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Exploring the Unknown: Abstract works by Sue Johnson are on display at Brenda McMahon Gallery for the month of October. Photo by Becca McCoy<\/p>\n
Exploring the Unknown: Abstract works by Sue Johnson are on display at Brenda McMahon Gallery for the month of October.
Photo by Becca McCoy<\/p>\n
On the second floor of the ArtsXchange, the coveted studios in the Warehouse Arts District, is the artistic home of Sue Johnson.<\/p>\n
She has been in the complex since its grand opening in October 2017, working in representational and abstract art through oil, acrylic, and cold wax mediums. After a full personal and professional life as wife and mother, special ed teacher, and art therapist, Johnson has happily realized her lifelong aspiration of being a full-time artist.<\/p>\n
Originally from Charleston, West Virginia, Johnson spent her working years in Vermont and retired to Florida in 2000.<\/p>\n
Art has always been part of her life, and when telling her story, a theme recurs: \u201cI took a class\u2026\u201d \u201cI took a workshop\u2026\u201d \u201cI continued taking art classes\u2026\u201d Her journey has been one of continual dedication to the practice of art, through which came the process of finding her own voice.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m still growing, I\u2019m still changing,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019m an explorer.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sue Johnson\u2019s Exploring the Unknown Exhibit<\/p>\n
Her solo show at Brenda McMahon Gallery, Exploring the Unknown, is her first all-abstract exhibit.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s something about doing a one-person show that gives you an opportunity to really look at your own work \u2014 to think about it. To think about how you would describe it, how you would talk about it,\u201d said Johnson. \u201cI\u2019ve never been too good at that, but I have really worked through some vocabulary.\u201d<\/p>\n
On Oct. 18, Brenda McMahon Gallery welcomed Sue Johnson in person for an artist talk and meet and greet. Johnson\u2019s abstracts look right at home on the walls at BMG, juxtaposed by the evocative cityscapes of September\u2019s featured artist Joe LeGrand and the distinct work of resident artist Patricia Kluwe Derderian.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI was drawn to Sue Johnson\u2019s work when walking through her studio during a [Second Saturday] ArtWalk,\u201d Brenda McMahon told The Gabber Newspaper. \u201cHer paintings feel fresh, exploratory, and ever changing. The color palette and mix of media gives her abstracts a sense of dimension and texture that travel through the paintings beautifully.\u201d<\/p>\n
[Read more below]Arts<\/a> All Around!<\/p>\n The Gabber Newspaper covers live theater and art<\/a> across South Pinellas. And, when we find something worth the drive, we cover art in the Tampa Bay and Sarasota areas. <\/p>\n Johnson was honored to be invited to exhibit at BMG.<\/p>\n \u201cThe gallery has such high-quality work,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n In addition to her show catalogue, Johnson brought some of what she calls \u201cher babies\u201d \u2013 small representational still life oil paintings \u2013 for the retail section of the gallery.<\/p>\n Johnson has a fondness for oil paint, but it doesn\u2019t lend itself to abstracts due to the drying time. Her acrylic-based abstracts continue to evolve as she incorporates collage elements and experiments in new-to-her palettes.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re pulled into a painting for different reasons,\u201d she said. \u201cSomeone told me they felt like they were invited into another land when I saw my paintings; I thought that was lovely.\u201d<\/p>\n When asked how she knows an abstract painting is finished, Johnson said, \u201cWhen I stop feeling I have something else to do. When the messages stop.\u201d Then, with a smile and a twinkle in her eye, she added, \u201cWith the caveat: I have taken pieces off the wall and painted over them again.\u201d<\/p>\n Exploring the Unknown with Abstract Artist Sue Johnson<\/p>\n Brenda McMahon Gallery, 2901 Beach Blvd. S., Gulfport. Through Oct. 31. brendamcmahongallery.com<\/a>, 727-454-0453<\/a>.<\/p>\n We\u2019re the calm during the storm. No hype, only help!<\/p>\n Bookmark The Gabber Newspaper\u2018s storm coverage<\/a> page for quick access to relevant tropical storm updates. No hype, no guessing, just updates on shelters, sandbags, and closures. Sign up for text alerts<\/a> to get real-time guidance and prep advice when there\u2019s a named storm heading our way. Also, check out our downtown Gulfport and beach web cams<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"a](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/01Sue-Johnson_Becca-McCoy_10232025.jpg\")
Sue Johnson\u2019s solo show at Brenda McMahon Gallery, Exploring the Unknown, is her first all-abstract exhibit.
Photo by Becca McCoy<\/p>\n