Emma Johnson Writer/Artist/Musician

A miniature Paris

2012-01-26T00:08:00.000-08:00

A miniature Paris. I miss Paris!

Auditions

2012-01-25T21:40:00.000-08:00

Graham Kurtz looks over his music one more time before trying out for a Broadway production of Legally Blond 2 in downtown Manhattan. Kurtz says he likes to try out for shows as much as possible, including plays he isn't even interested in. "It makes me less nervous when I'm up in front of a casting director when it really counts," he says, "because I've been doing it two times already that day."

Visiting MoMA Fridays

2012-01-25T21:30:00.000-08:00

The Museum of Modern Art is a great place to visit. Even better when visiting on Target Free Fridays, which will save you the $20 admission. I recommend attending an exhibit a while after its opening. That way everyone who wants to see it first has seen it; and you'll get there before those who want to see it before it closes. It will save you some time standing in line.

Is yellow is the new green?

2012-01-25T21:21:00.000-08:00

With parking at $25 an hour, it's no wonder that most of the cars you see at gas stations are taxis. If the $6 charge to drive in the city goes through, yellow might be the only color you see lining the streets.

Only in Chelsea

2012-01-25T21:16:00.000-08:00

New York City's Chelsea is probably the only place in the world where you'd find a sign that indicates the building is a residence and not a gallery! With almost 300 galleries in the neighborhood, I suspect someone has had many unintentional doorbell rings.

Emma Johnson/ Writing Résumé

2011-10-10T20:37:00.000-07:00

WRITING EXPERIENCE

Writer (freelance), Midland Daily News (Hearst Corporation), Midland, MI, 12/2009—Present
•   Write stories and features for print and web publication on arts and entertainment, lifestyle, culture, politics and local events. Recently started writing book reviews and a column about my extended trip to Shanghai, with corresponding photography. Print circulation 16,500+ daily and 18,000+ Sunday. [145 articles, including 25 features to date]

School Group Tour Guide, Alden B. Dow Museum of Science & Art, Midland, MI, 02/2009-Present
•   Research background information on science and art exhibitions. Design and lead tours [21 to date] for ages preschool through adult. Collaborated with colleague to create guide for “Art of the Brick” exhibit.

Proofer/Editor/Writer (freelance), ClearRiver Advertising & Marketing, Midland, MI, 2/10—8/10
•   Proofread and edited material for print and web; wrote profile cards, flyers, newspaper ads, press releases, brochures and testimonials for posters, flyers and websites. Clients included: Gerber/Nestlé, Gratiot Medical Center and MidMichigan Health (which serves a population of 700,000). [Worked on 162 projects.]

ART EXPERIENCE
Freelance Art Faculty, Alden B. Dow Museum of Science & Art Museum School, Midland, MI, 2/10—Present
•   Design and teach drawing classes for children.

Freelance Art Instructor, Creative 360, Midland, MI, 3/09—Present
•   Design and teach a variety of art classes and workshops for children and teenagers; collaborate with other art instructors to develop curriculum; act as a teaching assistant; delegate tasks to a teaching assistant when leading a class; team up with meta4 to design and teach art/art appreciation at St. Briget’s Catholic School; designed and taught art workshop at Montessori elementary school.

Visual Resources Technician, College of Visual Arts Library, St. Paul, MN, 2005-06
•   Processed slide requests from instructors at the college; shot slides from art books using 35 mm and digital SLR cameras; labeled slides; created files and maintained the slide database; maintained the 33,000 slides/digital images in the library’s collection; scanned slides and created digital files; delegated tasks to work-study student.

EDUCATION

University of Minnesota, B.A. in English (emphasis in poetry), 2006-2008

• Subjects studied: English, writing, German
• Fluent in German, as per Language Proficiency Exam, 1/16/09
• Writer/Researcher, Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, 2007

• Copy Desk Editor, The Minnesota Daily, 2006-07
• Radio K Volunteer, 2006-07

Rutgers University, National Student Exchange, 2007-08

• Subjects studied: English, German, interactive design
• Tutor, Plangere Writing Center, 2007

Minneapolis College of Art and Design

B.F.A. in painting and photography, 2000-2005

• Subjects studied: Fine art, media arts, graphic design
• Cari-DeWall Obst Uptown Association Scholarship, 2002-04

