Camron Johnson Illustrations

Built the gear for display from craft & E.V.A. foam, wire, paper mache, and a little paint... Battle tested and fit to wear. 

"Bubbles" is a series of illustrations (partnered with writings) meant to raise the brow; to question and push honest and blunt interpretations of realizations that I am finding in this country, in this state, in this city I live in. No matter what we feel, our thoughts and ideas are like bubbles. Here one moment, floating and gathering attention as if it were perfect...and gone the next. But in that moment of existence, isn't it a beautiful thing?

When a decision must be made, you will find someone. Whether you find an Angel or a Demon is the real question you must answer. Do you side with positive thoughts and actions, or do you have some of the "fun" that all your "friends" are talking about. Will you listen to what the little man in your head is suggesting or will you place him behind bulletproof glass, always seeing him but never hearing him.  You watch as he slams his fists against the glass, crying out for your attention. He's bleeding now as his broken hands limp from all the bashing. He drops to his knees and stares you in the face. His wings have folded now and hope is lost. His eyes glow a fiery yellow as he smiles baring sharpened teeth. His forehead bulges at the sides as horns push through his skull.  You open the glass box and introduce yourself. Now go and have some fun.

c2014  C.J.

I love the Drug Dealer, I love him.
He greets me with a smile and a wink.

We slap hands and bump fist and chat just a bit, before he heads inside to see Mommy.

Everytime he stops by it's Christmas morning.
We get shoes, candy and toys.

He offered me an allowance of 100$ a week!
And all I have to do is stand still!

Sometime I get to ride my bike across the street
and make a few people smile.

He takes care of me and I'm grateful for that.
He's been there for me since I can remember.

Me and mommy get lonely often and he is someone
I can count on.

I want to be just like my role model.
I love the Drug Dealer, I love him.
 

C.J. c2014

Snort me through your nose and
Hauk me out your mouth.

I come and I go, I leave and I stay
I take and I take.  I want and I want.

I am a grain of salt! No, too strong.
I am a dust particle! No, too visible.

Am I nothing? Am I the thought of something that was, but never will?

I breathe the air and drink the water
I eat the food and use the shelter.


Pass me through and piss me out.
I am a germ. I am useless nutrient.

I am a bubble! No, too long-lived.
I am a spark! No, too bright.

I am nothing. I am the thought of something that was but never will.
 

C.J. c2014

I heard kids love candies

I heard this on TV

I heard kids love bunnies

I saw this in a movie

I heard kids love funnies

I read on my computer screen

I guess kids won't hear my stories

They're just too young for me

I guess kids don't think the same

They must think I'm scary

I guess kids won't be my buddies

Says Chris Hansen on Dateline NBC

We praise them.
We cherish them.
We protect their well-being.
We pray to them.
We sing to them.
We comfort their needs.

We slice them.
We dice them.
We grind up their organs.
We season them.
We cook them.
We devour their bodies.

We will meet them again at the gates. The place beyond the pasture. Much higher than we can reach, far lower than we can sink.  Past the sea of fire and through the cloudy meadow. We will wait in a line far longer than that of a diner's.

C.J. c2014

Like father like son, he follows his footsteps.

He puts forth his best effort to impress and please.

No matter the request. No matter the difficulty.

He not only hears, but listens.

He tends to his needs in a timely manner.

Accepting both commendation and punishment.

For when kin lay feet upon the Earth, they are in debt
to their elder.

Do not doubt your father, do not lose trust.

Learn the lessons they teach and remember the advice they give.

Unless of course, your father is a mad man…

Then ignore what was previously said.

C.J. c2014

Lets dress up like things that kill people, in our favorite program or film.

Lets wander in the dark of night, un-chaperoned and free.

Lets knock the door and ring the bell and await the homeowner's response.

Lets stick out our hands & pillow-sack bags and recite a repetitive phrase.

Lets take the candy and holiday trinkets and move on to the next-door neighbor.

Lets travel to the place where houses reach clouds.

Lets hit our favorite ones twice.

Lets make it home safe and out of harms way.

Lets dump our sweet rewards upon the floor.

Lets eat til’ our stomachs feel queasy and sick.

Lets visit the dentist the next day.
 

C.J. c2014

A bellhop is a man of service; A true machine of customer care. One must dilute their attitude and drill a painful smile onto their face; A smile baring bloody gums, shiny teeth and chapped lips from the kissing of pompous ass.  As if the problems of the world depended on the delivery of a curling iron, he transforms into a punching bag. Every frustration and situation is packed into a fist made of complaints and smashed upon the head. Cloaked in the red of a matador, he endures the raging bull. Wealth and power reflect in 4-diamond awards, gilded railings and marble countertops.  Good mornings and goodnights are guaranteed and a tip is a unicorn juggling winning power balls on Haley's comet. Yet, the bellhop maintains his focus, continues to pucker and waits for the changing shift. When another man arrives to unscrew the smile, bare the red, and continue where the kissing left off.



C.J. c2014

Are you serious? Are you kidding me?
Are you dense in the head?

Are you sleeping at night? Are you having problems? Are you tossing and turning in bed?

Are you trying to act dumb? Are you pulling a prank? Did you forget to take your med?

Are you thinking before you speak or even paying attention? Do you remember what you just read?

Are you attending class and doing your homework? Are you dehydrated? Have you even been fed?

What is wrong with you I ask? What is so wrong?
I hear no response from the mirror ahead.

C.J. c2014

After designing the character for Thy Neighbor, I decided to create a custom build of the suit to put on display at the 2013 Gallery exhibit at Illinois Central College. Materials used include wire, paper machet, e.v.a foam, craft foam and various paints. This lightweight costume felt great and held together nicely.

Various glasswork created in my first glass-blowing class at Illinois State University, c2014.