Ynez Johnston Art

American, 1920-2019

Frances Ynez Johnston (May 12, 1920 – 2019) was an American painter, sculptor, printmaker and educator. Her artwork is modernist and abstract with a narrative of imaginative lands or creatures, and often featuring collage. Johnston was born on May 12, 1920, in Berkeley, California. She attended University of California, Berkeley to study with Worth Ryder and received her bachelor of fine arts in 1941. She traveled to Mexico in the early 1940s to continue her studies, returning to Berkeley in 1943, earning her Masters of Fine Arts in 1946. In 1960 she married novelist and poet John Berry. In the years following she produced prints through the Tamarind Lithography Workshop. Johnston started teaching art classes at various universities and colleges in 1950 and ended teaching in 1980.[8] She began at University of California, Berkeley (1950–1951) and then continued her teaching career at Colorado Springs Fine Art Center (1954–1955), Chouinard Art Institute (1956), California State College (1966–1967, 1969, 1973), the University of Jerusalem (1967), and Otis Art Institute of Parsons School of Design (1978–1980). Her work is featured in various permanent collections including the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), the Spencer Museum of Art, the National Gallery of Art, Fullerton College, the McNay Art Museum, the University of Michigan Museum of Art, the Indianapolis Museum of Art, and others. Johnston was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1952 for fine art, which allowed her travel to Italy. In 1955–1956 she was awarded the Louis Comfort Tiffany Foundation grant for painting and printmaking, and was awarded the National Endowment for the Art (NEA) grant in 1976 and 1986. In addition to her intricate prints and paintings, Johnston also created three dimensional pieces in collaboration with her husband and with ceramic sculptor Adam Mekler. Her watercolors, oils and etchings of the 1950s and 1960s were rich with complex imagery, and displayed a disciplined, restrained use of color. In later mixed-media pieces, she examined the tactile qualities of surface. Her paintings incorporated soil, acrylic, dyes, encaustic on cloth, canvas, and raw silk. Composite forms suggest ambiguous architectural, human, animal and plant shapes. Johnston cited Persian and Indian miniatures as influences but also drew inspiration from European abstract artists Matisse, Miro, Klee and Picasso. Ynez Johnston died in 2019 in Los Angeles, California.

Artist: Ynez Johnston

Ynez JohnstonYnez Johnston 1985 Abstract Watercolor Gouache Modern Mixed Media Painting, 1985

$5,200Sale Price|20% Off

Ynez Johnston 1985 Abstract Watercolor Gouache Modern Mixed Media Painting

By Ynez Johnston

Located in Denver, CO

This original 1985 watercolor and gouache painting by celebrated American modernist Ynez Johnston is a richly layered abstract composition that reflects her highly distinctive visual...

Category

1980s Abstract Expressionist Ynez Johnston Art

Materials

Watercolor, Gouache

Ynez Johnston'Tribal Coast', Expressionist Woman artist, Museum of Modern Art, Guggenheim, 1964

$2,250

'Tribal Coast', Expressionist Woman artist, Museum of Modern Art, Guggenheim

By Ynez Johnston

Located in Santa Cruz, CA

Signed lower right, 'Ynez Johnston' (American, b. 1920) and dated 1964; additionally inscribed 'imp' lower right, titled lower center 'Tribal Coast' with number and limitation, 198/2...

Category

1960s Ynez Johnston Art

Materials

Paper, Engraving

Ynez JohnstonUNTITLED

$1,400

UNTITLED

By Ynez Johnston

Located in Portland, ME

Johnston, Ynez. UNTITLED. Etching, not dated (but likely 1950s). Edition of 20, signed in pencil and numbered 4/20. 6 7/8 x 9 inches (plate), 8 x 10 5/8 inches (sheet). In excellent ...

Category

1950s Ynez Johnston Art

Materials

Etching

Ynez JohnstonYnez Johnston Acrylic on Canvas, 1993 - "White Island", 1993

$12,400Sale Price|20% Off

Ynez Johnston Acrylic on Canvas, 1993 - "White Island"

By Ynez Johnston

Located in Phoenix, AZ

Ynez Johnston (1820 - 2019). Original Acrylic on Canvas, created 1993. Titled: “White Island.” Signed, dated and titled on the verso. The painting measures 24"h x 18"w. The frame ...

