Maury Johnston

Headshot of Maury Johnston

Where Have You Been? Where Are You Going?

Thesis Statement

It is a universal experience to move from one place to another; constant transition, in some way, is the human condition. I find it enthralling that each of the 8 billion people on earth has their own unique experiences that are individual to their person. Thus far, my paintings have conveyed these concepts in a very literal sense by depicting each subject in a liminal space. I want these paintings to resonate with the viewer and convey the emotions that transition can bring.

In painting a moment that wasn’t ‘meant’ to be a painting, I am able to explore the scene, add mystery and push the viewer to imagine what is happening in the subject’s life. I insert my own twist and create a mood by the color choices, adding or leaving out elements and altering the reference. I push these paintings until I have reached the point of completion.

I am a portrait painter working primarily from photographs I have taken during my travels. I focus on images where the subject is unaware that a photo is being taken and where I usually have no connection to the subject. For my pieces, I am thinking about how each person I pass lives their own life and how there are so many people whose lives I will never know about. I want the viewer to see each piece and ask “Where have they been? Where are they going?”

painting of an old man sitting on a bench while reading newspaper Detail image of a painting of a man holding a newpaper in front of a green, painted background.