“Mindy Johnson has a talent for discovering intriguing stories that cast a light on the human experience. She deftly takes her readers on extraordinary journeys into unexplored realms of our collective past.”
— Speaker Series 2017
Mindy Johnson
Creative
Bio
Award-winning author, historian, filmmaker, educator, musician and more, Mindy Johnson’s creative accomplishments reflect the diversity of her talents and experience.
A leading expert on women’s roles in animation and film history, Mindy frequently writes and speaks on early cinema, animation, women’s history, and creativity. Her ongoing research and groundbreaking discoveries continue to cast light on the invisible narrative of women’s presence within the first century of the motion picture industry.
Mindy has produced record-breaking global campaigns, creative content, exhibitions and events for a growing list of clients including: The Walt Disney Company, AMPAS/Oscars.org, WNET/American Masters, The Walt Disney Family Museum, Bing Crosby Enterprises, SiriusXM Radio and Horipro Entertainment.
In addition to her film expertise, literary efforts and consulting, Mindy is also an award-winning playwright, songwriter, composer, and contributing artist on several internationally acclaimed recordings and published compositions. A longtime professor of film and animation, Mindy teaches cinema history, aesthetics and intercultural film, within the Los Angeles area.
Books
Now
Available
Book Trailer
Ink & Paint – The Women of Walt Disney's Animation
Disney Editions Deluxe
Groundbreaking and game-changing,
Ink & Paint – The Women of Walt Disney’s Animation examines the unsung women artists whose contributions defined the legendary animated classics of our time. Mindy's landmark volume lifts the lid on the never-before-explored world of hand-rendered artistry of Ink & Paint and tracks women's advancement into virtually every discipline of animation, forever changing what we thought we knew about animation and cinematic history.
Mindy’s critically acclaimed volume,
Tinker Bell – An Evolution, explores
nearly 100 years of animation artistry and pop culture chronicling the development of everyone’s favorite fairy. Honored with consecutive Family Choice Awards, this lush fairy tome features never-before-seen artwork and photographs, this chronicle of all things Tinker Bell is a must for everyone who knows that “all it takes is faith, trust and pixie-dust!”
Disney Editions Deluxe
Taschen America
This lush volume, featuring essays by eminent Disney experts, traces the complete journey of Walt Disney’s animation from the silent era to Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, to his 1967 classic, The Jungle Book. Mindy shares her expert insights on two of Walt Disney’s crown jewels: Cinderella and Peter Pan featuring the renowned artistry of Mary Blair. Excerpts of story meeting notes, rare photographs, and behind-the-scenes insights supplement the dizzying array of 1,300 illustrations to vividly tell the production story-behind-the-stories of Walt Disney.
Disney Book Group
Legendary Animator and Imagineer, Marc Davis, defined some of the most beloved animated characters and designed many of the most iconic attractions, enjoyed by generations.
Walt Disney declared: “He’s my Renaissance man.” This celebration of Davis’ artistry features experts in fine art, animation, Imagineering and filmmaking, honoring the extraordinary work and life of Marc Davis with their contributions. Mindy’s contribution explores the indomitable spirit of Alice Estes Davis, Marc’s beloved wife and Disney Legend.
Walt Disney présente Marc Davis: Anatomie d'une légende
Urban Comics
The French release of Marc Davis – Walt Disney's Renaissance Man, featuring a stunning re-envision of this timeless volume, celebrating the glorious artistry of Marc Davis.
Events
FRIDAY
7/14/17
4:30pm – 5:30pm
D23 Expo Panel Event
Anaheim Convention Center / Walt Disney Archives Stage
INK & PAINT – THE WOMEN OF WALT DISNEY'S ANIMATION
Women have been at the forefront of animation from the very beginning, yet in the past, their presence and artistic contributions have largely been unrecognized. Mindy Johnson, author of the landmark volume Ink & Paint – The Women of Walt Disney's Animation (Disney Editions Deluxe) introduces you to some of the extraordinary artists who’ve made remarkable contributions to Walt Disney’s animation.
6:00pm – 7:00pm
Book Signing / Meet & Greet
Anaheim Convention Center / Disney Dream Store
San Diego Convention Center
-
Cartoon Creatives: Woman Power in Animation / Panel
-
The Genius of Animation: Cartoon Legends and Game Changers Speak / Panel
FRIDAY
7/21/17
Comic-Con® International: San Diego
FRIDAY
7/28/17
DreamWorks Animation
Private Presentation
MONDAY
8/7/17
7:30pm
Academy of Motion Picture Arts
and Sciences
Samuel Goldwyn Theater / 8949 Wilshire Blvd / Beverly Hills, CA 90211
AN INVISIBLE HISTORY: TRAILBLAZING WOMEN OF ANIMATION
From the earliest pioneers of hand-rendered animated films, to the advent of digital technology, women have been at the forefront of the animation medium, yet their extraordinary contributions have largely gone unrecognized. Join Mindy Johnson, author of the landmark volume Ink & Paint – The Women of Walt Disney's Animation (Disney Editions Deluxe) along with a stellar panel of trailblazing artists, as they raise the celluloid curtain on the remarkable history of women in animation.
FRIDAY
9/29/17
Lucasfilm
(Private Event)
Presentation & Book Signing
SUNDAY
10/1/17
Doors open at 11am
The World Animation Celebration
Presentation & Book Signing
Sony Pictures Animation / 9050 W. Washington Blvd. / Culver City, CA 90232
WEDNESDAY
10/4/17
11:30am – 1:30pm
Disney Studio Store
Book Signing / The Walt Disney Studios (Studio Exclusive)
Mark Taper Auditorium
Presentation & Book Signing / LA Public Library
630 West 5th Street / Los Angeles, CA
SATURDAY
10/7/17
2:00pm
PAINT, PENCILS & PIXELS – HOW WOMEN TRANSFORMED WALT DISNEY’S ANIMATION
Join Mindy Johnson, author of the landmark volume Ink & Paint –
The Women of Walt Disney's Animation (Disney Editions Deluxe), as she raises the celluloid curtain on the remarkable
‘her-story’ of how women artists defined the classic animation of Walt Disney.
Disney TV Animation – Empire
(Private Event)
Presentation & Book Signing
WEDNESDAY
10/18/17
12:00pm
USC Cinematic Arts Seminar Series
Presentation & Book Signing
John C. Hench Division of Animation & Digital Arts
930 West 34th Street / Los Angeles, CA 90089-2211
WEDNESDAY
10/18/17
6:30pm – 8:00pm
Walt Disney Feature Animation
(Private Event)
Presentation & Book Signing
WEDNESDAY
10/25/17
Book Signing / CTN Booksigning B1
Ink & Paint: The Women of Walt Disney's Animation
