Capio Lumen, Latin for “capture the light,” is a pseudonym used by Michael Johnson when creating his complex digital-collage artworks.

Johnson, a professor emeritus in the Media Arts Design department at Cypress College, was finally able to create his pieces full-time in his Old Town Orange studio/home after 38 years of college teaching. His master’s degree is in painting and drawing, and he has studied various historical forms of art, including paintings and illuminated manuscripts created during the medieval and Renaissance eras.

“Back in 1991, I worked for the computer software imaging company ULead Systems, which had the first true color image editing software, PhotoStyler, sold through Aldus software, which eventually merged into Adobe,” says Johnson. “I modified a book cover I did for them to create Christmas cards, and that started a yearly tradition.” That tradition morphed into religious-themed works of digital fine art that can be enjoyed throughout the year.

Like many of the artist-monks of a millennium ago, Johnson incorporates various elements of nature – which often have double meanings as Christian symbols -- into his artwork, such as flowers, animals, insects, fruit and birds. He is keenly aware that “the beautiful” reflects the transcendent. Johnson’s art, as with most religious art, thus becomes visual theology.

He describes himself as an ”Irish Catholic rebel” and is a longtime member of Holy Family Cathedral in Orange. He feels very strongly about his faith because it gives him a connection to a greater purpose in life, also fulfilled by his years in a college classroom educating young adults for that greater purpose of helping one another, communicating effectively and getting along in society.

For more information and images, details and available print sizes, visit the artist’s website: www.capiolumenimages.com

Mary Platt, Director

Image:

Michael Johnson

"Adoration Of The Magi"

2018

Illuminated Manuscript digitally painted

Courtesy of the artist