ArtTour International Magazine
JOHANNA WRAY
An Interview with Artist Johanna Wray By Tiarra Tompkins
You can follow your dreams of creating one-of-a-kind works of art and still bring the act of creation to others without giving up one or the other. Yet, despite the simplicity in this statement, many artists struggle to find their exact place in the world. Should they remain the "starving artist" or pursue other works in tandem with creating? Some of the most successful artists have found their place in the in-between. One such artist, Johanna Wray, has built an incredible and successful career as an artist and teacher, bringing her unique eye and style to the world for decades.
ATIM Founder Viviana Puello had the chance to sit down and get the full story from Wray in an incredible interview.
Was there a pivotal moment when you decided to follow your path as an artist?
“I have always considered myself an artist; even as a young child, I was good at it. My High School Art classes truly brought out the creativity in me. I went to a brand new, large high school, and they offered two full-year art courses for every grade. The instruction was excellent, and when I was ready to enter the University of Calgary's BFA program, I already had a good base knowledge. I graduated with an Education Degree in Art because I knew that not too many people could make a living from selling their art, especially in the early years. The idea of being a "starving artist" did not appeal to me. I felt at home in the art classroom and practiced drawing and painting portraits and figures with my students, which I still love to do today. My big ‘AHA’ moment was in the '70s when I was studying art abroad in Florence, Italy. I was at the Uffizi Gallery standing in front of Botticelli's ‘Birth of Venus’ in total awe and thought I would like to be able to paint like that someday! Fifty years later, I feel I have achieved this goal with my recent ‘Summertime’. Even the angle of the heads is uncanny!”
Can you describe your work for us?
“For me, I work in Series, so that keeps me interested in a variety of things. Some artists "sell out" by painting the same landscapes repeatedly because they are selling to a particular market, and they find success in providing continuity. I am more interested in discovering new things and challenges, creating unique works instead of copies. I have created over 250 paintings, many of which are landscapes. They have also sold out well because of the market in
Western Canada. A few years ago, I decided to change markets and work with portraits. My focus has been the Selfie-Portrait Series, which has current social relevance. Portraits are my first love and always will be. I love the landscape of the face. The mountain of the nose, the cool oasis of the eyes. Discovering flesh tones and changes throughout... so many possibilities. An infinite number! I find the veins at the back of the hand very difficult to do! I also enjoy the "connection" with the model as I am painting them. Most of my models are former art students, friends, and family. Some of my paintings are surrealistic, such as ‘Pretty Boy’and ‘Spotlight’.”
When looking back, what paintings emerge from your works that most relate to your life story?.
“For sure, the painting of my mother. It was my first oil portrait, completed in 2016. She was 91 and legally blind. She had such kind eyes. I was so fortunate to have such a loving, gentle, kind, and intelligent mother. She was an excellent role model and never complained. When she first "saw" the painting hanging in my living room, she cried. She was so touched that I would take the time to paint her portrait. I should probably paint my dad someday; he had very leathery, wrinkled skin. That would be an interesting challenge.”
What advice would you give to a young artist following your footsteps?
“Don't quit your day job! This was sage advice from one of my university Professors. Art supplies are costly, and you want to keep your practice going without sacrificing your human needs to eat and have a roof over your head. Teaching was a fantastic job, and it led to me starting my own small business in my home studio. My husband is also very supportive financially. Many of my students have become graphic artists, architects, industrial designers, book illustrators, and fine artists. I have mentored many students during my 30 years of teaching, and it brings me joy to know that art continues to be made through some impact that I have made beyond my works.”
How do you think your work fits within the society in our present times?
“I believe my work to be very original and current for the times. I work with the younger generation, so they tend to keep me ‘current’!”
What does your work aim to say?
“Keep dreaming! I like to create an "atmosphere" in my paintings to draw the viewer in and let them stay and contemplate for a while”.
Who are your biggest influences?
“I love the atmospheric and contemplative work of Alex Colville (Canadian), Edward Hopper (American), and Andrew Wyeth (American). Curators have likened my work to theirs. So that is a great compliment. These men painted their environment, just as I do”.
Tell us about your creative process.
“It's slow and well thought out. I don't like rushing anything! I like to take things slow and contemplate things. I usually work on at least six paintings at a time. With oils, you need to let them dry a week between layers. I also intersperse with acrylics (especially for large paintings) and watercolors. The nice thing about working on several at a time is you never get bored or too frustrated. Instead, you move onto the next one. There will also be times where you will have six paintings ready all at once, which is handy”!
What visual references do you draw upon on your work?
“Oh my gosh! Everything stimulates me! My photographs, other peoples' photographs, magazines, the way the light hits things, and shadows are cast. In my mind, I'm always seeing things as a painting. You should see the size of my reference file! I'll never run out of ideas! A busy city like New York drives me crazy (in a nice kind of way), and being out on the ocean alone in my kayak or my studio are the most comforting experiences for me”.
Upcoming projects?
“I have four works stored in Paris for the past year. The shows there shut down because of Covid. I believe some are opening this month. My work will be exhibited at Monteoliveto Gallery (Paris, Nice, Naples). ‘Spotlight’ and ‘Girl With A Pearl Earring’ are currently in the Saltspring Art Prize, a Canadian national competition. My work is often showing in the Federation Gallery in Vancouver, CAN”.
‘Summertime’ will be in the catalog, ’50 Artists To Invest In’, Rome, Italy, curated by Salvatore Russo and his ‘Art International Contemporary Magazine’ this summer. And your magazine, of course.
With her brilliant works as an artist and devotion to teaching, Wray has been changing the world for more than 40 years. The depth of her work shows a master of her craft, one that brings the viewer into a world created from every moment in life and nature that has impacted Wray's world. Her legacy is powerful. One of sharing art in the classroom and the gallery helps each new generation see what can be built when learning and creativity are given their full space to grow. When asked what advice she would offer to viewers and artists alike, she said, "Don't put off until tomorrow, the things you can get done today.' I don't know who said this, but I think it is sage advice."
For some, art comes as naturally as breathing. For Master artist Johanna Wray, art flowed naturally from a young age. Growing up in a European household, much of her youth was focused on the importance of art and music as part of daily life. She practiced piano diligently but began to focus on art in her teenage years, which came naturally.
During high school, Wray received excellent art instruction. She continued her art training at the University of Calgary, receiving her education degree in Fine Arts. Her natural skill and academic education can be seen in her work that has gained international attention in exhibitions in New York and Paris that have raised her profile to a global level.
Currently, Wray is working on a "Selfie-portrait Series," a series consisting of twelve works sized 12 inches (30 cm) square. "I am inspired by "selfies" taken by students on my Instagram feed. For the first time in art history, the models are taking pictures of themselves en masse, creating a new genre in art." Wray's work can be found in private collections and public spaces across Canada, in the United States, Europe, and Japan.