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.

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Wiley Johnson is a 36-year-old self-taught artist from Raleigh, NC who has Autism Spectrum Disorder, ASD. 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 started painting as a hobby approximately 2009. He enjoys painting acrylic on canvas, abstract style, but also likes painting on recycled materials and small wooden crafts. He has participated multiple times in the “Brushes with Life" art exhibition at NC Neurosciences Hospital in Chapel Hill and exhibited at a number of art galleries and events in the Raleigh, NC area over the years.

2020 was a great year for Wiley. He had his first solo exhibition in January 2020 at the Woman's Club of Raleigh and his second solo exhibition February and March 2020 at MOFU restaurant, Raleigh, NC. Wiley had paintings in 2 online exhibitions: Art Unblocked 2020, a Block Gallery exhibition associated with Arts Access Series of Fortunate Events and Fresh an Artspace fundraising exhibition featuring new works by NC artists. He had paintings accepted into juried calls in 4 separate physical NC galleries in 2020: "Reawakening" at Golden Belt Grand Gallery and the Truth to Power 8 Exhibit at Pleiades Art in Durham, NC as well as Trade Alley Gallery in Hickory, NC, and 311 in Raleigh.

Wiley is the first NC artist selected by ArtLifting, a US company which “…Connects Socially Conscious Companies with Talented Artists Impacted by Homelessness Or Disabilities.” His personal collection represented by Artlifting can be found here.

Several of Wiley's designs are on clothing and household items at Le Galeriste, a Canadian fashion company.

Wiley was honored to be the 2020 Fall featured artist for Arts Access, Raleigh, NC. His paintings will be featured in a solo exhibition at Golden Belt Grand Gallery, Durham, NC from March 12- April 5, 2021. He currently has a solo exhibition at Chelsea’s Café, 1007 Slater Rd Ste 190, Durham, NC 27703.

Wiley is a member of Artspace and Visual Art Exchange in Raleigh, NC and Durham Art Guild in Durham, NC. He is also listed in the Artist Link project sponsored by Art Access, Raleigh. This is a directory of NC artists which promotes the work of artists with disabilities in NC.