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Krista Lee Johnson - Painting and Portraits in Oil - Minneapolis
The paintings of Krista Lee Johnson showcase her exquisite technique and deeply expressive style. As she describes it, her portraiture "goes beyond a physical representation to a reflection of intangible character and spirit."
Trained in classical and contemporary realism, Krista has created a distinctive style blending aspects of her classical training with her more impressionistic sensibilities. She paints the center of interest in a painting in a higher degree of focus, leaving the background looser and less defined. The result is that, from near or far, the subject appears more lifelike. Her composition and remarkable use of light and shadow -- a defining characteristic of her work -- guide the viewer naturally to the essence of her paintings.
Krista studied for four years at Atelier Lack, where director Richard Lack adhered to the rigorous training he acquired at the Boston School, whose lineage and techniques can be traced back to the French Ateliers of the 18th and 19th centuries. The Boston School consisted of painters such as Frank Benson, William Paxton, and Edmund Tarbell. Before that, she spent a year in Florence, Italy studying the works of the old masters first hand. Krista graduated from Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts in 1985 with degrees in Studio Arts and Italian Language.
A native Minnesotan, Krista began her studies at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts and the Minnetonka Center for The Arts. She opened her first studio in St. Paul in 1990, and now lives and works in Wayzata, a short distance from Minneapolis/St. Paul.
Krista views her children's portraiture, in particular, as gifts to future generations, and she hopes they bring even more pleasure when these children are parents and grandparents.
In beginning a portrait, I like to meet with the client and discuss possible settings, clothing and size of work. We then set a date for me to take photographs, typically about 100 pictures. I do the photography myself because it gives me a chance to interact with the subject. While spending this time together, a naturalness will begin to emerge, allowing me to know this person more fully and help me to better capture their character in the painting.
Next, the client and I meet to review the photos and decide which image or combination of images will be used for the painting. I begin the painting directly on the canvas because I feel it gives more life and energy. I invite the subject and those closest to the subject, such as parents or partners, to critique the progress of the painting. This input helps me capture a true personality and likeness. To me, a likeness is not just a physical representation but a reflection of intangible character and spirit.
| PORTRAIT FEES - Oil on Linen | |
| Portrait bust | $2000 |
| Portrait bust with hands | 2750 |
| Basic 3/4 length | 3500 |
| Full length | 4500 |
Prices shown are base prices only. Add 50% for additional figures and 25% for animals; elaborate backgrounds may be negotiated. The client pays all travel-related expenses and taxes. Prices do not include framing or shipping, if necessary, of the finished work. In keeping with standard portrait practice, a 50% down payment is required to begin the painting. If the work is not acceptable to the client, for any reason, the client may cancel at any time. Should this occur, the artist is entitled to keep the down payment and will retain ownership of the painting.
Krista Lee Johnson
952.404.2030
Email: krista @ [this web site].com
Web site and all images are © Copyright 2005 by Krista Lee Johnson
Click any image for a larger view
Web site and all images are © Copyright 2005 by Krista Lee Johnson