Tim Johnson Painting Appraisal

Mirrors from the Sea by Tim Johnson

This is an original oil painting on canvas panel measuring 16 by 20 inches, created in 1978 by the established Palm Springs, California artist Tim Johnson. The piece is a landscape seascape depicting a dramatic coastal scene at what appears to be either sunrise or sunset. To the right, a large, dark, craggy rock formation dominates the composition, its surface rendered with thick, expressive brushwork in shades of deep brown, grey, and ochre. The lighting is particularly striking, with a brilliant yellow and orange glow emanating from behind the cliff, reflecting off the crests of the incoming waves and the wet sand of the shoreline. The sea is painted with a palette of blues, purples, and whites, capturing the movement of breaking surf against the beach. The sky is filled with atmospheric, hazy clouds in warm peach and muted violet tones, suggesting a heavy, misty air quality common in California coastal art. The artist's signature is visible in the lower right-hand corner. The craftsmanship displays a confident, impressionistic style with visible impasto in the highlights. The condition appears to be good for its age, with no significant flaking or cracking visible, though minor edge wear consistent with age and handling is present on the unframed canvas panel. This work represents a classic example of 1970s California regionalism and coastal impressionism.