Mack Johnson was born in 1960. A Native American artist, Mack has two passions: painting and saving lives. He’s able to do both by communicating a message of sobriety through his mouth-painting.

At age 23, Mack plunged over the edge of a cliff while drinking and driving. As a result of his accident, Mack was paralyzed from the neck down. He continued to abuse drugs and alcohol for three years after his accident, until another drinking binge sent him back to the hospital.

After his second hospitalization, Mack checked himself into a clinic for substance abuse therapy and remains sober to this day. After achieving sobriety, he joined Mouth and Foot Painting Artists and now demonstrates to fellow MFPA students and tribesman how it is possible to be an artist without the use of his arms. “I also use the opportunity to warn them about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse and how counseling saved my life,” says Mack.

He resides in Reno, Nevada where he is working on an associate degree in digital media at Truckee Meadows Community College.

Pictured above: “Wood Duck” by Johnson.