- Welcome to -
Chris Johnson Art
"At the end of the day, my aim is simple: to create artwork that makes people feel something"
"At the end of the day, my aim is simple: to create artwork that makes people feel something"
If there’s one thing you should know about my work, it’s that it comes from a very real place. I don’t come from a formal fine art background, and I’ve never been one for grand artistic statements. What I do create, though, is what I like to call happy art — pieces that are full of warmth, character, and a sense of familiarity.
Commissions are something that I hold closest to my heart. Whether it’s a beloved home, a favourite place, or a much-loved pet, there’s something incredibly special about creating a piece that has real meaning for someone else.
At the end of the day, my aim is simple: to create artwork that makes people feel something. Something familiar, something comforting, something joyful.
So whether you’re just having a browse or looking for something truly personal, I’m so glad you’ve found your way here.
My work is mainly illustrative and very much not fine art — I prefer to think of it simply as happy art. The kind that makes you pause, smile, and perhaps recognise a place or feeling you didn’t realise you’d tucked away.
I take much of my inspiration from the world close to home — charming cottages, winding streets, and gardens that seem to have a life and personality of their own. There’s something endlessly inspiring about these everyday scenes, full of character and quiet beauty. When I venture a little further afield, the British countryside never disappoints; it’s a constant source of ideas, with its rolling landscapes and ever-changing light offering something new each time.
Alongside my personal work, I also take on commissions, which are always a joy. These are the pieces that mean the most — not just to the people I create them for, but to me as well. There’s something incredibly special about capturing a place, a home, or a much-loved subject that holds real meaning. And I never tire of that moment when a client sees their piece for the first time — it’s, quite simply, the best feeling ever.
Each piece I create carries a little of that joy, that familiarity, and that sense of place — and I hope that comes across in every line, colour, and detail.
And from there, the choice of medium often depends on the story I want to tell.
When I’m working in pastel — especially for country scenes — it truly comes into its own. The soft, flowing hills and those expansive, ever-changing skies seem perfectly suited to it. There’s something almost magical about the way pastel blends on the page;
colours melt into one another so naturally, and clouds can be built up in the most delicate, gentle way. For me, there’s really nothing quite like a pastel piece when it comes to capturing atmosphere and movement in a landscape.
That said, when I’m looking for finer detail, acrylic is my go-to. It allows for much more precision, which makes it perfect for smaller, more intricate work. One of my favourite examples of this is my painted ceramic hearts — often featuring much-loved pets.
These have become especially popular (particularly around Christmas), as people love giving something so personal and thoughtful as a gift. There’s something very special about creating a piece that celebrates a beloved companion in such a unique and lasting way.
If that sounds like something you might be interested in, I’d absolutely love to hear from you. As I’ve mentioned, commissions are always a joy for me — and they’re not limited to the usual ideas either. I’ve been lucky enough to work on some wonderfully unusual projects, including bespoke kitchen splashbacks. These start as my original designs, which are then professionally printed onto glass, creating a completely unique finish — something far removed from the standard, off-the-shelf options. The results can be truly stunning, and it’s a lovely way to bring art into everyday spaces.