Ralph Helm Johonnot (1880–1940)[1] was an American artist, designer, and arts educator, he is known for his educational series on color and interior decoration. He created paintings and prints, within the
Arts and Crafts movement of
still life and landscapes, as well as creating decorative work with his wife Salome Lavinia Johonnot (née Hopper, 1883–1962).[2] Together with Salome, they traveled to give educational lectures on the arts and created two private art schools, the Ralph Johonnot Studio in
Richmond,
California and Johonnot Summer School of Design and Hand Work in
Pacific Grove, California. He was active in the arts throughout the state of California from approximately 1912–1940.
Biography
Johonnot was born 28 July 1880 in
Syracuse,
New York to Mary Helm and Charles Johonnot.[3][4] He was the middle child with two siblings, an older brother Earnest and a younger brother Carl.[3][4] Johonnot attended
Pratt Institute, he was a pupil of
Arthur Wesley Dow.[3][5] In 1906–1907, Ralph and his brother Carl traveled to England and France to study painting.[4]
Johonnot was married in 1910 in
Pennsylvania to artist and designer Salome Lavinia Johonnot (née Hopper, 1883–1962).[2] Together the couple would create
decorative arts work together, occasionally working in interior design, mural design and painting, and fashion design.[5][16] Salome had studied
stitchery in England with
May Morris, the daughter of
William Morris.[5] Together they had one child, Ralph Jr.
1915 – Applied Arts by Southern California Craftsmen Exhibition (exhibited together with wife Salome),
Panama-California Exposition, San Diego, California[4]
1916 – Arts and Crafts Society’s First Annual Salon, Exposition Park, Los Angeles, California[4]
1916 – National Society of Craftsmen (exhibited together with wife Salome), New York City, New York[4]