theArtist-spj

About theArtist

by Brian Dofford-Johnson

Shawn Patrick Johnson

born January 10, 1969

Kankakee, Illinois

It really doesn't get more middle America than Kankakee. A tiny little spot I-57 on the way south to farms and college towns. Shawn was the last child born in the family of two older siblings and the " classic " two parent home.

If artistic gifts and talents are genetic, then Shawn had no other choice but to be " Gifted " Both his father David and his late Grandfather Oliver are gifted artists in their own rights. When asked when he ( Shawn ) started " drawing" ....the answer came after a minute of thought..... " I have been drawing weird little guys since as long as I can remember "

Always a bit reclusive, private, and sensitive Shawn grew up on a block with mostly Gal Pals. The life and times of " Shawn and The Kemp Girls" is surely fodder for a good B-Movie.

Here are a few glimpses into the mind of a very private person:

What is your favorite childhood memory:

(spj) It would have to be "memories". Christmas Eve at Grandma and Grandpa Johnson's house. Cooking with my Grandma Mills. Vacations to Missouri. Going to Woolworth for ice cream with my Mom. Watching the Lunar eclipse with Nancy Kemp. There are many more. Overall I had a good childhood with lots of good memories.

What are your favorite movie ( s )

(spj) Steel Magnolias....of course!. Anything with Betty Davis or Katherine Hepburn. Shrek. Ten Commandments.

Who are your favorite music artist ( s )

(spj) Norah Jones. The Mammas and the Pappas. Billy Holiday. Bette Midler. Tuck and Patty.

My favorite music style

(spj) It depends on my mood. It generally isn't dance music 'cuz I am not a good dancer. Oddly I like a lot of Gospel music as well. But it really depends on what I am doing and where I am emotionally.

By what artist are you impressed by the most:

(spj) Andy Warhol. He's a perfect blend of businessman and artist.

As a child, by which artist ( or artistic style ) were you impressed by the most:

(spj) Van Gogh. I believe we were connected in a past life. His eyes are very familiar to me.

What do you hope people " get " from your work:

(spj) I am not really sure. I am still not at all comfortable looking at my own work. When I am working on a piece, I rarely ever step back and look at it. I am always somehow "in it" like an extreme close up view. I think if people " get" anything, I hope that they feel something....good or bad. At least if they have an emotional reaction, I can be assured that I made an impression. Its like that dance hit song by C+C Music Factory. I hope that my work is one of the " Things That Make You Go Ah"

Does being Gay influence your "muse" ...or is this inconsequential

(spj) Of course being gay influences my "muse". No more or less than where I live or where I'm working.

My favorite quote is:

(spj) I'm not a big "quote" person. I do know that I hate any quotes from Forest Gump.

My favorite book is:

(spj) To Kill a Mockingbird.

I plan to read " War and Peace" by the time I am :

(spj) I plan to read it when I'm reborn a scholar and enjoy reading more.

What inspired " Playing with the Big Boys" ?

Some of that's private. It has to do with the first time I free-based cocaine and the all the crazy shit that goes along with it. This was the opening of a door that changed me forever. I started playing with the big boys and grew up.

theArtistspj has been in a committed relationship since November 17, 1987 and together with his partner has a beautiful son, Joshua Cole

THEARTIST-SPJ