ENDANGERED: Art4Apes is delighted to announce that Johanne Mangi is our July 2022 Virtual Artist in Residence
Congratulations to Johanne Mangi for becoming our July 2022 Virtual Artist in Residence. The Virtual Artist in Residence Program is awarded monthly to the artist (or photographer) who has submitted 3 or more entries to the ENDANGERED Fine Art & Photography Contest 2021 (or 2022) and has been selected by the Curatorial Committee as best interpreting the aims of the Contest.
Artist Statement
Art has always found a place in Johanne’s life. Animals were always a primary focus of her life even after her pet rabbit bit her! They naturally became great subject matter. She’s lived with dozens of dogs (several at one time) and many horses and a perfect cat who were her muses for painting all sorts of animals.
Her art development was self-directed but took a complete turnaround when she discovered Richard Schmid and The Putney Painters in VT. At one point in her journey, Richard and his wife, Nancy Guzik asked her to join the group. This was what you call a game-changer. Everyone was taught to pass on their knowledge acquired through Richard’s generous spirit. This sparked Johanne’s desire to teach. In her former profession, she had decades of experience teaching, writing, and nurturing her employees so it was a natural transition. Her role is to not teach technique but understanding.
Since she was taught to paint from the life she became known for the presence of live dogs in her workshops (a more manageable size of animal!). They provide a spark along with valuable information and maybe a bit of chaos. Creating fresh and lively portraits is always the objective. She often used her own pack of dogs to interpret photographs.
This process is captured in the DVD “The Fine Art of Painting Dog Portraits” as well as “The Fine Art of Painting Horse Portraits” published by Streamline Publishing. They both became best sellers as well as changing an artist’s perception of “pet painting”. No longer taking a back seat to other subject matter she drew inspiration from classic 19th-century Animal Painters. Since 2010 she was the first to promote the idea of Dog Portraits being classified as Fine Art.
Her work has garnered accolades and is collected nationally as well as internationally. Along the way, she has accumulated many awards but recognition is only a momentary thrill. If you ask her the body of work is more important. This profession is not for the faint of heart!
Johanne Mangi © 2022 Johanne Mangi. All Rights Reserved.
Johanne teaches throughout the U.S.
She is a juried member of the following: Salmagundi Club NYC, Oil Painters of America, American Impressionists Society, Inc as well as the Portrait Society of America.
How I Choose my Subjects and Why Endangered?
As far as what subject matter I choose the plight of Red Wolves in this country and Wild Dogs in Africa are the first that caught my attention. When you think about the possibility of losing these species it’s frightening. My awareness was also raised by The Beardsley Zoo which is celebrating its hundredth anniversary this year. It’s a local zoo whose primary mission centers around Endangered species. They are a small but highly dedicated group and have been very influential in my choice of subjects. The first thing I will do is scroll through a multitude of thumbnail reference photos. It’s a quick way to identify an image that might work. If it can hold up at that size it’s got a good shot at a successful bigger version.
My choices are distinctly visceral. This is how I connect my brush to what I am painting. It’s become second nature and I believe it’s what makes my work identifiable. That and active brushwork. My only problem is there are not enough hours in a day!
See more of Johanne’s work by clicking on the links below:
Website: https://www.johannemangi.com
Instagram: @mangijohanne
ENDANGERED: Fine Art & Photography Contest 2021 Submissions
Next Generation © 2021 Johanne Mangi. All Rights Reserved.
This painting won the The Realism Award of Excellence from Oil Painters of America. Over 2000 paintings submitted to this competition and only 200 were chosen.
Red Wolf © 2021 Johanne Mangi. All Rights Reserved.
Painted Dog © 2021 Johanne Mangi. All Rights Reserved.
Another fascinating and elusive subject. On one of my African trips we had an amazing unexpected experience to hang around a pack of these dogs that we came upon.
Wild One © 2021 Johanne Mangi. All Rights Reserved.
A study for the award winning painting.
See more of Johanne’s work below:
The Virtual Artist in Residence Program is awarded monthly to the artist and photographer who have submitted 3 or more entries to the ENDANGERED Fine Art & Photography Contest and have been selected by the Curatorial Committee as best interpreting the aims of the Contest.
Questions? Lindsey@Art4Apes.com