Folk Art Paintings

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"Rosemary and her cat dad need one another to feel completely relaxed," says artist Jessica JH Roller. "Both are so gentle, so kind and if her cat dad sits do...

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A stylized hawk spreads its wings before an orange sun, surveying a tiny pond below. This scene is inspired by a morning fishing outing where artist Jessica J...

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A kindly middle-aged man holds his cat companion in this painting, depicting the artist Jessica JH Roller's husband with one of their family cats. The gentle ...

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Artist Johansen Newman shares a portrait of an older woman in a chic floral dress and fishnet stockings. In a deep blue Mid-Cen...

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A Siamese cat with bright blue eyes rests at the center, its golden fur accentuated by bold black outlines. A series of hearts filling the white background ad...

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Artist Johansen Newman paints a portrait of a blonde tattooed woman in front of a wall of pictures. Two gray cats sit with the ...

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A fashionable young woman sporting sunglasses, favorite denim pants, and vibrant red boots steps out into a windy early spring day for a brisk walk with her c...

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Artist Jessica JH Roller began painting in Florida over two decades ago. As an Ohio native, she was surprised by the number of crows and ravens thriving in th...

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"The enchanted woods lie somewhere between hither and thither, filled with the magic of dew drops and the flittering light of moonbeams and fireflies," shares...

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"Just off Brady Street, in Milwaukee’s East Side, there used to be a place with class and style," says artist Leroy Burt. The store was a treasure trove of vintage goodies that were as fun to dig through as to wear. The shop was full of clothing, shoes, jewelry, and bags, some dating back to the golden days of the 40s, 50s, and 60s. The ceiling was pink and covered with toys, trinkets, signs, and other captivating eye candy.

About the Artist
Artist Leroy Burt paints playful, offbeat landscapes and portraits based on his experiences living in Milwaukee, New York, Costa Rica, and currently Rochester, Minnesota. "I think of my paintings as short stories," he says. As a young child, Leroy faced a number of obstacles. His parents divorced when he was four years old and he was raised by his grandparents in a three-room shack without running water or electricity. Leroy worked hard to pull himself out of poverty. He studied graphic design and painting, which led to a 30-year career in graphic design - five years at WMVS, the PBS television station in Milwaukee, fifteen years at city hall in Milwaukee, and ten years at WNET, the PBS station in New York. In 2015, Leroy retired to focus his energy on painting. Today, he works from a tiny studio filled with half-finished paintings stacked against every wall. "There are photos and sketches for future paintings taped everywhere," says Leroy. "My windows are filled with orchids. There are books, films and music CDs in every corner. And the room is dominated by a black and silver Andy Warhol silkscreen...

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A colorful scene of a busy street in San Jose, Costa Rica on a hot January morning. "One of the fascinating things about San Jose is the contrasts between the old and the new," says artist Leroy Burt...

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Andrea Doss presents a whimsical fantasy piece of woodland animals playing musical instruments. The pale crescent moon gives a silvery glow as the raccoon, frog, and squirrel serenade at night. "Band practice was on every Tuesday and was usually a chaotic affair," says Andrea. "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star...

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During chilly weather, Rosemary often sits by a warm radiator in artist Jessica JH Roller's studio, observing falling leaves and busy squirrels outside. The room boasts a cluster of houseplants in various containers, alongside Jessica's nearby easel. One Wednesday morning, Jessica found inspiration from both Rosemary and a specific ceramic pot.

About the Artist
Artist Jessica JH Roller paints whimsical and playful compositions of animals and people, marked by bold colors and primitivist linework. She distills a scene into a few simple shapes, using color to create contrast and vibrancy, often choosing palettes that reflect pop culture. "My adopted kittens, Tony and Larry, opened my eyes and unleashed the artist inside me," shares Jessica. "After, I started to notice birds, trees, color, everything." Jessica brings to life her dynamic creations in the comfort of her studio in her century-old home. She enjoys listening to music and audiobooks while painting with her 18-year-old acrylic-covered easel. When not painting, Jessica cherishes time with her family and five cats, teaches yoga, and enjoys cycling along the river.

Words that describe this painting: cat, folk...

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A grey bird swoops past a dog and dives into a berry bush in artist Jaime Ellsworth's playful piece. The playful work captures the whimsical sense of their un...

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"The Great Cake Caper of 2019 happened in the early morning hours while the moon was still out on a Tuesday," says artist Andrea Doss. "The thieves made off w...

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Artist Sharon Sieben paints a gestural portrait of a nude woman gracefully undressing her white robe. The figure strikes a classic pose as she contemplates a ...

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The magic of fireflies fills the field, tempting three clever foxes to chase and capture them. They intend to use the glowing insects for various important pu...

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Artist Libby Ramage presents an autumnal scene marked by large leaves falling from the sky. "As the sun fades, a young boy becomes the man," says Libby. Showi...

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In primitivism style, artist Kira Yustak presents a majestic view of the jungle. She draws inspiration from natural phenomena occurring in nature. A prismatic...

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"This lovely and graceful girl wearing her new red coat greets her smallest cat," says artist Jessica JH Roller. She holds her wide-eyed pet against her chest as if showing the viewer. The cat stares out with open curiosity. A delightful portrait using bold hues and painterly strokes.

About the Artist
A few months after Jessica JH Roller and her husband were married, they adopted two young Siamese cats from a shelter -- Tony and Larry. Jessica quickly fell deeply in love with the kittens and says the cats changed her. "They opened my eyes - I started to notice birds, trees, water, color, everything. It was as if the artist inside had been unleashed.” Jessica uses bold colors and primitive linework to create whimsical, expressive portraits. She intends to capture real or imagined moments that are both common and extraordinary.

Words that describe this painting: girl, folk art...