About the Artist

 

Johanna Harmon was born in 1968 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but spent most of her childhood in Tempe, Arizona.  Johanna began designing and recording visual observations at the age of seven, but it wasn’t until almost two decades later that she was introduced to the traditional language of art at the Scottsdale Artists’ School in Arizona, the Fechin Art Institute in Taos, New Mexico, and the Art Students League of Denver in Colorado. There, she studied painting alongside prominent portrait and figure artists with varied artistic philosophies and approaches such as Carolyn Anderson, John Asaro, Mark Daily, Daniel Gerhartz OPAM, Quang Ho OPAM and C.W. Mundy OPAM. Following her 2014 OPA award, she expanded her understanding further by studying contemporary realism with Daniel Sprick, and abstract realism with David A. Leffel OPAM and Sherrie McGraw OPAM.

 

Her work has been presented in numerous solo, group and juried exhibitions including the Portrait Society of America (PSoA), Oil Painters of America (OPA), Art Renewal Center, California Art Club, and Scottsdale Artists’ School, where she received numerous prestigious awards. Most recently, her painting 'Nature's Reverie' was awarded Best Signature Award of Excellence at the 2019 OPA National Juried Exhibition, 'Messengers' awarded 2nd place at PSoA's 2017 Art of the Portrait Conference and 'Golden Orchids' was honored with both a Certificate of Excellence at PSoA's 2016 International Portrait Competition and 1st Place in the Non-Commissioned Portrait Category of PSoA's 2015 Members Only Competition.  In 2013, Harmon received OPA Signature Member designation, and acceptance into OPA’s 22nd National Juried Exhibition where she received her second Gold Medal Award, becoming the first artist to receive two OPA National Exhibition Gold Medal Awards in the organization’s history.  Her first Gold Medal was awarded in 2007. 

 

Her work has been published in American Art Collector, International Artist, Fine Art Connoisseur, Southwest Art, Artbook of the New West, and Focus Santa Fe and is collected internationally.

 

Harmon was honored to be on the faculty of PSoA's 2019 Art of the Portrait Conference and OPA's 2017 National Convention, Curator and Juror for two North River Arts Society's Focus On Figures exhibitions, and Juror Of Awards for Oil Painters of America's 2015 Western Regional Juried Exhibition.  

 

She has taught workshops at Scottsdale Artists’ School in Arizona, North River Arts Society in Marshfield Hills, Massachusetts,  The Coppini Academy of Art in San Antonio, Texas, and The Art Student’s League of Denver in Colorado.  Her emphasis is on the clarification of visual intention, while nurturing the overall painted subject. This pivotal understanding defines her work today. She credits Cecilia Beaux, Nicolai Fechin, John Singer Sargent, Antonio Mancini, Joaquin Sorolla, Abbott Handerson Thayer and Anders Zorn as inspiration.

 

Johanna recently returned to the beautiful Arizona desert after 21 years in Colorado, with her husband, Steven, of 29 years.

 

 

 

Creative Experience 

Education

The Artist's Guild and Bright Light Fine Art, Taos, NM. Workshops, 2014

Art Students League, Denver, CO. Workshops, 2001 - 2009

Fechin Art Institute, Taos, NM. Workshops, 1999 - 2002

Scottsdale Artists' School, Scottsdale, AZ. Workshops and Classes, 1995 - 2000, 2022

 

Publications

Learning Her Own Way by Daniel Grant, Fine Art Connoisseur, January/February 2022

Idyllic Visions by Norman Kolpas, Southwest Art, December 2021/January 2022

Striving for Excellence, The 2020 Class of Portrait Society Signature Status by Krystle Stricklin, International Artist, June/July 2020

The Art of the Portrait, Words of Wisdom from the 2019 Faculty, International Artist, Feb/Mar 2019

The Art of the Portrait, 19th Annual International Portrait Competition by Christine Egnoski, International Artist, Aug/Sept 2017

Unveiling: Johanna Harmon's Golden Orchids by Christine Egnoski, American Art Collector, February 2015

