In a town where history and creativity walk hand in hand, Matthew Johnston has long been a quiet force shaping the local arts landscape. A resident artist at the iconic Torpedo Factory for over four decades, Johnston isn’t just a painter, he’s a pillar of the Alexandria arts community. His studio is more than a workspace; it’s a place where conversations turn into friendships, and first-time visitors often leave as collectors. His work, instantly recognizable yet deeply personal, has become part of the fabric of the city itself — gracing the walls of local homes, galleries, and embassies.
Long before Matthew Johnston’s vibrant tall tulips became a local treasure, he was a boy in upstate New York filling sketchbooks with doodles and drawings. While most children eventually trade crayons for other pursuits, Johnston’s passion never waned. “I’ve got books [of drawings] upstairs from before I even went to grade school,” he says with a smile. “Most kids stop. I just never did.”
That relentless creative spark took detours through creative writing and journalism before finding its full expression in the visual arts. After graduating from UNC Chapel Hill, Johnston landed in Washington, D.C., where a serendipitous news segment introduced him to the Torpedo Factory Art Center. He visited the very next day and was able to snag a tiny 200 square foot studio thanks to the generosity of the director at the time. “That was 1978 — and I’ve been here ever since,” Johnston said.
It was in that modest studio, amidst discarded scraps of mat board and Plexiglas, that Johnston's most iconic work was born. After completing a floral commission for The Hay Adams Hotel, he found himself surrounded by leftover narrow panels. “I started experimenting — nine pieces went on the wall. I painted tulips. All nine sold that weekend,” Johnston said, not yet realizing how these experiments would shape his brand. And thus, his now-signature Tall Tulips series was launched, combining playful scale, rich color, and a deep connection to both memory and material.
Equally compelling are Johnston’s diptychs: paired figurative pieces that explore human connection through composition and space. “I love the idea of people being together, but still having their own space,” he explains. “It reflects real relationships.” The July cover features half one of these thoughtful diptychs, reflecting how art can be beautiful on its own while still being part of a larger narrative.
Johnston paints primarily on paper, drawn to its immediacy and the way it allows line and color to live vividly on the surface. “You just can’t get that same feeling with canvas,” he says. Even in his more abstract work — an area he’s recently begun exploring more deeply — his painterly precision and storytelling instincts shine through.
What makes Johnston's work especially inviting for collectors is how collaborative his process can be. He is currently accepting commissions and welcomes the opportunity to work directly with clients to create art that fits seamlessly into their homes and lives. Whether someone is seeking a custom diptych to mark a special moment or a floral piece to bring joy to a space, Johnston brings decades of expertise and a genuine desire to craft something meaningful. “People trust my judgement once we talk,” he says. “It becomes a relationship, not just a transaction.”
That relationship-first approach is part of what has earned Johnston a devoted following in Alexandria and beyond. Many of his clients become repeat buyers, and in fact, many of Johnston’s now closest friends started as buyers. His art has been acquired by embassies, cultural institutions, and private collectors around the world — but his roots remain local. “I’ve grown with this city,” he says. “Alexandria has changed a lot over the years, and I’ve changed with it.”
His studio at the Torpedo Factory — and secondary location further inland near John Carlyle Square in Alexandria — is more than a gallery. It's a glimpse into the creative process and a chance to meet an artist who has helped define Alexandria’s creative identity. Johnston’s presence is a reminder of the value of investing in local art, not just for the beauty it brings, but for the connection it fosters. With Matthew Johnston, you’re not just buying a painting — you’re becoming part of a story that’s been unfolding for over 40 years, and still has much more to come.
Johnston brings decades of expertise and a genuine desire to craft something meaningful.
“People trust my judgment once we talk. It becomes a relationship, not just a transaction.”