PERCHED ATOP a stool in the colorful Bad Rabbit Art Studio, 8-year-old Weston Johnson glances thoughtfully from a photo to the artboard beside it, brush in hand. The iconic Stonehenge emerges stroke by stroke from sketched shadows under a cobalt sky and over forest green grass.
Weston isn’t just focusing on creating dimension in the massive rock structures — he’s in deep thought about the archaeological wonder he’s painting. “If I could touch it, I would say, ‘Did a caveman touch this?’ I think it was there a thousand years ago, and I wonder who touched it. I would …” he said, his voice trailing in awe.
We reviewed some of his favorite pieces one at a time, talking through the artistic challenges and why he connects with them. Landscapes are his favorite.
His portfolio pops with timeless treasures like the Golden Gate Bridge, “See Rock City” barns, Big Ben, the Eiffel Tower, and Van Gogh’s “Starry Night.” His interpretation reflects his vibrant personality. “Sometimes I need a little help, but they don’t do it for me,” he said. “Like this clock [on Big Ben]; this clock was very hard.”
It took shading to create dimension, he explained. His parents and local art teachers support his interest in painting, and Martin Rabbit’s ongoing instruction at Bad Rabbit Art Studio in Bell Buckle expands Weston’s skills. He paints with Rabbit weekly. “She’s really encouraged his painting, and I think he enjoys it,” said his mom, Krystle. Weston agreed. “I feel good [when I’m painting], and I’m very proud of my art.”
Some weeks, he knows what he wants to paint when he arrives at the studio. But there are times he is undecided. “Sometimes I know in my mind what I want to do. Sometimes it takes longer,” Weston said. One of his favorite paintings is one he knew he wanted to do. “This was my idea. I saw a Bob Ross picture, and I thought I could do it,” he said, holding up a tranquil landscape with an evergreen-flanked stream winding down from snow-capped mountains.
And he was right. There’s no mistaking the trademark peace felt by the teachings of Bob Ross. Happy trees, soft clouds, and a trickling stream invite you to slow down.
Weston doesn’t just paint images; he wants to experience them. Referring to his Bob Ross landscape, he said, “I want to see this place. I don’t know where it is, but I want to see it. I’m thinking it’s gonna be in Utah.” He visited Rock City, but other sites he’s painted are still on his list to see. Big Ben, the Eiffel Tower, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Stonehenge aren’t just landmarks to take in visually. He wants to experience them with all his senses. “With Big Ben, I would ask someone who has seen it, ‘Have you ever touched it before? Is it very dusty?’ he expressed thoughtfully.
For all the ways he experiences the art that brings him joy, it’s also a tool for touching others’ lives. People in Colorado, Florida, Texas, and Michigan have bought his art. Last year, he sold prints of his art at the Bell Buckle Craft Fair, raising $500 for the Shelbyville Community Soup Kitchen. Robert Martin, manager of the soup kitchen, said he knew Weston was a special young man the first time he met him.
“He always shined, and when I found out about his donation to the soup kitchen, it just confirmed my first impression of him,” said Martin.
Weston’s parents hope to help him raise money for a good cause every year. His dad, Adam, said, “We want to push Weston to continue to be creative. We want him to continue to give back to the community by selling his art, and that’s something that’s really important. He wants to do that because it makes him feel good to give back.”
Weston has some advice for those who think we can’t paint or are afraid to try. “There’s nothing to worry about. It’s just all about fun. If you get something on your shoes or your clothes, it doesn’t matter about that. It matters what you paint.” Weston’s advice is as much about infusing creativity into your lifestyle as it is about painting. While he may be too young to understand the depth of his wisdom, his parents are not.
“It’s exciting watching Weston be creative. A creative mind is going to help as he goes through life. It’s amazing to see,” Adam said. “He goes [into the studio], and we don’t know what he’s going to paint, and then, all of a sudden, he comes out with it. And you’re like, ‘What just happened?’”
Krystle agrees. “It’s exciting when we pick him up each week just to find out what he’s painted and why he chose it. We were completely surprised when he painted Gordon Ramsay. My favorite is his ostrich in motorcycle goggles. The creativity that went into it just makes me smile.”
His art does that; it brings a smile, spreads joy, and helps make life better all the way around. Weston’s artistic journey is just beginning, but the foundation is already strong. It’s a journey filled with exploration, challenges, and moments of pure joy. It’s a testament to the power of curiosity, the importance of support, and the magic that happens when a child is encouraged to dream in color.
With each sunrise, a new canvas awaits, and with each stroke, Weston continues to paint his own unique masterpiece. GN
