Artists Paints From Childhood Memories

Johanna Wright is a painter and illustrator living in Portland, Oregon. She attended Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington where she studied puppetry and children's books.  After graduation, she moved to Brooklyn, New York where I sold her paintings on the street for many years. "I learned a lot during that time, and that experience gave me a taste of what it felt like to make a living from my art. I liked it!", said Johanna.

Where do you draw inspiration for art?

Mostly from childhood memories, nature, and the kids in my life. I moved back to Oregon a few years ago (where I spent my childhood) after living in Brooklyn for nine years. When I came back here, it was somehow really easy to slip into the way I viewed things when I was younger. Especially nature, which is why you see so many trees in my art. I used to love to imagine other worlds that lived in the trees or the grass or the woods. Now I get to paint them!

Describe your best selling items and your favorite experience with your profession?

My favorite experiences are usually at something like the Renegade Craft Fair, or Crafty Wonderland here in Portland, where I get to connect directly to the folks that are interested in my art. I love it when something I've made resonates with someone. It's the best when someone gasps and grabs a painting, and identifies with it on a level that seems deeper than just wanting something pretty to hang in their homes.  That's the best feeling for me as an artist.

What are your plans for the future?

Well, my first children's book The Secret Circus, is being released in the spring, so I'm looking forward to that. I'm going to be working on two more children's books next year that will be in stores in 2010, but otherwise, I really hope to expand my business. I would love to start a line of cards next year, and add more prints to my store. That would be the best.

Visit http://www.johannawright.com  Portland, Oregon