Category

Late 20th Century Ynez Johnston Art

Materials

Acrylic

Ynez JohnstonDYNASTIC SCENE

$1,800

DYNASTIC SCENE

By Ynez Johnston

Located in Portland, ME

Johnston, Ynez (American, 1920-2019). DYNASTIC SCENE. Colored etching, not dated. Edition of 50, numbered, titled, and signed in pencil. 11 3/4 x 8 5/8 inches (Plate), 16 1/2 x 12 3/...

Category

Mid-20th Century Ynez Johnston Art

Materials

Etching

Brice MardenCeladon Muse, 2003

$20,000

H 22 in W 30 in

Celadon Muse

By Brice Marden

Located in New York, NY

Brice Marden Celadon Muse 2003 Two color etching / one color lithograph 22 x 30 inches; 56 x 76 cm Edition of 45 Signed, dated, and numbered in graphite (lower recto) Frame available...

Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Ynez Johnston Art

Materials

Etching, Lithograph

Karina Gentinetta"Divine Spontaneity II" Acrylic, Oil Pastels, Pencils Abstract Painting 48"x36", 2023

$11,000

H 49.5 in W 37.5 in D 2.5 in

"Divine Spontaneity II" Acrylic, Oil Pastels, Pencils Abstract Painting 48"x36"

By Karina Gentinetta

Located in New York, NY

"Divine Spontaneity II" 2023, 48" H x 36" W. Vertical abstract painting consisting of acrylics, house paint, oil pastels, color pencils, and carbon pencils on canvas by Argentine-bo...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Expressionist Ynez Johnston Art

Materials

House Paint, Acrylic, Carbon Pencil, Oil Pastel, Color Pencil

Craig McPhersonOcean Terminal I Mezzotint Print, Contemporary, Signed, Ed 45, 1990s, 1994

$3,400

H 29.88 in W 30 in

Ocean Terminal I Mezzotint Print, Contemporary, Signed, Ed 45, 1990s

By Craig McPherson

Located in New Orleans, LA

Craig McPherson captures a night view of the neon lights from commercial signs reflected in the water at Ocean Terminal in Kowloon, as seen from the terminal of the Star Ferry to cen...

Category

1990s Contemporary Ynez Johnston Art

Materials

Mezzotint

Karina Gentinetta"Adagio in Burnt Umber" Acrylic, Oil Pastels, Pencils Brown Hue Abstract 72"x60", 2025

$20,000

H 73.5 in W 61.5 in D 3 in

"Adagio in Burnt Umber" Acrylic, Oil Pastels, Pencils Brown Hue Abstract 72"x60"

By Karina Gentinetta

Located in New York, NY

"Adagio in Burnt Umber" 2025, 72" H x 60" W. Abstract, mixed media painting consisting of acrylic, pencils, and oil pastels on canvas by Argentine-born artist Karina Gentinetta (feat...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Expressionist Ynez Johnston Art

Materials

Oil Pastel, Acrylic, Carbon Pencil, Color Pencil

Karina Gentinetta"Ranunculus II" Large Acrylic, Oil Pastels, Pencils Blush Rose Abstract 84"x60", 2024

$28,000

H 85.5 in W 61.5 in D 2.5 in

"Ranunculus II" Large Acrylic, Oil Pastels, Pencils Blush Rose Abstract 84"x60"

By Karina Gentinetta

Located in New York, NY

"Ranunculus II", 2024, 84" H x 60" W. Large-scale abstract painting in hues of blush crimson consisting of acrylic, pencils, and oil pastels on canvas by Argentine-born artist Karina...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Expressionist Ynez Johnston Art

Materials

Oil Pastel, Acrylic, Carbon Pencil, Color Pencil

Karina Gentinetta"Verdigris" Large Scale Acrylic, Oil Pastels and Pencils Green Abstract 84"x60", 2025

$28,000

H 85.5 in W 61.5 in D 2.5 in

"Verdigris" Large Scale Acrylic, Oil Pastels and Pencils Green Abstract 84"x60"

By Karina Gentinetta

Located in New York, NY

"Verdigris" 2025, 84" H x 60" W. A captivating large-scale abstract painting by Argentine-born artist Karina Gentinetta, renowned for her work featured in Architectural Digest, Elle...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Expressionist Ynez Johnston Art

Materials

Oil Pastel, Acrylic, Carbon Pencil, Color Pencil

Karina Gentinetta"Rhapsody in Red" Large-Scale Acrylic, Oil Pastels, Pencils Abstract 72"x60", 2025

