Barbed Wire, Cow Hair, and Pearls of Rain
Posted on December 17, 2015
I’m always fascinated by beauty found in unconventional places. These photos are from my uncle’s farm, where the hairs from cows reaching their necks through the barbed wire fence (to munch on the weeds on the other side) got caught and grew garnished with gossamer spider threads and miniature drops of rain.
Iphone 5s, Camera+ app (macro setting)
Night Two of “Story”–Tonight!!!
Posted on December 15, 2015
Tonight the second night of my show “Story” continues!! If you’re in the Charlotte/Lake Norman area, stop by and say “hi!” There’s more info on the Facebook invitation page.
“Story” Opens Next Tuesday!
Posted on November 13, 2015
If you’re in or near the Charlotte-Lake Norman, NC area next Tuesday evening (November 17), come see me! It’s the opening of “Story.” The opening is at Old Town Public House in Cornelius, NC and starts at 7:30 p.m. Here’s the Facebook invitation.
The name “Story” refers to the stories told by the visual images in and of themselves, the mini-fairy tale-like stories (and fables) I’ve written to accompany the Eternal Childhood series (a series that features children in fantastic, magical, or dreamlike scenarios/places), and my own account of healing childhood trauma, which I’ve never talked about publicly before. Monday will recount the beginning of my healing journey, discussing six works of art in relation to it. Discussion of more art and more of my journey will follow in two more receptions–one in December, one in January. If you’re in the area, come out!
A Followup Interview at Ennyman’s Territory
Posted on November 8, 2015
In 2010, Ed Newman interviewed me for his blog Ennyman’s Territory. I was just beginning to find my legs creatively and his interest was a huge encouragement for me. A few weeks ago he contacted me again to do a followup interview. 
It was perfect timing. It made me think once again about why I do what I do and how I do it. It even helped me think more deeply about my current show “Story” and sparked the idea of turning the receptions into a weaving of autobiography, fairy tales, and images. So, thank you once again, Ed! The new interview, which came out today, is also at Ennyman’s Territory: “Artist Melissa D Johnston Revisited.”
October Fine Art America Contest Wins and My First Solo Show!
Posted on November 2, 2015
I had two third place contest wins at Fine Art America in October!
“To Touch the Moon” won third place in the contest “Enchanted.”
“Muse” won again (!), this time a third place win in “Best Digital Art on FAA.”
But the best news is that both of these images will be part of my first solo show called “Story,” which opens Tuesday, November 17, 2015 at Old Town Public House in Cornelius, NC. The show will run for three months, and the reception will be full of “story” in both image and word form. More details coming soon!!
Apple Farm Photo and Edit Collaboration
Posted on October 18, 2015
My son Wesley took this photo at an apple farm this weekend and asked me to have some fun editing. There may be more photos and edits coming…fun!
Wesley just posted another photo from the apple farm that he also edited called Un Rêve du Natsu no Ringo. This proud mom is saying, “check it out!”
Old Photos, New Play: Back to Nature and Landscapes
Posted on October 12, 2015
I take a lot of photos with my iPhone. That’s why I have 64 GB storage. I don’t like to let very many of them go. Recently I’ve been in a landscapes mood. I’ve been scrolling through my camera roll, my fingers itching to play with expanses of nature. So I played and edited three old photos along with a new photo I took last week (“lone pole,” the last one below). Sometimes a photo I dismiss in the moment turns out, six months later, to be exactly what I wanted.
field in winter snow
barn in fog
lone fisherman
lone pole
Art Contest Win at Fine Art America
Posted on September 22, 2015
So excited to win First Prize in the Office Art Decor Sepia Art Content at Fine Art America Sunday evening! The Office Art Decor group puts together galleries of the best artwork available on Fine Art America for professional spaces. This particular contest was focused on sepia tones only. There were 277 images in the competition. The prize is a coveted space on their homepage (they choose 5 images/week and the winner of the contest gets a space automatically). So–I’m stoked! Pictured above is a screen shot of their page for this week with my image, “Muse.”
Melissa D. Johnston Art 