Harold da Vinci

Harold Johnson as Leonardo da Vinci; three hour live portrait; Kirkland Arts Center; charcoal and white conte on 18 x 24” grey paper; October 16, 2025.

“I wanted to be a rich and famous artist” Harold Johnson told me between sessions donned in tudor cap with black feather holding a mandolin. “Now I just want to be healthy,” pausing a moment, “…and a rich and famous artist.”  Mr. Johnson shared stories of Seattle artists he painted with including Hal Sutherland — Saturday morning animation pioneer — who retired to Bothell, Washington only to be recruited back to direct He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. He mentioned Ned Mueller, who’s now 85 and lives in Seattle. “He could draw anything,” Harold said, “being hired as a professor while still in school” referring to Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. Ned became a consultant for Disney’s Imagineering while building a prestigious Impressionist painting career.