• Learning Center Tutor, 2003-05
• Macalester Exchange Program, 2003
• Radio MCAD Volunteer, 2003-05

Parsons Paris School of Art and Design
Study Abroad, Fall 2002
• Subjects studied: Fine art, French

COMPUTER SKILLS
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Adobe Creative Suite
• QuarkXPress
• Final Cut Pro
• Pro Tools
• HTML & basic CSS
• TextWrangler
• Social media
• Mac and PC

PUBLICATIONS
12/13/11 Aging in Midland County: Seniors look to stay in their own homes Midland Daily News
12/11/11 Best-selling Michigan authors to sign new children’s book at Dow Gardens Midland Daily News
12/10/11 Veterinarian: Vaccination easiest route to preventparvovirus Midland Daily News
12/09/11 Credit unions, small banks see increases Midland Daily News
12/08/11 King's Daughters Christmas Closet helps clothe 1,800 children Midland Daily News
11/29/11 JA holiday fundraising online auction now open Midland Daily News
11/27/11 Hospitals leery of proposed changes to no-fault law Midland Daily News
11/25/11 Early bird gets the worm... and a television — Black Friday campers get a jump on sales Midland Daily News (feature)
11/22/11 Student drive nets 68 boxes of canned food Midland Daily News
11/21/11 Creative 360’s future weighed Midland Daily News
11/18/11 Rhapsody is high voltage Midland Daily News
11/13/11 Encouraging healthy eating through education Midland Daily News
11/12/11 Chef Andy to be on Dr. Oz show (again), to discuss White House trip Midland Daily News
11/05/11 Harvest Ball raises money for Alzheimer’s Association Midland Daily News
11/04/11 Northwood University students making a difference Midland Daily News
10/29/11 County jobless rate drops to 7.5 percent in September Midland Daily News
10/26/11 Midland runner with diabetes to race across U.S. Midland Daily News
10/18/11 Wall Street Protest Comes to Midland Midland Daily News (feature)
10/10/11 Speakers discuss future of biofuels Midland Daily News
10/03/11 Big crowd attends Brew Fest Midland Daily News (feature)
10/03/11 Walking to fight hunger Midland Daily News
10/02/11 Midland artist, Class of 2011 combine talents, philanthropy to leave legacy at Northwood Midland Daily News
09/26/11 HOT TIMES: Downtown Midland hosts chili-salsa taste-off Midland Daily News
09/18/11 Rallying to support cancer research Midland Daily News
09/16/11 Residents share historic preservation ideas Midland Daily News
09/16/11 Main Street glowed Thursday at kickoff of Re/Max Balloon Festival Midland Daily News
09/15/11 ACS Cancer Action Network rally set Midland Daily News
09/14/11 Midland Center for the Arts Celebrates 40 years Midland Daily News
09/14/11 Morris highlights tax cuts, deregulation in talk Midland Daily News (feature)
09/11/11 RSS feed benefits explained Midland Daily News/!gnite: creating conversation
09/09/11 NU to host 9/11 memorial Midland Daily News
09/09/11 Former Midlanders recover from hurricane Midland Daily News
09/06/11 Midland to Mackinaw bicycle journey raises money for Joplin tornado victims Midland Daily News
09/02/11 Michigan group tests car seats for toxic chemicals Midland Daily News
09/01/11 Scam artists go digital with latest attack Midland Daily News
08/26/11 Midland soldier returns home Midland Daily News (feature)
08/26/11 Midland Area CROP Hunger Walk recruiter’s rally Midland Daily News
08/23/11 Exhibit has graffiti as art Midland Daily News
08/20/11 The cultural enrichment of living abroad Midland Daily News (column)
08/16/11 BBBS selling tickets for golf ball drop Midland Daily News
08/11/11 Midland DDA summer events a great success Midland Daily News
08/10/11 Humane Society President brings book tour to Midland Midland Daily News
08/08/11 Twang Thang Midland Daily News (feature)

