Featured Artist Jeffrey Johnston

Meet Jeffrey Johnston!

Jeff is one of PPWS’ Featured Artists for May 2025!

Jeff first joined somewhere around 2013-2015, stopped being a member when COVID-19 hit, started visiting again in December 2024, and rejoined this January 2025. Jeff is an Associate Member.

Jeff’s Bio:

I was born in raised in San Diego, California. I attended San Diego State University, received a bachelor’s degree in English and a teaching credential, and taught high school English for 5 years. I married my wife Judy in 1993, moved to Baltimore where I worked with a Christian ministry, and had three sons. We moved to Colorado Springs in 2007; I’ve worked for Focus on the Family as a researcher and writer since then. Focus on the Family began offering staff care classes around 2011, and I signed up to learn watercolor with Sarah Paterson and Gail Wise. I’m still learning!

Jeff’s Awards:

I’ve only entered one show, the Colorado Springs Arts Guild in 2016, and won an honorable mention.

Jeff’s favorite things to paint:
Landscapes, seascapes, buildings, and flowers. Jeff only works in watercolor.

Jeff’s favorite or most admired artists:

The Pre-Raphaelites, Winslow Homer, Lilias Trotter, Cezanne and Van Gogh, Edward Hopper, Henry Ossawa Tanner, Andrew and Jamie Wyeth, and many more.

Jeff’s goals for the next year:

Take time to paint each week.

Jeff’s Tip or Trick:

I try to start 2 to 4 paintings of the same subject at a time. That way, I’m not too attached to one painting if it doesn’t come out the way I want, and I learn and improve from repeating the same subject.