William H. Johnson “Flowers” stamp debuts
By Jacqueline Trescott
With the flower stands now bursting with spring color, it is beneficial to study how famous artists arranged blooms and contrasted the bright and delicate shades.
The U.S. Postal Service is making that easy Wednesday with its release of William H. Johnson’s “Flowers” on its latest “Forever” stamp. Johnson, who lived from 1901 to 1970 and whose painting of “Flowers” is at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, drew realistic scenes of African-American life. He also ventured into other subjects. The painting shows a vase of flowers, ranging from daisies to abstract blossoms.
An exhibition of Johnson’s work, organized by the Smithsonian Traveling Exhibitions department, is currently at Morgan State University.