Mark Johnson taught painting here at Humboldt State University from 1985 to 1990. During that time he, "tried to paint the life of the sea, as a metaphor for the abundance of energy at the university as well as an acknowledgement of the fact that Eureka (where I lived) had a long history that was dependent on the sea."

"The painting was one of two large format oil paintings created for exhibition at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The other was acquired by the Aquarium. "

Mark Johnson then began work at the San Francisco Art Institute until 1994, and is currently the
Gallery Director at SFSU.

He is very still very fond of the special qualities that can be found in Humboldt, and still keeps in touch with many of his old friends here at HSU.

Another example of his work can be found on the
San Francisco State University Art Department web page.