Dean Johnson studied Fine Arts at Columbia College Chicago. Since his graduation in 2003, he has completed numerous art commissions, both private and commercial. His work includes postcard designs for theater companies TUTA and Darknight Theatrical Productions; flyer designs for rock band Arch Visceral Parlor and DJ Elle Madellyn; and illustrations for author John Wawrzaszek's chap books.

The basis of Dean's art is always drawing, but he is endlessly curious about new ways to translate his drawings into other forms. This hunger for exploration has led him to work with acrylic paint, woodburning and various printmaking techniques. He has mastered the art of linocut, which opens up new possibilities for an image. By varying paper color and ink color, each print brings out different graphic qualities that were hidden in the original drawing.