Ken Johnson » About the Artist

Ken Johnson

Painter Of Southwestern Virginia

The busy sounds of Spring, the warm breeze of Summer, the Turning of Fall leaves and even the cold crisp days of Winter, these are parts of life that painter, Ken Johnson Has set out to capture in his paintings.

Born Kennith Lee Johnson to the late Reece B. and Ida Johnson May 5, 1947, he was the youngest of ten children. Ken begin painting in 1974 after a life changing experience with Jesus Christ, that same year Ken would meet a man that opened his eyes to SHADOW AND LIGHT, that man was the late Eric Sloane the greatest painter and writer of Early American life.

Ken and his wife Phyllis owns and operates the REAPING HOOK GALLERY AND FRAMES INC. in Wytheville Virginia where Ken grew up as a child and spent most of his life there. Ken is a pastor of MORNING STAR OUTREACH MINISTRIES, he believes that art and the gallery can be used to inspire others to reach for the unseen. Eric Sloane once told Ken, " Artist don't create they recreate". Ken believes that's what he does as a painter and gallery owner and minister, " That's my purpose" says Ken. He and wife Phyllis has one son Jamaa, a grandaughter Valencia Kenzell and daughter
in-law Amelia.

He is a member of The Associated Artists of Winston salem North Carolina, and has competed there on a national level, he has won second place in the member show there, Ken has competed in national shows as a member of The Art Depot in Abingdon Virginia at the Virginia Highland Show. He has won first place in oils and best in show at the Chautaugua Festival an event held every Summer in June. In the fall of 2004 Ken was commissioned by the town of Wytheville to reproduce the hot-air balloon painted water tower the town has been known for, into the form of a Christmas ornament that would hang on the National Capitol Christmas Tree in Washington DC, the tree was provided by the state of Virginia. Ken was chosen cover artist for the 2010 AARP Calendar, he received 6000 votes out of 9000 to win this great privilege. "I Am A Blessed Man