Johnny Coopwood has been creating art for over 40 years, but his love for it started long before he ever picked up a brush. It began under the streetlights of Waikiki, watching an airbrush artist bring t-shirts to life like magic. That moment lit a fire in him — one that still burns strong today. His paintings are like him: vibrant, full of soul, a little bit surreal, and always honest. Whether he's working on canvas, masonite, or a big sunny wall, Johnny paints from the heart. His inspiration comes from the things we can't always see — dreams, spirits, the energy in the air, and the mysteries of the universe. You can feel it in his work — that spark of something bigger, something just beyond the edge of what we see and know... Johnny lives life with intention. He follows his own path, guided by a deep sense of spirituality, kindness, curiosity, and a belief in connection — not just between people, but between everything. He’s someone who notices the small things: a bee floating in the pool, the way the flowers fall at the end of the dry season, and the beauty in a stranger’s smile. That awareness flows straight into his art, filling it with joy, wonder, and real human warmth. His decades of experience show in the richness of his techniques, but it’s truly his natural optimism, beachside humor, and wide-open heart that set his work apart. Half Costa Rican and raised in San Diego, Johnny spent every summer in Costa Rica chasing waves and soaking up the culture that would one day feel like home. From the first surf trip in 1983, he knew this land was calling to him. Now, all these years later, he’s painting, playing music, and living the life he dreamed of — surrounded by color, community, and the rhythm of the ocean. Now part of the Sol Gallery tribe, Johnny brings his radiant spirit, rich stories, and soulful color — and we’re lucky to ride this creative wave with him.