Daniel Johnston – I Am a Baby in My Universe

Select works available from Daniel Johnston: I Am a Baby in My Universe. To see the full body of work – which includes nearly 200 original artworks – please contact info@outpostnycdcg.com

Daniel Johnston – Duck Wars

Select works available from Daniel Johnston: Duck Wars

Please contact info@outpostnycdcg.com for more information.

Daniel Johnston – Duck Wars

Daniel Johnston: Duck Wars

February 24, 2024 to April 27th, 2024

Deborah Colton Gallery

Houston, Texas

Artist and songwriter Daniel Johnston created his own imaginary cartoon universe in drawings, which were complete with dialog bubbles and his own uniquely honest and insightful philosophy. Among his cast of created characters are the ever-present ducks. They are the fun-loving good guys who are on the look-out for adventure and ways to help the world. They are always ready to help humanity by challenging the forces of evil and thus protecting love, peace, and especially hope.

The ducks in Johnston’s earliest drawings had wings and webbed feet. As he created more adventures for the ducks they evolved human-like arms and legs. The ducks found their way into Johnston’s drawings as cowboys, ancient warriors, superheroes and even space travelers. The role that was Johnston’s favorite (by far) was ducks as military personnel, complete with uniforms, weapons, and war vehicles of all types. Johnston’s love of all things related to World War II reflects his admiration for his father, William Johnston, who was a Flying Tiger pilot in the war.

The ” Ducks Wars” exhibit is a celebration of the military adventures of the ducks, but it also rings with uncanny relevance considering current world events. Daniel infuses the drawings with quirky humor, but also with thought provoking insights into the nature of war…. its horror, its origins in greed, and its sad results.

Visit Deborah Colton Gallery – Duck Wars to see more works.

Daniel Johnston – I Am a Baby in My Universe

Daniel Johnston: I am a Baby In My Universe

February 17, 2024 to March 16, 2024
Deborah Colton Gallery

Houston, Texas

Daniel Johnston, at a very young age, decided that he wanted to be a comic book artist like Jack Kirby, whose work he admired. He drew constantly, which often caused his teachers to reprimand him for not paying attention. By the time he reached Junior High, his drawing skills were quite advanced… but during those years mental illness appeared in the form of depression. 

While he still dreamed of becoming a cartoonist for Marvel Comics, his drawing time became something more. It was a form of self-therapy to help him cope with his depression. It was an escape. In his early twenties his mental illness blossomed into schizophrenia. In spite of this, he continued his daily drawing, producing pieces that give the viewer a glimpse into his journey with mental illness.  He created an entire universe of his own, complete with a cast of characters caught up in the eternal battle of good and evil.  Some characters were original creations.  Others were borrowed from pop culture. 

This art exhibit, “I am a Baby in my Universe” is an introduction to the major characters (and some of the minor ones) that inhabit his imagined world. It will display nearly 200 works of art in groupings that will introduce 45 characters showing examples of art pieces in which they are featured. Daniel’s drawings have an undeniable appeal, saturated in a childlike wisdom that has won him fans and followers around the world. The show will also feature a screening room playing the documentary The Devil and Daniel Johnston (2005) as well as a display about the effects of mental illness in Dan’s art.