Fine Art Landscapes and Plein Air Paintings by Michael Chesley Johnson

Southwest Paintings

Michael spends most of his year in the American Southwest, painting in many scenic spots in New Mexico, Arizona, Utah and Colorado--often finding inspiration in his own back yard

Maritime Paintings

Michael spends summers on beautiful Campobello Island--famous for the summer home of US President Franklin D. Roosvelt--where he enjoys painting the Canadian Maritimes and Downeast Maine.

Special Painting Projects

When he's not painting outdoors, Michael works in the studio on special painting projects, producing larger works.  Whereas painting outdoors is about responding to the landscape, painting in the studio is the time for reflecting.

Michael Chesley Johnson

paints in both the American Southwest,  Downeast Maine and the Canadian Maritimes.  He writes frequently for magazines like Artist’s Magazine, Pastel Journal and others.  He is the author of Beautiful Landscape Painting Outdoors: Mastering Plein Air, among other books.

Your retreat was super!  It lived up to all my expectations and more!  You planned each outing to trails and parks to be at the best possible time and weather conditions and I so appreciated that.  You were sensitive to the other attendee and my needs (which were a little different) and you had a wealth of knowledge of where good painting spots were.  You and Trina looked after us and checked on us so I never felt isolated and alone.  The trail hiking was fun and good exercise and not too lengthy — just right for me.  Sedona has the most spectacular variety of stunning views of rock formations in a small area that I have ever seen.  One doesn’t have to travel far!  A plein air painters dream!

Carolyn T.

Workshops & Retreats

All-Level Plein Air Painting Workshops

2024: Oct 17-19
TEXAS, Amarillo

2025: Sept 30-Oct 3
NEW MEXICO, Santa Fe

Painting Retreats for Experienced Painters

2024: August 5-9 / MAINE, Lubec

2024: November 3-8 / ARIZONA, Sedona (Mentoring)

Painting Intensive for Experienced Painters

Fall 2024

Mentoring