ART
Paintings by: M.E.
Mary Ellen Johnson is an American photorealist painter whose extraordinary images of food have won her international acclaim and recognition in the U.S. and abroad. “I make the paintings large to give a monumental feeling when viewed.” These substantial images not only confront the viewer with their size but also with their tremendous sense of indulgence. “My work explores the deep connection that food has with humanity.” Johnson describes herself as a Precision Realist whose primary subject is food: cheesecakes, PB & J sandwiches, parfaits, pancakes, banana splits, ice cream, hot dogs, cupcakes, waffles, mussels, sushi, and more. One of the leading photorealists in the country, Johnson's paintings are unequaled for their brilliance and dramatic depictions of mundane subjects with connotations of nostalgia, comfort, and tradition. However, her scale, cropping, and extraordinary technical skill are what render them so overwhelmingly stunning and appealing. Johnson's paintings are acknowledged by the leading collectors in the country to represent the very best of the Photorealist tradition.
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“Mary Ellen Johnson’s mouth watering oil painting “Big Blueberry Cheese Cake” is a remarkable feat”
Cate McQuaid, The Boston Globe
“Take a bite out of these hyper real food paintings. Mary Ellen Johnson creates oil paintings of food that look good enough to eat!”
Ann Gripper, Daily Mirror
“These extravagant images are sure to cause stomachs to growl”
Evelyne Politanoff, Huffington Post
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MARY ELLEN JOHNSON
Born: October 6, 1967; West Long Branch, NJ
Resides: Hartsville, SC
Education: 1988-89 Ringling School of Art and Design, Sarasota, FL
Solo Exhibitions:
2012 O.K. Harris Works of Art, New York, NY
2011 Big Food: Mary Ellen Johnson Exhibition Watts Fine Art, Zionsville, IN
Group Exhibitions:
2017 Feast Your Eyes Franklin G. Burroughs-Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum in Myrtle Beach, SC
2017 Food Beth Urdang, Boston, MA
2017 Attention to Detail Robert Lange Studios, Charleston, SC
2016 Food Beth Urdang, Boston, MA
2015 Fluent The Vendue, Charleston, SC
2014 National Contemporary Realism M.A. Doran Gallery, Tulsa, OK
2014 Summer Selections Beth Urdang Gallery, Boston, MA
2014 Verisimilitude Curator’s Gallery, New York, New York
2014 Just Desserts Beth Urdang Gallery, Boston, MA
2013 National Contemporary Realism M.A. Doran Gallery, Tulsa, OK
2012 Photorealism Galerie De Bellefeuille, Montreal, Canada
2011 The Still Life Elliott Fouts Gallery, Sacramento, CA2011
2011 National Contemporary Realism M.A. Doran Gallery, Tulsa, OK
2011 Pop & After; 1964-2010 Beth Urdang Gallery, Boston, MA
2010 The Pink Exhibit Jean and James Fort Gallery, Hartsville, SC
2010 Summeryview Group Exhibition O.K. Harris Works of Art, New York, New York
2009 The Johnson Family, Jean and James Fort Gallery, Hartsville, SC
Publications:
The Artist's Magazine “plated to paint” McKenzie Graham, September 2014
Soura Magazine "Mary Ellen Johnson Nostalgic Flavors” Marwa R. Abou Naja, Vol 1 Issue 37 2014
Missy Magazine “Essen ist fertig!” Hedi Lusser, February 2013
Daily Mirror "Take a Bite out of Hyper-real Food Painting" Ann Gripper, March 28 2012
20 Minutos :Suculentos Postre Al Oleo" Helena Celdrån March 07 2012
Southwest Art Magazine “From Apple To Umami” December 2011
American Art Collector “The Art of Composing” October 2011
Boston Globe “Playing with food” Cate McQuaid , March 16, 2011
She Magazine “Art & Soul - Mary Ellen Johnson”, Nov 2010
American Art Collector “Artist Focus: Mary Ellen Johnson”, Oct 2010, p. 233
Poets & Artists, “Mary Ellen Johnson” Vol. 3, No. 4, May 2010, p. 68-77.
The Messenger, “Johnson Family Gallery Opening” (photos) Ardie Arvidson, September 9, 2009, p. 1B.
The Messenger, "The Johnsons: A Family of Artists", Ardie Arvidson, September 2, 2009.
Morning News, "Artists Inseparable in Life’s Works", Dwight Dana, July 10, 2007.
TV:
Palmetto People, “Big Food – Mary Ellen Johnson” Richard Green, July 19, 2010
WBTW News13, Bob Juback, May 17, 2010 6 O’clock news
Websites/Blogs:
Artist A Day Geoff Pitchford "Mary Ellen Johnson" March 30, 2012
Huffington Post Evelyne Politanoff "Pantagruelian And Decadent -- Mary Ellen Johnson's Paintings Of Big Food," Feb. 16, .2012
Juxtapoz Evan Pricco "Photorealistic Food Paintings by Mary Ellen Johnson", April 09, 2012
Stylist "Art For Foodies" Anna Brech, March 26. 2012
Awards:
2011 Visual Artist of Year, Black Creek Art Council
1993 Best of Show, Juried Exhibition Kalmia Arts Festival, Kalmia Arts Council, Kalmia Gardens, Hartsville, SC
