Louise Johnson has been a regular fixture at the Rogue Buddha Gallery for the entirety of it’s 20 years in business. As the mother of gallery owner Nicholas Harper, she was his biggest fan, supporter and inspiration. She was also a patron to many artists who called the Rogue Buddha home. In addition, she herself was an artist and hosted an annual trunk show each holiday season for her fancy knit wears.

Throughout her life she provided Nicholas with an example of just how a creative life is to be lived. She continually reinvented herself and devoted her time and creative energies to new and wondrous pursuits including singing as a soloist and church cantor at churches throughout the Twin Cities, being a choir director at numerous churches, learning cello at the age of 54 and sitting 2^nd chair in a community orchestra, learning (and mastering) china painting, being a ceramicist, being a nationally recognized gardener who appeared on PBS and in numerous gardening magazines and most recently, for the past ten years, as a wizard with the knitting needles.

Minneapolis has lost a vibrant artist, patron and member of the community at large. The lack of her presence will surely be felt at the Rogue Buddha Gallery and beyond. Rest in Peace Louise.