I came to Fine Arts late in life, and looking back I can see that everything I found interesting ultimately led me to painting. From the time I was 10, I was working at crafts, building and designing toys, models, even a boat! A year later I built two guitars, one of which won 1st prize at the Ohio State Fair.

After completing my degree at Ohio State University, I opened the Columbus Folk Music Center. There, I continued both building and restoring stringed instruments. I was particularly involved in building Mountain Dulcimers and banjos. I learned to carve delicate inlay for these instruments which increased my interest in design and art. During that time, I became known as a musician and singer as well as a maker.

Shortly after moving to the Boston area, I rediscovered my childhood interest for model making and began designing and producing toys that were sold in small shops in New England coastal towns. However, my love of music soon drew me back to instruments and instrument making. I consequentially opened a violin shop where I also learned to repair violins. As my interest in these very beautiful instruments grew, I gravitated toward appraising them. Appraising violins and painting are currently my two occupations. I am also developing a dream woodworking shop where I can continue designing toys and expand my long overdue interest in furniture and wood sculpture.

There are four ingredients I believe crucial to becoming a good painter. First, you must have the desire. Second, you must have inspiring teachers. Third, you must be willing to grow with new ideas you encounter. And finally, you must be prepared to work very hard. In this way I try to find something in my life that is challenging and satisfying.

-Roger Johnson