Meet Alec Johnson | Local Discordian Pope

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alec Johnson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alec, what inspires you?
I am heavily inspired by the universe around me. Sunsets are important, as well as the sky. I like to watch the moon and planets as they transition through the zodiac above us. I spend a lot of my time looking upwards, but just as much time looking down at my feet. I am inspired by personal growth. I like exploring deep within myself, learning my story as it unfolds. I often enjoy peering through time. Backwards at artists like Vincent Van Gogh, or the cave painters of Lascaux, France- creatives who knew that their work was a part of something greater than themselves. The message is bigger than any one person, as are the lessons. I look forward to inspiring future artists to be authentic and to rule their own existences. I am personally inspired by the examples of countless artists who came before me, but am moved by the idea of being an example to those who come long after.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My artwork is like connecting with a higher version of myself. There is this aethereal, artistic energy that has existed since long before I was born, one which is connected to every single artist who has ever, or will ever exist. We live pure creativity- we know that energy poured from ourselves into the universe will eventually manifest into another being, one heavily inspired by our message. I feel that my artwork is a culmination of all of the lessons learned by artists who came before me, and it is my responsibility to look out for those who come next. The foundation that I build upon is one of self expression and identity, but there seems to have also existed a lot of negativity, self doubt, and self-sabotage in artists of the past. I want to address that feeling of unappreciation. I want to be the one who others look to as an example of what it’s like to be themselves, to be authentic, and to walk with their heads held high. I want to teach the next generation about the intense powers of belief, vibration, color, and creativity. I aim to inspire a new-age counter-culture. Personally, I take a lot of influence from the 1960’s hippie movement, but I am here now to usher in a new era. A philosophy of self and oneness is beginning to take over; a new meta-religion based on self-exploration and universal love. We’re exploring what it means to be ourselves and to embody this physical space, but also beginning a new, species-wide evolution towards a futuristic digital age. We must take care. I try and be as honest with myself as possible when I make art, expressing the truth of what I’m feeling and why. I know that doing this and forming deep connections with my spirit and my ancestors helps to forge new pathways for artists who will inevitably occupy this space once I’m gone. I hope to inspire them through the work and exploration that I did during my lifetime, so much so that they can and will eventually build upon my progress for generations to come.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I once did a series of drawings for my first public art show where I walked around the city of Dallas with a few sharpies and a sketchbook, drawing all of my favorite spots and then giving the drawings away at my show. I called the series #TourOfTheCity, and was able to hit most of the noteworthy spots around downtown Dallas. The full series of 20 can be viewed on my website, instagram, or facebook page. Some noteworthy sights are The Giant Eyeball, The ‘x’ on the road where John F. Kennedy was assassinated, and the Perot Museum of Nature and Science. One of my favorite places to spend time is definitely the Dallas Museum of Art- one day I hope that a painting or two of my own will call that museum home, being added to the list of things to see in Dallas. Until then, be sure and check out the Nasher Sculpture Garden and the Crow Museum of Asian Art, located just down the road from the DMA. Klyde Warren Park is a great place to grab a bite to eat from a food truck, or, if you want something with a bit more history, visit the original El Fenix Restauraunt, which happens to be over 100 years old. If you’re trying to find something a little bit more night-life oriented, I would recommend visiting Deep Ellum or Lower Greenville, where you’ll find a number of bars and restaurants as well as a few cute, locally owned businesses. There is truly something for everyone in this city.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’ve got to start by shouting out my friends, family, and all of my followers. I wouldn’t have made it this far without y’all. I also wouldn’t be here without Eris, the Greek Goddess of Chaos. She is the biggest influence on myself and my path that I have witnessed yet. Throughout my life she has represented herself in a variety of different ways, but at the end of the day she’s really just a quick wink and a passing synchronicity. Still, when I see the stars align and my path is illuminated, I know who set it all in motion- an online version of the Principia Discordia told me that. I don’t know how to describe my connection with Eris, but it is intense. She leads me where I must be to learn the lessons that I must learn to make the art that I must make. Together, we will change the course of history. It’s all a part of the plan. Fate has been working tirelessly for eons to weave everything we know into one grand tapestry, one which tells the story of creation; living, dying, and what comes next. This is why I paint. Because I know that it is my calling. I wouldn’t have figured it out if it weren’t for Brenton Clutterbuck, Omar K. Ravenhurst, Malaclypse the Younger, and Goddess herself. Hail Eris, all hail Discordia. Fnord?

Website: https://alecjohnson.art/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alecjohnsonart/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/alecjohnsonart

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alecjohnsonart

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@alecjohnsonart

Image Credits
Prak Chadalawada IG: @chad_a_la_mode_