Johnson uses art to give back in LA, Chicago

LOS ANGELES — It’s a Spring Training tradition for managers to introduce new players to teammates in morning meetings, but they don’t often change the world.

Micah Johnson wants to be an exception.

Traded by the White Sox to the Dodgers last offseason, Johnson was called upon by new manager Dave Roberts last spring and was asked a mundane question.

“He said, ‘What do you like to do?’ and I said, ‘I like to paint,'” recalled Johnson. “So, he says, ‘You’re making a painting of Maury Wills. That’s your assignment.'”

Less than a year later, Johnson is approaching the holidays by working on his two passions. In the morning, he’s at Dodger Stadium, refining skills he hopes will put him in the mix at second base in 2017 for the big club. In the afternoon, he’s in a studio painting and planning art exhibits he’ll hold in conjunction with Skyart.org in Chicago on Jan. 21 and in Los Angeles with the Dodgers Foundation on Jan. 28, events designed to make a difference.

“The shows are to kick back to the community, support emerging artists and create conversation about cultural issues,” said Johnson, …

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