Marshall Johnson American
Born in Bellingham, Washington, Johnson studied art at the University of Washington and later at the Art Center College of Design in California. Inspired by the rugged coastal landscapes, waterways, and island communities of the Pacific Northwest, he devoted his career to expressing the region’s mood and vitality through marine and landscape art.
Marshall Lysander Johnson grew up in Bellingham, WA. He went on to study at the University of Washington, and subsequently at the Art Center College of Design in California, gaining formal training that would underpin his artistic career.
From his homes in Federal Way and on Orcas Island (in the San Juan Islands), Johnson drew inspiration from the natural beauty, changing light, and coastal life of the Pacific Northwest. He paints primarily oil on canvas, but also works in watercolors, acrylics, and other media producing not just original paintings, but also prints, giclée, woodcuts, serigraphs, and even occasional sculpture.
His artistic goal has been to “project the vitality and varied moods of the Pacific Northwest,” especially maritime life. Many of his works depict harbor scenes, sailing vessels, coastal towns, and island landscapes, capturing the interplay of water, sky, weather, and light.
Throughout his career, Johnson has held numerous one-man exhibitions, participated in regional and national juried and invitational shows, and served as a juror for art events. His art has attracted both private collectors and corporate patrons; among his known collectors are major entities and institutions that have displayed or commissioned his work.
In 2015, a book titled One Hundred Twenty Paintings was published, showcasing a broad selection of Johnson’s work, a lifetime’s worth of Northwest and maritime inspired paintings spanning landscapes, sea scenes, and cityscapes.
Today, Johnson remains a significant figure among Pacific Northwest artists: his works continue to be exhibited, collected, and appreciated for their expressive color, masterful handling of light and atmosphere, and their evocative sense of place.