How does an artist paint, without paint?

How does an artist paint, without paint? Tennessee artist Jai Johnson was pressed to find the answer to that question when she decided to return to her childhood love of artwork, but couldn't use traditional paint media due to issues with toxic substances.


"It's been three years," she says quietly. What Jai is referring to is three summers ago, when symptoms of nausea, weakness in the legs, dizziness and more hit her like a locomotive at full speed on a hot summer day. At first she thought it was food poisoning. It continued for days, forcing her to make a trip to her doctor. Hundreds of dollars and several tests later, the doctor still didn't have a clue. But Jai did. The culprit? A particular industrial strength adhesive used in jewelry design, and it forced her to leave the field.


A year later, Jai made a decision to return to artwork. Another stumbling block reared its ugly head when Jai discovered she could no longer use any of the painting materials she loved - all are, unfortunately, deadly to her due to toxicity. The artist tried other media for her artwork - non-toxic solutions such as colored pencil and watercolor paints. Neither, however, created the look she wanted in her pinup artwork.


"All I wanted was to paint," she says. "I wanted to create beautiful, glamorous, smooth and blended pinup artwork, and I just couldn't get the look I wanted with the materials I was using. And it was frustrating, because even though none of the traditional paint media had caused a problem before, just the smell of the fumes causes me to have issues now. Once you become sensitive to a toxic substance, any other substance can cause problems. I even have problems with certain types of makeup and household cleaners, and those things never bothered me before." Giving up was quickly becoming an option in response to her frustration. It was then she stumbled on the fabulous pinup artwork of an artist named Drew Posada. And she found the answer she'd been seeking.


"I learned about the Wacom Tablet," says Jai. "This tablet comes with a pen and hooks to your computer. An artist can open any paint program and paint - on the screen - using the tablet as the painting surface and the pen as the paint brush. The computer, as odd as it might sound, is now my canvas." The benefits to Jai are clear - no toxic fumes, therefore, no sickness. Yet the ability to create an incredible piece of artwork is obvious from looking at her work. Jai ceaselessly refines and extends her technique on a daily basis. She scours the world in search of the most exquisite subjects she can find and uses these to transform empty screens into the masterpieces so admired by a growing circle of appreciative collectors.


Airbrush painting was the one medium Jai wanted to try, but never had the chance. With the Wacom Tablet and her paint program, Paint Shop Pro, airbrush work is now a reality for this artist. Using the computer as her canvas and the magical pen as her brush, Jai now spends her days creating beautiful artwork in a safe and non-toxic environment.


"I would suggest this option to any artist who has experienced issues with toxic substances," says Jai. "Even if you haven't had a problem with toxic substances, it's still something you could do as a different type of challenge." And how about some advice for traditional painters? "Be careful! Work in proper ventilation and make sure to wash any paints or paint cleaners off your skin thoroughly. You may be fine one day, and see your situation change the next."


All of Jai Johnson's illustrations can be seen in her online gallery at MicheleJanine.Com.



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