Clay Johnson Paintings
American, b. 1963
Clay Johnson is an American abstract painter whose reductivist compositions explore the relationships between color, form, and texture.
He lives and works in Laramie, Wyoming. Johnson earned his B.A. in studio art and art history from Duke University in 1985. Afterwards, he worked as studio manager for the painter Robert Natkin. Says Johnson, “Most of what I know about painting I learned from Bob.” The technique Johnson employs is extremely rigorous, involving, as he says, “pushing paint around with palette knives and drywall tools rather than brushes.” Johnson has exhibited in numerous group and solo exhibitions throughout the United States. His work is in the collections of the Kimpton Corporation and the University of Wyoming Art Museum, among others. The scraping and sanding creates a variety of different textures and leads to the emergence of unexpected forms. Because of the intensity of his method he prefers rigid surfaces, such as wood and aluminum panels, though he sometimes also works on paper and canvas stretched over panels. He prefers acrylic paint because of its fast drying time, which allows him to react quickly as the layers evolve towards a sense of completion.to
11
4
14
Overall Width
to
Overall Height
to
29
29
20
5
4
29
29
29
12
11
31
779
726
723
683
29
Artist: Clay Johnson
Untitled (#706) (Abstract painting)
By Clay Johnson
Located in London, GB
Untitled (#706) (Abstract painting)
Acrylic on paper - Unframed.
The technique Johnson employs is extremely rigorous, involving, as he says, “pushing paint around with palette kniv...
Category
2010s Abstract Clay Johnson Paintings
Materials
Paper, Acrylic
Untitled 557 (Abstract painting)
By Clay Johnson
Located in London, GB
Untitled 557 (Abstract painting)
Acrylic on paper - Unframed.
The technique Johnson employs is extremely rigorous, involving, as he says, “pushing paint around with palette knives ...
Category
2010s Abstract Clay Johnson Paintings
Materials
Paper, Acrylic
Untitled 560 (Abstract painting)
By Clay Johnson
Located in London, GB
Untitled 560 (Abstract painting)
Acrylic on paper - Unframed.
The technique Johnson employs is extremely rigorous, involving, as he says, “pushing paint around with palette knives ...
Category
2010s Abstract Clay Johnson Paintings
Materials
Paper, Acrylic
Untitled 559 (Abstract painting)
By Clay Johnson
Located in London, GB
Untitled 559 (Abstract painting)
Acrylic on paper - Unframed.
The technique Johnson employs is extremely rigorous, involving, as he says, “pushing paint around with palette knives ...
Category
2010s Abstract Clay Johnson Paintings
Materials
Paper, Acrylic
Untitled (#705) (Abstract painting)
By Clay Johnson
Located in London, GB
Untitled (#705) (Abstract painting)
Acrylic on paper - Unframed.
The technique Johnson employs is extremely rigorous, involving, as he says, “pushing paint around with palette kniv...
Category
2010s Abstract Clay Johnson Paintings
Materials
Paper, Acrylic
Untitled 559 (Abstract painting)
By Clay Johnson
Located in London, GB
Untitled 559 (Abstract painting)
Acrylic on paper - Unframed.
The technique Johnson employs is extremely rigorous, involving, as he says, “pushing paint around with palette knives ...
Category
2010s Abstract Clay Johnson Paintings
Materials
Paper, Acrylic
Lorenzo’s Riddle (Abstract painting)
By Clay Johnson
Located in London, GB
Lorenzo’s Riddle (Abstract painting)
Acrylic on aluminum panel - Unframed.
The technique Johnson employs is extremely rigorous, involving, as he says, “pushing paint around with pa...
Category
2010s Abstract Clay Johnson Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Panel
For Henry Hudson (Abstract painting)
By Clay Johnson
Located in London, GB
For Henry Hudson (Abstract painting)
Acrylic on aluminum panel - Unframed.
The technique Johnson employs is extremely rigorous, involving, as he says, “...
Category
2010s Abstract Clay Johnson Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Panel
Untitled 559 (Abstract painting)
By Clay Johnson
Located in London, GB
Untitled 559 (Abstract painting)
Acrylic on paper - Unframed.
