Title: Taking Care of Business
Medium: Oil & Acrylics

Artist: Ryan A. Johnson
Hometown: Conway

Exhibitor: American Art Gallery
Exhibit Location: 724 Central Ave

Artist Bio: Ryan Johnson, a native Arkansan, is 18 years old. He began drawing at the age of 3. One day his sister had to stay after school to make up some work in her art class. Ryan was waiting in the room with her, sketching at the back of the classroom. When the teacher saw what he was drawing, she asked him to pick up his artwork and come with her to the principal's office. She showed the principal his drawing and asked that Johnson be permitted to take her art class.

With the principal's approval, Johnson attended her high school art classes from second through fifth grade. He would go to her class for an hour every morning before his regular classes.

After many years of drawing, Johnson has just recently begun painting. This chair is only his eighth painting, his first acrylic, and the first piece of furniture he has ever painted.

He was recently chosen as Junior Artist of the Year at Conway High School. He enjoys art and will continue.

Artist Interpretation: "My Lab, my passion for duck hunting, and my love of the outdoors are my inspiration for this design. If I could be in the woods everyday, I would! When I do my art, it is usually hunting scenes and wildlife. Labs are great dogs - much more intelligent than most breeds.

"My reward for doing my artwork is seeing what I created and learning from my mistakes to improve my painting.

"I am in the 11th grade and I have a great art teacher. She has helped me develop my gift in art and explore new mediums. I just began using paint as a medium this year. I have enjoyed painting this chair. It is the first piece of furniture I have painted, and also my first time using acrylics. I look forward to entering this contest again next year."

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