The Brown Beatnik Tomes

The Brown Beatnik Tomes presents a collection of prose and paintings from artist and entrepreneur Danny Simmons; this is his most wide reaching and multi-disciplined project to date. Among the most impressive artists of his day, The New York Times says that he "injects freshness" into his abstracts, and that they are "meticulously rendered and decoratively impressive". Simmons' work can be seen all over the world and in such prominent establishments as Chase Manhattan Bank, The Smithsonian, the United Nations and more. His work is highly respected within the art world and he has become extremely collectible; devoted fans of his work include music industry executive and producer Lyor Cohen and actor Will Smith.

Danny Simmons, Jr., is an American abstract painter from Queens, New York, who once coined his particular style of painting as "Neo-African Abstract Expressionism." He is also the author of five books, the latest titled Deep in Your Best Reflection, an intimate compilation of real-life texts and emails shared with a former girlfriend. He conceived of and co-produced the hit HBO series Def Poetry Jam, which had such an amazing impact that Def Poetry is now offered as an elective at the University of Wisconsin; additionally, he won a Tony Award for the Broadway version of the show.

Co-founder and president of the Rush Arts Gallery, Simmons is also founder and Vice President of the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, an organization dedicated to providing disadvantaged urban youth with significant arts exposure and access to the arts, as well as being a former board member of the Brooklyn Museum, the Brooklyn Public Library, the New York Foundation for the Arts, and the National Conference of Artists.