Mitchell Johnson: A Comprehensive Collection of Paintings from North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Morocco (Selected Works 1979-2025)

**Mitchell Johnson: A Vibrant Exploration of Color and Perception**

Flea Street in Menlo Park, California, is hosting an extensive exhibition of paintings by the acclaimed artist Mitchell Johnson from November 15 to December 20. The exhibition, titled *Paintings from North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Morocco (Selected Work 1979-2025)*, is a captivating showcase of Johnson’s exploration of color and perception, featuring a diverse array of works from various continents. Notable amongst the collection are new pieces from Johnson’s recent artistic journeys to Brazil and Peru, alongside pieces from Morocco that have never been exhibited before. The exhibition also provides a historical glimpse into Johnson’s artistic evolution by including some of his earliest works.

Mitchell Johnson’s artistic journey is a testament to the profound influence of color theory and art history. Renowned art critics such as Donald Kuspit, Alexander Nemerov, and Susan Emerling have extensively covered his work. Abraham Storer, writing for the *Provincetown Independent*, emphasized the significance of color perception in Johnson’s paintings and his teachings at the Truro Center for the Arts at Castle Hill.

Storer narrated an insightful moment from Johnson’s annual workshop at Castle Hill. Johnson, addressing his workshop students, illustrated the transformative impact of color through simple exercises, revealing how a strip of green paper dramatically changes its appearance against different backdrops. Such demonstrations vividly convey the technical and perceptual depth Johnson ascribes to color.

Donald Kuspit, in *Whitehot Magazine*, praises Johnson’s approach, stating, “Where Cezanne was a proto-modernist, making representational works that were implicitly abstract, Johnson is a post-modernist, making abstract works that are implicitly—often explicitly—representational.” This reflection encapsulates the dual nature of Johnson’s artistic expression, bridging abstraction and representation.

Alexander Nemerov, in an essay titled “Heir of Theirs: Mitchell Johnson and Fairfield Porter,” remarks on how Johnson’s paintings resonate with styles of artistic masters such as Pierre Bonnard and Josef Albers. Nemerov appreciates Johnson for neither merely imitating these influences nor engaging in a tumultuous quest for originality, but rather for integrating these elements organically into his own artistic idiom.

Susan Emerling, writing for *ArtNews* in 2004, described Johnson’s European beach scenes as vibrant and pleasing, highlighting his use of bold brush strokes and striking colors that inject life into everyday scenarios with an Impressionist feel.

Johnson’s work is celebrated in both artistic and popular realms, with over 35 museums globally incorporating his pieces into their permanent collections. Additionally, his paintings have adorned the sets of several films including *The Holiday* (2006), *It’s Complicated* (2009), and *Crazy, Stupid, Love* (2011).

The exhibition at Flea Street offers an unmissable opportunity to experience Mitchell Johnson’s mastery of color and form. Looking ahead, art enthusiasts can anticipate Johnson’s third exhibition at Galerie Mercier in Paris, slated for March 2026.

For further details on Mitchell Johnson’s work and upcoming exhibitions, visit [mitchelljohnson.com](https://bit.ly/47BOfci) and follow his artistic journey on Instagram [@mitchell_johnson_artist](https://bit.ly/4rc9zNl).