About Gennie Johnson

Gennie Johnson has always loved drawing, painting and doing anything creative. Her paintings are more impressionistic in style with an emphasis on the creation of excitement through the interlacing of colors using appealing architectural and landscape subjects.

The evolvement of Gennie’s artistic talent has been interspersed with job responsibilities as a kindergarten teacher, insurance policy financier, tole painting teacher, operating a successful catering business, raising a family, dedication as a community volunteer and making a positive difference in the lives of others, particularly breast cancer survivors.

Since being diagnosed with breast cancer in 1990, Gennie has made extensive efforts to create programs and raise funds oriented toward the pursuit of research to fight this disease. She chaired the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, served on the Board of the Komen Foundation and served as the lay chair of the Oklahoma Breast Health Institute. Perhaps most importantly, she helped start a support group, known as Bosom Buddies, for women diagnosed with breast cancer.

As a community volunteer Gennie has given greatly of her time to a multitude of civic projects, boards and causes, but her love of the arts has been evidenced by many of her efforts including chairing the Oklahoma City Festival of the Arts and serving on the board of the Arts Council of Oklahoma City for nineteen years. Also active in the community, Gennie's husband Bob was chairman of the Oklahoma City National Memorial Foundation for six years.

She has been mentored by Jim Wilcox (a Prix de West award winner), Leonard Wren, Judy McCombs, Dennis Parker, Daniel Keys, and Kelli Folsom. She also has been influenced by the work of the great artist Richard Schmid. Her plein air painting include inspirational sites such as the San Juan Islands, the Tetons, and Cape Cod. Her paintings also reflect her love of the beauty of New Zealand, Italy and France. Gennie Johnson was voted fan favorite for 2010 at the Howell Gallery.