ARTISTSALIVE365: Artist, Johannah O'Donnell

Monday, December 19, 2011

Artist, Johannah O'Donnell

Johannah O'Donnell, a Florida native, grew up in the city of Sarasota. She graduated from Ringling School of Art and Design with a degree in Fine Art in 1995, and moved to Orlando three years later. O’Donnell has been in numerous exhibitions both locally and nationally. She is currently working on a new series of paintings for her solo show at Bold Hype Gallery in NYC.
Influenced by the American Pop Art movement, Spanish Surrealism, and Sci-Fi/Fantasy Art, Johannah O'Donnell's paintings use natural and figurative symbolism to comment on the ever-evolving human condition.

More:
Johannah O’Donnell creates explosive, vibrant paintings in acrylic on wood panel, using neon color schemes with rich multi-layered backgrounds. Though the paintings are primarily portraits that question our collective view of beauty, her panels are also rich with existential sub themes.
As to why she paints fantasy, she says, “I think I’m drawn to it the same way I’m drawn towards heavy metal music. It’s nerdy and sincere. It’s art without irony - pure enthusiasm, imagination, and talent. I’m a big believer in sincerity in art. Sarcasm and irony are just self-defense mechanisms, a way to keep others at a distance. I have no interest in art that alienates the viewer.”