Goodnight has developed his own unique aesthetic philosophy to document the humanity of people around the world. He often incorporates African themes and symbols to provide depths of history and culture.

He has studied and traveled extensively to different parts of the world, living among the people of Russia, China, Haiti, Nicaragua, Africa and Brazil. He is the recipient of numerous artist awards, most notably the 1997 Sports Artist of the Year Award, bestowed by the U.S. Sports Academy. His work resides in numerous institutional and private collections around the country and the world.