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FIFTH STREET STUDIO 6 JULY 2000
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18 August 2022
25 March 2022
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For SWEET/SHORT background information,
Please CLICK ON LINK BELOW or CONTINUE to SCROLL for FULL background:
https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2016/01/07/catherine-l-johnson-artist-catherine-l-johnson-interdisciplinary-artist-beauty-is-not-caused-it-is-emily-dickinson-my-art-pursues-the-beauty-of-realization-rather-than-perfect/
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1 August 2021
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‘youDEARPRECIOUS’ #2 Catherine L. Johnson 2021
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UDEERpresh-uhs
UDEERpreSHəs
‘youDEARPRECIOUS‘
2021
Catherine L. Johnson
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ELEMENT: H Catherine L. Johnson 2019
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ELEMENT 8 works
2019
Catherine L. Johnson
https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2019/11/11/883-element-8-works-2019-catherine-l-johnson-veterans-day-11-november-2019-k9-raf-jaspar-obis-soul-rising/
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COVID19 26 JUNE 2020
28 June 2020
ZACHARY WILLIAM ROBERT JAMES WOODBRIDGE 8 months
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8 JANUARY 2020
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I
practice
the choice / decision
to
RISE
so
my soul / my body / my breath
will
FLY
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Note:
to ONLY view my art
– from 1994 to present –
please click on the link below:
https://catherineljohnson.art/
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28 November 2019. ThanksGIVING / GivingTHANKS
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20 MARCH 2019! FIRST riSINGSING day of SPRING: RESURGENCE!!!!!
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November 2018
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CATHERINE L. JOHNSON / ARTIST
catherineljohnson@earthlink.net
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ELEgancE #12 Catherine L. Johnson 2019
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An improvisational performance of gold pencil on black paper.
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https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2019/02/12/849-12-february-2019-abraham-lincoln-entered-the-world-elegance-12-2019-catherine-l-johnson-henry-threadgills-celebration/
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16 JUNE 2018
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RrrrrOaRING November 2017
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LUMINOUS ART ARM. 20 SEPTEMBER 2017
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JUNE 2017
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AUGUST 2017
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R/evolution
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Please click on link below – an entry from 2017
https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2017/09/14/750-14-september-2017-spitfire-roar-catherine-l-johnson/
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IPROMISETOTELL Catherine L. Johnson 2015
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For SWEET/SHORT background information,
PLEASE CLICK:
https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2016/01/07/catherine-l-johnson-artist-catherine-l-johnson-interdisciplinary-artist-beauty-is-not-caused-it-is-emily-dickinson-my-art-pursues-the-beauty-of-realization-rather-than-perfect/
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CATHERINE L. JOHNSON (selfie) INSIDE OUT/LOWERTOWN ARTISTS *
2015
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REVIEW:
“HUMANLY POSSIBLE:
THE EMPATHY EXHIBITION”
@ INSTINCT Art Gallery / 940 Nicollet Mall/ Minneapolis /
21 November 2015- 16 January 2016
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“The path to empathy”
by Mary Abbe, Art Critic for Minneapolis Star Tribune
https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2016/01/02/review-humanly-possible-the-empathy-exhibition-instinct-art-gallery-the-path-to-empathy-by-mpls-star-tribune-art-critic-mary-abbe-published-new-year-s-day-2016/
Published: New Year’s Day 2016
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MPR NEWS RADIO/ 91.1 FM
1 DECEMBER 2015
HUMANLY POSSIBLE:
THE EMPATHY EXHIBITION
http://www.mprnews.org/story/2015/12/01/empathy-show#gallery
You can hear the audio, and an image of my painting
FRESHDRIEDBLOODIAMHUMAN 2013
and
other featured artists’ work is shown in the link above.
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ST. PAUL MAGAZINE
(now LAKE MINNETONKA MAGAZINE)
OCTOBER 2015
Features a profile on my art and life.
https://lakeminnetonkamag.com/gallery-lowertown-artists
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*The INSIDE OUT Project is a GLOBAL project
funded by TED monies to French artist J. R.
http://www.insideoutproject.net/en
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INSIDE OUT/LOWERTOWN ARTISTS
The artists were nominated.
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The black and white portraits were printed into posters,
measuring 53″ H x 36 ” W,
and were mounted on the OUTSIDE walls of buildings
Lowerttown St. Paul, the historic artist district:
Spring -Summer 2015.
The INSIDE OUT/LOWERTOWN ARTISTS project
will be forever documented in the Global INSIDE OUT project’s archives!
