About The Hermit Art 

A native of the Philippines, Johanna immigrated to the United States in 2007, becoming the first Filipino American in her family to build a life abroad.

Johanna’s path has been shaped by nearly two decades of public service—beginning in the U.S. Navy, continuing through humanitarian work with the U.S. Agency for International Development, and later leading to diplomatic service with the U.S. Department of State at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq.

Along the way, she earned a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice and built a career grounded in structure, policy, leadership, and complex systems—worlds seemingly far removed from the creative practice she had quietly nurtured within herself.

Art, however, was always present. It was simply interrupted by duty, relocation, responsibility, and the demands of a career that often required her to put everything else aside.

This chapter marks a deliberate shift. Through The Hermit Art, Johanna is intentionally pursuing art in all its forms—painting, tattooing, creative wellness, teaching, and collaboration—with the intention of spending her retirement creating all that her heart desires.

"Work got in the way of Art". 

- The Hermit