Mindy Johnson

ABOUT THE artist + scholar

Mindy Johnson is an award-winning author, musician, filmmaker, educator, and animation historian with expertise in women in early animation. Her groundbreaking book Ink & Paint –The Women of Walt Disney’s Animation, (Disney Editions) redefines the history of animation. Johnson’s research into the earliest women of animation earned her the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences (Oscars) Film Scholar Award and the ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Educators Forum Grant. Her critically acclaimed debut Tinker Bell – An Evolution (Disney Editions) was honored with rare consecutive Family Choice Awards. She is a contributing writer for the epic volume The Walt Disney Film Archives –The Animated Movies 1921-1968, (Taschen) as well as the celebrated collection Marc Davis: Walt Disney’s Renaissance Man, (Disney Editions).

PUBLIC EVENTS

Seeking the Immutable Truth: The Impact of Research & Discovery on Creativity

Tuesday, February 11, 2025
5:30 pm MST | Doors Open at 5:00 pm
Mary Harris Auditorium + Livestream
Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design
1600 Pierce Street, Denver, CO 80214

Mindy Johnson travels the world to uncover overlooked artists behind the most iconic characters in animation history. Souring Disney archives and collecting artists' stories, her talk will explore how artists from the past inspire artists today.

The livestream recording will be available to view through Tuesday, February 25, 2025. Following that time, the RMCAD community will be able to access the recording in the VASD Program Archive.

Student Costume Contest

Students who dressed as their favorite animation characters from history were entered to win a signed copy of one of Mindy's books!

Mindy Johnson with her book, Ink & Paint –The Women of Walt Disney’s Animation, (Disney Editions). Image courtesy of Mindy Johnson.

Learning Guide

The VASD Program offers free artist-specific Learning Guides. Each Learning Guide provides educators and learners with the artist’s bio, talk description, material lists, discussion prompts, key terms, and more to create lesson plans, assignments, and opportunities for further reflection.
Download Mindy Johnson’s Learning Guide

PRIVATE RMCAD events

Building character - workshop

Wednesday, February 12, 2025
9:00 am - 11:00 am
On-Campus

Students! Apply to attend the workshop HERE.
The deadline to apply is Monday, February 3, 2025.

Students have the exclusive opportunity to learn about character design from Disney animation historian Mindy Johnson. Students will use real-life Disney character design prompts to create their own characters and learn about how artists developed one of the most iconic animated characters of the 20th Century (you must attend the workshop to find out who the character is!)

STUDENT-LED Q+A SESSION

Wednesday, February 12, 2025
11:45 am - 12:45 pm
Triboro 116
Lunch is provided!

Student-Led Q + A Sessions are private, casual, in-person conversations open to RMCAD students, faculty, and staff. Guided by student voices, these discussions generate valuable professional advice for all students. 

Students! Apply to lead the conversation HERE.
The deadline to apply is Monday, February 3, 2025.

Recommendation List

VASD Program visiting artists and designers recommend books, films, experiences, and more that give insight into their work, practice, and research. Artist and scholar Mindy Johnson recommends:

​​Books:

  • The Illusion of Life – Frank Thomas & Ollie Johnston

  • Shadow Theatres and Shadow Films – Lotte Reiniger

  • The Art Spirit – Robert Henri

  • Ink & Paint, The Women of Walt Disney’s Animation — Mindy Johnson

  • “The Only Woman Animator” – Mindy Johnson

  • Talking Animals & Other People – Shamus Culhane

  • The Art of Pilgrimage – Phil Cousineau

  • How to Think Like a Woman – Regan Penaluna

  • Shakespeare – everything

  • The lyrics of Ira Gershwin, Cole Porter, Betty Comden, Sylvia Fine & The Sherman Brothers

Films:

  • The Adventures of Prince Achmed – Lotte Reiniger

  •  Be Natural, The Untold Story of Alice Guy Blache – Pamela Green

  • Waking Sleeping Beauty – Don Hahn

  • The work of Frank Capra, Billy Wilder & the Marx Brothers

  • Any of the Disney feature-length animated classics - absorb the artistry

 Additional thoughts:

  • Every day - do something for your: brain, body, heart & for someone else!

  • Seek out interesting people wherever you go!

  • Learn at least 3 signature dishes & frequently host dinner parties.

  • Visit museums frequently to expand your mind and inspire your work.

  • Cultivate community – creatively, civically, and personally.

  • Absorb everything Ella Fitzgerald & Billie Holiday.

  • Seek out any venue or forum that features live musicians.

  • Travel – travel – travel!

  • Sing every day.