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My image/selfie was pasted on the Tilsner Building
facing St. Paul’s main vehicular artery: Kellogg Blvd.
Time/date of THIS picture: 11 pm. 18 April 2015
(first day of installation).
180 portraits of St. Paul’s LOWERTOWN ARTISTS
were on view from 24 April 2015 – 31 August 2015.
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City Pages/ April 2015:
“INSIDE OUT LOWERTOWN”
http://blogs.citypages.com/dressingroom/2015/04/saint_paul_art_crawl_beer_bashes_curtiss_a_freeloader_friday.php
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St. Paul Magazine – now Lake Minnetonka/ May 2015:
“Face Forward”
Inside Out Lowertown celebrates members of their artistic community.
https://lakeminnetonkamag.com/gallery-lowertown-artists
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Star Tribune/ May 2015:
“Photos of 180 St. Paul artists on Lowertown walls
in international event”
http://www.startribune.com/photos-of-180-st-paul-artists-on-lowertown-walls-in-international-event/305220741/
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Star Tribune/ May 2015:
“Heads are up in St. Paul’s Lowertown,
with a big photo project”
http://m.startribune.com/variety/stageandarts/305539431.html
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The radiance of each artist’s portrait,
that hovered above eye level,
is stunning and beautiful.
The visual impact was haunting;
elegant; poignant; enormous
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potent
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The timing of INSIDE OUT LOWERTOWN PROJECT 2015
was spot on with ALL the re-development in the ONCE
harbor/nest for artists.
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ARTISTS are likened to the BLUE people in the film Avatar
with ALL the confluence/development/construction
of mixed purposes occurring
in a confined and compressed area of Lowertown St. Paul.
That is, we are quickly losing the historically artist “island” that was promised to us!
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My work is an experience that needs
an encounter
for its
truth.
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The experience/witnessing of my art
is likened to viewing a photograph of a lover
in contrast to reveling
in the actual presence of the beloved
–a real commUnIcation.
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So it is with ALL my work.
Listen to the cadence,
the shape, the pause,
the movement,
the silence…
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“BEAUTY IS NOT CAUSED.
IT IS.”
Emily Dickinson
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Please click on link below – an entry from 2012
https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2012/01/15/beauty-is-not-caused-it-is-no-flag-of-creed-race-religion-gender-or-social-rank-was-raised-a-litany-of-freedom-of-the-soul/
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My art pursues
the beauty of realization
rather than
perfect beauty.
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All of my life I have known
an inviolable place of inner freedom containing:
earth;
pieces of washed clear blue skies;
brilliant unfolding blooms;
wings of flight;
the color and arcs of rainbows;
the hallelujah chorus of wind, rain and rivers;
and
the white glistened silence of ice.
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This was my chrysalis:
My life was baptized in hospitals,
a place where time and space was defined as
waiting, compassion and hope.
No flag of creed, race, religion, gender, or social rank was raised.
We were horizontal breathing beds.
I lived in a body cast with a shaven head.
Visitors were allowed once a week for two hours
and touching was forbidden
– like an art museum with limited hours.
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I was a broken
Ming vase
re-created with expert hands
and
I was set on
FIRE
with
my heartspine vision.
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As of 26 August 2022,
I have prevailed over 58 reconstructive orthopedic surgeries.
Thank you
to my collaborative ensemble of medical creative genius:
https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2021/07/24/1022-24-july-2021-91f%f0%9f%8c%9e-ipromisetotell-re-set-ad-just-ad-apt-i-see-you-i-am-here/
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My art is improvisational
– attending to both the sound of the silver horn
within me
and of
the world.
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My life began in the environs and culture of hospitals,
places where the human theater
and
universal realities of life and death
are played out moment to moment,
and
where time and space is suspended and are redefined
as waiting, compassion and meditative.
I have tasted the first inhalation
– the breath of new life;
caressed the full sweeping breath of love and joy;
impaled by the heavy, choking breath of grief;
and
touched the final exhalation
– the final breath of life.
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My art offers the viewer
the transcendent moment of an epiphany.
The moment when one’s
heart is suddenly set open and rapt,
when all the senses are heralded and keen,
and then, in the theatre of the heart,
a cloak slowly and gradually rises
and,
at once,
all the world is seen in gleaming light,
simple and innocent clarity,
and
all becomes whole.
A forever, eternal moment is imprinted.
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My art is I/ThoU
– the sacred, sensuous dialogue of call + response,
an intimate dance unfolds
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the gospel song is
“I see you
– you,
an unrepeatable field of gold”.
