Donny Johnson

Who is Donny Johnson?

Donny Johnson is an American painter. He is known for his unconventional technique, which involves using a brush made of his own hair and pigment from M&M's candy shells dissolved in water. His style has been described as abstract as well as colorful yet dark. According to Johnson, main inspirations for his art include Vincent van Gogh and Carl Jung.

Johnson is currently serving a life sentence for second degree murder at Pelican Bay State Prison, California, without access to conventional art supplies. Having assaulted two guards with a knife, he has been kept in solitary confinement during the last eighteen years.

During July 2006 and August 2007, successful exhibitions of Johnson's paintings were held at the YAM Gallery in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. The proceeds of the exhibitions benefit children of incarcerated parents through the nonprofit Pelican Bay Prison Project.

On August 4, 2006, the New York Times reported that Johnson has been disciplined for engaging in unauthorized business, but this proved not to be the case and Johnson continues to produce and mail out his work to friends.