The technique Johnson employs is extremely rigorous, involving, as he says, “pushing paint around with palette knives ...
Category
2010s Abstract Clay Johnson Paintings
Materials
Paper, Acrylic
Untitled 560 (Abstract painting)
By Clay Johnson
Located in London, GB
Untitled 560 (Abstract painting)
Acrylic on paper - Unframed.
The technique Johnson employs is extremely rigorous, involving, as he says, “pushing paint around with palette knives ...
Category
2010s Abstract Clay Johnson Paintings
Materials
Paper, Acrylic
Lorenzo’s Riddle (Abstract painting)
By Clay Johnson
Located in London, GB
Lorenzo’s Riddle (Abstract painting)
Acrylic on aluminum panel - Unframed.
The technique Johnson employs is extremely rigorous, involving, as he says, “pushing paint around with pa...
Category
2010s Abstract Clay Johnson Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Panel
What I heard (Abstract painting)
By Clay Johnson
Located in London, GB
What I heard (Abstract painting)
Acrylic on canvas - Unframed.
The technique Johnson employs is extremely rigorous, involving, as he says, “pushing paint around with palette knives...
Category
2010s Abstract Clay Johnson Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
Untitled (#704) (Abstract painting)
By Clay Johnson
Located in London, GB
Untitled (#704) (Abstract painting)
Acrylic on paper - Unframed.
The technique Johnson employs is extremely rigorous, involving, as he says, “pushing paint around with palette kniv...
Category
2010s Abstract Clay Johnson Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Paper
The Delegation (Abstract painting)
By Clay Johnson
Located in London, GB
The Delegation (Abstract painting)
Acrylic on aluminum panel - Unframed.
The technique Johnson employs is extremely rigorous, involving, as he says, “pushing paint around with pale...
Category
2010s Abstract Clay Johnson Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Panel
The Admiral’s Wedding (Abstract painting)
By Clay Johnson
Located in London, GB
The Admiral’s Wedding (Abstract painting)
Acrylic on canvas - Unframed.
The technique Johnson employs is extremely rigorous, involving, as he says, “pushing paint around with palet...
Category
2010s Abstract Clay Johnson Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
Untitled 560 (Abstract painting)
By Clay Johnson
Located in London, GB
Acrylic on paper - Unframed.
The technique Johnson employs is extremely rigorous, involving, as he says, “pushing paint around with palette knives and drywall tools rather than brus...
Category
2010s Abstract Clay Johnson Paintings
Materials
Paper, Acrylic
The Royal (Abstract painting)
By Clay Johnson
Located in London, GB
The Royal (Abstract painting)
Acrylic on aluminum panel - Unframed.
The technique Johnson employs is extremely rigorous, involving, as he says, “pushing paint around with palette k...
Category
2010s Abstract Clay Johnson Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Panel
Untitled 557 (Abstract painting)
By Clay Johnson
Located in London, GB
Untitled 557 (Abstract painting)
Acrylic on paper - Unframed.
The technique Johnson employs is extremely rigorous, involving, as he says, “pushing paint around with palette knives ...
Category
2010s Abstract Clay Johnson Paintings
Materials
Paper, Acrylic
Truce (Abstract painting)
By Clay Johnson
Located in London, GB
Truce (Abstract painting)
Acrylic on canvas - Unframed.
The technique Johnson employs is extremely rigorous, involving, as he says, “pushing paint around with palette knives and d...
Category
2010s Abstract Clay Johnson Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
The Delegation (Abstract painting)
By Clay Johnson
Located in London, GB
The Delegation (Abstract painting)
Acrylic on aluminum panel - Unframed.
The technique Johnson employs is extremely rigorous, involving, as he says, “pushing paint around with pale...
Category
2010s Abstract Clay Johnson Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Panel
What I heard (Abstract painting)
By Clay Johnson
Located in London, GB
What I heard (Abstract painting)
Acrylic on canvas - Unframed.
The technique Johnson employs is extremely rigorous, involving, as he says, “pushing paint around with palette knives...
