Johanna McWeeney – violinist

Johanna McWeeney is a violinist, artist and writer, living in Devon, in South West England. She paints intuitively, focusing on symbolism, childish/childlike expression and uses self-portraiture to express and process common human emotions. Painting is a cathartic opposite to perfectionism, becoming an almost spiritual path, or at least a retrospective map of the journey. Recent and upcoming group exhibitions include Van Der Plas Gallery, New York; Espacio Gallery, London (with The Artist’s Pool); 54, The Gallery, London (with The Artist’s Pool); King House Gallery, Stratford Upon Avon. Featured in N-Y Art News and as one of Destig Magazine’s “best artists of 2020”.

What has creating art meant to you over the last year?

The beginning of the 2020 pandemic came at a time when I was already struggling. For a while I felt frustration with the world, sadness and vulnerability. At the same time, I felt supported and creatively optimistic on a soul level. I already had my artist practice and in many ways the situation helped me be firmer about my goals. My art in the last year has been about moving forward and learning, embracing change, redefining myself against perceived and real limitations. I painted my feelings as a reminder to be gentle with myself and to find strength within.