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ARTIST INTRODUCTION
As an only child, Johnson spent his solitary childhood hours immersed in the colorful pages of comic books—unaware that this early fascination with color would lay the groundwork for his artistic inspiration later in life.
Born in Lexington, Kentucky’s historic East End, Johnson recently returned to his childhood community, where he has established his studio in The Artists' Village—a live/work space for artists and makers. His artistic journey began more than a decade ago with hand-stringing store-bought beads into bracelets and necklaces. His passion for glass ignited after purchasing a vintage Fenton amethyst carnival glass bowl at a yard sale. Captivated by its rich hues, he developed a deep appreciation for handcrafted art glass. This fascination evolved into an antiques business specializing in vintage art glass, but his creative nature pushed him beyond collecting—he yearned to create.
ARTIST STATEMENT
My work is the physical manifestation of my intrigue, my captivation, and my obsession with glass, color, and light. Glass is a medium of contradictions—both fragile and strong, fluid yet structured, unpredictable but precise. Its very nature challenges me, teaching patience while ensuring I never grow too comfortable in my mastery of it.
I am particularly fascinated by the way light interacts with glass—its ability to shift perception through varying degrees of opacity, translucency, and transparency. This interplay is at the heart of my creative process. I strive to craft pieces that not only showcase the inherent beauty of the medium but also evoke a deeply emotional response in the viewer.
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@studiomljbymarklennjohnson
