Meet L. “Von” Johnson | Creative Artist and Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with L. “Von” Johnson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi L. “Von”, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I decided to pursue an artistic career because I have always been an artist. I was influenced by them as a child. I grew up in a family of people who could sing, dance, act, draw, sew, etc. As a kid I was indulged in all types of creative activities. My father and many other people in my family sing, as do I. My aunt was a great visual artist. My grandmother was a seamstress, I used to watch her sew and she gave me paper dolls to play with as gifts. I started believing I could make a living from the creative arts when I was 14. I wrote songs and stories. I sang in various choirs through my formal school years. I did creative dance with a troupe in New Orleans. I went to college at Xavier University and pursued a professional degree in Psychology, but I always knew that I would end up working as a creative! It’s what I LOVE! Looking back, I wish I wouldn’t have spent all that money going to college! LOL!!!! I was always thinking about the whole plan b thing in my head. I had to become crystal clear on what I wanted!!!!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a multi-creative artist. I sing, dance, act, write and design. I am most proud of my independent spirit. As a Black American artist from the south, it’s often hard to get noticed. But I believe being that I have consistently put myself out there, and believed in myself, my art is gaining traction!!! I believe I got to where I am professionally from being around other talented people who are constantly encouraging. We encourage each other! Was it easy? NO! I continue to overcome the challenges by having a great support system around me, to include my family and friends. My most recent challenges were being diagnosed with Lupus Nephritis and the loss of my fiance’. I have learned that you have to keep living your life, keep trying. As the saying goes, “art imitates life”. The longer you live and the more you experience, it allows you to capture what being human is. That is what artist do. Our art is a reflection of life, if that makes sense. I decided to create L.A.L. Artistry when I moved to Atlanta in 1998, it’s short for Love and Light Artistry. I do everything with the mind set of, how does what I do enrich someone’s life and is it enlightening? The Lotus Doll brand is a part of the L.A.L. Artistry conglomerate, which incorporates, L.A.L. Scribes (of which Buddy Says is written under). I decided to call my shop and channel on YouTube, The Lotus Doll Shop because a lotus flower grows from roots in the dirtiest water, and blooms into a beautiful flower, it keeps fighting to become what it wants to be. It represents beauty, strength, peace and rebirth for me. And, I am a woman, I am a feminine doll. But a beautiful and strong one, just like the flower! I want all women to feel like a Lotus Doll! The clothes that I choose for my boutique represent classic, yet trendy pieces that you can keep in your wardrobe forever. The pieces aren’t common and offer the ladies something feminine and beautiful to wear for many occasions.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend were visiting, I would take her to Breakfast at Barney’s for brunch. And because we are both New Orleans girls, I would have to take her to The Big Easy Grille for Po-Boys (if you know about Po-Boys in New Orleans, ya know!) Now, when it comes to having a nice drink somewhere, I happen to like The Red Martini in Buckhead. It”s dimly lit and the atmosphere is grown! I’d take her to hangout at the Atlanta Comedy Theater. If you want good eats, laughs and a drink, this is the place. Being a big foodie and loving to cook, you have to check out the Dekalb Farmer’s Market. You’ll see lobsters and shark (to eat), wine, spices, cheeses and all kinds of stuff. I love being able to experience other countries through food. I also love the Fernbank and High Museums. At the Fernbank I was able to see a dinosaur exhibit. And at the High, I got to stand right in front of an actual Salvador Dali painting. Not to mention their live Friday jazz event!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
In my life there have been multiple people who are instrumental in my success. I first have to shoutout my Mom.!!!! She is always there encouraging me to take chances to live the life I want. She is full of mental and emotional support when I need it and sometimes without even asking. All of my middle and high school art teachers, so many wonderful ladies to name, it would be hard. They encouraged me whether it was singing, dancing or writing. My former dance troupe instructor, Kai Knight. Working part time in retail in multiple retail stores encouraged me to create my own retail boutique, The Lotus Doll Shop, which has been growing since 2016. Here in Atlanta, the entire TV/film community from Tammy Smith, who gave me my first job working as a background actor. And Charles McIntosh who believed in me enough to have me working as his 1st A.D. on my first tv show project, Risky Southern Law. He gave me enough belief in myself to write and begin to shoot my first tv sitcom, Buddy Says. Finally the late Andre’ Congo, who is well known as an independent actor here in Atlanta. He was my fiance’ and partner in producing the TV show, Buddy Says. He was very supportive and encouraging, he will be missed dearly.

Instagram: @lvonluvnlife, @thelotusdollshop

Facebook: L.A.L. Artistry

Youtube: The Lotus Doll Shop BalancedLifeStyle