Embracing the Trippy: The Artistic Journey of Durell Baxter

Every artist has a moment when creativity stops being a hobby and begins to feel like destiny. For Durell Baxter, that moment unfolded gradually, through doodles on the margins of notebooks, through playful competitions with family, and through the realization that his imagination could carry him beyond the classroom and into the world. Today, his art bridges the radiant, nostalgic energy of cartoon imagery with surreal undertones and bold realism, creating a style that is distinctly his own. His motto, “Embrace the Trippy,” serves as both an artistic philosophy and a personal mission statement.

Early Sparks of Creativity

Baxter’s artistic journey began in 2008–2009, while he was transitioning from fifth to sixth grade at Public School 96 in Manhattan. Teachers, noticing his constant doodling, began assigning him art-related activities, recognizing a talent he had yet to fully uncover. After school, he immersed himself in sketching, pausing cartoons to draw characters from the TV screen and competing in art contests with his older brother and cousin. These small but consistent acts laid the foundation for his lifelong devotion to art.

As he grew older, Baxter’s environment, friends, schools, neighborhoods, and everyday experiences shaped his perspective as an artist. By 2012, he enrolled in Gramercy Arts High School, where he formally studied visual arts and graduated in 2016. His path eventually led him to SUNY Purchase, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Painting and Drawing, solidifying his commitment to pursuing art as a career.

Groundswell: From Play to Purpose

The turning point in Baxter’s artistic identity came when his mother encouraged him to join Groundswell, a New York nonprofit that uses public art to engage young people. At first, it felt like just another job, something to do as a teenager, full of laughter, goofing off, and stern warnings from lead artists. But as the murals grew larger, so did his understanding of their meaning.

His first projects, including a mural on Junction Boulevard promoting awareness around drunk driving, tested his patience and discipline. Yet it was his third mural, working with artist Misha Tyutyunik on a piece that reimagined Carmen Sandiego’s outline filled with the layered history of SoHo, that shifted everything. For the first time, Baxter found himself televised, speaking about art on Fox 5 News, and even meeting acclaimed artist Jeff Koons.

“That moment showed me this was more than just painting a wall,” Baxter reflects. “It was a gateway to opportunity, a way to show the world who I am.” Groundswell became the catalyst for his transformation, from a student still searching for direction to an artist with purpose and ambition.

Shaping a Distinct Style

With time, Baxter cultivated a voice all his own. He describes his style as “modern 80’s/90’s cartoonish realism with a touch of surreal undertones.” It is a fusion where bold cartoon lines meet the depth of realism, while surreal details add layers of dreamlike intrigue.

His philosophy, “Embrace the Trippy,” encourages viewers not only to enjoy the psychedelic vibrancy of his colors and imagery but also to decode the backstories and metaphorical meanings hidden within each piece. To Baxter, art is never just surface-level, it is a conversation between artist and audience, meant to provoke curiosity, wonder, and reflection.

Inspirations and Collaborations

Along the way, Baxter has drawn inspiration and guidance from a circle of respected artists. Collaborators such as Misha Tyutyunik, Jeff Henriquez, Angel Garcia, Jose Ortiz, Jamel Burgess, Alex Simmons, Sharon Miller, and Sophocles Plokamakis have shaped his practice. These relationships, both professional and personal, have enriched his ability to see art as a collective language rather than an isolated craft.

Exhibitions and Public Presence

Baxter’s journey has brought his work to diverse audiences across New York’s cultural landscape. His art has been featured at Heath Gallery’s Hang Night exhibition, The Brooklyn Monarch’s Pancake and Booze exhibition, and Get Inspired Society’s Black and White Photo exhibition. He has shown at One Art Space’s BAM RED DOTS exhibition and taken part in vibrant showcases such as Cannavita’s Weed Design Week and Cannavita’s Gallery Nights, blending his psychedelic realism with the city’s thriving underground art scene.

These exhibitions not only spotlight his evolving body of work but also reflect his philosophy of letting inspiration strike spontaneously. Baxter’s creativity often emerges from moments of curiosity, adventure, and unpredictability, he doesn’t wait for the “perfect” moment, but allows ideas to reveal themselves like epiphanies.

Living Art, Living Philosophy

Baxter is currently working on a series of intertwined stories drawn from his own life experiences, a narrative sequence that mirrors the spontaneity with which he approaches art. Whether through vivid paintings or surreal illustrations, these works capture the essence of his adventures, sometimes impulsive, sometimes reflective, always seeking meaning in the unknown.

For Baxter, the future remains open-ended. “The right things come along in due time,” he says. “I’d rather wait for the right opportunities than search aimlessly. My job is to stay ready to create when inspiration arrives.” This philosophy keeps his work vibrant, alive, and unbound by convention.

Following the Journey

Audiences eager to follow Baxter’s art can find him on Instagram at @deviant_workshop, where he shares new creations, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and updates on exhibitions. His work is also available for purchase through Fine Art America, accessible via the link in his bio.

Whether viewed on a gallery wall, a mural, or a digital feed, Baxter’s art invites audiences into a kaleidoscopic world where reality bends, colors vibrate, and meaning hides just beneath the surface. His story is one of perseverance, spontaneity, and vision, a reminder that to embrace the trippy is to embrace the limitless possibilities of creativity itself.