Instagram story viewer> @benalexisjohnson> Posts

Ben Johnson

@benalexisjohnson

874

followers

1884

following

Oil painter based in Yorkshire
BA (hons) Fine Art, York St. John University UK

POSTS STORIES REELS

My friend Jacqui Dillon is running a symposium tomorrow 1 - 3pm UK time, revisiting her conversation with Judith Herman, the writer of Trauma & Recovery.

See the disorder4everyone eventbrite page.

Jacqui also running an in person two day trauma and dissociation workshop - London January time.

https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/challenging-the-culture-of-diagnosis-disorder-1188339/?aff=escb&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=creatorshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-source=cp&utm-term=odclsxcollection

#fineart #portraitpainting #psychology #activist #artstudio by @benalexisjohnson

Studio group show in the project space 🤘

#fineart #artstudios #painting #sculpture #soundart by @benalexisjohnson

Before I went on paternity leave, I was working on 11 new oil paintings - based on the story of the Juniper Tree; an allegory about a boy who's blamed for other people's behaviour.
Thought it was timely.

Paintings in their very early stages here.
Who knows what they'll become?
Late last year I got considered for the Saatchi gallery - so trying my best. Maybe next year?

Switched to a sketchbook at home - will complete the designs in pencil; when not changing nappies and trying to be the best trad-husband.

Cheers 🦋

Ben

#folklore #magicrealism #literature #father #fairytale by @benalexisjohnson

On with the work.

#contemporaryart #fineart #artwork #oilpainting #artstudıo by @benalexisjohnson

Oil painting of Emily & Juno
Painted this for the new house
On with gallery work next...

#oilpainting #fineart #colour #expressionistic #nature by @benalexisjohnson

My lifesize oil painting of Joan of Arc.
A friend Emma posed for it. We were on a Psychotherapy Masters together - an intense course. Currently, I'm finishing my accreditation on a different course, it's a long story.

I was curious about Joan's voice hearing experiences - during a time where mental health labels didn't exist.

Nearly have enough finished work for a new exhibition now 🙌 #fineart #artstudio #oilpainting #artist #figurepainting #psychology #odyssey
#creativity #newrealism #existential #artaswitness by @benalexisjohnson

Finished my painting of Joan of Arc.
We know a lot about her because of court records written during her 'show trial.'
I was curious about her hearing voices experiences - spoken about with dignity, in an era where mental health labels didn't exist.

Hopefully I've captured some of her strength and sensitivity, as an archetype for survival (even though she was burned alive.)
I know on some level, this is a self portrait, while also being an ode to friends and family who've survived a tremendous amount of suffering themselves.

There's another story behind my motivation for painting this and I'll find a gallery for an exhibition during the year. Nearly have enough work now for another show.

#fineart #history #contemporaryart #sunrise #painting #art #artist #artstudio #ethereal
#existential #portrait #Knight #female by @benalexisjohnson

Entering this (as yet untitled painting) into a painting prize.

New work brewing also.

Have a fabulous day 🙌🎨

#fineart #oilpainting #art #artist #artstudio #imagination
#dreams #psychological #autobiography #gothichorror by @benalexisjohnson

Finishing this oil painting of @empireofamelia

#fineart #painting #art #artist #artstudio
#delphianopencall2025
@delphiangallery by @benalexisjohnson

Portrait from life of my friend Rosie - who's currently studying philosophy postgrad.

I'd written my dissertation on existentialism in relation to Giacometti & Jung while at university.
I got a 1st (as a badge of honour) 😅 which was a surprise because I was always in the pub.

Giacometti hated the term 'existentialism' - it's just marketing chat now for the auction houses.

I found reading about the philosophy of existentialism healing - back when I was made to survive mental health services. My story is published somewhere.
Thinking Myth of Sisyphus by Camus (an absurdist)

The idea that we're not born ready made; we create our futures based on yes and no momentary decisions. We are free to choose, the overwhelming nature of which feeds anxiety.

Being responsible for our own lives and the future outcome of the whole of humanity.

#fineart #oilpainting #portrait #artwork #artstudio #painterly #dark #philosophy by @benalexisjohnson

Detail from an in progress triptych - each painting 7ft tall, in oil.
Instagram won't allow me to post the full painting as it features nudity.
I'll be putting on my own exhibition, probably in Leeds Yorkshire, whenever the paintings are complete.

#darkart #fineart #ethereal #darkdestroyer #horror
#galleryart #oilpainting #artcollector #creative #themoon #thenight #artist #artwork #gothic #contemporaryart #witchy #heavymetal #drawing #design #figure #artforsale #artstudio #leedsart by @benalexisjohnson

Some progress on this installation for exhibition later in the year.

I work in adult mental health for a survivor led crisis house - as my day job :)
With the themes of these paintings, I was thinking about creative approaches people adopt to survive extreme circumstances.
Hopefully, for long-term recovery , which was the ethos of the Early Intervention team I used to work for (as a Development Worker. Ie) someone with lived experience of surviving psychiatric services.)

#fineart #contemporaryart #painting #oilpainting #art #artwork #creative #artstudio #symbolism #psychology #existential #figurepainting #darkart #horror #heavymetal
#buyartfromartists #buyart by @benalexisjohnson