A 10-foot frog holding a speech bubble with the words "Hi, How Are You?" sits on the corner of Guadalupe and 21st streets across from the University of Texas campus. Officially named "Jeremiah the Innocent," but more commonly known as the “Hi, How Are You? frog,” this mural has become an unofficial symbol of Austin’s openness, creativity and quirkiness. But behind this iconic image lies the story of a man whose impact on music, art and mental health advocacy resonates far beyond the city limits.
Daniel Johnston, the mural's artist, was more than just a local fixture.
Kathy McCarty, founding member of the band Glass Eye, first met Johnston in the mid-1908s while performing at Liberty Lunch in Austin. After listening to a tape he had recorded and handed to her at the show, she knew Johnston was different.
"Halfway through the first song, 'Poor You,' I realized: This kid is a genius," McCarty told the Seattle Star in an interview in 2022. "I was on the one hand, quite relieved, because I had some ammunition to win him his opening slot. On the other hand, Oh my...god, this weird kid is a genius, an actual genius, oh my god!!!!"
However, his struggles with mental health were often the catalyst for his craft. His candid honesty and unfiltered approach inspired countless fans and musicians, while breaking down stigmas surrounding mental illness.
The therapy of music
Johnston’s music was seen as raw, emotional and heartbreakingly honest.
"If you listen to a song like 'Peek A Boo,' the lyrics are the most open and honest description of someone dealing with mental illness. He just puts it out there," Gimbel said. “Daniel’s songs were therapeutic for him.”
They also served as an outlet for the challenges he faced with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
Johnston’s openness about his struggles was rare for his time. While mental health discussions were largely kept in the shadows during the 1980s and 1990s, Johnston’s work brought them to the forefront. Through songs and pen-and-ink drawings, he channeled his experiences into prolific creativity, often producing several pieces in a day.
Finding a home in Austin
"He came to Austin, and I think he found his people," Gimbel said. Originally from West Virginia, Johnston arrived in Austin in the 1980s while working for a traveling carnival.
With support from local creatives like Austin Chronicle co-founder Louis Black and musicians like McCarty, Johnston became part of the city’s vibrant music and art scene. Venues like Liberty Lunch and bands like the Butthole Surfers provided the backdrop for his rise.
Austin’s unique culture—a city that embraces "outsiders" and celebrates individuality—proved to be fertile ground for Johnston’s creativity.
"If there were a Mount Rushmore of Austin musicians, you’d see Willie Nelson and Stevie Ray Vaughan. I’d hope Daniel might also be included," Gimbel said.
The Hi, How Are You? Project
Years after Johnston painted "Jeremiah the Innocent," its impact inspired the creation of the Hi, How Are You Project in 2018. Spearheaded by Johnston’s fans and mental health advocates, the organization uses the frog's simple phrase as a springboard for meaningful conversations about mental health.
Robert Sanchez, the project’s executive director, explained how the initiative began with the idea of dedicating a single day to asking, "Hi, how are you?" in a sincere and meaningful way. The response was overwhelming. Letters poured in from across the globe, with people sharing stories of how a simple question had opened the door to life-changing conversations.
"Our mission is to teach proactive mental health habits to young people, especially those aged 14 to 24," Sanchez said. These habits include mindfulness, exercise and creativity—practices that Johnston leaned on throughout his life.
While the Hi, How Are You Project now has a global reach, its roots remain firmly planted in Austin. The city’s culture of tolerance and support for the arts provided Johnston with a space to thrive, despite his challenges.
"Austin has always had this edge to it, where being different and a little outside the norm is OK and even celebrated," Sanchez said.
A lasting impact
Decades later, Johnston’s story continues to inspire. His music, often described as deceptively simple yet deeply profound, remains a testament to the power of vulnerability.
"He found a way to take what he was dealing with and turn it into beautiful songs, which then made other people happy and inspired others," Gimbel said.
Johnston passed away suddenly in 2019 from natural causes, but his influence lives on in the music he created, the art he left behind and the mental health conversations his work continues to inspire.
In 2018, then-Austin Mayor Steve Adler declared Jan. 22 “Hi, How Are You Day,” and the foundation will host its annual event on Jan 24 at the Paramount Theater.
"Jeremiah the Innocent" continues to greet passersby with its friendly message—a fitting tribute to a man whose life and work remind us to check in with one another and to always celebrate the beauty of being ourselves.