It’s not unusual to find Dr. Johnson in his workshop, communicating with a new slab of wood, getting to know what it needs to be in its next life. Accepting input from the wood results in his unique pieces—when the woodworker’s hands are in harmony with the tools and the wood, magic happens. In addition to David’s famous cutting boards and household items, there will be new tables of various sizes and styles.
After 15 years of practicing as an emergency physician, David suffered a stroke that impaired his speech, reading and writing abilities. He was forced to retire at age 42. He came home from the hospital in a wheelchair, but rigorous rehabilitation gave him the ability to use all four limbs again. He took the opportunity to pursue a life-long love of woodworking and built a woodworking shop at his Placitas home of 35 years.
“I am mostly self-taught and woodworking allows me a creative way to express
myself. Each of my pieces is individually handcrafted of exotic wood such as ebony,
purple heart and olive wood because of their variety of color and grain; no dyes are
used. My work is meant not only to be beautiful but also useful.”
His art will be featured at Wild Hearts Gallery in the heart of Placitas beginning January 30 in a new exhibition called David Johnson: Talking With Trees.
The reception will be on Saturday February 10 from 1-3 p.m. and is open to the public.
Wild Hearts Gallery is an artists’ collective, supported by 16 local artists. Located at 221-B
State Highway 165, the gallery is open Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Take a visual tour of this exhibit and the gallery by visiting wildheartsgallery.com.