Setting a New High Mark by Edward Jonas, International Artist, February 2015

Highlighting Women Artists by Kelly Compton, Fine Art Connoisseur, Sept/Oct 2014 

A Compassionate Vision by Gussie Fauntleroy, Southwest Art, November 2013

Focusing on Figures, The Great American Figurative Exhibition by Bonnie Gangelhoff, Southwest Art, Nov. 2010

A Win-Win Situation, Sampling of OPA Award Winners by Devon Jackson, Southwest Art, August 2008

Collector’s Choice Figure by Norman Kolpas, Southwest Art, October 2007

Capturing the Human Spirit by Dr. Lew Deitch, Artbook of the New West, Fall/Winter 2005-06

Getting Personal by Gussie Fauntleroy, Southwest Art, November 2004

Unveiling the Inner Soul by Susan Hallsten McGarry, Focus Santa Fe, June/July 2004

 

Solo Exhibitions

'Human Nature' - Show of New Oil Paintings, McLarry Fine Art, Santa Fe, NM Dec 2021

Figures In Still Life, Newbury Fine Arts, Boston, MA Oct 2017

Boston Intimate Salon Soiree, Newbury Fine Arts, Boston, MA July 2016

Exploring the Poetic Figure, Newbury Fine Arts, Boston, MA April 2015

Reflected Beauty, Newbury Fine Arts, Boston, MA October 2013

The Illuminated Soul, McLarry Fine Art, Santa Fe, NM Nov 2012

The Painter’s Voice, Newbury Fine Arts, Boston, MA. Oct. 2010

Painting the Inspired Portrait, Newbury Fine Arts, Boston, MA. Sept. 2009

Introspective, McLarry Fine Art, Santa Fe, NM.  June 2008

Beauty Refined, McLarry Fine Art, Santa Fe, NM.  September 2006

New Works, Lynne Fine Art, Scottsdale, AZ.  May 2006

 

Group Exhibitions

Oil Painters of America's National Juried Exhibition, June 2022

Oil Painters of America's National Juried Exhibition, April 2021

American Impressionist Society's 20th Annual National Juried Exhibition, Sept 2019

Oil Painters of America's National Juried Exhibition, May 2019

Art Renewal Center's 14th International Salon, May 2019

Art Students League of Denver's Art & Soul Auction, Feb 2019

Scottsdale Artists' School's Beaux Arts Silent Auction, Nov 2018

28th Annual Holiday Miniatures Show, Abend Gallery, Nov 2018

The Bela Project, Saks Galleries Cherry Creek, Sept 2018

Contemporary Realism, Gallery 1261, Sept 2018

Art Renewal Center's 13th International Salon, May 2018

Governor's Art Show, Loveland Museum Gallery, May 2018

Oil Painters of America's National Juried Exhibition, May 2017 

Portrait Society of America's International Portrait Competition 'Art of the Portrait' Finalist, April 2017

 Contemporary Figuration, Abend Gallery, Denver, CO. May 2016

25th Annual Holiday Miniatures Show and Silver Leaf Project, Abend Gallery, Denver, CO. Dec 2015

31st Anniversary Exhibition, Waterhouse Gallery, Santa Barbara, CA. Nov 2015

Grand Opening Exhibition, Newbury Fine Arts, Boston, MA. Oct 2015

Oil Painters of America's Western Regional Exhibition, Steamboat Springs, CO. Aug 2015

Contemporary Figuration, Abend Gallery, Denver, CO. June 2015

23rd Annual Oil Painters of America National Juried Exhibition, Bennington, VT 2014

22nd Annual Oil Painters of America National Juried Exhibition, Fredericksburg, Texas. May 2013

American Art Invitational - Small Gems, Saks Galleries - Cherry Creek, Denver, CO Nov 2012

Au Naturel - Art of the Human Form show and demo, Saks Galleries - Cherry Creek, Denver, CO Oct 2012

20th Annual Oil Painters of America National Juried Exhibition, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. June 2011 

Holiday Small Works Show, Legacy Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ. December 2010

Great American Figurative Painters Exhibition, Waterhouse Gallery, Santa Barbara, CA. November 2010

California Art Club Gold Medal Exhibition, Pasadena, CA. June 2010 

Newbury Fine Arts Annual Figurative Exhibition, Boston, MA. March 2010

Holiday Small Works Show, Legacy Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ. December 2009

