Surfer-Painter Taryn Johnson

ACM: Hi Taryn! We’d like to start off with something we ask all our artists: Why do you make art?

TJ: I make art for the joy of exploring shapes, celebrating color, and sharing my playful appreciation of nature.

ACM: Who is one of your favorite local artists?

TJ: I am loving the work Christine Jozitis has been doing with Fern Grove Creative. She makes wearable art using found foliage and alternative process photography techniques on upcycled clothing. I admire how committed she is to sustainability and reducing environmental impact, and how technical and precise she is with her printing methods. Her work honors nature both visually and through its ethical creation. Each piece she creates is so beautiful, unique, and functional.

ACM: If you could only have one art tool, what would it be?

TJ: Probably my computer & stylus but otherwise, a black MUJI Gel Ink pen (with paper too!)

ACM: Do you have a favorite work of art you’ve made?

TJ: Several years back I did a 100-Day Project during which I drew one fish a day for 100 days. Some of the paintings from that project I still consider some of the best work I’ve done! Counterintuitively, the time constraint was liberating. I was able to create and move on to the next piece without overthinking the details. It was such a joy building the shapes of the fish and playing with color and texture without any expectation other than creating something new each day.

ACM: What’s your dream creative project?

TJ: My dream projects have always been the intersection of marine science and art. Illustrating ocean life, designing ecology infographics, or working with aquariums or non-profits to create visuals that are both educational and joyful. I love to spark in others the same sense of wonder and curiosity for our natural world that I feel when I am learning about the ocean and wildlife. I’d love to write and illustrate my own books around marine life, or work with scientists to create content for the public.

ACM: What's something fun that people might not know about you?

TJ: I love to surf! I surf in New England all year long (yes, even in the winter!) I also spend a lot of my time backcountry skiing in the mountains when there is snow.

ACM: Could you share one of the things you most like about ACM?

TJ: I love how committed ACM is to building community and supporting the arts. Everyone truly seems committed to the mission of supporting creativity and culture. There is always a diverse range of cultural, educational, or art events going on – I never know what will be happening in the lobby when I come in to create, and that’s a lot of fun!

Interested in owning some of Taryn’s art? You can buy many of her illustrations as digital prints, pins, stickers, and wearables from her Etsy store: tarynmakes.