Biography

Stephen Robert Johns, born 1948, is a painter working in Los Angeles CA and San Jose Costa Rica. He is a graduate of Chouinard Art Institute Los Angeles and Cal Arts, Valencia BFA 1972. Although his paintings are minimal, geometric, hard edge and repeat patters, much of Stephen’s artwork is interpreted subject matter, especially as studies of nature, emphasizing the geometry and color contrasts within the botanical structures; the Earth’s topography, as seen from 30,000’, while flying to and from destinations; or within the city, being inspired by the geometric, contemporary, steel and glass architecture. Johns’ paintings are collected world-wide, with representation in Los Angeles, New York, Tokyo and Costa Rica. In 1972, following his tenure as an art student, Stephen immediately began showing his art, first at the Westwood CA Outdoor Art Show, which earned him First Prize in painting, and Second Prize overall. It was during this exhibition that Stephen was introduced to Art Reps and Architects and his first painting commission thru Tamara Thomas of Fine Art Services, Los Angeles and Don Snow Architecture of Brown/Snow Beverly Hills. Corporate clients included Valley Presbyterian Hospital, Security Pacific Bank, Hyatt Regency Hotel, ARCO Towers Los Angeles and eventually led to working with Art rep Francine Ellman of Art Source LA, with clients such as USC, AT&T, Hotel Monaco, Washington DC, and Western Asset Management, Pasadena CA. In 1997 Johns was selected to participate in a Cultural Exchange exhibition between Kitakyushu Japan and Los Angeles artists thru LA Artcore Gallery. The exhibition was held at the Kitakyushu Municipal Museum of Art. Following the exhibition, Johns was introduced to Fram Kitagawa, owner of Art Front Gallery, Shibuya Tokyo Japan. Mr Kitagawa began purchasing his paintings that year and has continued to represent Johns’ art in his Tokyo gallery as of today.

EXHIBITIONS 1995-2022

Square Series Blue to White to Brown 1975 Frederick R. Weisman Collection, Silverman Gallery, Cal State LA 2022
Stephen w/ Joan Agajanian Quinn Solo Exhibition Kylin Gallery Beverly Hills, CA May 2021

S-Curve Circle Relief Series II 72×72” Acrylic on Canvas 1973 Solo Exhibition Kylin Gallery Beverly Hills May 2021

Elementos (agua) V & VI 48×48” Acrylic on Canvas 2014, Sakuragi Fine Art, Tokyo Japan December 2018

Circle Series I & II 48×48” each Acrylic on Canvas 2014, Sakuragi Fine Art, Tokyo Japan December 2018

Circle Series YO Y YG 24×24” each Acrylic on Canvas 2014, Sakuragi Fine Art, Tokyo Japan December 2018

Elementos (agua) VII-X, Kitakyushu Municipal Museum of Art, Group Exhibition, Kitakyushu Japan 2015

2014 Retrospective w/collector Lee Pasteris of Gensler & Associates, w/her painting, Costa Rica Hills XVIII 2008, LA Artcore Gallery, Los Angeles CA 2014

2014 Retrospective LA Artcore Brewery Gallery, with Joan & Jack Quinn

Fukuoka City Museum of Art, Group Show, Fukuoka Japan 2012

Abstraction Internacionalista Group Show, Galeria Andromeda, San Jose Costa Rica 2010

Modernism Today, LAX Tom Bradley International Terminal 2008

LA Artcore Brewery Gallery, Sector Series Black & White LIII-LV Acrylic on Canvas 2003, Los Angeles CA 2008

Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, Ode to a Black Hole & Sector Series RED Group Show, Fukuoka Japan 2008

Don O’Melveny Gallery, Sector Series XXXXVI-XXXXIX 1997 Polyester Resin on Wood Panels, Los Angeles 2007

Don O’Melveny Gallery, Sector Series, Los Angeles 2007

Asto Gallery Group Show, Sector Series Los Angeles 2005

Denise Bibro Fine Art Group Show, Sector Series LII, Chelsea NY 2005

Kitakyushu Municipal Museum of Art Group Show, Sector Series Black & White, Kitakyushu Japan 2005

Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Art Rental Gallery Solo Show, Los Angeles CA 2005

Ruth Bachofner Gallery Group Show, Modernism Today, Bergamot Station, Santa Monica CA 2004

Artists Talk on Art (ATOA) New York, Juried Exhibition 1st Place w/Molly Barnes 2004

Robert Savedra Gallery w/Joan Quinn, Los Angeles 2003

National Gallery Museo de los Ninos, Solo Exhibition, San Jose Costa Rica 2001

Fukuoka Museum of Art, with painter Kenichi Matsuo & friend, Fukuoka Japan 2001

LA Artcore Gallery, Solo Exhibition, w/Molly Barnes & Mauro Caputo 2001

LA Artcore Brewery Gallery Solo Exhibition w/Architect and Collector Don Snow 2001

Mount Saint Mary’s Jose Drudis-Biada Gallery, Solo Exhibition, Homage to A Friend, 1995

Kitakyushu Municipal Museum of Art Group Exhibition, Talking with Students About My Art, 1997