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My art is a spiritual, a gospel song.
My work is awake to the invisible, visceral, and universal
– the VERY life of LIFE.
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An actual encounter of my art
is the authentic experience
for it is an
interacting /dialectic
intimate
conversation
+
a dialogue
of
revelation
between
the art + the viewer.
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My work is a dynamic experience
– an actual encounter IS the experience.
My work denies the camera’s eye.
My art refuses the
computer’s binary restrictions.
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My art is NOT a picture of the beloved,
my art IS the beloved!
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RosE:FIRE III Catherine L. Johnson 2018
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My work is aware of the viewer’s body
and awakens to
natural and ambient light.
The viewer is both a beholder and a participant
in the experience of the art.
An intimate dance of call and response:
attending with ALL one’s senses.
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My work reveals itself
slowly + suddenly.
My work also names and touches the un-nameable.
An artist is a vehicle of the divine and a shaman.
I create as a visual artist, a writer, a sonic composer, etc.
I am a divining rod – sacred listening
for ancient children’s songs
and
pearls buried deep in the sea of the imagination.
I am a faithful vehicle.
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My works are improvisations.
A singular breath creates a cycle of work.
Music is a constant presence and buoy in my studio
+
functions as a candle lit torch,
a visceral compass,
+
a passionate tuning fork
in my studio research and my revelations.
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GRACE #7 Catherine L. Johnson 2017
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My work is an improvisation,
a performance;
a sonic dance;
a gospel song;
a wilderness
and
a visual/ visceral epiphany
naming
FREEDOM
wonder,
awe
+
GRACE.
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My work addresses human rights + social justice issues:
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PLEASE CLICK ON LINKS:
https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2017/08/17/745-17-august-2017-charlottesville-hatecounteractions-nate-chinen-nyt-8816-a-cri-de-coeur-from-jazz-musicians-in-a-black-lives-matter-age-blanchards-breathless-hall-of-lam/
https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2014/08/01/disability-disrespect-can-you-play-the-violin-equally-to-itzhak-perlman-no-does-that-mean-you-are-disabled-what-is-essential-is-invisible-to-the-eye-the-little-prince/
https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/hall-of-lament-stand-your-ground-for-trayvon-martin-call-out-for-social-justice-moral-couragetruth-2012-st-paul-spring-art-crawl/
https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/isaiah-and-first-light-night-multimedia-installation-catherine-l-johnson-dan-choma-spring-2013-st-paul-art-crawl/
https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2013/08/29/fifteen-paintings-28-august-2013-the-humanity-portfolio-28-august-2013-the-50th-anniversary-of-the-march-on-washington-for-freedom-jobs-rev-dr-martin-luther-kings-i-have-a-dream-s/
https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2020/06/10/923-crest-george-floyd-catherine-l-johnson-2020-o-say-can-you-see-846/
https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2020/07/01/929-reframe-a-b-c-d-e-f-g-h-2020-catherine-l-johnson-o-say-can-you-see-steve-reich-come-out-1966/
https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2015/06/17/icanfeel-summer-2015-catherine-l-johnson/
http://www.mnartists.org/artwork/11-september-2001-one-four-original-works
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PLEASE CLICK:
freshdriedbloodiamhuman_text_-_all-lives-will-matter-when-everyones-life-matters
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CREST: GEORGE FLOYD Catherine L. Johnson 2020
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https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2015/02/08/my-art-pursues-the-beauty-of-realization-rather-than-perfect-beauty-my-workart-is-a-communication-vehicle-catherine-l-johnson/
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14 April 2022.
Senator Amy Klobuchar at Kramarczuk’s.
100% of proceeds from the sales of the limited edition poster,
‘A LULLABY for the HEART of UKRAINE,
dedicated for humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2022/04/24/1092-%d0%ba%d1%80%d0%b8%d0%ba%d0%b8-%d1%81%d0%b5%d1%80%d1%86%d1%8f-cries-of-the-heart-%d0%bc%d1%83%d0%b6%d0%bd%d1%96%d1%81%d1%82%d1%8c-courage-%d0%bd%d0%b0%d0%b4%d1%96%d1%8f-hope/
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Education:
Macalester College
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis Institute of Art (BFA)
Tyler School of Art, Temple University
Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University (MFA)
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My art has been awarded prestigious fellowships:
P. S. 1 International Studio Residency Fellowship, NYC
-1 of 41 artists selected worldwide for the one year residency.
http://www.actupny.org/personal/PS1/PS1_studioartists.html
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Bush Artist Fellowship
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Joan Mitchell Foundation
-nominated 3 times, a secret nomination process.
