John Waters – Original Painting on Canvas (and Limited-Edition Hand Embellished Giclée Prints on High Quality Archival Paper)

by Nikki Johnson

Dimensions: 24" x 36"
Framed Dimensions: Approx. 25.25" x 37.25"
Medium: Acrylic and Silver Leaf on Gallery-Wrapped Canvas
Framing: Framed in a black floater frame – ready to hang

This grayscale portrait of John Waters is part of the Directors Series by Nikki Johnson—visual artist and wife of guitarist Justin Johnson—a collection honoring visionary filmmakers whose work reshaped not just cinema, but the culture around it.

Painted in bold tones of black, white, and gray, this piece features a striking silver-leaf background, inspired by the original backdrop Waters selected for the iconic headshot this portrait is based on—a piece of cheap silver dot confetti fabric, chosen with tongue-in-cheek flair. Nikki translated that texture into shimmering silver foil, infusing the background with movement and light, while leaning fully into the offbeat, fabulous aesthetic that makes Waters an icon of underground cinema.

Like the other pieces in the series, this portrait emphasizes both the face and the hand, capturing not just the man, but the mechanism—the visionary mind paired with the hand that brings it all to life.

“I have so much respect for John Waters for following his own muse with wild abandon. He also wrote and directed one of my favorite movies—the one that shaped my childhood and that I can’t get through a solid week without quoting… Cry-Baby.”
— Nikki Johnson

Waters has always blurred the line between chaos and commentary, tacky and transcendent. His films feel like punk rock set to film—brazen, weird, full of wit and wired with sound. This piece celebrates that spirit—unapologetic, magnetic, and just the right amount of unhinged.

🎬 About the Directors Series

This ongoing collection by Nikki Johnson currently features portraits of four legendary film directors, each known for their iconic visual language, fearless filmmaking, and deep connection to music. Each portrait is rendered in grayscale, with select pieces incorporating metallic silver leaf to echo signature stylistic elements.

In each work, Nikki uses a carefully chosen headshot that prominently features the director’s hand, spotlighting both the mind and mechanism behind the lens. The result is a series that blurs the lines between visual art, film, and music—bold, uncompromising, and cinematic to the core.

✍🏼 Hand-signed by the artist and includes a signed Certificate of Authenticity.
🖤 One-of-a-kind original, framed in a black floater frame, ready to hang.

🖼️ Also Available as a Hand-Embellished Giclée Print (16" x 24) 

Each Directors Series portrait is also available as a 16" x 24" giclée print on archival paper. These prints are:

• Hand-embellished with Silver Leaf to replicate the striking metallic detailing found in the original.

• Printed on high-quality archival paper for superior longevity and vibrancy.

• Limited edition of 100, hand-numbered for authenticity.

• Hand-signed by the artist and includes a Certificate of Authenticity.

Perfect for collectors who desire the aesthetic impact of the original artwork, these embellished prints offer a more accessible price point without sacrificing visual presence or texture.

📦 Please note: All 16 x 24 giclée prints are made to order. Please allow 4–6 weeks for creation, embellishment, and shipping.