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Modern Portrait Painting
Community Remains, BFA thesis
Many of Tali's portrait sitters have expressed how the intimate process of being painted was profoundly therapeutic. The portrait session is usually relaxing and self-affirming. Tali is uniquely committed to making commissioned portraits affordable and accessible. Her roll as a portraitist takes in many forms depending on the needs of her sitters. Indeed she’s inspired by concepts embedded within the study of sociology, anthropology, and psychology: “As I listen to these extraordinary women and men tell their life stories, I play many roles. I am a mirror that reflects back their pain, their fears, and their victories. I am also the inquirer who asks the sometimes difficult questions, who searches for evidence and patterns. I am the companion on the journey, bringing my own story to the encounter, making possible an interpretive collaboration. I am the audience who listens, laughs, weeps, and applauds. I am the spider woman spinning their tales. Occasionally, I am the therapist who offers catharsis, support, and challenge, and who keeps track of emotional minefields. Most absorbing to me is the role of the human archaeologist who uncovers the layers of mask and inhibition in search of a more authentic representation of life experience!” ~Sarah Lawrence-Lightfoot
Community Remains was part of a virtual online exhibition at Disjecta Contemporary Art Center fo Pacific Northwest College of Art and Oregon College of Art and Craft (now closed).
Read the thesis in a four part blog series. The display includes Tali’s insightful self portrait that exudes the contemporary perspective of a woman artist.
Portland Oregon fine art painting
Formally a graphic designer and illustrator, visual artist Talya Johnson (Tali) is a fine art modern impressionist oil painter living in the Pacific Northwest. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) from Oregon College of Art and Craft (OCAC) and Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA) which is located in the Portland Oregon Pearl District of Portland. Tali's original contemporary art is largely figurative (though she also offers abstract art or abstract painting) and stylistically influenced by both Modern Impressionism and traditional Academic Realism. Ever vibrant, her colorful works of art are poignant and painterly accounts of her unique contemporary perspective. Whether creating an oil portrait, modern still life, or abstract landscape with a palette knife or sculpture, Tali believes in recording only what she herself has experienced first hand. Painting and drawing from life whenever possible she imbues her original artworks with a liminal dream-like quality that dances between realism and idealism.
Tali offers her original artworks for sale at reasonable prices, believing that original work should always be accessible to any art lover. Her passionate commitment to provide affordable art is unique amongst art gallery and independent artists alike instilling a sense of authenticity to all her artwork. Filled with color and light, Tali's original artwork, commissioned portraits, fine art prints, wall art, and unique home decor designs are cherished around the world by numerous art collectors. Believing that every artist should have access to creative expression, she enjoys mentoring beginning artists in traditional art techniques, teaching fine art classes, as well as digital photo-editing and self-marketing skills necessary for today's art world.
Talya is a member of several long-standing art organizations including Oregon Society of Artists, American impressionist Society, and Portrait Society of America.
Commitment to quality craftsmanship
Simply put, Talya Johnson makes art that will withstand the test of time. The enduring nature of pastel and original oil painting long interested this fine artist who is conceptually driven by idea of heirlooms and artifacts as an integral component to humanity's cultural evolution. A true artisan, her passion for her contemporary craft includes all the essential elements associated with commitment to quality: education from the best sources and artists (both formal and self-guided), attention to detail, years of honing her craft through trial and error, and a tenacious dedication to both the form, function and longevity of her works. In 2019 Tali had the privilege of studying Art Conservation in Florence Italy as part of her fine arts degree and to ensure her oil painting technique is modeled after time-honored traditional methods. While in art school Tali enjoyed experimenting with materials, and unconventional multi-media techniques, she only uses archival components for her fine art paintings original artwork for sale.Tali's fine artist ground substrates include linen, cotton canvas, hardboard, and 100% cotton rag papers. She uses adhesives that are always reversible. Known for her almost obsessive regard for color, Tali researches her pigments carefully to make sure she only uses lightfast oil paint that will remain saturated and vivid for decades to come.While primarily creating paintings alla prima (a wet into wet approach) Talya practices "fat over lean" when her works call for layering. This gives the painting surface needed flexibility that can withstand normal temperature and humidity variations. Her original oil paintings are finished with a synthetic varnish that does not yellow over time, and can be easily removed by conservators. Any art buyer can rest assured that when you purchase an original oil painting or commissioned portrait from Talya Johnson, you are acquiring an a lovingly crafted work of art that will be treasured for many generations to come, inscribing your own footprint into the annals of history.