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My art is in prominent
corporate and private collections
nationwide.
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Exhibitions: museum/galleries (partial listing):
High Museum, Atlanta
P. S. 1, New York City
Minneapolis Institute of Art
Minnesota Museum of Art
Thomas Barry Fine Arts, Minneapolis
PROVE Gallery, Duluth, MN
Calvin Charles Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ
Montgomery Glasoe Gallery, Minneapolis
INSTINCT ART GALLERY, Minneapolis
AZ Gallery, St. Paul
September Gallery, NY
Bi-annual St. Paul Art Crawl 2009-present
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Corporate Collections (partial listing):
Target Corporation
Pentair, Inc.
Piper Jaffray, NYC
First Credit Bank, Los Angeles
The Araz Group
Regions Hospital- Holistic Healing Wing
Center for International Health
Historical Remedies
Wooddale Dental Clinic
St. Paul Travelers
Dakota Jazz Club and Restaurant
Fairview Southdale Hospital
Menopause Center of Minnesota
TRACK 29, high-end urban residential project, Minneapolis
Minnesota Alternatives
University of Minnesota / Masonic Institute of the Developing Brain
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Private Collections:
United States and Europe
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My art can be experienced by the public
in the listed Twin Cities venues:
Dakota Jazz Club and Restaurant, Minneapolis
Center for International Health, St. Paul
Wooddale Dental, St. Louis Park
Regions Hospital, Holistic Healing Wing, St. Paul
Fairview Southdale Hospital, Minneapolis
TRACK 29- high-end, urban residential project, Minneapolis
Minnesota Alternatives, Spring Lake Park
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The FINE ART PRINT option
Custom fine art prints
matching your site-specific dimensions.
Select from the already scanned originals shown in the link below:
https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/for-art-collectors-designers-exquisite-beautiful-impeccable-site-specific-fine-art-prints-esteemed-artist-catherine-l-johnson-master-printer-mark-jones-arts-district-imageworks-inc-2/
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OR
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Select an ORIGINAL
from any of my portfolios
for an EXCLUSIVE /custom-sized
1 of 1 fine art print.
The collector is responsible for production cost
and
the fine art print is 30% of the price of the original.
Vongsouvan Fine Art, Minneapolis,
is my exclusive printer.
Shipping and handling are additional costs.
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For example:
Fairview Southdale Hospital, Minneapolis,
requested a 36″H x 28″W print
of the original painting
Pine Tree: HOPE 2005
for their surgical floor.
A custom fine art print was created
by scanning the original painting
and
working through all the intensive production phases
to the finished print.
OR
Select from the NINE beautiful
custom fine art prints offerings
the most premium preparation for printing
has been completed
–shown in the link below:
https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/for-art-collectors-designers-exquisite-beautiful-impeccable-site-specific-fine-art-prints-esteemed-artist-catherine-l-johnson-master-printer-mark-jones-arts-district-imageworks-inc-2/
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MY PHYSICAL GENESIS:
I have had 48 (to date May 2018)
reconstructive and related surgeries
from the congenital dysplasia
of my hips, right knee and feet.
https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/?s=hip+hand+heart
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MY CREATIVE MEDICAL COLLABORATORS – my dance partners!
https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2021/07/24/1022-24-july-2021-91f%f0%9f%8c%9e-ipromisetotell-re-set-ad-just-ad-apt-i-see-you-i-am-here/
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My Mother at 26 years old, lost most of her amniotic fluid
when she was 20 weeks* pregnant
– the fluid is necessary to shape and articulate the joints.
*The size of a 20-week baby is comparable to a large banana or a grapefruit.
The 20-week baby weighs 10.6 oz (0.3 kg).
This week, he/she is about 6.3 in (16 cm) from the top of the head to the coccyx
and
about 9.8 in (25 cm) from head to toe.
The baby will gain approximately 1 centimeter (0.4 in) in length each week during this month.
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I was born full term with my right leg twisted around my neck.
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My surgeries began at Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children
( yes, the selected name then)
at 6 months
and
I lived there until I was 3 years old.
My parents could visit me once a week for two hours
and
were NOT allowed to touch me.
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When the children cried in the Nursery,
ALL the children cried WITH that child.
We were given Demerol to subdue us.
I learned to tap out my grief, pain and despair.
I would sing to the children to comfort them
– and, myself.
HERHYMNS: BEBRAVE CATHERINE L. JOHNSON 2013
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Humanity is hard-wired
to empathize
with the sufferings
of others.
