Dream BIG and Inspire Greatness
Skilled in the creation of art and artists
MEET ELYSE JOHNSON
I love creating art and inspiring a love of art in others
Growing up in Apex, North Carolina, I started taking art classes in middle school, and was in love with it by high school. I took every single art class that was available to me, both in and out of school. After graduating from Meredith College with a Bachelors of Arts in Studio Art and Art Education, I worked for the Wake County School System for several years teaching 2D and 3D art and eventually pottery.
While pursuing my career in education, my then-fiancé was starting an adventure that would take us across the globe to New Zealand. The five years that we spent there molded me in so many ways as I experienced the new and different culture, and helped me learn more about myself. One aspect of New Zealand’s culture that impacted me the most was the collectiveness, valuing of teamwork and the success of the community over individualism. For example, there is the analogy of the field of poppy flowers. If one flower is taller than the others, it is cut so that the entire field is uniform. Like many artists, I embrace uniqueness and self-expression thus causing me to stand out and giving me the name of a Tall Poppy.
Upon returning to the United States, I have a new love and respect for the way that Americans embrace individuality, and now I sign all of my artwork with a poppy as a reminder that Tall Poppies are needed in this world, and that my goal is to create more of them.
To see more of my work, find me on Facebook and Instagram, or head over to Van Goat Studios to learn more about my work as a muralist.
My outlook
We are each a product of our experiences, and I am no different. My work represents my interests, life experiences, and goals. I translate this outlook to my students as they explore their own world through their experiences.
NC Born & Raised
Born and raised in Apex, I now live on a hobby farm outside of Dunn
Art Education
I studied Studio Art with a focus in Education at Meredith College
Overseas Experience
I spent five years in New Zealand for an Overseas Experience, volunteering with Rotary International
Art Life
On top of creating my own pieces, I accept commission work and teach art lessons to a variety of ages in and around Harnett County.
My Work
Here is a sampling of the work that I have done both for myself and for others. To see what I currently have for sale, head on over to the Artifactual Facebook page. To get information about commissioning a piece, shoot me an email and we'll get started! Each piece that I do comes with a certificate of authenticity and is a one-of-a-kind work of art.
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Logo Designs
Barn Quilts
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Internships
In lieu of traditional art lessons, I am offering art apprenticeships designed to teach art techniques and equip students with the skills needed to pursue art professionally. If you are not a student of mine and are 18 years old or older, you must provide ONE of the following: a digital portfolio, a website, or a social media folder showcasing your latest work.
Foundations
Middle School
This allows students to pursue their passions and provides them with the skills and vocabulary to explore the range of art mediums as well as the idea of a career in the visual arts.
Pre-Apprentice
9th - 11th Grade
Once in high school, students will continue their skill development and will be introduced to more complex techniques, and determine which art medium(s) they would like to pursue.
Apprenticeship
11th - 12th Grade
Connecting class instruction with visual art job training, this stage is pursued with the understanding that the student would like to be considered as an applicant for the VanGoat Studios NC internship.
Intern
12th Grade & Up
This is a paid position, where interns will work closely with the Art Director at VanGoat Studios NC to plan, prepare, and execute a variety of mural projects.
*Note: Personal transportation required
Testimonials
"I signed my daughter Bijou up for art lessons with Mrs. Elyse thinking it would be something fun for my “artsy” child. I had no idea she was going to learn so much. Not only does she get the opportunity to paint and draw, but she’s made sculptures, learned how to sew, learned about different artists and their unique styles. Mrs. Elyse has challenged Bijou to be a better artist. We are so thankful to have such a knowledgeable teacher that continues to inspire Bijou artistically."
Leigh Anne Hester
"My horse that I grew up with passed away last year, and even though I had countless pictures of her, they were mostly either up close or had other people or animals in them as well. Elyse was able to take a few pictures and piece together an original painting that looks just like my girl (even though we had almost no full-body pictures). Everything about the painting is stunning, even down to the texture of the paint on the canvas. Elyse did an amazing job with this piece, and I am so thankful to have it."
AnnaScott Cross
"I was a student of Mrs. Elyse's about a year before she asked me to intern with her. I was extremely surprised by the offer and was really excited. At the start, I mostly did a lot of prep work, which allowed me to learn more about the process of teaching art, along with how to assess other people's abilities. I then moved onto learning about the process of commissioning art and proposing my ideas to large committees and businesses. Overall, I have been able to hone my skills as an artist, whilst learning more about how to run a business. I am grateful to have had this opportunity and I can't wait to learn more!"
