For as long as he can remember, artist and fly-fisher Tim Johnson wanted to do two things—fish and draw. Unfortunately, nobody in his family fished. But he had an edge on the art side.
Johnson grew up in Arizona, where he would ride his Schwinn cruiser to golf course ponds and canals. He made friends with golf course managers and often was granted permission to fish after dusk for bluegill and largemouth bass. He was 12 and didn’t have anyone to teach him how to fish, until a new neighbor kid, Eric, moved in next door and showed him the ropes.
When Johnson saw Eric practicing his cast he said to himself, “That’s fishing and I have to know how it works.”
Johnson left Arizona for college in Utah, and that’s when he really started fishing and drawing. Although never formally diagnosed, Johnson uses art to ease his ADHD, a condition he recognized in college.
“I have always been drawing, and always been doodling to keep myself focused from a very young age,” Johnson said. “Whenever I’m drawing, it’s easier for me to listen. It’s easier for me to focus and connect.”