artist bio

 Drawing on her background as an art educator and administrator from the preschool through the university levels, Johanna Riddle combines painting, printmaking, mark-making, dyes, and chemical alterations to create layered mixed media collages. She experiments freely with media combinations, layering and arranging hand crafted and altered papers into small- and large-scale compositions.  Meditation, journaling, and communion with the natural world are integral to her work. Johanna’s award-winning art has been exhibited in juried venues, galleries, and museums. Her work was selected for inclusion in the 2023 International Exhibition of Collage Artists, and was featured in the 2022 edition of Art Folio: 100 of the World’s Most Exciting New Contemporary Artists. She is the author of Engaging the Eye Generation. Johanna’s research, writing, and teaching on the topic of visual literacy and meaning making is referenced in scholarly work around the world. It was recognized with a Fulbright Scholarship, a Smithsonian Learning Innovation Award, and is housed in the Smithsonian’s Museum of U.S. History Age of Information archives. Johanna was also recognized as Florida's Art Educator of the Year. She is active in the National Association of Women Artists and is past President of Beaux Arts of Central Florida. 

artist's statement

​In a world where randomness often prevails, I am gaining insight into the intricate interplay of connections that binds all things together. Although the complete, flawless design eludes us, we may occasionally be afforded a brief glimpse of its splendor and harmony. It is a remarkable gift to be alive and sensitive to these relationships. It inspires wonder, connects us to the infinite creativity of the universe, and offers a hope and meaning I try to express and share through my art.
The subject matter of my work revolves around the natural world, encompassing organic shapes and materials, universal themes of the relationship between nature and ourselves, and the fusion of spiritual and aesthetic energies. Webs are a recurring motif in my artwork; a metaphor for the complex and connected interlacing of energy that underlies and permeates all living things. By juxtaposing the seen and the unseen, I am able to create a nuanced and multifaceted exploration of the world around us, inviting viewers to explore their kinship to the earth and heavens more deeply.
Dreams also play a significant role in shaping my creative process, allowing my imagination to roam freely through symbols, images, and narratives that may not be accessible in the physical world. They enable me to tap into a rich and unique source of inspiration, informing imagery that is both emblematic and thought provoking.
My artistic practice involves working with paper as a primary medium, rather than simply a substrate.  I derive inspiration from its organic characteristics, including the different types of pulp, rag, mulberry, and rice papers. I am drawn to the versatility and malleability of paper. I become immersed in the process of experimenting with various techniques, such as painting, dyeing, printing, and drawing, to transform the paper and play on its unique characteristics. The history and eloquence inherent in found papers also finds its way into my work, enriching and informing the finished piece.
The slow magic of layering and placing different types and treatments of paper, of arranging and rearranging multiple small elements to create visually rich imagery is reminiscent of the unfolding of a life story. It is a deliberate, Zen-like process--the thoughtful disposition, the creative breakthroughs, the unexpected happy energy or visual tension of disparate components, the complexity and nuance of layering and merging bits and pieces that ultimately results in a complete and cohesive expression.

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