HI, I'M
JOHNNY JOHNS
AKA COURTNEY JOHNS
AMERICAN ARTIST WITH DUAL CITIZENSHIPLIVING IN TUSCANY SINCE 2001
I have loved creating since I can remember. I see it as an outlet for the visions that brew in my head until the pressure must be released.
The sixties were a remarkable time, our band SILK was managed by the Belkin Brothers who arranged for us to open for many well known bands such as The Who. We also recorded with our band TREE STUMPS.
While painting and drawing were always a passion, my early focus was fabric and I found myself loving the shaping and design of clothing, first in New York City with custom designs for Orchard Leather, and my own brand Johnny Fashion. Fate swept me along to Santa Fe, New Mexico, where I had my own custom leather shop on the piazza, Courtney Johns of Santa Fe.
I finally arrived to the west coast and worked with Bates Motorcycle Racing Leathers, North Beach Leather, and also made many garments for TV and film in Hollywood. Meanwhile, I taught Fashion Design at several southern California colleges (courses in flat pattern, fashion illustration, draping, design, and garment construction. At this time, I began working with other mediums, such as making windsurf sails, skateboard art, and various other projects. A move to Santa Barbara led me to a job as the senior Visual Merchandiser for Patagonia and work with other local garment stores.
In 2001, I made the big move to live in Italy where, in addition to running Poggio Etrusco, an organic farm and inn, I am still working in the arts. My Sistine Chapel paintings were inspired by the history of Italian art and the Circo Pazzo series reflects the lightness and joy of my life here in this peaceful place. For several years I was an Instructor of Apparel Design at L’Atelier di Lorenzo d’Medici in Florence. I started having more fun with my designs, using recycled materials to create purses, and writing my graphic novelette, Pencils.
