Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Jeff Johnston began drawing cartoons and comic characters at a young age. His interest in art continued throughout high school, as he attended classes in advertising design taught by Paul King. At the time, computer technology was less predominant and instruction instead focused on paste up techniques, hand-cut color separation, die cutting, foil stamping, camera-ready artwork techniques, and photography, thus grounding Jeff's designs in a print-and-paper sensibility that would find its way into his aesthetic later.
Continuing his education in the graphic design program at the University of Tulsa, under the instruction of M. Teresa Valero, Jeff eventually began to learn more advanced computer techniques in Photoshop, Illustrator, and various other design programs. His graphic design work won a Creative Genius award in 1997. In addition to his major, Jeff continued to study illustration, printmaking, and screen printing, but eventually found his true voice in painting. With excellent instruction and much encouragement by art professors Glenn Godsey and Virgil Lampton and invigorated by a summer arts program in Italy, Jeff painted an enormous amount over a two-year span and eventually graduated with three group exhibitions and one solo exhibition under his belt.
Immediately following graduation, Jeff landed a job with a small company focused on innovative computer technology that expanded his knowledge of online and CD-ROM technology, as well as web-based applications. Additionally, Jeff took on freelance illustration work from various companies, including several Washington, D.C. based clients. However, painting continued to be his driving artistic force, landing him pieces in some of Tulsa’s more respected galleries, including a well-received solo exhibition.
In the summer of 2003, Jeff made the move to the east coast and took a graphic design position in Baltimore. By day, his knowledge of computer-based print design and online technology expanded, and by night he painted fervently. He often spent weekends exploring Washington D.C., which eventually paid off with a group show at a small, but well known gallery. Jeff later moved to Washington, D.C. and has spent the last four years working as a senior graphic designer and production manager for a local company who specializes in cutting-edge mapping techniques, both online and in print. In addition to painting commissioned murals, and occasional freelance illustration and website design work, Jeff continues to show paintings at galleries, restaurants, and event spaces around Washington, D.C.