Wiley Johnson is a 35-year-old “outside artist” from Raleigh, NC who has Autism Spectrum Disorder, ASD, and no formal art training. Inspiration for his paintings have come from life around him, walks in many parks, and various museums. Painting has been a peaceful, happy experience and a therapeutic way for him to spend his time alone, particularly after his only sibling, a brother, was killed in a motorcycle accident in 2011.

Wiley has participated multiple times in the “Brushes with Life" art exhibition at NC Neurosciences Hospital, and once at Extraordinary Ventures in Chapel Hill, NC. He has also displayed paintings at Mercury Studio, Pleiades Arts, and Levin Jewish Community Center in Durham, NC. His paintings have been exhibited in Raleigh, NC at Isaac Hunter’s Tavern, Creative Affordable Framer, the Raleigh Women’s Club, Visual Art Exchange, United Arts Council, and Artspace. Wiley was Artist of the Month at the Women’s Club of Raleigh, January, 2020 and Artist of the Month at MOFU, 321 S. Blount St., Raleigh, NC in February and March, 2020. He is scheduled to have a solo exhibition at the Garner Performing Art Center, Garner, NC in March of 2021. His art prints, cards, and other products with his images will soon be found for sale at the soon-to-be online Extraordinaire Art gallery and Emporium at Triangle Town Center, and on here on his website, www.wileysart.com. Wiley is a member of Artspace, Imurj, and Visual Art Exchange in Raleigh, NC. He is listed in the Artist Link project sponsored by Art Access, Raleigh. This is a directory of NC artists and teaching artists which promotes the work of artists with and without disabilities in NC.

Wiley's Artist Statement:

I began spending more time painting in 2009 after I moved into my townhouse. I was alone a lot at that time and I had time on my hands. I was happy to have my own place and to be alone, but I needed something more to do. I found myself painting when I was happy, and painting made me happier.

I received an invitation to exhibit from the Brushes with Life Gallery program at North Carolina Memorial Hospital in Chapel Hill, N.C. I was ecstatic when they told me that they wanted to display some of my work. I paint with acrylic on canvas, but sometimes I paint birdhouses and other small wooden crafts. I don’t like the smell of oil paint, but I like the way that acrylic paint flows off my brushes. Use your imagination when you look at my paintings.

My only sibling, Zach, was killed in in a motorcycle accident late in 2011. He was 2.5 years younger than me and he drove a cool green Triumph spitfire convertible. I didn’t drive, so I lost my wheels!!! I lost my ability to escape. That may sound heartless, or at least inappropriate, but people who drive have no concept of what it is like to always wait for a bus, taxi, or others for transportation. I love Zach and losing him was the most difficult time of my life. I found myself painting more.

Painting helped me to get to a happier place in my life.