Ynez Johnston Abstract Paintings

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 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 Abstract Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

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 Abstract Paintings

Materials

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

Peter KeilColorful Portrait Painting on Board by Peter Keil w Tiffany Blue Background, 20th Century

$464Sale Price|45% Off

H 24 in W 16 in D 0.25 in

Colorful Portrait Painting on Board by Peter Keil w Tiffany Blue Background

By Peter Keil

Located in Hudson, NY

This modern abstract painting by Peter Keil is on a smooth masonite board with a painted Tiffany Blue background, black abstract portrait. Here you ...

Category

Late 20th Century Abstract Ynez Johnston Abstract Paintings

Materials

Masonite, Acrylic, Board

Juanita Bellavance It was a misty day, Contemporary landscape, seafoam, ethereal abstract,, 2022

$2,400Sale Price|20% Off

H 48 in W 48 in D 1.5 in

It was a misty day, Contemporary landscape, seafoam, ethereal abstract,

By Juanita Bellavance

Located in Cumming, GA

This painting has emerged over several years. Each iteration is wonderful and better than the last. it is in my favorite stage so far. I love how it has so much history behind it....

Category

2010s Abstract Impressionist Ynez Johnston Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Juanita Bellavance Sense of spirit, From the Chestatee River portfolio, contemporary water, blue, 2021

$2,800Sale Price|20% Off

H 60 in W 48 in D 1.5 in

Sense of spirit, From the Chestatee River portfolio, contemporary water, blue

By Juanita Bellavance

Located in Cumming, GA

Contemporary abstract painting from a riverscape perspective. The blue water would also be lovely in a Florida home. A contemplative sense of peace and ...

Category

2010s Abstract Impressionist Ynez Johnston Abstract Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

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 Abstract Paintings

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 Abstract Paintings

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 Abstract Paintings

Materials

Oil Pastel, Acrylic, Carbon Pencil, Color Pencil

Nicholas Evans"It Trails You" (contemporary, original painting, pattern, abstract, bold), 2025

$580

H 19.69 in W 15.75 in D 0.99 in

"It Trails You" (contemporary, original painting, pattern, abstract, bold)

By Nicholas Evans

Located in Paris, IDF

IT TRAILS YOU 2025 Paris, France This bold abstract oil painting on natural linen canvas uses a single deep dark green-blue color applied in thick, fluid layers. The paint creates l...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Ynez Johnston Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

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 Abstract Paintings

Materials

Acrylic

Juanita Bellavance Bay Area 6, neutral green, abstract, expressionism water, 2019

$960Sale Price|20% Off

H 24 in W 24 in D 1.5 in

Bay Area 6, neutral green, abstract, expressionism water

By Juanita Bellavance

Located in Cumming, GA

“Bay Area 6” 24 x 24 inches is a one-of-a-kind original, modern seascape impressionist painting by Juanita Bellavance. In this nature inspired p...

Category

2010s Abstract Impressionist Ynez Johnston Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Peter KeilColorful Portrait Painting on Board by Peter Keil, 20th Century

$464Sale Price|45% Off

H 24 in W 16 in D 0.25 in

Colorful Portrait Painting on Board by Peter Keil

By Peter Keil

Located in Hudson, NY

This modern abstract painting by Peter Keil is on a smooth masonite board with a painted grey background, black abstract portrait with many colors. Here you certainly see the Picasso...

Category

Late 20th Century Abstract Ynez Johnston Abstract Paintings

Materials

Masonite, Acrylic, Board

Juanita Bellavance Variation 11, pink, white, nature inspired leaf composition seems floral, 2022

$960Sale Price|20% Off

H 24 in W 24 in D 1.5 in

Variation 11, pink, white, nature inspired leaf composition seems floral

By Juanita Bellavance

Located in Cumming, GA

Pink, white, gray original abstract painting. Large scale leaves on 24 x 24 inch canvas.

Category

2010s Abstract Impressionist Ynez Johnston Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Ynez Johnston abstract paintings for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Ynez Johnston abstract paintings available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Ynez Johnston in mixed media, paint, paper and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 1950s and is mostly associated with the abstract style. Not every interior allows for large Ynez Johnston abstract paintings, so small editions measuring 18 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of James Havard, Martha Rea Baker, and Rex Ashlock. Ynez Johnston abstract paintings prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $9,500 and tops out at $9,500, while the average work can sell for $9,500.