Category
2010s Abstract Clay Johnson Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
Andrew’s Refrain (Abstract painting)
By Clay Johnson
Located in London, GB
Andrew’s Refrain (Abstract painting)
Acrylic on wood panel - Unframed.
The technique Johnson employs is extremely rigorous, involving, as he says, “pushing paint around with palett...
Category
2010s Abstract Clay Johnson Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Panel, Wood Panel
The Big Spill (Abstract painting)
By Clay Johnson
Located in London, GB
The Big Spill (Abstract painting)
Acrylic on aluminum panel - Unframed.
The technique Johnson employs is extremely rigorous, involving, as he says, “pushing paint around with palet...
Category
2010s Abstract Clay Johnson Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Panel
After Midnight (Abstract painting)
By Clay Johnson
Located in London, GB
After Midnight (Abstract painting)
Acrylic on aluminum panel - Unframed.
The technique Johnson employs is extremely rigorous, involving, as he says, “...
Category
2010s Abstract Clay Johnson Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Panel
The Admiral’s Wedding (Abstract painting)
By Clay Johnson
Located in London, GB
The Admiral’s Wedding (Abstract painting)
Acrylic on canvas - Unframed.
The technique Johnson employs is extremely rigorous, involving, as he says, “pushing paint around with palet...
Category
2010s Abstract Clay Johnson Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
After Midnight (Abstract painting)
By Clay Johnson
Located in London, GB
After Midnight (Abstract painting)
Acrylic on aluminum panel - Unframed.
The technique Johnson employs is extremely rigorous, involving, as he says, “...
Category
2010s Abstract Clay Johnson Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Panel
Truce (Abstract painting)
By Clay Johnson
Located in London, GB
Truce (Abstract painting)
Acrylic on canvas - Unframed.
The technique Johnson employs is extremely rigorous, involving, as he says, “pushing paint around with palette knives and d...
Category
2010s Abstract Clay Johnson Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
The Delegation (Abstract painting)
By Clay Johnson
Located in London, GB
The Delegation (Abstract painting)
Acrylic on aluminum panel - Unframed.
The technique Johnson employs is extremely rigorous, involving, as he says, “pushing paint around with pale...
Category
2010s Abstract Clay Johnson Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Panel
After Midnight (Abstract painting)
By Clay Johnson
Located in London, GB
Acrylic on aluminum panel - Unframed.
The technique Johnson employs is extremely rigorous, involving, as he says, “pushing paint around with palette knives and drywall tools rather ...
Category
2010s Abstract Clay Johnson Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Panel
Related Items
Pottery Vessel with Sunflower by Ellen Rolli, Contemporary Still Life
By Ellen Rolli
Located in Atlanta, GA
'Pottery Vessel with Sunflower' by Ellen Rolli is a charming still life composition rendered in mixed media on paper. Measuring 12 x 9 in, this piece showcases the artist's distincti...
Category
2010s Abstract Clay Johnson Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Paper
$700
H 12 in W 9 in D 2 in
Confrontation - line drawing women figures with white dandelions
By Mila Akopova
Located in Fort Lee, NJ
Interior design paintings. The artwork was done with acrylic, watercolor and white felt pen on black watercolor paper 360g. The works are 11,5 by 16,5 inches in size, framed (black) ...
Category
2010s Abstract Clay Johnson Paintings
Materials
Paper, Acrylic, Watercolor, Felt Pen
Red Strike - Abstract Expressionist Composition in Acrylic on Paper
Located in Soquel, CA
Red Strike - Abstract Expressionist Composition in Acrylic on Paper
A bold abstract painting by California-based artist, Ricardo de Silva (American/Brazil, 20th C). This piece is a ...
Category
1980s Abstract Expressionist Clay Johnson Paintings
Materials
Paper, Acrylic
$420 Sale Price
20% Off
H 30 in W 22.5 in D 0.02 in
Colorful Abstract in Acrylic on Paper (1974)
By Michael William Eggleston
Located in Soquel, CA
Colorful abstract composition by Michael William Eggleston (American, 20th Century). Bold colors and shapes interlock to form a high-contrast composition. Sections of orange, yellow,...
