After picking up a copy of Lowell’s First Look’s monthly print recap Tammy Johnson’s interest was piqued. She decided to participate as an artist in the Chair-A-Tee event. As a Lowell resident Johnson wanted to help raise money and awareness for Pink Arrow. Her chair can be seen at the Englehardt Library.
Creative Thinking
Johnson loves drawing mandalas. Merriam-Webster defines mandala as “a graphic and often symbolic pattern usually in the form of a circle divided into four separate sections or bearing a multiple projection of an image”. For the past three years Johnson has been working with zentangle patterns and mandala drawings. She has even taught classes on how to draw this type of image at various Kent District Library branches.
Explaining the her chair Johnson says, “The design of my chair is bright acrylic colors highlighting a mandala on the seat flowing up to a water element and dragonfly on the seat back.” The colorful detailed mandala is the focal point but the entire chair has a whimsical feel to it.
Johnson took inspiration from the mandala to make design choices for other parts of the chair. On the seat back of the chair beneath a dragonfly is “Let Your Spirit Soar. Cherish the Flight”. This is a good reminder for a positive outlook in life.
“My hope is that my chair honors all of these bright lights in my life and lifts up those that view or rest upon it.” comments Johnson as she reflects on those with cancer who have touched her life.
Tammy Johnson’s work of art can be seen and bid upon at the Englehardt Library until August 18. All of the chairs will be on display at LowellArts from August 22 until August 26. Final bids are due by 3pm on August 26.
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