2022 Poster Artist: Cada Johnson

2022 Poster Artist Cada Johnson

Interview by Stacey Newman Weldon, who - when she isn’t exploring local artists, inspires people to create an adventure mindset over at www.adventurewednesdays.com

Cada Johnson, Corvallis Fall Festival’s 2021 “Best in Show” winner, has also been selected to create art to represent the festival's 2022 event.  Cada, a Eugene 2D Mixed Media artist, works with pen, ink, pencil, acrylic paints, natural earth pigments, silkscreens, block prints, and fabric.  Says Cada, “Textiles have always been there with me, so fabric is a crucial element to all my work.”

 Cada shared her story about winning 2021’s honors “I was totally delighted to win Best of Show. Judging usually happens early in the morning of the first day before the official opening of the event, and I am never fully set up at that point. In fact, I recall thinking, "I'll never win one of these awards they give out because I am never set up on time."

 When [Corvallis Fall Festival’s Executive Director] Donele came into my booth and started talking to me, I thought she was going to tell me that I'd parked in the wrong spot. I was flabbergasted, delighted, and honored with the award. There is a lot of beautiful artwork at the Corvallis Fall Festival - it gave me a huge boost of energy to feel appreciated in this way.”

 Cada grew up in a family of designers and knew at a young age she wanted to be an artist. Even as a child, she preferred drawing flowers and trees more than anything else. Moving to the PNW after college, nature continued to inspire her. “The beauty of the epic landscapes of the West has a huge impact on me. The earth, the forest, and the natural processes of the environment are always calling me to celebrate them with art.”

 In 1990 Cada started her own business selling hand-designed clothing and first exhibited at the Corvallis Fall Festival in 1999. Fabric is the medium she is most comfortable with, and she now sells her designs hand painted or printed on fabric scrolls, prayer flags, tapestries, prints, and patches. 

 A homesteader on six acres of property, including a 30’ yurt as her studio, Cada’s art is inspired by living on the land.  “The forest is my biggest muse. I live on the border of private forestland and BLM beyond that. So living close to the land is deeply satisfying for me.”

 Check out more of her artwork at https://www.cadajohnson.com/.