NEW ART MADE
+THE OLD WAY
“I’m the weird kind of artist that doesn’t believe in making hundreds of prints from my work. I’m the kind of artist that values making things by hand, one at a time, the slow way…the old way. My art is a way for me to connect with my Creator and Savior as I seek to create artwork that is not only an extension of myself, but of Him, as well. I believe in keeping my work as affordable as possible, so that others can actually afford to buy it. I believe that art is more than just a picture on a wall, a pot on the table or a knife in your hand. Art is a piece of someone’s soul, something that someone invested a portion of their life into. Thousands of hours of practice, devastating failures, triumphant successes, all leading to the moment in time that a piece is created. I’m the weird kind of artist that just wants to create and to follow my inspiration wherever it may lead.”
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It’s been a long journey for me as an artist. The Bearded Brush & Blade, formerly Out of the Dust Designs, began as a way to market wood sculptures that I was selling to raise funds for a mission trip to serve in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. Several years later I began selling carvings and paintings in local craft fairs in the Reno / Sparks area in Northern Nevada with modest success. Then, spurred on by friends and family I decided to make it an actual business and began to do more comic and fantasy work and traveling to comic cons to sell my work. From Portland to Salt Lake City, San Francisco, Sacramento, San Jose and everywhere in between. I’ve met a lot of great friends, and fellow artists, and even got to travel around with my amazing, beautiful and supportive wife for a lot of it. I’ve hung my work in galleries and shops and even met a few celebrities like Stephen Amell, Ezra Miller, Kevin Sorbo, Chris 51, Vic Mignogna and long before I was doing shows (or had a glorious beard), the legendary Stan Lee.
In 2023 I’m continuing to expand my skills and venturing into new mediums and expressions. I’m seeking those things that bring peace and joy to my heart & wanting to use my art to make an impact in my community through partnerships with ministries who serve others with the love of Jesus.
These past few years have definitely been challenging, but I’m hoping that it’s going to be a great new year of creating and I hope you’ll partner with me in these endeavors to bring the world new one-of-a-kind, hand-made art that is created the old way, full of life, soul and goodness.
The way it was always meant to be.
Cheers!
Chris “The Gryphon” Johnson
