About the Artist
An exploration in texture.
Even from a young age David has always had a fascination of Formula One.
After initially watching the sport on television, David attended his first Grand Prix at Silverstone in 1997. What began as an interest, evolved into a true passion.
When leaving school, as a hobby, David started to create paintings depicting some of Formula One’s greats. His first was of Jim Clark racing at Silverstone. David focused on developing his craft, always looking to show the excitement of the sport.
“I owe a lot to Stirling Moss,” says David Johnson.
“Sir Stirling was the first F1 driver I worked with and throughout our meetings he always encouraged me to do more.”
Once a design and technology teacher, racing always found its way into his lessons via clubs, displays and trips. This included many outings to Silverstone, F1 team bases and adds, “I once took 60 pupils to Sir Stirling’s house!”.
David’s paintings range from the 1950s to today, featuring Hamilton as well as Button, both Hills, and Sir Jackie Stewart. Starting his career within fine art, this current style uses a palette knife.
David’s paintings range from the 1950s to today, featuring Hamilton as well as Button, both Hills, and Sir Jackie Stewart. Starting his career within fine art, this current style uses a palette knife.
He has exhibited at a range of venues and events including the British Grand Prix, MotoGP, Grand Prix Ball, BRDC and Royal Automobile Club. He has featured in publications such as MotorSport and worked with many of motor sport’s greats from Sir Jackie Stewart to Lando Norris.
Meeting Sir Stirling Moss.
Just before Christmas 2008 David sent a letter to Sir Stirling Moss, explaining an idea to produce a painting of one of his favourite cars and with the hope to later meet him. In just a matter of days he received an envelope through the post with the initials SM on the reverse!
In the response he showed a very keen interest from viewing the images of David’s previous artwork, and was happy to discuss his favourite racing cars.
In the time before the meeting and with his blessing David set out to produce a piece a new painting. The aim was to recreate the 1956 Monaco Grand Prix in his Maserati 250F, holding off Juan Manuel Fangio to secure his first victory at the Principality. In just over a month, he had completed this art piece and the master copy was ready. A proof was sent for approval and a date was set to meet with Sir Stirling Moss.
David made the journey to London to meet with the legend whom had taken over a month to put onto the canvas.
Sir Stirling Moss was able to hand sign a number of Limited Edition prints of the 1956 Monaco Grand Prix, and the sense of achievement was great and this was the highest point of David Johnson’s career so far. After a handshake and a brief goodbye he was on his way home still not believing what had happened.