Born and raised in Southern California, Dan Johnson grew up surfing and playing guitar, but always had a fascination for art. He took a few lessons here and there as a kid, and created a number of pieces that showed a lot of promise, but life sort of got in the way, including a stint in the Army as he was drafted into the Vietnam War.

Returning to SoCal's Capistrano Beach, Johnson surfed and worked in construction and ornamental ironwork, and art was more or less something he did on the side, for fun. When a friend who actually was studying Art ended up sparking that creative fire again however, Johnson now in his thirties, pursued it this time, getting better and better with each piece he created.

Soon, friends and strangers alike were beginning to notice that this guy had some real talent, and Johnson began to broaden his artistic horizons. He struck up a friendship with gallery owner and painter Ruth Mayer at her gallery in nearby Laguna Beach, gaining some valuable insights and ultimately getting an invite to display some of his work. Johnson's second pastel sold for $700, and the Artist was born.

Since then, Dan Johnson has painted (and sold!) thousands of pieces, has been invited to numerous exhibits, and has even been asked to teach classes. His work can be seen all over Laguna Beach and beyond, in fine collections, magazine covers such as "Where: Orange County (Summer, 1998)" and "Laguna Beach Community Services and Cultural Calendar (Winter, 1997)" and in galleries.