Paintings by Miah Johnson
Artist’s Statement:
On November 12, 2015, my world changed completely. I suffered a massive stroke that left me without use of my right arm, a pronounced limp, and severe communications deficits.
Gone, my livelihood as an oysterman. Gone too, my 30 year profession as a photographer. I work absurdly hard to do what once I didn’t even think about—reading, speaking, tying my shoes, hemming my pants.
My disability limits my access to former professions, and pleasures, and alters my relationship to most everything, but this isn’t my story.
Into the void, painting rushed in. It is grace to have a left hand that can grip a brush and access my mind’s eye. This is how painting, formerly a pastime among my many artistic pursuits, became my lifeline to the world. Painting is my artistic release, my soap box, my great joy, and my hope for a livelihood.
Painting is my present and painting is my future. Through painting, I hope to create a longer, deeper, more satisfying dialogue with the world. I want to further transcend the need for speech and, within the process of creating paintings, communicate truths of my human experience.