Keith Johnson was a painter born at Swaffham, Norfolk, the son of a farmer. He painted from an early age, and after attending Fakenham Grammar School, attended Norwich School of Art from 1946. Here, he specialised in fabric design which heightened his colour awareness and sense of composition. His studies were interrupted by National Service in the RAF and he went for teacher training at Liverpool School of Art, where he obtained a National Diploma in Design. Keith Johnson returned to Norwich School of Art for further study, including life classes and portrait painting, and from 1951 attended Lowestoft School of Art where he lectured in fabric design.
Johnson was a long-time member and exhibitor at the Norfolk & Norwich Art Circle. His work has also been exhibited in the national shows in London at the Royal Academy, Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours, Royal Society of British Artists, Royal Institute of Oil Painters and the New English Art Club.
Although best known locally for his topographical watercolours, Johnson always had a keen interest in more formal oil studies, as this large collection demonstrates. The collection features scenes of the English countryside and coastline throughout the seasons, and many of the oils have clear influences from the work of Pierre Bonnard and other post-impressionists.
