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 andee Shaffer Johnson is an American autodidactic artist presently dividing her time between her studios in Brussels, Belgium and Brittany, France. Professing to be the typical artist unversed in the business aspects of her chosen field, she still manages to exhibit in small to medium galleries all over the globe. She has traveled in over 65 countries as a freelance writer, photographer and artist. Her wanderlust has provided unlimited fuel for her constantly evolving artwork and despite its daunting aspects Sandee is obsessed with creating artwork, wherever she might be.
Art Interview: How old were you when you started painting?
Sandee Shaffer Johnson: I don't remember exactly but I probably developed interest as a young child since my mother was as versatile in the arts as I am.
Art Interview: Did your mother encourage you to become an artist?
Sandee Shaffer Johnson: I can't say she really encouraged me, no. She knew the realities and challenges of such a career. Yet I watched her prepare plaster casts, paint in oils, draw, sculpt and experiment with a makeshift darkroom so it's obvious that she wakened the muse in me.
Art Interview: Was she working as a professional artist?
Sandee Shaffer Johnson: In those days art for her was still considered a hobby since she had to work as a public relations writer to supplement the family income. However in the last few years of her life she became quite well known in at least central Virginia for all three facets of the creative arts. Even though she was in her eighties shortly before she passed away she had another book published.
Art Interview: Your father, what did he do?
Sandee Shaffer Johnson: He was a biologist. He discouraged us completely from any artistic or creative endeavor.
Art Interview: Did he put pressure on you to get a real job or to get married?
Sandee Shaffer Johnson: Yes, definitely. Money and marriage were the only goals for his offspring so of course, all that backfired. I was married the first time when I had just turned 19 and still in college. In the meantime I was working four jobs while taking an overload of courses. Soon after graduation I went through a painful but educational divorce and started traveling for the first time.
Art Interview: What was it like growing up in Virginia?
Sandee Shaffer Johnson: It was all right, but at times it was hard because my father had quite a temper, and was very tight with money. He will never forget living through the Depression so second hand clothing, a freezing house, a starchy diet were the norm. We also didn't have many friends because we lived out in the country. I think that possibly turned us more toward art. My brother is quite brilliant, a writer and a very fine photographer.
Art Interview: You have a very creative family. Do you think it all comes from your mothers side or is there an artist hidden somewhere in your father as well?
Sandee Shaffer Johnson: No, he is not artistic. He is actually not a bad writer.
Art Interview: Which University did you attend?
Sandee Shaffer Johnson: The first two years were spent at a community college and then I transferred to Randolph-Macon Woman's College where I majored in Education/Psychology to please my father since he was paying for it. Though I did manage to take art courses I must admit that I missed out on the entire university experience since I was both working and married - a day student.
Art Interview: How large was the art department there at the time?
Sandee Shaffer Johnson: There were only three professors, I think. It wasn't huge. The teachers were less than exciting to me; I will never forget being forced to paint hundreds of tiny squares to delineate between tones. I also took art history courses in college but American artists were the main focus at that time. RMWC does have a fine small collection of well-known painters in addition to important temporary exhibits. When I graduated I thought I hated abstract art simply because I knew little about it.
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Sandee Shaffer Johnson
From the series:Jazz Suite,
Acrylic on canvas
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Art Interview: You have a technical command over working with earth tones as well as being able to work with really bright colors. Everything seems to flow very well together without becoming kitsch. Where did you learn your technique?
Sandee Shaffer Johnson: I would say it's mostly been self-taught. Though I've taken various workshops, some post-graduate art classes in Mexico and also attended a Flemish art school in Brussels for two years, all this knowledge had to be assimilated into my own style. Obviously, since I've traveled a great deal and lived in other countries, there is an underlying influence by my experiences. That's one explanation for changing my technique and subject matter so often. I have done and seen much more than the normal person. I also have a huge art book collection that I peruse.
Art Interview: Did you find the workshops helpful?
