Michelle Johnson’s life and work embody both resilience and reverence for nature, the cosmos, and the invisible ties that connect us all. Born in Ladysmith, Wisconsin, and raised amid the rolling fields and placid lakes of rural Wisconsin, her earliest memories are colored by a landscape steeped in wild beauty. Childhood was divided between two worlds: a farm near her grandparents’ dairy and, later, a modest home overlooking the tranquil waters of Lake Holcomb. These early places anchored her spirit, filling her with a sense of wonder that still infuses every piece she creates.
From the beginning, Johnson’s creative spark shone brightly, though the practical realities of Midwestern life dictated that art was best left as a pastime. “I was born a creative,” she recalls, “though making a living selling art was not celebrated in my early years. I needed a ‘real’ job.” Yet, the act of making—drawing, painting, experimenting—remained her private sanctuary, sustaining her through the demands of adulthood and other careers.
In 2016, fate intervened in a way nobody could have foreseen. A traumatic brain injury ended her previous professional trajectory and marked the beginning of a profound transformation. Drawing on a deep faith in the healing power of art, Johnson leaned fully into her artistic calling, embarking on a journey that led her to the Milan Art Institute, where she is now advancing her studies and establishing herself as a professional artist.
Her creative lineage is equally inspiring—her cousin, Susan Hemm, is a professional artist, and Johnson herself studied art history in college, cultivating a deep respect for both ancient tradition and the daring energy of contemporary makers. She credits “artist energy”—the shared pulse of the community—as one of her formative influences, and she is an active participant in the Southside Artist Association of Hampton Roads, Virginia.
Johnson’s work is fueled by a lifelong fascination with the natural world and our spiritual place within it. She is as likely to pull inspiration from the colors of a sunrise as from the silent hum of bees in a field or the mysteries of the cosmos. Every canvas starts with a positive, emotive message—an affirmation or quiet wish—hidden beneath layers upon layers of pigment and mixed media. Sometimes these strata of color and texture are visible; sometimes their presence is known only to the artist. For Johnson, it is these imprints, both seen and unseen, that give her paintings their soul. “My art finds its person, not the other way around,” she reflects.
Her process is playful and intuitive—a gentle surrender to experimentation and acceptance. The result is work celebrated for its luminous color, signature honey bees, and tactile richness. Viewers praise her uncanny ability to evoke feeling with texture, and collectors are drawn to each painting’s unique, almost serendipitous resonance.
Outside the studio, Johnson’s passions are as boundless as her horizons. She is an avid traveler, hiker, and marathoner (having completed the authentic Greece Marathon in 2015 and scale six of the Adirondack High Peaks, among other adventures). Her Cocker Spaniels and love of wild places are constants, grounding her in the same sense of belonging that animates her art.
For Johnson, there could be no better time to be an artist than now. The converging opportunities of digital media, new materials, and global communities grant contemporary artists the freedom to create, connect, and evolve. She dreams of ongoing growth, of sharing her vision with an ever-expanding circle, and of playing her part in ensuring art continues to shape and heal society. In her own words, “There is no better time in history than today to be an artist.” Her work, radiant and open-hearted, is her testament to that conviction.