Great American Figurative Painters Exhibition, Waterhouse Gallery, Santa Barbara, CA. November 2009

Beaux Arts '09, Scottsdale Artists' School Annual Auction. Scottsdale, AZ.  November 2009

18th Annual Oil Painters of America National Juried Exhibition, Santa Fe, NM. May 2009

Portrait Society of America's 11th Annual International Portrait Competition, 2009

Newbury Fine Arts Annual Figurative Exhibition, Boston, MA. March 2009

"ArtFeast", McLarry Fine Art, Santa Fe, NM. February 2009

Great American Figurative Painters Exhibition, Waterhouse Gallery, Santa Barbara, CA. November 2008

17th Annual Oil Painters of America National Juried Exhibition, Missoula, MT. May 2008

Beaux Arts '08, Scottsdale Artists' School Annual Auction. Scottsdale, AZ.  April 2008

Newbury Fine Arts Annual Figurative Exhibition, Boston, MA. February 2008

le Bal de Corsaire, Donation for Colorado Ballet Auction, Denver, CO. January 2008

Great American Figurative Artists Exhibition, Waterhouse Gallery, Santa Barbara, CA. November 2007

16th Annual Oil Painters of America National Juried Exhibition, Fredericksburg, TX. May 2007

Newbury Fine Arts Annual Figurative Exhibition, Boston, MA. April 2007

15th Annual Oil Painters of America National Juried Exhibition, Missoula, MT.  May 2006

Beaux Arts '06, Scottsdale Artists' School Annual Auction. Scottsdale, AZ.  April 2006

14th Annual Oil Painters of America National Juried Exhibition, Chicago, IL.   May, 2005

16th Annual PEBC Art Auction and Exhibition, Colorado History Museum, Denver, CO.  Oct., 2004

Salon International 2004, Greenhouse Gallery, San Antonio, TX.  May, 2004

Three Person Show, Meyer Gallery, Park City, UT.  March, 2004

Miniature Show, Deloney Newkirk, Santa Fe, NM.   Nov., 2003

Oil Painters of America National Juried Exhibition, Taos, NM.  May, 2003

18th Annual Best and the Brightest Show, Scottsdale Artists' School, Scottsdale, AZ.  Feb., 2003

Miniature Show, Deloney Newkirk, Santa Fe, NM.  Nov., 2002

Fall All Gallery, Merrill Johnson Gallery of Fine Art, Denver, CO.  Oct., 2002 - Live demo with model at opening

Three New Artists, Merrill Johnson Gallery of Fine Art, Denver, CO.  Jan., 2002

Oil Painters of America West/NW Mountain Regional Juried Exhibition, Springville Museum of Art, Springville, UT.  2001

16th Annual Best and the Brightest Show, Scottsdale Artists' School, Scottsdale, AZ.  Feb., 2001

15th Annual Best and the Brightest Show, Scottsdale Artists' School, Scottsdale, AZ.  Feb., 2000 - Image of painting on cover of Arizona Trends, March 2000 

 

Awards

Award of Excellence - Spirit of Santa Fe Wet Paint Competition, Oil Painters of America's National Convention, 2021

Bronze Medal - Master Signature Division, Oil Painters of America's National Juried Exhibition, 2021

Award of Excellence, American Impressionist Society 20th Annual National Juried Fine Art Exhibition, 2019

Best Signature Award of Excellence, Oil Painters of America's National Juried Exhibition, 2019

Finalist, Art Renewal Center's 14th International Salon, 2019

Best of Show, Scottsdale Artists' School Beaux Arts Silent Auction, 2018

Finalist, Art Renewal Center's 13th International Salon, 2018

Portraiture Award of Excellence, Oil Painters of America's National Juried Exhibition, 2017

2nd Place Portrait Society of America's 19th Annual International Portrait Competition, 2017

Certificate of Excellence, Portrait Society of America's 18th Annual International Portrait Competition, 2016

1st Place Non-Commissioned Portrait Category, Portrait Society of America's Member's Only Competition, 2015

Gold Medal Award, Oil Painters of America 22nd National Juried Exhibition, 2013

3rd Place - Signature Member, OPA’s Fall Online Exhibition. 2011

Certificate of Excellence. Portrait Society of America's 11th Annual International Portrait Competition, 2009

Hunter Editions Award of Excellence. OPA National Juried Exhibition, 2008

Finalist in the Portrait & Figure category of The Artist's Magazine 24th Annual Art Competition, 2007

Gold Medal -American National Award of Excellence. OPA National Juried Exhibition, 2007

Top One Hundred finalist, Art Renewal Center's International ARC Salon, 2006.

