Jake Johnson
He | Him | His
Portland, OR | Occupying the unceded lands of the Cowlitz and Clackamas peoples
Artist Statement
I don't know what exactly painting can do or how my art can be useful; but in my quest to make honest art that I believe in, I hope to be able to communicate and connect with others about the banal, the serious, and the absurd.
My art practice centers around learning and exploration. I want to grow as an artist and I don't want to be bored.
| Image Description: Portrait of a Siamese cat with light blue eyes, wearing a black collar with a gold bell and a blue heart sitting next to a door. Behind the cat is a loosely painted cityscape of various parts of San Francisco. Crumpled white material emerges from behind the cat’s face and wraps up to the top of the painting and appears to climb over the top of the surface. White paint is smooshed out in cursive writing, spelling: “I should’ve.” Fleeting scenes including a child playing fetch with a dog gesturally weave forward and recede throughout the painting. |
Artist Bio
Jake Johnson has received prestigious art opportunities including being the inaugural recipient of the Catherine Kumlin & Robert Gamblin Endowed Art Practice Study Abroad Scholarship and currently has a painting on loan hanging behind the desk of Portland State University's President, Stephen Percy. Johnson was part of the 2019 BFA Art Practice cohort at Portland State University and graduated with an added Art History Minor during the 2020 pandemic remote ceremonies. He lives, works, and watches Bob's Burgers in Portland with his partner and their two cats, Laverne and Shirley. His art has been shown in bars, restaurants, and galleries in and around the city.
Artwork + Blog Posts
Socially Distant Art Exhibitions + Projects
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