Sandee Shaffer Johnson: A few of the workshops have been utterly fantastic and have given me both new directions and ideas. But others have been a complete waste of time, energy and money. I've learned to research the instructors and the courses' emphasis before signing up. But one of my worst workshops made up for worthless instruction with wonderful accommodations and food.
Art Interview: Would you offer classes yourself?
Sandee Shaffer Johnson: Me as a teacher? Ever since I taught art in Colombia, South America from kindergarten through high school, I've avoided being an art instructor. I have, however, done some one-on-one tutoring and instructed small groups. Someday I might consider giving workshops to adults and can actually visualize that possibility. Several years ago I organized a painting vacation for friends near Giverny, France and enjoyed the experience.
Art Interview: Have other artists influenced your work?
Sandee Shaffer Johnson: Of course. Over the years there have been countless influences by both historical and contemporary artists. The creative person resembles a sponge that soaks up both good and bad. I pay homage to artists such as Gerhard Richter since he has no fear of multiplicity in style. These days I realize that there is nothing really new out there. I might be working on something that I feel is altogether my discovery while several hundred miles away (or even next door) someone else is creating in the very same way. There are endless artists all over the globe and while the internet may bring clients and artists together, it also leaves the artist open to outright piracy of their work.
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Sandee Shaffer Johnson
From the series: Fifth Season: New Beginnings,
Mixed Media on canvas
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Art Interview: When did you begin exhibiting in galleries? Sandee Shaffer Johnson: My first experiences were with small galleries back in the late eighties. At that time I was still not painting but evolving in my photography, changing from a straight journalistic approach to more of a fine art angle. Since my husband was teaching medicine in Tacoma, Washington for seven years, I approached "non-threatening" galleries in both Washington and Oregon, usually succeeding to exhibit. I even was part of an art co-op for a year in the tourist town of Gig Harbor and although it was a good learning experience, I can't say I really enjoyed it. I really dreaded sitting there and couldn't help eavesdropping on clients who could care less about the impact or meaning of the piece - they still believed in that old cliché that "art must match your sofa." Then we were transferred to Brussels, Belgium and everything changed.
Art Interview: How?
Sandee Shaffer Johnson: I slowly began encompassing my photos into collages until eventually I began painting without the photographic crutch. This was a turning point - painting became like air to me - I needed it to exist. Whenever I have no time or place to paint, I become increasingly frustrated and irritable. Even when we spent a year (2000) traveling around Europe by van while Brian was trying to get recruited for an overseas physician position, I couldn't stop. Most of the stuff we carried around with us for that year was for making art: unstretched canvas, stacks of paper, collage items, paint, brushes. We only got robbed once-- and my artwork and supplies were ignored.
Art Interview: So you did manage to create while you were on the road?
Sandee Shaffer Johnson: I painted like a mad woman, depending on where we were staying at the time. Though I planned the first five months of the marathon, renting apartments, houses or whatever our budget would allow, the second part of the trip was full of impulses and more hotel rooms.
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Sandee Shaffer Johnson
From the series:Lost at Sea,
Mixed Media on canvas
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Sandee Shaffer Johnson
From the series:Terracotta,
Mixed Media on canvas
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In Brittany I began a series "Lost at Sea," in the south of France I painted the beginnings of "Jazz Suite." In Italy, Spain and Portugal I continued a series called "Terracotta." In the meantime I was working on a book, a journal of our travels called "Chasing the Sun." Unfortunately, due to my creative obsessions and typing at least three hours per day on a laptop, I developed a serious shoulder disease and was unable to drive, use a computer, cameras or even a paintbrush for at least a year. And to this day I still have mobility /pain issues but I try to ignore them.
Art Interview: What has your gallery experience been like in Europe?
This oral history transcript is the result of a tape-recorded interview with Sandee Shaffer Johnson on October, 16 2004. The interview took place in Berlin, Germany, and was conducted by Brendan Davis for Art Interview Online Magazine.
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