About STEPHEN

Stephen Robert Johns, born 1948, is a painter working in Los Angeles CA and San Jose Costa Rica. He is a graduate of Chouinard Art Institute Los Angeles and Cal Arts, Valencia BFA 1972. Although his paintings are minimal, geometric, hard edge and repeat patters, much of Stephen’s artwork is interpreted subject matter, especially as studies of nature, emphasizing the geometry and color contrasts within the botanical structures; the Earth’s topography, as seen from 30,000’, while flying to and from destinations; or within the city, being inspired by the geometric, contemporary, steel and glass architecture. Johns’ paintings are collected world-wide, with representation in Los Angeles, New York, Tokyo and Costa Rica. In 1972, following his tenure as an art student, Stephen immediately began showing his art, first at the Westwood CA Outdoor Art Show, which earned him First Prize in painting, and Second Prize overall. It was during this exhibition that Stephen was introduced to Art Reps and Architects and his first painting commission thru Tamara Thomas of Fine Art Services, Los Angeles and Don Snow Architecture of Brown/Snow Beverly Hills. Corporate clients included Valley Presbyterian Hospital, Security Pacific Bank, Hyatt Regency Hotel, ARCO Towers Los Angeles and eventually led to working with Art rep Francine Ellman of Art Source LA, with clients such as USC, AT&T, Hotel Monaco, Washington DC, and Western Asset Management, Pasadena CA. In 1997 Johns was selected to participate in a Cultural Exchange exhibition between Kitakyushu Japan and Los Angeles artists thru LA Artcore Gallery. The exhibition was held at the Kitakyushu Municipal Museum of Art. Following the exhibition, Johns was introduced to Fram Kitagawa, owner of Art Front Gallery, Shibuya Tokyo Japan. Mr Kitagawa began purchasing his paintings that year and has continued to represent Johns’ art in his Tokyo gallery as of today.