Lorelai Bellanger
VIDEO INTERVIEWS
Dana / Farm Business Commissioned Artwork
Kim / Childhood Memories Commissioned Artwork
For Art Apprenticeship
Call now 919-756-0410
Elyse@Artifactual.biz
Dunn, North Carolina
Contact Us
For Commission Work
Call now
919-756-0410
Elyse@Artifactual.biz
Dunn, North Carolina
Contact Us
Feeling like Spring ππ»πΈ
Bunnyπ°π₯
Another wonderful group of artists making beautiful barn quilts!!!π¨π
Gelli Prints!! Elyse loves learning new techniques π¨π
Alcohol Ink artworks 5 x 5
"Poppies" Alcohol ink and pen
Alcohol ink experiments π
The prints are in!!! Elyse has a limited number available. Both prints are sized at 8 x 10 & they're $50 each. Message Elyse before she runs out!!ππ¨
Some beautiful clovers for St. Patrick's Day βοΈ
Boone Trail Afterschool did a fantastic job!!
White Lake Tranquility
30x 40
Acrylic paint
Bijou finished her Day of the Dead Portrait β£οΈπ¨π
Ms.Elyse lost her beloved Pug, Rudy, last October. So, one of her students, Keegan, made a pug on his 3D printer that he got for Christmasβ£οΈπ¨ππΆ
Boone Trail Afterschool made some beautifully inspired Jim Dine artworks!!! β€οΈππ¨
@harnettparksrec
Elyse has done it again!!! Absolutely beautiful πβ€οΈ
Finished this portrait today! Happy client, happy lifeβ€οΈπ
A painting for a client who wanted to give a special Christmas gift π
'Forever My Heart '
8x10
Oil painting
Dis be my desk while at work.....I'm not spoiled! I'm working hard!! It's not my fault your employer doesn't provide you with a built-in bed....πΆ
Christmas Networking π π¨
Ms.Elyse's dog, Rudy, handed over the rains (from the rainbow bridge) to her new dog Bosco. Bosco was learning the ropes today in the art studio ππΆππ¨
Ms.Elyse and her students were busy this weekend! Painting Event on Saturday and their art show with @apogeeartnc Sunday! Artwork will be on display @eastcoasthempsupply until Friday at 4pm. If you missed it, go check it out!!!
Dancing like it's 1999πΊπππ¨
Beautiful disco ball Bijou!!! We really advanced our understanding of Color Theory πΊπ¨π
Great job, Hester Boys, on your beautiful sugar skulls!!
El Día de los Muertosππ΅π΅π―
Art Students your tshirts have Arrived!!!β€οΈππ¨
Beautiful work Julieππ¨π©π¨
After learning about color theory, we are now applying the concepts into our artworks.
It's important to practice with your brushes first and see their capabilities before going straight into your artwork. Julie did beautiful work with this technique π ππ¨
Julie is learning about creating texture and how to use various brushes for certain affects π
Gotta love color theory π¨π
Ms. Elyse takes an art class and loves the techniques she learns; so, you know she has to share with her students! ππ¨γ°οΈ
Keegan did a beautiful job on his succulent, still-lifeβοΈβοΈπ¨
π¨ππ
Elyse had another great day at painting classππ¨
Yesterday's class paintingsβ€οΈπ
Warm ups from class yesterday π¨π
Professional development today!!! Artists are forever learning from each otherπ
Happy client....Happy Lifeππ»π
Elyse is working on a new barn quilt design for her client ππ
Elyse completed a beautiful watercolor of a client's homeππ‘π
Lots of creativity going on in Ms.Elyse's studio! AJ finished his letter design, Emma finished her sharpie bag design and Mason is still cracking out some beautiful abstract landscape β€οΈππ¨β¨οΈ
Mason and Ms.Elyse are working on abstract landscapes. They're looking pretty goodπ¨ππ³
Elyse felt privileged to paint a Hindu religious scene for a client. This painting really challenged and pushed Elyse's skills. She learned a lot and was delighted to make her client so happy β€οΈπ
Guess the secondary color we madeπ¨ππ¦
Last Day of Summer Art Workshop! We had so much fun finishing our Alligators and painting with water balloons ππ¨
Sprinkler Time!! Need a cool down from all the brain burning creative works of artπ¦π¨π
More art fun with Ms.Elyse!π«Άππ¨
Last Week of Summer Art Workshop π¨ π
Loved playing our art games today !!!π¨ππ¦
#artisfun
Last Day of Week 2 of Summer Art Workshop!!! We made some beautiful pieces ππ¨π«Ά
Another wonderful, fun day @ Summer Art Workshop π¨ β¨οΈ π
New week of Summer Art Workshops!!! We got to let our creative minds go and even got to play some water games π¨ππ§π¦