06/16/11 Unusual Relay fundraiser Midland Daily News (feature)
06/13/11 Highland Festival: Event celebrates Celtic traditions Midland Daily News (feature)
06/12/11 Former foster care youths share keys to success Midland Daily News
06/05/11 Midlander co-founds group to care for orphaned children in China Midland Daily News
04/17/11 More than 1,000 fourth graders attend music celebration Midland Daily News
04/11/11 NU’s international students job shadow Tri-City businesses Midland County Review
03/26/11 Sensational Speakers prepare member for contest Midland Daily News
03/25/11 Elementary students prepare for annual Music Celebration Concert Midland Daily News
03/19/11 Campbell honored with 2010 Stutelberg award Midland Daily News
03/14/11 Nearly 500 enjoy Literacy Council's 'World's Greatest Dessert Party' Midland Daily News
03/09/11 Nearly 500 enjoy Literacy Council's 'World's Greatest Dessert Party' Midland County Review
03/09/11 A bird in the hand...is a lesson taught to Central Middle School students Midland Daily News (feature)
03/08/11 Chef Andy named 2011 Educator of the Year Midland Daily News
03/11 Cooking up a competitive edge Great Lakes Bay Regional Lifestyle Magazine
02/26/11 Troop 767 celebrates 100th Eagle Scout, 100 years of scouting Midland Daily News
02/26/11 NU Black History Week trivia quiz Midland Daily News
02/26/11 Documentary caps Northwood Black History Celebration Week Midland Daily News
02/22/11 Poets share verses as part of Northwood University Black History Celebration Midland Daily News
02/16/11 School radio club fosters science, connections Midland Daily News
02/14/11 At least 35 cats and dogs adopted Midland Daily News
02/07/11 Piano Palooza raises $20,000; Disability Network program still needs $10,000 Midland Daily News
02/07/11 Go Red for Women: Helping women become heart healthy Midland Daily News
02/07/11 Students create snow sculptures at Farmer’s Market Midland Daily News
02/06/11 One act showdown: MCFTA hosts state play festival Midland Daily News
02/04/11 Chinese culture classes offered to the public Midland Daily News
02/04/11 Disability Network’s Piano Palooza Saturday Midland Daily News
02/04/11 Go Red for American Heart Month with a healthy diet Midland Daily News
01/23/11 Meridian symphonic band plays music educators’ conference Midland Daily News
01/22/11 NU goes back to ‘The 90s’ for Coming Home 2011 Midland Daily News
01/19/11 Northwood presents Swimp at MLK Luncheon Midland Daily News
01/17/11 Health officials target radon Midland Daily News
01/10/11 Keyboard Fest: 236 piano students perform at Midland Center for the Arts Midland Daily News (feature)
01/07/11 Experience of a lifetime: Local woman competes in AKC/Eukanuba National Champianship Midland Daily News (feature)
01/06/11 Pianos featured at MCFTA Midland Daily News
01/05/11 Part of the family Midland Daily News (feature)
12/26/10 Celtic Moon expands to offer coffee shop Midland Daily News
12/24/10 New fund established for Chemical City Band Midland Daily News
12/10/10 Washington Woods tradition: Decorating the lounge with love Midland Daily News
12/10/10 250 attend MidMichigan Medical Center's 29th annual Love Light ceremony Midland Daily News
12/07/10 New era of medical care: Harlow Building transformed as part of expansion project Midland Daily News (feature)
12/03/10 Northwood students host Salvation Army Christmas Party Midland Daily News
12/02/10 Children get to shop with heroes Midland Daily News (feature)
12/04/10 Ground broken on new Residence Inn in Midland Midland Daily News
11/30/10 Creek band members visit The Caring Place Midland Daily News (feature)
11/28/10 A culinary Christmas at Peel 'n Pare Midland Daily News
11/26/10 Library needs help to win audio book prize Midland Daily News
11/20/10 Desserts bring Girl Scout supporters to Bake-Off Midland Daily News
11/12/10 Riverside Remembers Midland Daily News (feature)
11/09/10 Northwood University hosting Make a Difference Week Midland Daily News (feature)
11/08/10 Hippotherapy: Having fun, achieving goals Midland Daily News (feature)
11/08/10 Treadwell: Society pays for lack of preventive care Midland Daily News
10/29/10 New school, great old science Midland Daily News
10/27/10 Jim Ardis: Creations in copper and clay Midland Daily News
10/27/10 Research council analyzes ballot proposals Midland Daily News
10/25/10 Valley Lanes celebrates 50th anniversary Midland Daily News (feature)
10/25/10 Midland native dean at school receiving $1 million from Oprah Midland Daily News
10/22/10 Pumpkin Fest rolls into downtown Midland Midland Daily News (feature)
10/21/10 Author says Michigan example of how not to govern Midland Daily News
10/20/10 Dow Gardens celebrates 100,000 visitors Midland Daily News
10/18/10 Brewfest draws a large crowd Midland Daily News
10/10/10 'Dirty Dogs' run for a good cause Midland Daily News (feature)
10/10/10 Author Dunya Mikhail tells of her life in Iraq Midland Daily News
09/--/10 Space, Inc. Midland Daily News
09/28/10 Great Lakes Bay Autism Center hopes to raise awareness at Fair Midland Daily News
09/21/10 Readers' Choice award winners for 2010 Midland Daily News
09/14/10 2010 harvest looking sweet for farmers Midland Daily News
09/10/10 Bone Marrow Drive set for Saturday at Midland Mall Midland Daily News
08/27/10 Kindercare kids walk more than 400 miles during summer program Midland Daily News
08/26/10 Pure Michigan campaign a game changer Midland Daily News
08/23/10 Bed Bugs not a threat in Midland County Midland Daily News
08/23/10 Homebuilder survey shows market still soft Midland Daily News
08/16/10 Lady Antebellum performs to sold-out crowd Midland Daily News (feature)
08/09/10 Little Forks awarded national accreditation Midland Daily News
08/01/10 Bouchard: 'Make Michigan the place to do business' Midland Daily News
07/16/10 Governor candidate Snyder brings Reinvent Michigan Tour to Michigan Midland Daily News
07/10/10 House legislation battles growing energy theft Midland Daily News
06/24/10 Animal Magic coming to Midland Midland Daily News/Verge
06/23/10 Health care reform to have big impacts Midland Daily News
06/09/10 Chefs gather at White House to spur healthy eating in schools Midland Daily News
06/03/10 Local chef to be at White House Friday Midland Daily News
05/31/10 Mighty proud: Lashuay family has given 100 years service to U.S. Navy Midland Daily News (feature)
05/17/10 Dogs compete at MMKC show at Midland County Fair Grounds Midland Daily News (feature)
05/--/10 Midland County Educational Service Agency Midland Daily News
05/10/10 On the wild side: 13 horses, one burro find new homes after adoption event at fairgrounds Midland Daily News
04/29/10 Horses and burros available for adoption May 7-8 Midland Daily News
04/20/10 'Architectural gem' demolished as renovations continue Midland Daily News (feature)
03/25/10 The House That Love Built Midland Daily News (feature)
03/11/10 Kevin Cotter to Run for 99th State District Representative Midland Daily News
12/25/09 Ornament Tradition Grows Annually Midland Daily News