$20,000

H 73.5 in W 61.5 in D 2.5 in

"Rhapsody in Red" Large-Scale Acrylic, Oil Pastels, Pencils Abstract 72"x60"

By Karina Gentinetta

Located in New York, NY

"Rhapsody in Red", 2025, 72" H x 60" W. Large-scale abstract painting in hues of a warm, desaturated crimson consisting of acrylic, pencils, and oil pastels on canvas by Argentine-bo...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Expressionist Ynez Johnston Art

Materials

Oil Pastel, Acrylic, Carbon Pencil, Color Pencil

Salvador DalíBaignoire à tornade liquide (Michler/Löpsinger 822-831; Field 75-13), 1975

$6,000Sale Price|20% Off

H 28.5 in W 21 in

Baignoire à tornade liquide (Michler/Löpsinger 822-831; Field 75-13)

By Salvador Dalí

Located in Fairfield, CT

Artist: Salvador Dali (1904-1989) Title: Baignoire à tornade liquide (Michler/Löpsinger 822-831; Field 75-13), Imaginations et Objets du Futur (Liquid tornado bathtub, Imaginations a...

Category

1970s Surrealist Ynez Johnston Art

Materials

Mixed Media, Lithograph, Drypoint, Screen

Karina Gentinetta"Earth Tone" Acrylics in Raw Sienna and Brown Tones Abstract Painting 42" x 28", 2025

$9,600

H 42 in W 28 in D 1 in

"Earth Tone" Acrylics in Raw Sienna and Brown Tones Abstract Painting 42" x 28"

By Karina Gentinetta

Located in New York, NY

"Earth Tones" 2025, 42" H x 28" W (framed - unframed, it measures 40.5" x 26.5") Abstract, vertical orientation abstract painting consisting of acrylics and part of the new "Earthen...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Expressionist Ynez Johnston Art

Materials

Acrylic

Robert NatkinRobert Natkin - unique early painting on historic Wells Street Gall. card Framed, 1957

$15,000

H 5.25 in W 8.25 in

Robert Natkin - unique early painting on historic Wells Street Gall. card Framed

By Robert Natkin

Located in New York, NY

Unique historic work Hand signed and dated on the front An exceptionally early gouache from 1957, executed on the verso of a Wells Street Gallery invitation card - one of the first c...

Category

1950s Abstract Expressionist Ynez Johnston Art

Materials

Watercolor, Gouache

Glenn BrownIncredible framed artwork by contemporary artist (after Rembrandt) monochrome, 2017

$8,502

H 35.12 in W 26.82 in D 1.58 in

Incredible framed artwork by contemporary artist (after Rembrandt) monochrome

By Glenn Brown

Located in London, GB

This is a truly stunning work by contemporary great, Glenn Brown. This work is an Artist Proof, one of only 12 created. The frame is handmade by famous London framers, Darbyshire. I...

Category

2010s Abstract Expressionist Ynez Johnston Art

Materials

Paper, Etching

Jasper JohnsUntitled, 2010

$30,000

H 19 in W 21.5 in

Untitled

By Jasper Johns

Located in New York, NY

Jasper Johns Untitled 2010 Intaglio on Revere Standard White 19 x 21 1/2 inches 48 x 55 cm Edition of 50 Signed, dated, and numbered in graphite (lower recto) Frame available upon request Available from Matthew Marks Gallery...

Category

2010s Contemporary Ynez Johnston Art

Materials

Intaglio, Etching

Previously Available Items

Ynez JohnstonTHE COSMIC MOUNTAIN, 1981

Sold

H 28 in W 22 in

THE COSMIC MOUNTAIN

By Ynez Johnston

Located in Portland, ME

Johnston, Ynez. THE COSMIC MOUNTAIN. Etching in colors printed from two plates, 1981. Edition of 100, numbered 64/100, titled, signed, and dated, all in pencil. 18 x 11 3/4 inches (o...

Category

1980s Abstract Ynez Johnston Art

Materials

Etching

Ynez JohnstonUNTITLED

Sold

H 10 in W 25 in D 1 in

UNTITLED

By Ynez Johnston

Located in Portland, ME

Johnston, Ynez (American, 1920-2019). UNTITLED. Color woodcut, not dated. Edition size, if any, not known. Inscriibed "Trial Proof" in the left margin, and signed in pencil in the lo...

