ThatArtyNerd.com
founded in 2008 and run by graphic designer and artist
Jo{anna} Johnson.
I am a young, macabre, emerging artist, currently studying at Mcmaster University for a combined B.A. in Fine Arts and Multimedia. I have lived in Hamilton my entire life, and am deeply involved in the local arts community. I have appeared in many local galleries, and had participated in the Southwest Hamilton Studio Tour from 2007-2010. I have also worked as the Art Director at the children's art camp, M.A.D. Creative Art School since 2006.
I am driven and motivated to create art that I would want to see hanging in my own home. My taste is generally that of antique and historical images with a sinister undertone. I create art that is aesthetically pleasing to myself and am drawn to images of forgotten, nameless figures of the 19th century which convey historical potency through their poses, composition and current issues.
Growing up I was constantly being exposed to the arts. Several members of my family are distinguished and prominent within provincial music and art communities. This artistic influence has provided me with the basis for my own style. From a very young age, I have been drawn to the artistic traditions of the 19th century. Using photographs from this era, I believe I have created artwork that highlights a lost, and unique time. My art consists mainly of two dimensional drawings with pen and ink integrated collage and three dimensional ceramic pieces. I feel that the pen and ink specifically reflects the time period from which I draw my inspiration. Starting with selected photographs ranging from family portraits to mental institutions, I digitally manipulate the image and transfer it onto coarser mounting paper, or ceramic surfaces. From there I incorporate drawing mediums or paints onto the base material. I work with this process because the end results of the drawings reminds me of pages from an aged and distressed book.
A theory central to my work is psychoanalysis. Specifically the aspects of that theory posited my Freud. A particular form of this analysis is the use of streaming consciousness. I include this into my pieces by using scrolling O.C.D.-like text in the images and in the titles of my work. Inspiration is also drawn from general antique medical tools and practices such as bloodletting, lobotomies, and exorcisms. The ink drawings of Max Ernst and Edward Gorey have also greatly inspired me. I strive to achieve the intricacy of their pen strokes. My work is very contemporary, respectfully, and is an amalgamation of old-fashioned and modern.
During the last few years, I have created logos, corporate identities, business cards, media kits, blog layouts and poster designs.
If you're interested in receiving a quote for a potential design project or have a general inquiry, please contact Jo{anna} directly at:
THAT.ARTY.NERD@GMAIL.COM
If you'd like to view a portfolio of client work, please click HERE
A PDF portfolio can be downloaded HERE
And lastly, a current resumé can be found HERE.