Art-i-facts: An Unconventional History of MCAD

2011-09-29T00:48:00.000-07:00

MCAD 2nd Floor Galleries
August 26 – September 18, 2011
call visitor tour number (612) 435-3316
select #8
to hear about my art-i-facts

Artist's Statement, 2011

2011-08-28T19:05:00.001-07:00

My work draws attention to idiosyncratic things in the world. By examining mundane situations, I encourage viewers to reconsider ironies found in every day life. While I suggest a point of view, ideally my work simply poses questions for the viewer. I select subjects and themes that I connect with personally, such as loneliness and awkwardness, but that are archetypal in nature. I explore the ways societal values dictate certain behaviors in individuals as well as how individuals can subvert socially codified behaviors regarding gender, class and culture. In particular, I’m interested in examining how geography affects people; my experiences living in the Midwest, the East Coast and Europe have heavily influenced my work.

Although the ideas behind my art are often complex, the work itself often has a childlike aesthetic, with bright complex colors. Although children are associated with vibrant colors, I don’t use primary colors, so the work contains a subtle complexity. The naïveté is intended to make viewers feel safe and let down their guard as it pulls them into the work. Its content, however, explores complex ideas that are both sad and humorous. The comfort the viewer initially experiences is replaced with conflict and tension, but cheerful colors make the content easier to digest.

