Just off the beaten path, south of Owl Creek Road, there’s a quiet little farmstead in Pennsylvania. The crisp autumn mornings can feel enchanting as the foliage blossoms into varying shades of blood orange and terracotta.

This is the childhood home of Otis Hinkel Johnson. Hink for short.

Hink grew up a curious child. Keenly observing his world. Marveling at it. But it was his parents who fueled his creativity, recalling, “My mother and father encouraged me and also provided the materials. I remember making things since I was quite little.” 

When it comes to the arts, Hink is a renaissance man. He’s been singing formally since age 12, is a painter, jewelry designer, and has been involved in theatre everywhere he’s lived. He made his way to Austin by way of the University of Texas Drama Department.

Hink was a cast member of the Austin Lyric Opera for 15 years and a long-time member of the Round Rock Community Choir. His top moments include: every production of Puccini’s La bohème that he was in, being honored by Ann Richards, singing for George Bush, Jr, and when well-known composer—Noel Alford—pushed Hink’s diaphragm unexpectedly to get him to hit the bass notes. “The notes just came flying out of me!” he laughs.

Hink taught art and drama and started an arts program in Round Rock elementary schools. Much like his parents, Hink inspired the love of arts in his daughter Isabel and granddaughter Shelby. He believes all children should be exposed to art, in any of its forms.

“Art is life,” he says. “It creates a world that’s more than just black and white.” 83-year-old Hink still marvels at the world. Pointing to the ring he designed for himself, Hink smiles. I call it my private island ring because it looks like a magical island surrounded by water that I can carry wherever I go.”