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We were all in institutional cribs in rows,
and
crying out loud would translate into being drugged with Demerol.
I learned not to cry. I was given an indomitable life force.
Children died around me from their given disease/disorder
and
the horrific and slow
emotional death of not being touched.
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When I was 3 years old,
I was removed from Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children
and
brought to be cared by
the creative visionary courage
and
brilliant innovative medical genius
of
the late Dr. Mark B. Coventry of the Mayo Clinic.
We danced!
Yes, we did!
He could SEE me.
I flew UP to his vision of the very me of me – whole, free and vibrant.
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I mostly lived in the hospital until 10 years old.
Imagine how fortunate I was!
To LIVE life in a place where the ONLY flag raised was
for COMPASSION and EMPATHY for others
from around the world!
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I was brought to Mayo Clinic’s
Dr. Mark B. Coventry
as a broken Ming vase.
Our heart souls resonated.
We were collaborators.
We agreed that I would walk.
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DR. MARK B. COVENTRY,
requested
I make TWO promises to him:
“ONLY
let those who
HONOR and RESPECT
YOU
come
NEAR
and
ALWAYS
remain
an
ARTIST.“
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I have kept my word to him.
Martha Coventry, daughter of the late Dr. Mark B. Coventry, (left)
gazing upon Pine Tree: HOPE 2005.
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DR. MARK B. COVENTRY, MAYO CLINIC:
https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2012/07/13/13-july-look-to-this-day-for-it-is-life-the-very-life-of-life-dr-mark-b-coventry-promise-me-two-things-only-let-those-who-honor-and-respect-you-come-near-and-always-remain-an-art/
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HIP + HAND + HEART
https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2014/08/24/hip-hand-heart/
I wanted Martha Coventry
to choose which painting would honor
her Father
and
my BELOVED surgeon/mentor.
Martha chose the Pine Tree: HOPE series :
“…my father loved being amongst the big pines.”
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The Mayo Clinic
is
an internationally renown center
for remarkable breakthroughs
that upholds/advances the Mayo Clinic’s integrity
as a place of collaboration and collective mission
that defines the Mayo Clinic worldwide.
My personal narrative is ONE of multitudes.
EVERYONE has a story.
The stories of y/our lives become y/our lives.
We EACH choose
how to navigate
and
practice the
RADICAL HOPE
+
WELCOME
those who
SEESEESEE
your
RADIANCE
RADIANCERADIANCE
to
RISE.
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My life was
transfigured/ transmuted/ transformed
by the Mayo Clinic’s
culture of compassion
+
by my BELOVED
Dr. Mark Coventry’s
medical and creative
genius.
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Pine Tree: HOPE Catherine L. Johnson 2005
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http://www.mnartists.org/artwork/pine-tree-hope-2005
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One fundamental
defining characteristic
of the Mayo Clinic:
each practitioner is a researcher for HUMANITY.
Visionaries with deep amplitudes of creativity
are welcomed practitioners at Mayo.
There is NO social hierarchy.
Authentic COURAGEOUS
GENIUS
prevails.
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The Mayo Clinic culture is like a musical ensemble
of the highest example of practicing genius + democracy.
The Mayo Clinic culture shaped my body and soul.
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Creative courageous medical genius
is akin to the
improvisational genius of artists:
fearless + dedicated explorers / detectivepriests .
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The synergistic visionary mission of
Mayo
creates
expansive concentric circles and unfolding spirals
of conceptual/medical breakthroughs
– opening up greater vistas of possibilities.
The creative experimentation
of
genius and informed risk
is
honored /repected.
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Improvisational
sonics/visuals/ LIFE
are VERBS moving forward,
RIVERS,
– NOT fixed frozen captives
held hostage in place nouns!
MYBLOOOMLIVES Catherine L. Johnson 2017
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BEAUTY = R/EVOLUTION
rooted from the TRUTH of one’s heart
+
the majestic harvest of a hero/ine’s journey
– ashes to riSING phoenix –
living one’s
LIGHTLOVEGRACE.
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As I chose my education
for HOW my thinking would be shaped,
I also researched and carefully chose my ensemble
of the most creative team of orthopedic surgeons
and
physical therapists for their genius
to continue the dance
that Dr. Coventry and I choreographed
once upon a time
a very, very, very long time ago…
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The surgeons aka my creative medical geniuses
aka my select team/ensemble:
https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/?s=hip+hand+heart
I am grateful for the creative courage,
the visionary innovations
and
the medical genius of ALL
in my healing/medical ensemble.