I use the contemplative quality of art to raise the value of the subject. By putting an object into a new context, I invite the viewer to reconsider ordinary objects as vehicles that reflect something more telling of a culture.

As an interdisciplinary artist, the materials I choose lend themselves to the specific project. Sometimes this leads me to film, photography, painting or drawing.

10 images | Emma C. Johnson

2011-08-28T18:59:00.000-07:00

1. Water Under the Bridge

5-Color screenprint on Arches paper, 12 x 12 in., 2003.

2. Eyelash Curlers

1-Color screenprint on Arches paper, 192 x 31 in., 2003.

3. Garbage Bag in Paris

C-print, 8 x 10 in., 2002.

4. Untitled (Chelsea, NYC)

Digital C-print, 6 x 4 in., 2007.

5. Memories and Projections Suggesting the Present

Color digital video (Film Still), 7’10”, 2010.

6. Abortion/What Would You do if They Attached a Violinist to You?

Oil on canvas, 16.25 x 37.5 in., 2003.

7. Hmong Village Outside of Chiang Mai, Thailand

Digital print, 6 x 4 in., 2011.

8. Redcrosse and Una

Digital image, 4 x 6 in., 2009.

9. Duessa and Redcrosse

Digital image, 4 x 6 in., 2011.

10. The Eiffel Tower Drawing Project

Graphite and pen on paper, 143 2 x 2 in. drawings, 2009. Drawings by 143 strangers.

The cultural enrichment of living abroad

2011-08-20T23:24:00.000-07:00

Shanghai column
Midland Daily News, 20 Aug 2011.
http://www.ourmidland.com/story_prep/article_7b7530ff-4ae2-5d28-a672-54fc633f2670.html

This is the corresponding photograph that was included in the print edition.

Humane Society president brings book tour to Midland

2011-08-10T11:13:00.000-07:00

By Emma Johnson, Midland Daily News. 10 Aug 2011. Online.

Twang Thang

2011-08-08T13:18:00.000-07:00

By Emma Johnson
Midland Daily News
8 Aug 2011.
http://www.ourmidland.com/news/article_e22090d0-05a7-5ab3-aff1-d93e12a02e7c.html

Lucifera as Olympia

2011-07-29T15:05:00.000-07:00

Redcrosse and Duessa

2011-07-22T17:12:00.001-07:00

6 x 4 in., Digital image, 2011

Shanghai walk through the park in Pudong

2011-06-30T16:26:00.000-07:00

Shanghai traditional dinner at restaurant

2011-06-30T16:20:00.000-07:00

Thailand writing for good luck

2011-06-30T16:15:00.000-07:00

Shanghai poor

2011-06-30T16:10:00.000-07:00

Shanghai Xintiandi

2011-06-30T16:05:00.000-07:00

Thailand Le Meridien

2011-06-30T15:53:00.000-07:00

Shanghai grocery store

2011-06-30T15:44:00.000-07:00

Shanghai and Thailand

2011-06-30T14:41:00.000-07:00

2011-06-30T14:34:00.000-07:00

2011-06-30T14:17:00.000-07:00

Shanghai / The Bund at Night

2011-06-30T14:08:00.000-07:00

School radio club fosters science, connections

2011-06-22T07:13:00.000-07:00

Midland Daily News, 16 Feb 2011: A3. Online.

Go Red for Women: Helping women become heart healthy

2011-06-22T07:09:00.000-07:00

Midland Daily News, 7 Feb 2011: A3. Online.

Chiang Mai 2011 Mountain lunch

2011-06-17T14:32:00.000-07:00

Thailand 2011 traditional Hmong clothing

2011-06-17T14:12:00.000-07:00

At the Hmong mountain village just outside of Chiang Mai.

Unusual Relay fundraiser

2011-06-17T07:00:00.000-07:00

Midland Daily News, 16 June 2011: A1. Online.

Paris Schetsblok 2002

2011-06-14T14:27:00.000-07:00

Sketchbook pages

Highland Festival: Event celebrates Celtic traditions

2011-06-14T07:00:00.000-07:00

Midland Daily News, 13 June 2011: A1. Online.

Shanghai [05/2011] Baobei

2011-06-13T15:57:00.000-07:00

Baobei motto: "Precious child ... precious life."