Elyse teamed up with Coats Chamber and hosted a watercolor class! It was a lot of fun, and we really got to show off our artistic abilities π¨π
#artisfun
ART is FUNπ
Last Day of this Week's Summer Art Workshop π¨ ππ
Another fun day of Summer Art Workshop ππ¨
Day 1 of Summer Art Workshop was a hit despite the serious rain outside! Looking forward to see what they're up to today!!!π«Άπ¨π
Such an honor to paint these beautiful horses! Thank you so much Dana Cooley π ππ΄
The Hester Homeschoolers did an amazing job as their final lesson of the year!! They wrapped up their art lesson unit on the 7 art elements and painted these beautiful poppies to honor the soldiers that sacrificed their lives for our freedom π¨ππΊπ²
Bijou gifted Ms.E with this amazing painting that she did all on her own. Ms.Elyse is overwhelmed with excitement and is so honored to be in this young girl's life. Bijou has grown so much in her art and can't wait to see what she accomplishes next yearβ€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈ
This girl is a rock start! Bijou finished her 3D letter, and her succulent still life drawing. They ate absolutely beautiful π¨π
±οΈπ΅
On to Mason's next lesson! Abstract landscapesππ¨π³
Mason finished his color theory worksheet and applied it to his handmade explosion bookπ¨π
There we go...Elyse has gotten her face on & is off to her Barn Quilt Workshop!!! Make sure if you missed this one, to sign up for May's Workshop π¨π
Never say never!!! As students, we think we won't need certain knowledge; however, ART covers all subjects you learn in school. That's why it's so vital to the education system!! Elyse is doing geometry to prep worksheets to help students with their Barn Quilting Workshop πππ¨
#STE-A-M
Elyse really enjoyed doing this commissioned work of art! Her client grew up on Division Street in NJ and wanted Elyse to recreate her childhood neighborhood with a Norman Rockwell twist.π¨π
Spray painting our papermache letters! Can't wait to see what designs Bijou and Keegan come up withππ¨π
Art Nouveau inspired playing cards! Julie, Bijou and Keegan did such beautiful artwork ππ¨
Nothing warms Elyse's heart than her work, finding its forever home and making her clients so happy π₯°
Elyse can't wait to deliver this piece to her client tomorrow!!! She's really enjoyed creating this painting β€οΈππ¨
Bijou, Julie, and Keegan have been working really hard on their current art projects! In fact, they all got to use Ms.Elyse's lightbox to help with their designs π¨βοΈβοΈ
Finished!!ππ¨
Another happy customer ππ¨π
Elyse is takeing any Christmas watercolor requests that are no larger than 8"x8" for the next few weeks!!! Reach out and message herππ¨ Don't forget she also has prints for sale!!!
Meet Lolly the Armadillo! Elyse enjoyed creating this Christmas commission piece π¨π
Three beautiful turkeys!! AJ, Julie, and Bijou did such an amazing jobπ¦ππ
Elyse finished these two beautiful commissioned pieces...it was such an honor to create these two special heartbeats π π
Elyse is all setup!!! Come on out to the Coats Chamber and get some Christmas gifts π ππ¨
Elyse is really excited about this commission work she's received from her client. She'll be painting the client's daughters' baby heartbeats π π¨
Ms.Elyse and her students participated in the annual Harnett County Chalkfest!!! So proud of their beautiful work!!
These awesome ladies did such an amazing job on their pumpkins still lifeππβοΈ
Ms.Elyse had a blast with these two lovely ladies at Coats Library!! Art work inspired by Yayoi Kusama....Happy Fallπππ
Ms.Elyse is so proud of Julie & Bijou!! Julie got 3rd place and Bijou got 2nd place at Farmer's Day Art contest!!! Even Ms.Elyse got 2nd place πππ¨
Julie finished her German Shepherd pencil drawing!!! Such beautiful work βοΈπ
Check out this eagle!!! Beautiful work BijouβοΈπ¦
Julie finished her amazing 5 design, which was inspired by Charles Demuthππ¨5οΈβ£
Blair and Elyse tested out this new heat sensitive pens. When you sketch out your design and then apply heat the ink disappears! This is a fantastic tool when working with watercolor π¨π
Leadership Summit 2022
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