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I kayak on the magnificent and unpredictable
Mississippi River
– with my dog Jaspar sitting in front;
bicycle; swim laps and cross country ski.
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I am an awareness ACTION
– “where every action must be considered like a prayer.”
( Martin Buber-theologian).
I practice RADICAL HOPE as a choice and discipline.
(Thank you, AWC, loving love.)
http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/11/21/under-president-trump-radical-hope-is-our-best-weapon
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I loooooooove movement and adventure!
YES!
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Artists and athletes are very similar.
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In Grecian times,
the poets/artists and the athletes
were lauded with
crowns of laurel leaves.
This “crowning”
was NOT for their
EXTERNAL accomplishment,
but,
for their INTERNAL
+
the unseen achievements
that made
the external public accomplishments
possible.
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I am artist who is a civic leader.
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Artists are VISIONARIES!
Artists are SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS!
ARTISTS ARE HURRICANE LAMPS!
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Artists create NEW questions that challenge
and
BREAK OPEN
improvisational and vital dialogues
towards innovative NEW resolutions
+
welcome/present NEW vistas.
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I step UP/ACTivate – CIVIC CONTRIBUTIONS
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https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2018/03/25/791-somber-solemn-shattering-march-for-our-lives-our-childrens-awakened-courageaction-exodus-from-americas-bystander-complicit-reality-show-m-o-when-silence-is-violence/
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https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2018/02/22/788-mobilize-warm-actions-lowertown-st-paul-warms-st-paul-homelessness-can-happen-to-anyone-nra-assault-weapons-to-hunt-humans/
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MELVIN CARTER III / Mayoral campaign 2017
https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2017/11/08/762-radical-hope-action-definition-of-a-luminous-grace-fire-in-a-hurricane-lamp-melvin-carter-wins-st-pauls-our-mayor-tony-soprano/
http://www.startribune.com/melvin-carter-s-historic-rise-from-old-rondo-to-st-paul-s-made-for-this-mayor/478076733/#1
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BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA / Presidential campaign 2006-2007 + Re-election 2012
https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2012/09/10/we-women-of-all-colors-of-humanity-will-step-up-in-2012-and-vote-for-womens-rights-and-welfare-of-future-generations-we-women-are-not-complacent-we-women-are-not-compliant-we-women-are-not-com/
https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2012/11/07/bravo-obama-yes-i-voted-for-my-hero-our-president-barack-obama-our-flag-unfurled-a-wider-majesty-of-greater-grandeur-and-more-golden-fields/
https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2013/01/21/21-january-2013-beautiful-fortitude-150th-anniversary-of-the-emancipation-proclamation-150th-anniversary-of-the-emancipation-proclamation-the-second-inauguration-of-our-president-barack-ob/
https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2013/02/13/12-february-abraham-lincolns-birthday-my-template-of-a-hero-with-malice-toward-none-and-charity-for-all/
https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2016/07/26/michelle-obama-she-is-always-will-the-luminous-grace-of-the-wh-she-was-the-bomb-dnc-day-1-thank-you-our-first-lady-you-are-our-red-white-true-blue/
https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2017/01/20/707-20-january-2017-my-now-dis-united-states-of-americas-inauguration-day-sos-september-gallerys-post-election-women-artists-resistance-dedication-for-all-humanity/
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https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2020/11/03/966-3-november-2020-americas-e-day-practicing-democracy-america-the-beautiful/
Volunteer – calling to recruit volunteers. Citizen responsibility.
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My life has
defied
the labels; boxes; prognoses;
definitions and assumptions of
WHO/WHAT
I would become.
My art has echoed
that same boundlessness!
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I was fortunate to have individuals
who could
SEE
me,
the soaring core of me,
and
not define me by my physical restriction.
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To those
AMAZING GRACE
individuals,
I am forever grateful
because those
beloved individuals
who CALLED OUT/opened the flight in me
OPENED
magnificent vistas
WITHIN
me,
rather than
slammed doors,
and
together
WE
broke open to golden fields
WITHIN
each other!
Call + Response!
SPIRAL.
WHIRL.
The sacred life force.
FIRE CRESCENT Catherine L. Johnson 2014
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Mutually reciprocating relations
and
the mutually shared gift
is
a
dance
into
the
wilderness
and
exploring the galaxy
of
what
is
honor, respect
and
the VERY life of
LIFE!
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I kayak- the motion of the paddle echoes the INFINITY/8 symbol.
I participated in the Mississippi River Challenge several times
– 44 miles hosted by the Friends of the Mississippi River.
This summer I kayaked 2x week from Raspberry Island,
upstream,
to the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi River.
