Carl B Johnson – CBJ Art dot com
Nothing quiet on the Western Front
Just various oil paintings that do not fit into my American Bar Series category.
Take Five Artists Opening reception at Holland Gallery in Carefree, AZ.
Finally! We had an opening reception at a gallery that did not mandate masks!
Holland Gallery is a fantastic space for artists. The staff is top notch, friendly, helpful, loving. I wish I had more paintings for display. I am working on more, trust me. Most of my available work is three-dimensional. The gallery is geared to paintings, and I have four paintings on display. Continue reading “Holland Gallery Opening Reception”
Friday Night Shift
Oil on Canvas, 24″x30″
Everyone needs a safe haven, a place where everybody knows your name. “Friday Night Shift” is the latest in my American Bar Series of paintings.
Captain’s in Apache Junction is my home away from home. Captain’s, where you may one day see someone ride his horse through the bar. Captain’s, where you might see the owner dancing on the bar. Captain’s, where Mary one day took a sledge hammer to her credit card machine, and since then has been cash only. Captain’s, with the coldest beer on draught in Apache Junction. Continue reading “Friday Night Shift”
Today marked the official opening reception of the Take Five Artists exhibit at Gallery One-Oh-One in Mesa, AZ.
Take Five is comprised of six artists; Liz Nicklus, Susan H. Paige, Sharon Peterson, Nancy Nowak Utech, Rosalie Trulli Vaccaro, and of course myself.
We all have differing styles and different strengths. I am the late-comer to the group. All of the artists have an extensive portfolio.
This exhibit will be up until the end of January 2021. We will be open every weekend.
Take Five Artists Exhibition
I am one of six artist in Take Five Artists (math is not our strong point). During the month of December 2020 we will have an exhibit at One-oh-One Gallery in Mesa Arizona.
The Gallery is located at 101 Main Street, Mesa, AZ.
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 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”
I was recently asked what American Bar Series paintings I have available for purchase. I am posting the finished paintings in my studio.
All paintings are framed and ready to hang. All paintings are of bars that I have frequented. Prices include shipping within the 48 contiguous United States.
Jake’s o’ Mine was an outlaw biker bar a block from my house. It closed several years ago. In the heyday, Jake’s had a tattoo artist on site. Oil wrestling, live bands, Hell’s Angels, what more could you ask for in you corner bar? Continue reading “American Bar Series”
I first learned about Dr. Martin’s Dyes in high school, back in the Dark Ages.
I was one of the select students in Mr. Gaynor’s art class that was permitted to never complete any class assignment. Dan Gaynor allowed me and Chris Duke and a few others to do whatever we pleased in his class.
In my senior year of high school, I had only English and Corporate Accounting classes as required courses to graduate. I filled the empty slots with three art classes. Mr. Gaynor gave me free reign to create whatever I wanted. He had Dr. Martin’s Dyes, a vibrant concentrated watercolor ink, tucked away in a closet. In those days I did a lot of illustrative art. Continue reading “Dr. Ph. Martin’s Dyes”
Shaken, not Stirred
oil on canvas
48″x60″
An oldie but goody. Mark bought it. One of my old favorites.
I was a bit lubricated on martinis – yes Boodles gin and a pretense of Noilly Prat Vermouth.
My life today is more stirred yet not shaken. I pay attention to politics, both local and national, and yet do not sweat. I am more taken with Doris Day – Que Sera Sera – than I am with the news of the day. Fifty-seven years of bullshit and I have finally come to the realization that everything shakes out in the end, even slow ketchup.
Jakes’s O Mine
oil on canvas
8×10
It has been a while since I have had time to post. Recently, while talking to Dusty, the bartender at Lucky Strikes, I realized that I have been amiss at not posting my first Arizona bar series painting.
Lucky’s is where the infamous Jake’s O Mine was located. Jake’s was distinguished by its peculiarly low bar, surrounded by kitchen chairs rather than bar stools.
Jake’s had a tattoo artist on premises. Whereas almost every bar has a sign requesting that no bike club colors be displayed, Jake’s had no such policy. Some nights half the clientele were sporting red and white. Continue reading “Catching Up”