About Johnna

An Alchemist of Art & Innovation

I believe that beauty is not simply found—it is forged. For over two decades, my work as a multimedia artist, wire artist, and journalist has been a study in personal alchemy: the intentional transmutation of raw experience into radiant purpose.

The Initiation: My journey began in the mountains of North Georgia, but my roots took hold in the red clay of Shreveport, Louisiana, where I was raised. It was a path that eventually led to being forged in the fires of Atlanta. Between 2008 and 2010, I navigated the absolute darkness of homelessness while caring for my terminally ill mother. It was during these years—living on the streets with nothing but a storage unit and a bus pass—that I glimpsed the true meaning of the Dark Night of the Soul. I didn't just survive many storms; I learned to map their architectures. Art became my refuge, my survival, and now, my purpose.

It was in the wake of that darkness that I found my hands guided by Daryl Thompson, son of the legendary jazz saxophonist, Lucky Thompson. Under his tutelage, I began to master the intricate language of wire wrapping. When Daryl first placed the tools in my hands, he gave me more than a technique; he gave me an anchor. He told me, "This is a skill that will last you a lifetime," promising that the rhythm of the wire would be the very thing to pull me through my darkest hours. He was right. Every twist of copper, silver or gold and every set stone became a testament to that endurance—a way to weave the lessons of the storm into something tangible, beautiful, and permanent.

Seeking a new beginning, I moved to Dallas, where I crossed paths with Kiki and Doug Winters of Skypony Gallery. They did more than teach me the mechanics of managing an art gallery; they provided a sanctuary of guidance and kindness. At the time, I was navigating the silent weight of an emotionally and psychologically abusive marriage—a union I had entered just two years after my mother’s death.

Still emotionally lost and vulnerable, I had reached for marriage as a way to escape the ghost of homelessness, only to find myself in a different kind of storm. The Winters' mentorship became a vital bridge, keeping me connected to my identity as an artist while I found the strength to reclaim my life.

It was during these years that I also began to master the digital landscape. I began learning the nuances of online marketing and the art of building a community, selling my jewelry through a blog and connecting with a global audience on Twitter. 

The Earth & The Future:

This creative discipline anchored my soul in the ancient heart of the earth, but my curiosity has always reached toward the horizon. In 2018, while I was navigating the debris of the ended marriage, my path crossed online with that of Elon Musk. After I wrote an open letter of appreciation regarding his mentality, he shared the post to his millions of followers.

Though that letter and the jewelry blog it was tied to are now gone—lost to the chapters of a previous life—the moment effectively curved my path toward the world of Tesla, AI, and electric vehicle journalism. Elon's mentality of never giving up has inspired millions, including myself. 

Over the following years, I transitioned from artist to author and industry commentator. In 2021, I published A Little Book of Gems and Minerals, and in 2022, the journey came full circle when I interviewed Elon for my podcast, Getting Stoned, (you can listen here)

From the galleries of Dallas to the vibrant streets of Little 5 Points—I have returned to my roots in Louisiana.

My work exists at the intersection of the ancient and the futuristic. Whether I am discussing the metaphysical properties of a crystal or the logistics of interplanetary travel, the mission remains the same: seeking the signal within the noise and uncovering the foundational truths that connect the ground beneath us to the stars above.

I embrace the creative process with a clinical eye and an open heart. My work—be it photography, paint, learning to play saxophone, or prose—is a testament to the fact that beauty emerges from brokenness.

I am here to document the unseen, to honor the ancient, and to remind us all that we have the power to reshape our own Fate.