ARTIST BIO

The Rev. Ian Johnston is a retired minister of the Uniting Church in Australia.  Prior to beginning his career in ministry, Ian studied electrical engineering and worked briefly in that field before returning to university for studies in Arts and Theology.  Early in his career of Parish Ministry Ian began drawing and painting for the purposes of teaching, and the illustration of his own all-age stories.  He enjoys drawing cartoon illustrations, and puppetry.

From 1990 to 1995 Ian worked as a glass artist constructing commissioned works in kiln-formed relief-moulded glass and fused and painted glass mounted in sculpted steel framing for the Mount Eliza, Mount Martha, and Glen Waverley Uniting Churches.

Ian began watercolour painting some thirty years ago.  He considers watercolour to be the painting medium that relies most heavily on drawing skills and regards watercolour as an extension of drawing.  Ian was guest artist at the Strathdon Art Show in 2005, and the Dandenong Uniting Church Art Show in 2009.  His most recent award was for Best Watercolour at the Mornington Rotary Art Show in January 2013.  One of his paintings (Incarnations) is displayed in the Centre for Theology and Ministry, Parkville, Victoria. Various others have been purchased by private collectors.