Category
1970s Abstract Clay Johnson Paintings
Materials
Paper, Acrylic
$700
H 25 in W 32 in D 0.25 in
Splashes of Color - Abstract Expressionist Composition in Acrylic on Paper
Located in Soquel, CA
Splashes of Color - Abstract Expressionist Composition in Acrylic on Paper
A bold abstract painting by California-based artist, Ricardo de Silva (American/Brazil, 20th C). The backg...
Category
1980s Abstract Expressionist Clay Johnson Paintings
Materials
Paper, Acrylic
$556 Sale Price
20% Off
H 30 in W 22 in D 0.02 in
avp_1453 - Expressive Color Drenched Abstract Contemporary Painting on Paper
By Alex Voinea
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The colorful abstract artworks of Romanian artist Alex Voinea are inspired by experiments with paint poured over vibrating surfaces, such as speakers at full volume. Alex Voinea coll...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Clay Johnson Paintings
Materials
Paper, Acrylic
Abstract Expressionist Composition in Acrylic and Pastel on Paper
Located in Soquel, CA
Abstract Expressionist Composition in Acrylic on Paper
A bold abstract composition by California-based artist, Ricardo de Silva (American/Brazil, 20th C). A bold black character tak...
Category
1980s Abstract Expressionist Clay Johnson Paintings
Materials
Paper, Acrylic, Pastel
$575
H 16 in W 12 in D 0.02 in
Vintage Latin American School Original Abstract — “Triple Monument”
Located in Soquel, CA
Latin American School abstract expressionist original composition in acrylic on paper
Stunning example of 1980s Latin American art bold abstract...
Category
1980s Abstract Expressionist Clay Johnson Paintings
Materials
Paper, Acrylic
$460 Sale Price
20% Off
H 22.5 in W 30 in D 0.02 in
Abstract Expressionist Figure in Acrylic on Paper
By Michael William Eggleston
Located in Soquel, CA
Colorful abstracted portrait by Michael William Eggleston (American, 20th Century). Bold colors and dripping paint create an expressive, dynamic composition. The figure is primarily ...
Category
1970s Abstract Expressionist Clay Johnson Paintings
Materials
Paper, Acrylic
$750
H 30 in W 24 in D 0.25 in
Abstract Expressionist Figurative Composition
By Michael William Eggleston
Located in Soquel, CA
Abstract Expressionist Figurative Composition
Dynamic abstract piece by Michael William Eggleston (American, b. 1948). Bold colors and linework give life and movement to this abstrac...
Category
20th Century Abstract Impressionist Clay Johnson Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Paper, Oil Pastel
$850
H 20 in W 30 in D 0.25 in
Primary Colors in Acrylic on Textured Paper Abstract Expressionist San Francisco
Located in Soquel, CA
Primary Color Abstract in Acrylic on Textured Paper
Abstract in bold primary colors on a stark black background with accents of white, by California-based artist Ricardo de Silva (Brazilian, 20th Century).
Signed and dated at the bottom, "de Silva 86."
Paper size: 16"H x 12"W
From a collection of Ricardo de Silva's work and memorabilia. DeSilva was a gallery owner, first in Santa Barbara in the 1960's and 70's, then in San Jose in the 1980's. He was dedicated to promoting the work of talented upcoming artists, including Kogyo and Hasui Kiyochika, Robert Frame, Jim Stuckenberg, Alice Robertson Carr, Deborah Eve Alastra...
Category
1980s Abstract Expressionist Clay Johnson Paintings
Materials
Paper, Acrylic
$650
H 16 in W 12 in D 0.02 in
Abstract Expressionist Portrait in Acrylic on Paper
Located in Soquel, CA
Abstract Expressionist Portrait in in Acrylic on Paper
A bold abstracted portrait painting by California-based artist, Ricardo de Silva (American/Brazil, 20th C). Although this piec...
Category
1980s Abstract Expressionist Clay Johnson Paintings
Materials
Paper, Acrylic
$475
H 22 in W 15 in D 0.02 in
Previously Available Items
Dillon
s choice (Abstract painting)
By Clay Johnson
Located in London, GB
Dillon's choice (Abstract painting)
Acrylic on linen - Unframed
Clay Johnson is an American abstract painter whose reductivist compositions explore the relationships between color,...
