It all started in 1957, when Alan's father took his family to a car show at the New York Coliseum. This is where Alan saw Ed "Big Daddy" Roth pinstriping, first hand. After taking note of the unusual brush and the can of 1-shot paint, AJ was hooked.
Originally from Red Bank, New Jersey, he worked his way through art school in the 60's (Newark School of Fine Industrial Art) by painting, airbrushing and lettering everything from fresh produce signs to pinstriping and lettering cars at Raceway Park. His first shop was a greenhouse on Route 35 in Middletown, NJ
In 1968 Alan began his career as an Art Director in New York City advertising agency. By 1974 he decided that the commercial art world was not for him and moved his family to the country and started his own business which still thrives after 30 years. His studio, Alan Johnson Grafix, is a restored barn and grist mill built in 1825 located in northwest New Jersey.
Alan has been so successful as an independent pinstriper and kustom auto artist, he is continually being sought after for his vast experience in the industry. He is a consultant for automotive paint manufacturers, he writes "How To" articles for trade periodicals and has recently launched his own line of signature brushes with The Mack Brush Company.
Assisted by his wife, Judy, Alan is able to remain independent, creating award winning masterpieces that adorn vintage auto and boat restoration projects, which appear in museums all over the country. Each year he organizes and participates in five charity events, raising money for kids. Some of the charities he enjoys working with are The Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Special Olympics. He is also one of the original organizers of the "Pinheads", an elite group of master pinstripers.
Alan also celebrates this uniquely American art form, through his experimental fine art projects. A collection of his fine art masterpieces are finally available to the public as collectable, limited edition prints. As with all things that become streamlined with experience, so has his motto, which he tells anyone interested in learning the craft "Just get the brush".