Raymond Jonson

Raymond Jonson (July 18, 1891 – May 10, 1982),[1] was an American-born Modernist painter known for his paintings of the American Southwest.

Jonson went on to become secretary in Roerich's society Cor Ardens composed of the "fiery, spiritual, radical group of young painters" who shared Roerich's belief that "the only real fraternity among men is the fraternity of beauty as expressed in art."

The experiences and sights of this short visit to Santa Fe, convinced Jonson to move to New Mexico in 1924 to focus on painting among the southwestern landscapes.

[5] Drayer writes that Bisttram had previously taught painting at Roerich's Master Institute in New York City for several years.

They sought to carry painting beyond the appearance of the physical world, through new expressions of space, color, light and design."

While teaching at the University of New Mexico in the early 1950s, Jonson had a profound influence on the Cochiti Pueblo artist Joe Herrera.

[13][14] Jonson retired from the University of New Mexico in 1954, but continued to mentor students there, including painter William Conger.