JOHNIE THORNTON
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA
We pulled up to Johnie Thornton’s ranch-style home around noon on Sunday. Hidden behind tall hedges, it was the perfect picture of mid-century California architecture. Once inside, we were greeted by a cool, machine-powered breeze and his bounding rescue puppy, Sophie. A delectable brunch spread with donuts, champagne, and orange juice awaited us on wood block counters, and gorgeously re-upholstered vintage furniture seemed perfectly arranged for a Chateau Marmont-style photoshoot.
A self-taught artist born and raised in Southern California, Johnie draws much of his inspiration from his environment, evidenced by the dreamy blues that dominate most of his pieces and draw comparisons to the polluted depths of the nearby Pacific Ocean. Geometric shapes add movement to human faces that range from contemplative to orgasmic.
With a bejeweled hat sat crooked upon his head and an easy, infectious smile, one would hardly guess that prior to pursuing art full-time, Johnie once had a successful career in corporate America. I wondered aloud how he made that transition.
Interview by Danielle Dorsey Video and Photography by B. Justine Jaime
“Funnily enough, a psychic -- and I don’t really believe in psychics, but this psychic approached me -- she said she needed to tell me something. She told me very personal things about my life, she told me that I needed to leave my career and I needed to go into art. This is without ever speaking to me in my life. So I kind of took that as a sign from the universe. I saved up a bunch of money, which turned out to not be enough money, and I went into art full time. I lasted about six months until my money ran out. Then I got a job in a prop house, worked in that industry for a while doing art for scenic work and was able plan it a lot better and save a lot more money before finally taking the leap, which still ended up still not being enough money (laughs), but two years later I’m still making art full-time and that in itself is an accomplishment.”
Whether he’s splicing body parts with geometry or depicting men in their moments of climax, Johnie has a talent for capturing the vulnerability we so often try to hide. Drawing inspiration from his time in corporate America, he told us that his series of men masturbating has another, more subtle meaning.
“The reason I started doing them in the first place is because men are expected to be macho, and I just so happened to Google the definition of manliness and found that it roots back down to the most basic form of strength. To me, seeing men in that moment is a moment of vulnerability and it’s a moment of release. They’re not trying to be macho, they’re not trying to be masculine, they’re letting all of that melt away. I portrayed a lot of them in suits, a lot of that tied to another meaning within the works about my past with corporate America and the hunger and lust for money and success, kind of like the idea of masturbating your ego. I saw a lot of that in the business world and I despised it so that definitely comes through in that series as well.”
Johnie originally moved from the Bay Area to LA to delve into the city’s art scene, but he soon found himself splitting his time between the City of Angels and Palm Desert, where less distractions made it easier to concentrate. After spending less and less time at his LA apartment, he now resides in Palm Desert full-time.
