Mutope Johnson  (American, 1954) 

Although Johnson is known commercially for his communications design work, he also uses his fine arts background and has chosen to re-invent himself and in 1997 began painting again.

Mutope’s recent fine arts work have appeared in “Art in Architecture,” UWM Exhibition the Sesquicentennial Celebration of African-American art in Wisconsin, Images From Images, Wisconsin Lutheran College, “Hired Hands” exhibit for which he co-curated, Wisconsin Paper Company 1999 “Fine Artist Series” featured artist, Washington Heights Art Start “Exhibition and Art Auction,” Ameritech Cellular corporate commission, The EAA Aviation Foundation Air Venture Museum, Oshkosh WI, Ardent Music Gallery Group show, “Love a Hot Colored Passion,” Wisconsin Lutheran College Jazz inspired Art Exhibition, “Jam Session,” League of Milwaukee Artist “Spring Group Show,” Charles Allis Art Museum, Gallery 218 Invitational Group Show entitled “Jazz”, The Peltz Gallery Group Show, “The Return of the Men,” and Small Treasures,” The Charles Wustum Museum of Art, Juried Group Show “Watercolor Wisconsin,” Racine, WI, Concordia University Wisconsin, “Seeing Blue in the heart of a man” a solo exhibition, Greer Oaks Gallery “A.B.E.A. Spring Showcase,” Milwaukee Art dealers Association, “Art Milwaukee Festival of Art & Ideas,” Susan Woodson Gallery, Chicago, “The Art of John Biggers,” Group show and many others.

Other activities of record include: former Milwaukee Art Museum, Friends of Art Board of Directors, Milwaukee Times 1999 Black Excellence award winner for Fine Arts. Mutope is a current member of the League of Milwaukee Artist and A.B.E.A. an African American Art Advocacy organization. Mutope is professionally represented by Peltz Gallery, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Mutope has chosen a blend of watercolor and watercolor pencil for his current body of work, the two mediums when used together create complex range of possibilities. “It allows me the opportunity to push myself technically in a direction that gives me the full benefit of color, depth, value and complete discovery.” Utilizing glazing, splatter, water spray, wet on wet and dry brush techniques combined in careful layers gives the final are a unique appearance.