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I standbike- the scar tissue has now prevented me
from both driving and sitting on the seat of my bike.
Of course, this does not stop me!
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RHYTHM
Cross-country ski
biking + kayaking
I love the FREEDOM
of motion,
improvisation,
the call and response
of being
with/for/in Nature
– it is a gospel song of deliverance to me.
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https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2015/08/21/kayak-kinnickinnic-river-thrilling-x-sublime-x-bliss-20-august-2015-kinnickinnic-river-rapids-hair-reverb/
https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2014/08/01/disability-disrespect-can-you-play-the-violin-equally-to-itzhak-perlman-no-does-that-mean-you-are-disabled-what-is-essential-is-invisible-to-the-eye-the-little-prince/
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I taught water fitness at the YMCA from 1999
-my first THR –
until my 2nd hip revision 2014.
I am certified by the Arthritis Foundation
to teach those with arthritis,
those with joint prosthetics
+
those with needing
to retrain after injury or stroke.
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I stepped UP/collaborated with
Metro Council’s
Community Liaison, Dana Happel.
The Lowertown neighborhood was in TOTAL upheaval during the construction of
the GREEN LINE and the LRR repair station.
Many businesses were spiraling into debt and then into close.
I suggested and we created a template that was on steward leadership and information:
BLUE ZONE parking for differently-abled citizens;
construction informational boards were placed in EVERY
impacted residential/business building which were updated daily;
24/7 HOTLINE magnets provided to all Lowertown citizens;
signage set up to re-direct traffic to locate the “lost island” of local businesses/residents;
monthly roundtable discussions between the impacted citizens and Metro Council
addressing specific topics brought up by the community;
and, finally, stepped up
for the GREEN LINE CELEBRATION opener
with the objective to re-connect our long
“dislocated lost island” into a DESTINATION!
My collaborative template
was implemented
in the enduring neighborhoods
as the GREEN LINE construction
upturned neighborhoods.
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Stepped UP to create/participate in the PRINCE STREET TASK FORCE:
The Northern Warehouse’s artists’ co-op ( residential/loft spaces)
and the commercial tenants needed advocacy and representation.
The TASK FORCE
met with City officials in a roundtable discussion
to clarify and proclaim
the unique and specific needs
of the tenants
as well as advocating the needs of
differently-abled citizens
( permanent /temporary )
with
BLUE ZONE parking needs
– the small businesses don’t
discriminate their services
to ONLY fully physically functioning citizens!
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My relationship to the City continued until
the PRINCE STREET RE-DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
was completed.
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EDUCATOR
I was an assistant professor at Universities:
teaching film at Mason Gross School of the Arts/Rutgers University
and
teaching sculpture/installation art at Illinois State University.
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The most sacred learning/teaching dynamic, I BELIEVE,
is a
a testament of a bone/heart/soul/blood education
that recognizes and incorporates
the principle of cycles within cycles
-that is, deeper levels of meaning
are found in every learning/teaching process,
and
presents something for everyone to learn,
at every stage of life
acknowledging the levels of maturity.
The willingness, capability and readiness
TO learn
is GRACE and the unfolding inquisitiveness of the learner’s
(not paralleling with the Western educational model with a temporal sequence)
developmental processes.
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The best teacher is an open mind
and
is embodied by the teacher/individual
who is a tender and fierce gardener of the student’s soul.
ORGANIC, not ONLY academic!
The teacher is a vehicle, a vibrational conduit.
The teacher is NOT “I am the MASTER”
and you, the student, serve me (!)
-that is a rigid POWER OVER stance
demonstrating hubris, insecurity
and TOXIC displaced arrogance.
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Learning is call and response,
a gospel song of exploration and improvisation
that breaks open uncharted earth, waters, fires and skies
with awe and wonder.
GRACE.
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I taught CRITICAL thinking and presented various disciplines/fields of creative problem solving.
Examples:
I would bring in the athletic coaches to share
HOW they research, problem solve + strategize.
I revised the BFA curriculum.
My BFA students were required to take classes
outside of art to enhance/expand their resources.
The students were required to set up exhibitions in the community
– research, negotiate contracts,
design/write/distribute promotional materials/press releases-
speaking and writing,
setting up the actual exhibitions completing all the encompassing details.
The above were pro-active/hands ON experiences to ensure
they had REAL LIFE/practical experiences of what an artist life IS.
My students experienced the FULL arc of what/how it IS to be an artist:
from the disciplined process/research/experimentation of creating art
to the business of art in the marketplace.
