these works so overwhelmingly appealing! MARY ELLEN JOHNSON Born: 1967, West Long Branch, NJ. Education: 1989, Ringling School of Art and Design, Sarasota ONE PERSON EXHIBITIONS: Beth Urdang...
Category

2010s Photorealist Mary Ellen Johnson Art

Materials

Oil, Wood Panel

"Cherry Cheesecake" Large Photo-Realist Painting, Slice and Bright Red Cherries
By Mary Ellen Johnson
Located in Wellesley, MA
Mary Ellen Johnson is internationally recognized as one of the top Photo Realist painters working today whose extraordinary area of expertise is large-scale, unimaginably realistic, stunningly beautiful and delightful images of food. Currently available are this delicious slice of cherry cheesecake, a slice of cherry pie with vanilla ice cream, an equally gorgeous strawberry parfait sundae, and a bowl of mixed berries with whipped cream: Mary Ellen Johnson "Cherry Cheesecake" 2010 Oil on Wood Panel 38 x 27.5 Inches Note: This painting is framed in dark wood. THE BACKGROUND IS A VERY LIGHT CREAM SOLID COLOR WITH THE SHADOW. The artist has also completed many commissioned food paintings including the Canadian Government's request for images of 5 of Canada's favorite foods which subsequently became stamp images - and The Cheesecake Factory's two commissions for their corporate headquarters and the owners' Malibu beach house. A quote from the artist: “I make the panels large to give a monumental feeling to the painting when viewed. These large images not only confront the viewer with their size but with their tremendous sense of extravagance. My work explores the deep connection that food has with humanity.” Mary Ellen Johnson Johnson further describes herself as a ‘Precision Realist’ whose primary subject is food. Sold works include paintings of PB & J sandwiches, pancakes with blueberries and syrup, banana splits, ice cream, hot dogs, cupcakes, waffles, muscles and sushi, among others. Unequaled for their brilliance and dramatic depictions of mundane subjects with their connotations of nostalgia, comfort and tradition, it is also her scale, cropping and over the top technical skill that renders these works so overwhelmingly appealing! MARY ELLEN JOHNSON Born: 1967, West Long Branch, NJ. Education: 1989, Ringling School of Art and Design, Sarasota ONE PERSON EXHIBITIONS: Beth Urdang...
Category

2010s Photorealist Mary Ellen Johnson Art

Materials

Oil, Wood Panel

"Berries and Cream" Photo-Realist Still Life 3 Fruits in Glass Compote on Blue
By Mary Ellen Johnson
Located in Wellesley, MA
Mary Ellen Johnson is internationally recognized as one of the top Photo Realist painters working today whose extraordinary area of expertise is large-scale, unimaginably realistic, stunningly beautiful and delightful images of food. Currently available is this gorgeous bowl of raspberries, blueberries and strawberries with whipped cream, a mouth-watering slice of cherry pie with vanilla ice cream, an equally amazing strawberry parfait sundae, and a delicious slice of cherry cheesecake: Mary Ellen Johnson "Berries and Cream" Oil on Wood Panel 24 x 20 Inches Note: This painting is framed in white wood. The artist has also completed many commissioned food paintings including the Canadian Government's request for images of 5 of Canada's favorite foods which subsequently became stamp images - and The Cheesecake Factory's two commissions for their corporate headquarters and the owners' Malibu beach house. A quote from the artist: “I make the panels large to give a monumental feeling to the painting when viewed. These large images not only confront the viewer with their size but with their tremendous sense of extravagance. My work explores the deep connection that food has with humanity.” Mary Ellen Johnson Johnson further describes herself as a ‘Precision Realist’ whose primary subject is food. Sold works include paintings of PB & J sandwiches, pancakes with blueberries and syrup, banana splits, ice cream, hot dogs, cupcakes, waffles, muscles and sushi, among others. Unequaled for their brilliance and dramatic depictions of mundane subjects with their connotations of nostalgia, comfort and tradition, it is also her scale, cropping and over the top technical skill that renders these works so overwhelmingly appealing! MARY ELLEN JOHNSON Born: 1967, West Long Branch, NJ. Education: 1989, Ringling School of Art and Design, Sarasota ONE PERSON EXHIBITIONS: Beth Urdang...
Category

2010s Photorealist Mary Ellen Johnson Art

Materials

Oil, Wood Panel

Related Items
"Diversity" by Karina Rodríguez, Oil Painting - Realistic Rubber Band Ball
Located in Denver, CO
Karina Rodríguez's "Diversity," rendered in oil on panel, measures 12 x 12 x 75 inches, with a framed dimension of 13.25 x 13.25 inches, ready to hang. This strikingly realistic stil...
Category

2010s Photorealist Mary Ellen Johnson Art

Materials

Oil, Panel

Revel Restaurant, Acrylic on Panel
By Charles Ford
Located in Southampton, NY
Charles Ford's work is in the permanent collection of the Museum of the City of New York. His "City Paintings" have a very realistic color palette, very true to life. His colors are...
Category

