Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 8

Stephen Basso
The Curious Feline inquisitive cat with stone sculpture soft blended color

2025

About the Item

Soft pastel on toned sanded archival paper signed bottom right. Suitable for framing under glass ABOUT Stephen Basso Stephen Basso's highly original pastels and oil paintings are romantic, yet thought provoking fantasies. His whimsical works are alive with boundless imagination, wry wit and fearless color. His shrewd social observations often translate into eerily humorous figurative scenes and narratives. Mr. Basso’s works evoke a high level of inquiry. The fanciful, yet keenly observed characters are unpredictable and evocative. The viewer vacillates between surprise, delight, and consternation. A Brooklyn native, much of Basso's wildly imaginative artwork was inspired by travel to Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and especially Mexico. Basso is particularly drawn to Latin American art, channeling its mix of Western and African influences and imagery into his vibrant, often surrealistic work. Combining a New York and a Mexican sensibility, he says of his work, "There is a natural surreal quality to Mexico that can collide with its harsh realities. One might call it bittersweet. It is often bawdy, but rarely vulgar, and images are everywhere. Love, hate, fear desire and of course, humor, never go out of style.” And he adds, " I like mixing high ideals with American irreverence." The elements of mystery, escapism, and humor blended with reality define his art. It is of a personal nature consisting of a cast of characters that inhabit the stage between the extreme highs and lows of life, a state of limbo where dreamlike scenarios are often pulled back to the reality of daily existence. Of his process, Mr. Basso says, "The paintings and drawings begin with objects around my home and studio, photos from various sources, and people I know, have known, or have yet to meet." By in large, Basso is self taught. (After initially attending the School of Visual Arts for Illustration, he realized painting was more engaging for him.) Seeking emotional honesty, he looked to the work of several "mentors": Max Beckmann, Francisco Goya, Willem de Kooning , Philip Guston , Marsden Hartley and Albert Pinkham Ryder - artists that spoke to the human condition.
  • Creator:
    Stephen Basso (1953, American)
  • Creation Year:
    2025
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 19 in (48.26 cm)Width: 27 in (68.58 cm)Depth: 1 in (2.54 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Brooklyn, NY
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU1339115875792

More From This Seller

View All
Toucan Whisperers male female figures with toucan humorous undertones soft color
By Stephen Basso
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This soft pastel on toned heavyweight sanded paper is part of an ongoing series by the artist depicting human and animal subjects. ABOUT Stephen Basso Stephen Basso's highly origin...
Category

2010s Outsider Art Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Pastel, Archival Paper

Minister of Exams, colorful male and female figures graffiti elements on black
Located in Brooklyn, NY
RINY artists Audrey Anastasi and C.Dimitri collaborated to create contemporary collage works. Born of the Covid pandemic, the team started working remotely, mailing artwork to each ...
Category

2010s American Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Charcoal, Mixed Media, Archival Paper, Crayon

Three's a Crowd, whimsical colorful pastel on toned paper
By Stephen Basso
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Three's a Crowd, whimsical colorful pastel on toned paper A Brooklyn native, much of Basso's wildly imaginative artwork was inspired by travel to Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and especiall...
Category

2010s Outsider Art Figurative Paintings

Materials

Pastel, Archival Paper

Not Ready for Prime Time, female back view w fish bird leaf grey & black
Located in Brooklyn, NY
RINY artists Audrey Anastasi and C.Dimitri collaborated to create contemporary collage works.
Category

2010s Feminist Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Charcoal, Mixed Media, Archival Paper

I'm going to call you Charlemagne 26x40inches abstract paint collage birds
Located in Brooklyn, NY
RINY artists Audrey Anastasi and C.Dimitri collaborated to create contemporary collage works. Born of the Covid pandemic, the team started working remotely, mailing artwork to each ...
Category

2010s Contemporary Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Mixed Media, Archival Paper, Acrylic

That Day in Crete..., female gaze butterflies RINY collaboration abstract
Located in Brooklyn, NY
RINY artists Audrey Anastasi and C.Dimitri collaborated to create contemporary collage works. Full title: That Day in Crete when you found the Blue Blanket in the Rocks and Dried it ...
Category

2010s American Modern Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Charcoal, Mixed Media, Archival Paper

You May Also Like

What a Day - Daniel Johnston, Original Drawing on Paper, Austin, Texas Pop Art
Located in Houston, TX
Daniel Johnston was a prolific visual artist and musician. He gained a cult following in the 1990s when Kurt Cobain wore a T-shirt with the artist’s frog illustration from his Hi, Ho...
Category

2010s Outsider Art Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Ink

Weird - Daniel Johnston, Original Drawing on Paper, Austin, Texas Pop Artist
Located in Houston, TX
Daniel Johnston was a prolific visual artist and musician. He gained a cult following in the 1990s when Kurt Cobain wore a T-shirt with the artist’s frog illustration from his Hi, Ho...
Category

2010s Outsider Art Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Ink

Weirdies - Daniel Johnston, Original Drawing on Paper, Austin, Texas Pop Artist
Located in Houston, TX
Daniel Johnston was a prolific visual artist and musician. He gained a cult following in the 1990s when Kurt Cobain wore a T-shirt with the artist’s frog illustration from his Hi, Ho...
Category

2010s Outsider Art Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Ink

We Will Not Honor Your Curses From Now On - Daniel Johnston, Original Drawing
Located in Houston, TX
Daniel Johnston was a prolific visual artist and musician. He gained a cult following in the 1990s when Kurt Cobain wore a T-shirt with the artist’s frog illustration from his Hi, Ho...
Category

2010s Outsider Art Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Ink, Illustration Board

We Were the Best Son You Make Me Proud - Daniel Johnston, Original Drawing
Located in Houston, TX
Daniel Johnston was a prolific visual artist and musician. He gained a cult following in the 1990s when Kurt Cobain wore a T-shirt with the artist’s frog illustration from his Hi, Ho...
Category

2010s Outsider Art Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Ink

To Meredith and Love Beyond - Daniel Johnston, Original Drawing, Austin, Texas
Located in Houston, TX
Daniel Johnston was a prolific visual artist and musician. He gained a cult following in the 1990s when Kurt Cobain wore a T-shirt with the artist’s frog illustration from his Hi, Ho...
Category

2010s Outsider Art Figurative Drawings and Watercolors

Materials

Paper, Ink

Recently Viewed

View All