Boy Scout Carving Badge Started Artist Rusty Johnson

Guest Author: Richard Wills, Tulsa Art Studio Tour Committee Member

Rusty Johnson, Mama's Gone Fishing, Carved wood 

For Rusty Johnson, "there is nothing like wood, it is very unforgiving." It is with this medium that he has learned to carve so many wonderful sculptures. With recent awards from the magazine Woodcarving Illustrated, Johnson shows his mastery of 3-dimensional work. 

Tulsa Art Studio Tour artist Rusty Johnson (photo by Gigi Bontemps)

Johnson first learned to carve while obtaining his woodcarving merit badge as a Boy Scout (in 1959), and he quickly realized that he had a talent for it, a talent that only later in life he would fully realize. With over 13 years of professional carving experience, it is easy to see why Johnson has been accepted into the International Wood Carver's Congress and received such accolades. 

Meet & see the working studio of Johnson along with 10 other artists on April 21-22, noon until 5 pm on the Tulsa Art Studio Tour. Read more in Art Focus Oklahoma magazine or purchase tickets here www.TulsaArtStudioTour.org.