Interview with Artist Jay Johnston

43302: When did you know that this was what you wanted to do with your life? How did you get started?

Jay Johnson: My Dad was actually a very good artist and cartoonist. I use to watch him draw when I was a kid - he was good. I was encouraged by my Junior High and High School Art teachers to continue studying Art. Early influences were Norman Rockwell and Andrew Wyeth.

43302: Describe your creative space. If push came to shove, would you be able to work, or have you worked, in another studio?

Jay Johnston: My home studio has always been a combination of my paintings, and pictures of all things that have influenced me in music and movies and history - so youʼll see Beatles, Laurel and Hardy and Civil War stuff. I can work in another area if I got what I need to get the job done.

43302: You are a historical and sports artist. You illustrate books and you work restoring carousels. How do you handle working on multiple projects at the same time?

Jay Johnston: It depends how important it is and if it has a deadline. The Woodland Elves books had to be done by a certain date to meet publishing deadlines. If Iʼm working on a painting for myself, if itʼs turning out good and Iʼm into it, I can go every day for hours till itʼs done. If it’s giving me problems Iʼll set it aside and come back to it later and many times Iʼll be able to see what needs to be done. Working on the Carousel projects is my regular 8 to 5 job. Itʼs fun and doesnʼt seem like a job to me.

43302: Can you envision your finished product before you start it?

Jay Johnston: In my mind I can see it... but sometimes it just ends up different and that can be a good thing or bad. If bad, I just scrap it and start over.

43302: Tell us about a memorable response you've had to your work.

Jay Johnston: Many years ago I did a drawing of Woody Hayes. The person I did it for got to meet Woody and have it autographed. Woody told him he thought it was the best heʼs seen and he was pleased I included a ring he always wore. In 2011 my painting of Satchel Paige was selected to be exhibited at the National Art Museum Of Sport in Indianapolis. Although I didnʼt win any top awards, a local journalist wrote about my painting out of all the incredible paintings there on exhibit.

43302: What was the process of collaboration so that you could create the Woodland Elves art?

Jay Johnston: The premise of The Woodland Elves is actually based on a real-life experience with one of Shary Williamson’s grandchildren, minus real actual Elves of course. Shary wrote the story and weʼd go over each page on what the illustration would show. Sometimes Iʼd come up with something in the illustration she liked better than what she wrote and change the story line. We self-published the books as to avoid the headache of a publisher telling us what to do.

Shary Williamson has written the five books of “The Woodland Elves Series.” The books have sold thousands and can be found in schools, libraries, and homes in more than 92 countries. Jay Johnston is the illustrator of the books.

43302: This is a wonderful painting. How did you decide to capture this particular moment suspended in time?

Jay Johnston: The 1968 World Series was the most exciting for me growing up. This painting was not a win for the Tigers. Gibson completely shut them down that day. The Tigers came back to win after being down 3 games to 1 which made it so exciting.

43302: I have to add that any Tiger fan, worth his salt, knows that thatʼs Jim Northrup at the plate. Jay, you got all the details exactly right from his stance to how he holds the bat. Perfect.

Jay Johnston: Correct. It is Jim Northrup at the plate. Itʼs from a photo I found. I changed it a bit by bringing out the upper deck with more crowd visible.

43302: Your sports action paintings captivate the viewer. This particular painting contains so many elements. What issues did you have to address before you even started the painting?

Jay Johnston: The 1968 OSU vs Mich. game was the most memorable for me growing up. A 50 to 14 victory for the Buckeyes. I found this photo of the game and changed it by adding John Hicks on the far left and adding another Michigan defender in the background. By totally painting the background out of focus and the players tight and detailed brings this one to life and gives it depth. I really like how this turned out. I got to meet Rex Kern after the Rose Bowl and got his autograph.

43302: What is your favorite sport to watch and what is your favorite sport to paint? Explain why.

Jay Johnston: My favorite to paint is Football probably because of the action and uniforms. The “Last Hurrah” is different - itʼs the mood. They are totally covered in mud and defeated. I love the feeling of this piece. Iʼm working out a scene of Jackie Robinson stealing home. Good action with the home plate umpire signaling safe! I was able to find the perfect photo of an ump doing this I can inject into the action.

43302: This painting is the battle of the Alamo. To me, it seems as though this is the final siege. How do you decide what battle scenes you want to paint?

Jay Johnston: Iʼve always been a Davy Crockett fan since I was a kid. Iʼve read a lot on Crockett and the Alamo. The battle actually happened about 4:30 in the morning, so I created a light source with the exploding flares and hard shadows on the chapel. The Church compound was probably the last area being defended by Crockett and his Tennessee men. A diary kept by one of Santa Annaʼs officers said Crockett and four or five of his men were actually captured, but executed in the morning. I had some friends and relatives pose for this painting with my daughterʼs fiancé posing as Davy.