THE ARTIST

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Although his illustrious career in film, stage, and television is well documented, little is known about Van’s other talent and passion, painting. It was Van’s high school teacher who turned him onto painting originally but he was later encouraged by Spencer Tracey to take painting up as a hobby. Later, Lionel Barrymore introduced him to sketching and watercolor.

During his Hollywood years, Van took weekend painting classes with Claudette Colbert along a group of fellow actors, which included Lilli Palmer, Gary Cooper, Dinah Shore and Katharine Hepburn, among others. In his formative years Van dedicated his life to his three cats and went on to produce a body of work on canvass that rivaled his on screen accomplishments.

His paintings: a celebration of his love affair with life, echo the impressionistic styles of Van Gough, Matisse, Gauguin and Picasso. His brilliant use of color, the strokes of the paint applied directly from the tube and his childlike approach to painting are a reflection of his sunny and wholesome disposition. Van was once quoted as saying “ I paint to express my own inner happiness” which is evident in every one of his works.

Van Johnson Acrylic on canvas 18"x24" Dino Olveira art collection SOLD	Van Johnson Acrylic on canvas 22"x28" Dino Olveira art collection FOR SALE (canvass tear at center of canvass near orange sail)	Barcelona Paloma Picasso Van Johnson Acrylic on canvas 20"x24" canvas 25"x29" framed Dino Olveira art collection FOR SALE
Van Johnson Acrylic on canvas 36"x24" Dino Olveira art collection FOR SALE	Van Johnson Acrylic on canvas 36"x24" Dino Olveira art collection FOR SALE	Van Johnson Acrylic on canvas 20"x30" Scott Lambert art collection
Van Johnson Acrylic on canvas 12"x16" Dino Olveira art collection FOR SALE	Van Johnson Acrylic on canvas 14"x18" Scott Lambert art collection	Van Johnson Acrylic on canvas 12"x16" Canvas tear on upper left quadrant Dino Olveira art collection
To Dino Van Johnson Acrylic on canvas 16"x20" Dino Olveira art collection NOT FOR SALE	Van Johnson Acrylic on canvas 16"x20" Sam Sarowitz art collection	Van Johnson Acrylic on canvas 18"x24" Enrique Ortiz art collection
Van Johnson Acrylic on canvas 18"x24" Dino Olveira art collection SOLD	Van Johnson Acrylic on canvas 18"x24" Sam Sarowitz art collection Sold	Van Johnson Acrylic on canvas 22"x28" Dino Olveira art collection FOR SALE
Van Johnson Acrylic on canvas 24"x30" Sold	Van Johnson Acrylic on canvas 22"x28" Dino Olveira art collection FOR SALE