Category
2010s Abstract Clay Johnson Paintings
Materials
Linen, Acrylic
Dillon
s choice (Abstract painting)
By Clay Johnson
Located in London, GB
Dillon's choice (Abstract painting)
Acrylic on linen - Unframed
Clay Johnson is an American abstract painter whose reductivist compositions explore the relationships between color,...
Category
2010s Abstract Clay Johnson Paintings
Materials
Linen, Acrylic
Dillon
s choice (Abstract painting)
By Clay Johnson
Located in London, GB
Dillon's choice (Abstract painting)
Acrylic on linen - Unframed
Clay Johnson is an American abstract painter whose reductivist compositions explore the relationships between color,...
Category
2010s Abstract Clay Johnson Paintings
Materials
Linen, Acrylic
Dillon
s choice (Abstract painting)
By Clay Johnson
Located in London, GB
Acrylic on linen - Unframed
Clay Johnson is an American abstract painter whose reductivist compositions explore the relationships between color, form, and texture. He lives and work...
Category
2010s Abstract Clay Johnson Paintings
Materials
Linen, Acrylic
Untitled 565 (Abstract painting)
By Clay Johnson
Located in London, GB
Acrylic on paper - Unframed.
The technique Johnson employs is extremely rigorous, involving, as he says, “pushing paint around with palette knives and drywall tools rather than brus...
Category
2010s Abstract Clay Johnson Paintings
Materials
Paper, Acrylic
Orchard #2
By Clay Johnson
Located in London, GB
Acrylic on wood panel - Unframed.
The technique Johnson employs is extremely rigorous, involving, as he says, “pushing paint around with palette knives and drywall tools rather than...
Category
2010s Abstract Clay Johnson Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Wood Panel
The Charred Sea
By Clay Johnson
Located in London, GB
Acrylic on canvas - Unframed.
The technique Johnson employs is extremely rigorous, involving, as he says, “pushing paint around with palette knives and drywall tools rather than bru...
Category
2010s Abstract Clay Johnson Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
Promenade #3
By Clay Johnson
Located in Fairfield, CT
Clay Johnson was born and raised in Durham, NC, where he studied art and art history at Duke University, receiving a B.A. degree in 1985. He then worked for several years as assistan...
Category
2010s Abstract Clay Johnson Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Panel
The Dig
By Clay Johnson
Located in London, GB
Acrylic on wood panel - Unframed
Clay Johnson is an American abstract painter whose reductivist compositions explore the relationships between color, form, and texture. He lives and...
Category
2010s Abstract Clay Johnson Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Wood Panel
Note to Self #2
By Clay Johnson
Located in Fairfield, CT
Clay Johnson was born and raised in Durham, NC, where he studied art and art history at Duke University, receiving a B.A. degree in 1985. He then worked for several years as assistant to painter Robert Natkin in Connecticut and New York City.
In 1998 he began exhibiting paintings from his first series of mature work, which was loosely grid-based, and was inspired by the paintings of Paul Klee, such as Ancient Sound. Since then Clay's work has been exhibited widely at galleries across the country. He began his current series of work shortly after relocating to Wyoming, and, while essentially non-objective, the paintings contain a sense of the wide open landscape of the American west.
The new paintings can be seen at Elins Eagles-Smith Gallery in San Francisco, William Havu Gallery in Denver, and Pryor Fine Art...
Category
2010s Abstract Clay Johnson Paintings
Materials
Acrylic, Wood Panel
Clay Johnson paintings for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic Clay Johnson paintings available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing the collection of paintings to introduce a pop of color in a neutral corner of your living room or bedroom, you can find work that includes elements of blue and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by Clay Johnson in acrylic paint, paint, synthetic resin paint and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 21st century and contemporary and is mostly associated with the abstract style. Not every interior allows for large Clay Johnson paintings, so small editions measuring 16 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Deborah Bigeleisen, KOKO HOVAGUIMIAN, and Charles Eckart. Clay Johnson paintings prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,610 and tops out at $15,030, while the average work can sell for $7,990.