Carl B Johnson – CBJ Art dot com
Nothing quiet on the Western Front
Desert Detritus Clock
$250.00
Who says art cannot be functional? My Desert Detritus clocks are crafted from debris collected from the Sonora Desert
The back is driftwood found on the shores of Canyon Lake. My guess is that it is a chunk of ironwood. Hand rubbed with a finish of linseed oil.
The jawbone is likely from a coyote. I cleaned the jawbone with a mild detergent, being careful to retain the toning created by the Arizona desert sun. A precision clock work ensures accurate time.
I am fortunate to be a member of Take Five, a group of artists in the East Valley that are self-taught, not the product of an art school.
We are all artists not because of an education, but despite. Art is life, we cannot but create art.
I would suppose I am more noted for my American Bar Series, my paintings of bars from east coast to west. Bars, I would remind you, that I have imbibed in. Continue reading “Assemblage”
Alone
Oil on Canvas, 36″x36″
$800.00
Behind a building at the Goldfield Ghost Town in Apache Junction sits a decrepit 1950’s vintage International Harvester pickup truck.
I was wandering off the beaten track at this well known tourist attraction when I stumbled onto this gem. In its former life, this IH served as a fire truck. The original painting will be on display at my show in December at One-oh-One in Mesa.
I have always been drawn to the underdog. Growing up in a town that saw extreme change, like most people I resent change. Change is inevitable.
At some point I understood the necessity to embrace change. Eventually you must cease to kick against the goads. If you fail to get my meaning, read the Book of Acts in the New Testament.
I have been in the East Valley in Arizona for less than a decade. In less than a decade I have seen landmarks disappear. Progress always wins. The weak fall by the wayside and are trodden under. Continue reading “Things Change”
Democrat demagogues are bashing their foreheads into walls and gnashing their teeth because their nemesis Donald J. Trump has been nominated for two Nobel Peace Prizes. Continue reading “Peace, Peace and there is no Peace”
Just another day in Arizona. The curve has flattened, even using the bogus numbers provided by suspicious government entities.
My cactus has survived and thrived despite the scares of the uninformed. The Valley has been deprived of rain just as it has been deprived of unbiased reporting of the current pandemic.
When the rain finally do come, the cactus will thrive and grow. When the truth about this pandemic finally gets public attention, we will thrive and grow also.
“The truth is out there.” – Mulder
“I would never join a club that would have me as a member. ” Groucho Marx
The University Club would probably have me as a member. I gained entrance without joining. The Take Five artists are on display in the University Club. I have five paintings on display, and available for purchase.
All of my paintings are of bars, some local, some famous. Submitting these paintings for this exhibit – on display until January 2021 – placed me in a quandary. Continue reading “University Club”
Take Five is a loose affiliation of artists from the East Valley. We are cooperating in a series of exhibitions starting this month.
These images are mock ups of cards we are printing. Information on upcoming shows will be posted as I get it