Melanie Hemann Johnston is an Arkansas artist who draws inspiration from the rich culture, heritage, people and environment of the “natural state” and the world.

My paintings focus on the mystery of beauty in the world that we often miss – depicting snapshots of exotic landscapes, regal animals and striking plants. The softness of watercolor and pastels complement each other well, while offering different strokes and textures in the pieces. These mediums add both intensity and subtleness to the colors, and enhance the air of mystery through softening the realism.

The vivid black & white colors of Japanese woodblock prints are the perfect medium to capture bold and magnificent moments inspired by the natural world and the geometric. The prints contain subtle, yet complex images that highlight the play between the light and shadow, and the result of what is revealed to the eye through the image. I print these in limited editions on specialty, hand-made papers to give them even more texture. The Japanese woodblock technique is an ancient form that produces unique pieces where no two prints are exactly alike after printing.

Artist Highlights

• ArtWanted.com Gallery:    Fine Art