Greg Johannesen

Raised with a passion for drawing and a love for the outdoors, he has become the artist he is today—an American Plein Air Realist. Painting en plein air feels like second nature to him, immersing himself in the process and unleashing his creativity to portray the vibrant chaos of the natural world on a small canvas.

Within this confined space, he skillfully creates expressive visions, capturing a slice of the world that has captivated him. Complicated and geometric shapes serve as the foundation for his strong compositions, allowing for forceful object juxtapositions, brilliant lighting effects, and vivid color pairings that demand attention.

Pastel is his medium of choice, thanks to its immediacy, vibrancy, and tactile nature, all of which appeal to his creative sensibilities. Whether he applies it in soft, delicate layers or heavy, bold strokes, pastel allows him to explore and depict each scene with the desired range of expression. Recently, he has drawn inspiration from the local landscape, finding lasting impressions in various aspects of Southern Maryland and the Chesapeake Bay, from the charm of Annapolis to the serenity of Solomons Island and the captivating beauty of Point Lookout.