Susan Johnston Art

It's easiest to give you a glimpse into Susan Johnston Art by sharing the backstory (the why's and how's) of one of Susan Johnston's drawings.

"Carbon Storage"

I guess that I come prepared. I've been seen carrying my handy stool out and about at nature parks. Luckily, on this one day while on location with my sketching group at Hontoon Island State Park a lot of pinecones were laying around. Putting them in to the right still life was another matter on the slope of the river bank.

Some time later, I found them in my backpack. Inspired by these little pieces of nature, my drawing, "Carbon Storage" was born.

I have lots of sketches laying around and some catch my eyes long after they were drawn. I had drawn the stool and really liked the shading and texture. Several pinecone sketches had been waiting on my drawing table. The other subjects, wooden box, watering can, sketchbook... were in various stages of unfinished sketches.

Most of my life my personal and spiritual connection to pine trees had been growing. Lately, I'd read about how important forests are for storing carbon. I'd been trying to come up with a composition called, Plant More Trees. At last, it all came together! The stool was the ground separating the roots from the seed and stem. I used all my sketches to assemble the composition. The squirrel is on my sketchbook waiting for some yummy pine nuts and doing its part in the ecosystem. And , of course, the pine tree forest shares its wealth with the whole planet by storing carbon.

I used graphite pencil because it never lets me down. It's a language I speak that's always there for me. I also use other drawing mediums: ink, colored pencils, markers, etc.

by Susan Johnston

Susan Johnston's bio

Bachelor of Arts degree in Fine Arts from University of South Florida

Master of Arts Degree in Mathematics Education from University of South Florida

Worked as Math and Art Instructor in High School And College.

Has lived in Central and Suncoast Florida her whole life.