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REQUIRED READINGS FOR MY UNIVERSITY STUDENTS:
Rainer Maria Rilke – Letters To A Young Poet
Toni Morrison- The Bluest Eye
Sigurd Olson: Reflections from the North Country
Gaston Bachelard: The Poetics of Space
Walter Benjamin: Art in the Age of Reproduction
Agnes Martin: Writings
John Berger: Ways of Seeing
Harvard Negotiating Project:
http://www.pon.harvard.edu/research_projects/harvard-negotiation-project/hnp/
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My students learned to stand with dignity and confidence.
My students were/are REMARKABLE and learned to embrace R/EVOLUTION!
It was privilege to work with each one and witness their bloom.
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I continue to mentor, of course.
YES, ABSOLUTELY!!!
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HEAL/THY ARTISTS FORUM
I stepped UP to provide an informational forum specifically designed
for artists and their health insurance questions and needs.
Artists are a largely an uninsured demographic.
I called Minnesota’s Department of Health
and Ramsey County’s Medical Assistance
– BOTH service providers were delighted
as they both NEEDED to reach out to uninsured demographics.
I approached and involved the Downtown St. Paul YMCA.
US Senator Amy Klobuchar, kindly, acknowledged my contribution.
https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2013/02/04/healthy-artists-forum-2613-black-dog-cafe-7-9-pm-health-care-insurance-and-ymca-membership-for-low-income-artists-and-their-families-artists-are-cultural-contributorsworkers-to-be-uninsure/
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I stepped UP as
VOLUNTEER/ COMMUNITY RELATIONS for:
The
INSIDE OUT LOWERTOWN
project.
A remarkable project
that practices the discipline of HOPE in democracy,
personal initiative and accountability
– strength to strength in unity.
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This project was totally rooted in artist as social entrepreneur.
INSIDE OUT LOWERTOWN completely funded/powered by partnerships.
NO grants!
ALL volunteer contributions, business partnerships and donations.
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Please note: MUST SEE!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoTDTg6qk3M
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCLOrbgCzkw
Laura Callanan on
“The Artist as Entrepreneur”
at SOCAP13
in San Francisco, California.
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“I become more and more convinced
that artists are essential
to every conversation about social innovation.
It seems that the question is no longer
‘Are artists social entrepreneurs?’
but rather,
‘What next?’
What can artists accomplish with their imagination and flexibility,
their balance of technique and passion, through their talent to experiment,
their enduring search for their truth,
and the natural curiosity
which allows them to learn from all their experiences?”
– Laura Callanan
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Be well
HaPpY + HEAL/thy
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30 April 2017
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Please submit inquiries
to me directly
on this WordPress entry.
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Thank you!
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LIFE: je ne sais quoi Catherine L. Johnson 2016
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PLEASE CLICK ON LINKS BELOW FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE ARTIST/ME!
https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2016/12/13/699-life-je-ne-sais-quoi-catherine-l-johnson-2016-beauty-is-not-caused-it-is-emily-dickinson/
https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2016/12/15/700-luminous-deer-where-i-create-there-i-am-true-r-m-rilke-pine-tree-an-appeal-to-heaven-1998-catherine-l-johnson/
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XOPENING NIGHT: SHAKERS + MAKERS / 10 February 2017
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SHAKERS + CULTURAL MAKERS:
https://catherineljohnson.wordpress.com/2017/02/10/712-nevertheless-she-persisted-damn-right-of-course-nothing-less-catherine-l-johnson-aka-pavarti-aka-saraswati-shakers-and-makers-artists-and-cultural-leaders-portraits-by/
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R/evolution
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FAIR PLAY
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YES!
PLEASE CONTACT VIA EMAIL:
CATHERINELJOHNSON@EARTHLINK.NET
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CATHERINE L. JOHNSON 
I’m a reporter with the St. Paul Pioneer Press and I’m interested in talking to you for a possible story about your hoodie installation. Can you give me a call at 651-228-5560 or email me a number and a good time to reach you? Thanks.
Richard Chin
Staff writer
St. Paul Pioneer Press
rchin@pioneerpress.com
Hi Catherine,
Thanks for your phone call on Friday, March 27 — I was out of the office, so I’m sorry I missed you. Yes, definitely send me information about the Inside Out artists’ installation. I am currently planning our August and September issues of Saint Paul Magazine.
Here is my info:
Julie Pfitzinger
Managing Editor
Saint Paul Magazine
julie.pfitzinger@tigeroak.com
612.548.3252
Thank you!
Julie Pfitzinger
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