Category

Mid-20th Century Ynez Johnston Art

Materials

Lithograph

Ynez JohnstonTHE TROJAN WAR, about 1954

Sold

H 12.5 in D 17.75 in

THE TROJAN WAR

By Ynez Johnston

Located in Santa Monica, CA

YNEZ JOHNSTON (b. 1920 - ) THE TROJAN WAR c. 1954 Color etching, Signed, titled and numbered 15/35 in pencil. 12 1/2 x 17 3/4, sheet ...

Category

1950s Abstract Expressionist Ynez Johnston Art

Materials

Intaglio

Ynez JohnstonTHE SPANISH MAIN, 1963

Sold

H 24 in W 18 in

THE SPANISH MAIN

By Ynez Johnston

Located in Portland, ME

Johnston, Ynez (American, born 1920). THE SPANISH MAIN. Etching and aquatint in colors, 1963. Edition of 35, signed, titled, numbered 1/35 and dated, all in pencil. Printed on laid p...

Category

1960s Ynez Johnston Art

Materials

Etching, Aquatint

Ynez JohnstonUntitled, 1948

Sold

H 21.25 in W 26.75 in D 0.75 in

Untitled

By Ynez Johnston

Located in Denver, CO

Mixed media on paper. Presented in a custom frame, outer dimensions measure 21 ¼ x 26 ¾ x ¾ inches. Image size is 13 ¼ x 19 ¼ inches. A native of Berkeley, Johnston's artistic talent received encouragement from her family who enrolled her in Saturday classes at the California College of Arts in Oakland with excursions to the de Young Memorial Museum in San Francisco. In 1941 she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of California at Berkeley and the Bertha B. Taussig Memorial Award for the outstanding graduate in fine arts. Her instructors Worth Ryder, Erle Lorain and Margaret...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern Ynez Johnston Art

Materials

Mixed Media

Ynez JohnstonTHE COSMIC MOUNTAIN, 1981

Sold

H 28 in W 22 in

THE COSMIC MOUNTAIN

By Ynez Johnston

Located in Portland, ME

Johnston, Ynez. THE COSMIC MOUNTAIN. Etching in colors printed from two plates, 1981. Edition of 100, numbered 64/100, titled, signed, and dated, all in pencil. 18 x 11 3/4 inches (o...

Category

1980s Abstract Ynez Johnston Art

Materials

Etching

Ynez JohnstonTHE TROJAN WAR

Sold

H 16 in W 24 in

THE TROJAN WAR

By Ynez Johnston

Located in Portland, ME

Johnston, Ynez. THE TROJAN WAR. Etching, aquatint in colors, not dated. Edition of 35, numbered 1/35, and titled and signed, all in pencil. 12 1/2 in x 17 ...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern Ynez Johnston Art

Materials

Etching, Aquatint

Ynez JohnstonSTORM at SEA, 1955

Sold

H 19.75 in W 13.25 in

STORM at SEA

By Ynez Johnston

Located in Santa Monica, CA

YNEZ JOHNSTON (b.1920- ) STORM AT SEA c. 1955 mixed deep intaglio, signed and numbered edition 55. 19 ¾ x 13 ¼”. Image good, color...

Category

1950s Abstract Geometric Ynez Johnston Art

Materials

Intaglio

Ynez JohnstonUNTITLED, c.1950

Sold

H 6.875 in W 9 in

UNTITLED

By Ynez Johnston

Located in Santa Monica, CA

YNEZ JOHNSTON (b. 1920) UNTITLED c. 1950. Etching with plate tone. 6 7/8 x 9. Signed and numbered in pencil 4/20. Rare early work by Johnston. $800 ...

Category

1950s Surrealist Ynez Johnston Art

Materials

Etching

Ynez JohnstonUNTITLED, c. 1950

Sold

H 5.875 in W 7.875 in

UNTITLED

By Ynez Johnston

Located in Santa Monica, CA

YNEZ JOHNSTON (b. 1920) UNTITLED Etching with plate tone. Signed in pencil no. 3/10? in pencil. 5 7/8 x 7 7/8. Very rare early work by Johnston, possibly as e...

Category

1950s Surrealist Ynez Johnston Art

Materials

Etching

Ynez Johnston art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Ynez Johnston 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 pink and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by Ynez Johnston in etching, paper, engraving and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the abstract style. Not every interior allows for large Ynez Johnston art, so small editions measuring 15 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Leonard Edmondson, August Mosca, and Nancy Genn. Ynez Johnston art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,100 and tops out at $9,500, while the average work can sell for $1,800.