2010s Photorealist Mary Ellen Johnson Art

Materials

Acrylic, Wood Panel

"Blooming Days II" - Contemporary Still Life Oil Painting on Wood Panel
Located in Denver, CO
"The Dance" is an exquisitely detailed contemporary still life by Karina Rodríguez, rendered in oil on wood panel in 2025. This artwork is framed in a simple, black frame and is read...
Category

2010s Photorealist Mary Ellen Johnson Art

Materials

Oil, Wood Panel

"The Dance" - Contemporary Still Life Oil Painting on Wood Panel
Located in Denver, CO
"The Dance" is an exquisitely detailed contemporary still life by Karina Rodríguez, rendered in oil on wood panel in 2025. This artwork is framed in a simple, black frame and is read...
Category

2010s Photorealist Mary Ellen Johnson Art

Materials

Oil, Wood Panel

Photorealistic 'Lemons on a yellow plate' Still life oil painting of fruit
By Mark Lijftogt
Located in Shrewsbury, Shropshire
'Lemons on a Yellow Plate' is a fabulous example of Lijftogt's work. Such amazing eye for detail is what makes this piece such a knockout piece. A beautiful colour palette has been u...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Mary Ellen Johnson Art

Materials

Oil, Panel

"Cadmium MG Y Type" (Original Acrylic Painting)
By Shan Fannin
Located in Denver, CO
Shan Fannin's (US based) "Cadmium MG Y Type" is an acrylic painting that depicts a Cadmium MG Y Type. Born 1969 in California, artist Shannon “Shan” Fannin brings vehicles to life ...
Category

2010s Photorealist Mary Ellen Johnson Art

Materials

Acrylic, Wood Panel

"The Winged Alchemist" - Contemporary Still Life Oil Painting on Aluminum Panel
Located in Denver, CO
"The Winged Alchemist" is an exquisitely detailed contemporary still life by Karina Rodríguez, rendered in oil on an aluminum panel in 2025. This artwork is framed in a simple, black...
Category

2010s Photorealist Mary Ellen Johnson Art

Materials

Oil, Panel

Six Windows, Myrtle Ave (Photo-Realist Oil Painting of Classic NYC Red Building)
By Richard Britell
Located in Hudson, NY
Photo-realist oil painting of a classic red brick building exterior in New York City Oil on linen mounted on panel in a handmade walnut frame 10 x 27 x 2 inches framed Wire backing ...
Category

2010s Photorealist Mary Ellen Johnson Art

Materials

Oil, Wood Panel

"Acidulcis" (2024) By Anthony Waichulis, Original Oil Painting on Panel
By Anthony Waichulis
Located in Denver, CO
Anthony Waichulis' "Acidulcis" is an original, handmade oil still-life painting that depicts a bowl of lemons on a wooden table, with bright sunlight shining in through the partially...
Category

2010s Photorealist Mary Ellen Johnson Art

Materials

Oil, Panel

Carpenter Bee
By Patrick Nevins
Located in Denver, CO
Carpenter Bee, 2020
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Mary Ellen Johnson Art

Materials

Oil, Panel

"Clam Shells and Their Shadows" Oil Painting
Located in Denver, CO
Emma Hirst (US based) "Clam Shells and Their Shadows" is an oil painting that depicts an interior still life with six clam shells laid out on a white surfac...
Category

2010s Photorealist Mary Ellen Johnson Art

Materials

Oil, Panel

'Loquats & Chinese Bowl' Contemporary photorealist still life painting, yellow
By Barbara Vanhove
Located in Shrewsbury, Shropshire
Contemporary Still Life Painting 'Loquats & Chinese Bowl' by Barbara Vanhove. Inspired by the Dutch Masters. Barbara was born in Watermael-Boisfort in Belgium in 1974. She showed an...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Photorealist Mary Ellen Johnson Art

Materials

Oil, Panel

Previously Available Items
Pancakes with Blueberries Photo-Realist Painting of Pancakes, Syrup, Blueberry
By Mary Ellen Johnson
Located in Wellesley, MA
"Pancakes with Blueberries," 2018, Oil on Panel, 24.25 x 36.25 Inches. Mary Ellen Johnson is one of the foremost American Photo Realist painters working today whose extraordinary i...
Category

2010s Pop Art Mary Ellen Johnson Art

Materials

Oil

PB & J and Peanut Butter Jar
By Mary Ellen Johnson
Located in Wellesley, MA
"PB and J and Peanut Butter Jar" Oil on Panel, 28 x 48 Inches, is an extraordinarily realistic painting of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with a jar of pe...
Category

2010s Photorealist Mary Ellen Johnson Art

Materials

Oil, Wood Panel

Mary Ellen Johnson art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Mary Ellen Johnson art available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing the collection of art 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, pink and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by Mary Ellen Johnson in oil paint, paint, panel 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 Photorealist style. Not every interior allows for large Mary Ellen Johnson art, so small editions measuring 24 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Randy Ford, Leslie Parke, and Elena Molinari. Mary Ellen Johnson art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $6,000 and tops out at $16,500, while the average work can sell for $14,500.

Artists Similar to Mary Ellen Johnson

Recently Viewed

View All