About
Kathleen Mitchell Johnston is an artist located in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Originally from Roanoke, she now lives in Harrisonburg with her family. Although she has always called Virginia home, she loves to travel and draw inspiration from other places. Kathleen has a Bachelor of Science in Studio Art with a minor in Art Education from James Madison University. Her artwork often reflects experiences from both being a mother and her many years working with children as an art educator. Kathleen’s paintings can be found in collections throughout the United States and Canada.
“Every canvas is a journey all its own. There are no rules. Let the picture lead you where it must go.” -Helen Frankenthaler
I communicate with marks, lines, and shapes, but most notably, color. My paintings evolve through layers where the colors react to one another by contrasting or blending. Hues, saturations, and tones are carefully balanced to make soft or bold statements. Lines express ideas and define space, dividing but also connecting. My pieces are translations of the stories I hear, see and feel.
Gallery Representation:
Frame Factory and Gallery, 139 N. Liberty Street #101, Harrisonburg, VA 540.433.2667
Present Thyme, 1016 23rd Street SW. Roanoke, Virginia 540-342-9706
Solo Exhibitions:
Studies in Color, Beverly Perdue Art Gallery, Bridgewater College, Bridgewater, VA, 2026
The Relationship Between Order and Chaos, Staunton Augusta Art Center, Staunton, VA, 2024
Rhythms of Color, Hotel Madison, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA, 2024
Explorations in Order, Wilson Downtown Gallery, Harrisonburg, VA, 2024
Solo Exhibition, Local Chop and Grill House, Harrisonburg, VA, 2023
Multiple Perspectives, Darrin-McHone Gallery, Harrisonburg, VA, 2023
March Hares, Frame Factory and Gallery, Harrisonburg, VA, 2023
Solo Exhibition, AM Yoder & Company, Harrisonburg, VA, 2023
Solo Exhibition, YogaSol, Harrisonburg, VA, 2023
Windows, The North Wing Gallery, Harrisonburg, VA, 2023
Meditations in Art, Wing Gallery, Harrisonburg, VA, 2022
Solo Exhibition, Ciders from Mars, Staunton, VA, 2022
Creating a Sense of Order, Wilson Downtown Gallery, Harrisonburg, VA, 2022
Group Exhibitions:
10th Annual ACV Artist Member Exhibition, Smith House Galleries, Harrisonburg, VA, 2025
Merge, Ciders from Mars, Staunton, VA, 2025
Teeny Tiny Trifecta, Second Street Gallery, Charlottesville, VA, 2025
Riverviews Artspace 16th Annual Juried Show, Lynchburg, VA, 2024
Joshua Wilton House, Harrisonburg, VA, 2024
Art on Display at Present Thyme, Roanoke, VA, 2023
Opening Doors: The Art of Inclusion, Arts Council of the Valley, Harrisonburg, VA, 2023
Art on display at Frame Factory and Gallery, Harrisonburg, VA, 2023
20th Annual VMRC Juried Art Exhibition, Park Gables Gallery, Harrisonburg, VA, 2023
The Deck Show, The North Wing Gallery, Harrisonburg, VA, 2022
19th Annual VMRC Juried Art Exhibition, Park Gables Gallery, Harrisonburg, VA, 2022
#ArtFeltThanks, Harrisonburg, VA, 2020
Wooden Trout Art Gallery, Harrisonburg, VA, 2017
Dia de los Muertos, Spitzer Art Gallery, Pale Fire Brewery, Harrisonburg, VA, 2016
Have Creativity, Will Travel, Show, Arts Council of the Valley, Harrisonburg, VA, 2016
Group Show at Sunset Studios, Harrisonburg, VA, 2016
Corporate Collections:
Local Chop and Grill House, Harrisonburg, VA 2025
Chop House Tavern, Staunton, VA 2024
Chop House Bistro, Luray, VA 2023
Book illustrations, Downtown Duckling Sculpture Project, Harrisonburg, VA, 2023
Explore More Discovery Museum, Harrisonburg, VA, 2022
Ciders from Mars, Staunton, VA, 2022
Logo Design for the University Health Center, JMU, 1996