Johnny Nelson received an MFA in sculpture in the late 70's and spent the next thirty-odd years "muddling about" the construction, film, and museum industries. He began painting oils on canvas on a (relatively) small scale in 2003 after years of painting and designing large backdrops and film and theater scenery. Presently, he maintains a painting studio in Nashville, Tennessee, and is an exhibit specialist for the local arts industry. His current work is informed by the written works and personal myths of Flannery O'Conner, who is known for her Southern Gothic writing style. In her writings, O'Connor explores themes of religion and morality, as well as the ordinary, sassy, and unsettling sides of the offbeat individuals she encountered in the South.