Jack Richeson & CO. Award of Excellence. OPA National Juried Exhibition, 2006

PleinAir Magazine Award of Excellence. OPA National Juried Exhibition, 2005

Finalist winner in the Portrait & Figure category. The Artist's magazine 21st Annual Art Competition, 2004.

Award of Excellence. OPA Nat'l Juried Exhibition, 2003.

2nd Place Professional. Scottsdale Artist's School, Best and the Brightest Show, 2003.

Best of Show.  Scottsdale Artist's School, Best and the Brightest Show, 2001

 

Honors

Workshop Instruction Scottsdale Artists' School, Scottsdale, AZ. 2023

Juror of Awards, Panelist and Demonstrator, Oil Painters of America's National Juried Exhibition, 2022

Master Signature Status, Oil Painters of America, 2020

Signature Status, Portrait Society of America, 2020

Demonstration - Interpretation of Sophisticated Color, Scottsdale's Museum of the West. 2020

Workshop Instruction Scottsdale Artists' School, Scottsdale, AZ. 2020

Faculty, Portrait Society of America Conference, Atlanta, GA, 2019

Curator and Juror of Awards, Focus on Figures, North River Arts Society, Marshfield Hills, MA 2019

Limited Size: Unlimited Talent, fundraiser donation, Portrait Society of America's Internation Portrait Competition, 2019

Workshop Instruction, Scottsdale Artists' School, Scottsdale, AZ. 2019

Limited Size: Unlimited Talent, fundraiser donation, Portrait Society of America's Internation Portrait Competition, 2018

Workshop Instruction, Scottsdale Artists' School, Scottsdale, AZ. 2018

Demonstration and Panelist, Oil Painters of America's National Juried Exhibition Convention, 2017

Workshop Instruction, Scottsdale Artists' School, Scottsdale, AZ. 2017

Limited Size: Unlimited Talent, fundraiser donation, Portrait Society of America's Internation Portrait Competition, 2016

Participant, Academy of Realist Art Boston Painting Competition, 2016

Workshop Instruction, Scottsdale Artists' School, Scottsdale, AZ. 2016

Juror or Awards and Demonstration, OPA's Western Regional Exhibition, Steamboat Springs, CO. 2015

Art for Life benefiting Project Angel Heart, Demonstration Donation, Live Auction, Abend Gallery, Denver, CO. 2015

Curator and Juror of Awards, Focus on Figures, North River Arts Society, Marshfield Hills, MA 2015

Workshop Instruction, North River Arts Society, Marshfield Hills, MA. 2015

Workshop Instruction, Scottsdale Artists' School, Scottsdale, AZ. 2015

Demo & Dialogue 'The Essential Portrait in Oil', Madden Museum of Art, Greenwood Village, CO. 2014

Art for Life benefiting Project Angel Heart, Demonstration Donations, Live Auction, Abend Gallery, Denver, CO. 2014

Workshop Instruction, Art Students League of Denver, Denver, CO. 2014

Interview with John Pototschnik, Blog, November 2013 www.pototschnik.com

Workshop Instruction, Art Students League of Denver, Denver, CO. 2013

Painting Demonstrations, Au Naturel - Art of the Human Form, Saks Galleries - Cherry Creek, Denver, CO 2012

Painting Demonstration, OPA’s National Juried Exhibition, 2012

Workshop Instruction, North River Arts Society, Marshfield Hills, MA. 2010

Workshop Instruction, Coppini Academy of Art, San Antonio, TX. 2010

Workshop Instruction, North River Arts Society, Marshfield Hills, MA. 2009

 

Affiliations

American Impressionist Society

California Art Club, Out-of-State Artist

Oil Painters of America, Master Signature Member

Portrait Society of America, Signature Member

 

Photo credit: Rebecca Caridad