Livingston Area Down Syndrome Society

Education, Advocacy, Support

Home

About Ladss

Contact

Donate

Events

Buddy Walk

Gallery

Links

Members Info

Newsletters

501(c)3 Info

        Gifted Artist with Down Syndrome
                              Shares His Story.

          Michael Jurogue Johnson, now age 33, was born with Down syndrome. For 16 years he attended Park School, a public school that serves children with special needs and that incorporates The Arts into their curriculum. Michael had opportunities to participate in fine art, drama, music and dance. He painted a mural with his classmates and he exhibited his art at the Young Evanston Artists outdoor show.

When Michael graduated at the age of 21 he decided that he was an artist. All of his friends from school had jobs in the community. Michael's family made the commitment to support him so he could follow his dream. Michael has been painting almost every day since graduation. Art is his job, not his hobby. He works hard every day. In twelve years he has developed his own cheerful style of painting animals with bright colors and happy faces. He has completed more than 800 paintings and illustrations. He has painted more than 200 commissioned portraits of pets and children from photographs and he has become a hero for children who have Down syndrome and an inspiration for their families. Many of them often visit his studio with their families, watch Michael paint and look at the happy animal artwork on the wall. Inspired by Michael, families around the world are looking for their children's gifts and talents and are giving them opportunities to participate in The Arts.

Michael works hard every day. He loves animals and paints from a cheerful and innocent point of view. He finds inspiration in his community and at the Evanston Dog Beach. His paintings are celebrations of life. They express simple joy and are filled with energy, movement and color. This year he has some great jobs! He did nine illustrations for a book of dog stories including the cover. A children's hospital decided they want Michael to decorate the ICU to make the hospital a more family friendly place. They want 20 large paintings of children and animals and they are contacting donors so they can hire Michael for the job. While waiting for the funding to come through he did some watercolors for dog shows, two small portraits of baby boys, and a large portrait of 9 dogs on a beach for a family who admired his painting on the cover of the American Journal for Public Health last November. Currently he is working on an acrylic portrait of a pony with carriage and driver, and an oil painting of a dachshund.

In 2001 Michael had a solo exhibition at Vanderbilt University. In 2002 Michael won a national art contest sponsored by the AVMA. In 2003 his painting "Pets Make The Difference" was reproduced on posters and t-shirts for National Pet Week. Some of his paintings are owned and treasured by movie stars, famous authors, the owner of an NBA basketball team and even a U.S. Senator!

The Internet has helped Michael to mainstream his art. After 9/11 more people discovered a refuge of peace and happiness on his web sites. People who love animals send Michael photographs of their pets and children so he can paint their portraits in colorful landscapes from his imagination.

Michael just likes to paint every day. Art has enriched his life.

Michael Johnson paints portraits of children from photographs. Faces need to measure at least 1.25" straight across from ear to ear, so he can see them clearly. The photos need to be in color, in focus and well lit. They don't need to be taken by a professional! Some of the best pictures are candid shots taken by patient parents. Photos taken outside in natural light on an overcast day are ideal. Photos taken indoors with a flash distort the colors too much. You can find more information about the different kinds of paint Michael uses, selecting photos that work best and examples of Michael's paintings at his website.