For more information, visit the Baobei Foundation website.

Shanghai [05/2011] Made in.

2011-06-13T13:57:00.000-07:00

Random Shanghai.

Shanghai [5-25-11] Flying

2011-06-13T13:23:00.000-07:00

Flying from Shanghai to Michigan.

Shanghai [5-24-11] The bund at night

2011-06-13T12:37:00.000-07:00

all lit up

Shanghai [5-24-11] City planning

2011-06-13T12:19:00.000-07:00

City and city planning.

Shanghai [5-22-11] Pudong window

2011-06-13T12:06:00.000-07:00

view from a room

Shanghai [5-18-11] Architecture in the city

2011-06-13T12:03:00.000-07:00

Scenes of the city

Shanghai [5-17-11] art museums

2011-06-13T11:53:00.000-07:00

Looking out from art museums.

Shanghai [5-16-11] Perusing the town

2011-06-13T11:14:00.000-07:00

Perusing.

Former foster care youths share keys to success

2011-06-13T07:00:00.000-07:00

Midland Daily News, 12 June 2011. Online.

Shanghai [5-15-11] Pearl market

2011-06-08T14:24:00.000-07:00

Pearl market, driving and grocery shopping.

Shanghai [5-14-11] Pajama sighting!

2011-06-08T12:26:00.000-07:00

Pajama sighting, shopping, driving and dinner.

Shanghai [5-13-11] I ♥ The French Concession

2011-06-08T11:55:00.000-07:00

The French Concession.

Shanghai [5-12-11] China Pavilion 2

2011-06-06T22:10:00.000-07:00

Shanghai [5-12-11] China Pavilion

2011-06-06T22:03:00.000-07:00

Shanghai [5-10-11] At a vegetable market.

2011-06-06T21:26:00.000-07:00

Shanghai [5-8-11] Driving around

2011-06-06T21:14:00.000-07:00

Balloons. Fanta. Church. On the Road. Bridge. Fabric Market. Architecture. A typical Chinese street.

Midlander co-founds group to care for orphaned children in China

2011-06-06T07:00:00.000-07:00

Midland Daily News, 5 June 2011: A1.

Shanghai [5-7-11] Hibou!

2011-06-05T19:36:00.000-07:00

Featuring Hibou!

Photos 7-9 by Mr. Ji.

Shanghai [5-6-11], Yuyuan Garden

2011-06-05T15:48:00.000-07:00

Shanghai [5-5-11] Pudong

2011-06-05T15:25:00.000-07:00

After a long day at school and extra-curricular activities, Alyssa is too tired to do her homework. I tell her her poses look like a dead body in a crime scene and I feel like I should be drawing chalk around her. Before she does her homework, we make it look like a crime took place.

My cousin buys flowers for the house and their Aye puts the roses in my room. That makes me happy!

Shanghai [5-4-11] Garden and rabbits

2011-06-05T15:10:00.000-07:00

1. Mr. Ji, my family's driver in Shanghai, loves taking pictures of everybody. (He also loves flowers.)
2. Along a busy street, between the sidewalk and the street, some rabbits live. Quite the contrast!

Shanghai [5-2-11] Traditional Chinese fishing

2011-06-05T14:52:00.000-07:00

Pictures taken by Mr. Ji on my Hello Kitty camera. Me and my aunt and me in front of Chinese fishing.

Chiang Mai [Apr 22-29, 2011]

2011-06-05T14:29:00.000-07:00

Pictures from the city, up the mountain just outside the city and the airport.

My favorite picture from Chiang Mai (an hour up the mountain)

2011-06-01T23:35:00.000-07:00

This girl was so cute. (All of the kids were cute!) She didn't have a partner for the game of tag, so I was her partner. Picture by Amy Bailey, April 2011.

The first video is a song the children sang for us at the Ban Hmong's Hope hostel in Chiang Mai the last night we were there. They made us dinner to say thank you for helping them cement some of the floors in their hostel. The other hostel we worked at was Huay Niam Christian Children's Hostel. These hostels give Hmong children free room and board so they can attend school in the city. School in their villages only goes up to the fourth grade, so they must move to the city if they want to continue their education. The second video is about SEACM, the organization that my cousins worked with to put this mission trip together.