San Quentin Salute – Original Painting on Raw Canvas

by Nikki Johnson

Dimensions: 18" x 24"
Medium: Acrylic on Raw-Edge, Unstretched Canvas

"San Quentin Salute" captures one of the most unforgettable images in music history—Johnny Cash flipping off the camera during his performance at San Quentin Prison. But this moment wasn’t just about defiance—it was about identity. A declaration of truth, rebellion, and soul that couldn’t be silenced.

Painted by visual artist Nikki Johnson, the piece is executed on raw, unstretched canvas, with the natural, frayed edges intentionally left intact. There’s no frame, no polish—because Johnny wouldn’t have wanted it that way. Just pure attitude, laid bare.

"Johnny Cash didn’t ask for permission—he kicked the door open.
This painting is based on that iconic photo—Cash giving the finger to the camera at San Quentin.
It wasn’t just a gesture… it was a statement. Rebellious, raw, unapologetically him.
That’s the energy I wanted to capture here. No polish. No pretense. Just pure attitude, grit, and soul."
— Nikki Johnson

This piece also carries deep personal resonance: Johnny and June’s son, John Carter Cash, is a close friend and longtime collaborator of Justin Johnson—having co-written and produced songs and albums together, including several of Justin’s own. So this image doesn’t just hang in history—it’s tied to the present, to friendship, and to creative lineage.

"San Quentin Salute" is a tribute to that outlaw spirit that still echoes through every guitar string, every lyric, and every room where real music gets made.

Sold unframed and unstretched, ready to mount, stretch, float frame, or hang loose as it was created—raw and real.

✍️ Signed by the artist. Certified original. 
📜 Certificate of Authenticity included.