Outsider Art Paintings

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A whimsical moment unfolds between two animals. A tiny black bird looks up and sings to its friend, a curious horse with elongated legs. Their simple forms an...

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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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Artist Johansen Newman displays a detailed portrait of a woman carrying a potted plant. Birds sit on the branches and planter a...

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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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Sparrows take flight and glide with the breeze. As they move in different directions, their angular forms overlap in an organic pattern. Bold black outlines con...

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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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"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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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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A flock of birds takes flight as spring arrives, ushering in warmer days. Bold outlines create a striking contrast against the earthy tones. The composition exu...

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Artist Johansen Newman displays an image of a tattooed woman sitting alone in a tavern surrounded by men. "There's a lot writte...

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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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A flock of chickens engages in cheerful, communal moments. Each looks in a different direction, creating a sense of curiosity. Their overlapping bodies and vari...

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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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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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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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"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...

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"On hot summer afternoons on the East Side of Milwaukee, a young man could often be seen carrying his pet Tegu lizard to Bradford Beach so it could bask in the sun," says artist Leroy Burt...

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Sparrows take flight and glide with the breeze. As they move in different directions, their angular forms overlap in an organic pattern. Bold black outlines con...

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Artist Jaime Ellsworth captures a clever brown dog skillfully balancing a red ball and a black bird on its head. With curious gazes, the critters turn to their right as if something has piqued their interest. The two-tone backdrop of ochre and moss green sets the stage for this endearing scene.

About the Artist
Jaime Ellsworth paints animals. Her career as a cowhand never got off the ground, so she stumbled into art never knowing it would complement her passion for animals so completely. Most subjects are her own, but lately she has expanded out of her corral to include bears and beasts not commonly seen on San Juan Island, in the Pacific Northwest, where she's lived for the last 30 years. She suspects it will be years before she runs out of inspiration or has jeans that aren’t covered with paw prints or paint.

Words that describe this painting: dog, bird, ball, whimsical, happy, playful, animals, acrylicpaint, portrait, profile, primitive, animals, primitive, acrylic painting, brown

Dog Ball...

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Artist Johansen Newman paints a contemporary portrait of a tattooed man smoking and drinking by the bar. "I imagined the voice ...

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This painting captures a moment of quiet deliberation. A stunning woman with thick, lustrous hair gazes thoughtfully toward an unseen companion, her expressio...

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A flock of birds takes flight as spring arrives, ushering in warmer days. Bold outlines create a striking contrast against the earthy tones. The composition exu...

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A colorful scene of a carnival in Rochester, Minnesota, with two young people strapped into their seats waiting for the ride to start. "I love the tawdry splendor of gaudy carnival attractions," says artist Leroy Burt. "Flashing lights and bright colors. One often sees the most unlikely combinations of people who might never meet except during those moments when they sit next to each other on rides."

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 print of Marilyn Monroe."

Words that describe this painting: David Hockney, Edward Hopper, carnival, lights, excitement, colorful, folk art, people, representational, primitive, acrylic painting, blue

Carnival Ride...

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"This painting depicts a pair of cheerful woodland creatures," explains artist Kira Yustak. "Two chipmunks scamper around on a log in the forest. It's a great...

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I have a succulent in a ceramic sugar skull pot in my kitchen and painted it from life. It has a wonderful expression on its face, and I enjoy the spikey succulent growing from the top like hair.

About the Artist
Kira Yustak paints fantastical scenes that come from her childhood memories, dreams, and the natural world. Each piece feels like part of a larger narrative of an alternative reality, rendered in a style she describes as comic realism. She feels art must trigger something inside the viewer’s soul.Kira currently lives in New Jersey and finds inspiration in the work of Lowbrow, Folk, and Surrealist artists.

Words that describe this painting: sugar skull, cactus, houseplant, garden, plants, day of the dead, succulent, still life, still life, representational, primitive, acrylic painting, green

Cactus Garden...

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"Nothing captures the excitement of New York City like Christmas ornaments in and around Times Square," says artist Leroy Burt. "Thi...

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"With the world asleep, the fox's senses are awakened," says artist Jessica JH Roller. Running free through the crisp evening air, the nocturnal creature frol...

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Artist Johansen Newman paints a detailed portrait of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. She bases the piece's title on Frida's diary, where she often recorded thoughts about their life together. "I took the words literally by painting Diego only in shades of black and white while rendering Frida in full color," says Johansen. Frida's vibrant clothing and jewelry sharply contrast Diego's limited palette.The painting comes with a handmade, embellished wood assemblage frame painted black.

About the Artist
Artist Johansen Newman captures various characters through charming scenes that often weave nostalgia. A reflection of her fondness for edge and funk prevails in her dynamic portrayal of humans with animals and objects of their affection. As a toddler, her mother gave her crayons and allowed her to draw on the walls of her room. She pursued a degree in painting and printmaking, then furthered her education by studying with Bil Baird at his puppet theater in New York, ultimately forming her puppet troupe. Years of crafting puppets, designing scenery, writing stories, and performing shows developed her arsenal of skills—going on to be an award-winning fiber artist exhibiting throughout North America. She integrates these learnings into her current art practice. "My paintings capture fragments of a tale in a time and place that was, is, or has the promise to become," says Johansen. She works at her studio and display gallery at Gorse Mill Studios, a 19th Century textile mill building in Needham, MA. Her woodworking shop doubles as her home studio, where she constantly evolves her compositions to satisfy her aesthetic. Johansen's work has been featured on the cover of local publications, in pictorial essays, and toured museums across the United States. She was a professional and published illustrator for more than 35 years, including two dozen children's books, three of which she also wrote. Besides creating art, she finds herself an enthusiast of vintage collectibles, jukeboxes, signages, tin toys, neon lights, cookie jars, carnival chalkware...

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Jessica JH Roller paints a self-portrait of a mastered yoga pose. It captures the geometric beauty of the posture called Ustrasana, or Camel. The subtle curve...

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"The elephant always hosted the best tea parties, everyone agreed," says artist Andrea Doss. "Her dream was to bake a cake taller than the giraffe, but she ha...