4-6 Years Experience
Riley Johnson
Founder, Artist
Available For:
Custom Commission, Collaboration, Licensing, BLINK Week Collaboration
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About the Artist
I am a freelance artist, entrepreneur, and student from Urbana, Ohio. My work blends realism and illustration to tell community stories through portraiture and public art. With over five years of experience as a freelance artist and founder of my portrait drawing company, ROO Creations (soon to rebrand as Studio Roo), I have a deep affinity to capture character, pride, and legacy in my work. I have completed large-scale mural projects, notably The Urbana Mural, a 1,300 sq. ft. public artwork recognized in America250–Ohio’s Murals Across Ohio program and Zibra's national Golden Brush Awards. I am currently completing degrees in Arts Management & Arts Entrepreneurship, and Studio Art at Miami University, with the goal to scale my arts business in the Greater Cincinnati region after graduating in May 2026.
The Urbana Mural is my large-scale public art piece located in the heart of my hometown. As project lead, I independently raised over $29,000 through a grassroots campaign to bring this vision to life, leading all aspects from community research, campaigning, branding and concept development, execution, media, and installation. Spanning 23 ft. by 60 ft., the mural weaves together local stories, history, and identity into a cohesive narrative that stands as a landmark in Urbana. Partnered with the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau and Champaign County Arts Council, this project continues to spark conversation, inspire civic pride, and exemplify what community-driven art can accomplish. The Urbana Mural is recognized in the Murals Across Ohio program, celebrating public art ahead of the nation's 250th anniversary in 2026. It recently placed Top 3 in Zibra's nationally ranked Golden Brush Awards.
The Bolder Colors Mural is a 70-foot-long design inspired by Bolder Outfitters’ screen printing services. As the sole designer and painter, I developed a bold visual aligned with the client’s brand, incorporating vivid colors and layered symbolism across their interior walls.
Taking part in the first-ever mural class at Miami University (@mu.rals), students and I collaboratively designed, painted and installed multi-panel polytab cloth murals at Newport on the Levee. Flowing through the entire piece is a vibrant blue wave tying together a world of imagination; animals, neon signs, a cosmic portal, and a character journeying through a whirlwind of wonder from day to night.
Studio Roo offers a Live Mural Activation designed to draw attention, invite interaction, and leave a lasting visual asset for your space. At the center is a custom-designed 8 ft × 8 ft freestanding wooden wall, both modular and detachable for easy transport, installation, and long-term use. During BLINK Activation Week, Riley Johnson will paint the mural live, creating an evolving visual experience that engages the community. The final mural can then live on as a permanent installation, branded backdrop, or reusable event asset for your business. Examples of previous partners includes the American Sign Museum and the #IAmCreative mural for World Creativity & Innovation Week.
Studio Roo’s Live Portraits Activation transforms your space into an interactive, people-centered experience that guests remember and take home with them. Led by Riley Johnson, this offering features live, realistic speed portraits that go beyond traditional caricatures, capturing individuals with a distinct style in approximately five minutes per subject (4–5 portraits per hour). Designed for high-impact environments like BLINK, the activation creates a steady draw of engagement while producing personalized takeaways that double as branded keepsakes. Portraits can be customized through line work, color accents, or fully branded paper to align with your business identity, and additional creative direction can be incorporated for themed experiences.
