Outsider Art Paintings

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

Artist Comments
In this whimsical painting, a family of deer roams around a nature reserve. An owl perches on one of the trees, silently observing the woodland activity. A profusion of flowers adorn the scene, adding to the charm of the composition.

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: forest, deer, deers, wildlife, folk, trees, owl, tree, trees, whimsical, nursery, animals, primitive, acrylic painting, red

Yellow Springs Deer Family...

Artist Comments
A bonsai tree glows in morning light, with rays of sun shining through the branches. "The painting is meant to show joy in the new day as it arrives with a po...

Artist Comments
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...

Artist Comments
Walking to a store one regular June afternoon, artist Jessica JH Roller noticed three goldfinches buzzing between a tree and a telephone pole. Drawn by her fa...

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

Artist Comments
An oversized praying mantis perches on a green leaf, its eyes gazing straight ahead. Its alien-like face and otherworldly appearance are both unsettling and w...

Artist Comments
A red-tailed hawk soars high above, while the lake mirrors the mountains and blue sky. Artist Kira Yustak was inspired by watching these birds glide effortles...

Artist Comments
A young woman stands on the beach, a red flower adding a touch of whimsy to her pink bikini. Bold lines outline her figure as stylized waves crash behind her....

Artist Comments
Artist Jessica JH Roller paints a primitivist portrait of her cat, Rachel. With her sleek black fur and striking yellow eyes, the feline's electric personalit...

Artist Comments
A whimsical, folk art style painting of nature interacting with a human in the forest. A snake wraps itself around the outstretched hand while a cardinal rest...

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

Artist Comments
Artist Jodi Dann displays a lemon tree with branches cascading heavily with plump fruit. They dangle from the thin twigs, inviting anyone who passes by to take one. "How can I resist the temptation to paint one of the most beautiful colored fruit?" asks Jodi.

About the Artist
In 1999, Jodi Dann seized the opportunity to become a full-time painter. Today, her paintings read like hazy memories of imagined faraway places. The compositions are abstract, but possess strong architectural elements, recalling bridges, arches, and doorways. Each piece retains an overall sense of place without prescribing a location, allowing the viewer to form an individualized connection with the work. Jodi paints from her cozy studio on her property in Oregon while listening to a variety of music on Pandora. She doesn’t feel the need to strive for perfection in her work. “Life isn’t perfect,” says Jodi. “Why force a painting to be?”

Words that describe this painting: lemons, fruit, leaves, citrus, fruit tree, branches, plant, nature, acrylicpaint, primitive, kitchenart, nature, primitive, acrylic painting, beige

Harvest Time...

Artist Comments
Artist Jessica JH Roller spent time in South Florida Beach, where numerous species of crabs roam on the shore, lagoon, and bike trail. Jessica depicted them i...

Artist Comments
A daydreaming twelve-year-old holds her velvety black cat, surrounded by a jungle of houseplants. The painting is inspired by the artist Jessica JH Roller's daughter, Wren, and her ever-loyal cat, Pepper. Created using layers of high-quality acrylic paint, this piece captures a moment of serene contemplation amidst a lush, green backdrop.

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: portrait, girl, houseplants, cat, folk, pet, friendship, love, foliage, animals, people, primitive, acrylic painting, pink

Girl with Black Cat...

Artist Comments
Artist Jessica JH Roller depicts four ponies in bright, playful tones and bold graphic style. "I wish to give a new tilt to colors often used in fashion and h...

Artist Comments
This self-portrait captures a quiet moment with a neutral expression. The piece magnifies the artist's desire to live true and minimally, reflecting a sincere...

Artist Comments
An eight-year-old boy, thoughtfully engaged in reading one early autumn morning. This painting depicts the artist Jessica JH Roller's son, Fox, calmly immerse...

Artist Comments
A pink chrysanthemum blooms in artist Pamela Hoke's lively floral piece. "An island friend gifted me with an enchanting autumnal bouquet from her farm," shares Pam. The playful waving magenta petals drew her attention and compelled her to paint the flower. Pam expresses the vibrant bloom in naturally flowing paint strokes.

About the Artist
Profound sensory experiences of nature unfold in artist Pamela Hoke's stylistically primitive representation of the world and her connection to it. Her vast array of subjects, including landscapes, florals, and animal portraits, emerge as intuitive expressions of energy in motion. She creates her own paint with natural earth and mineral pigments mixed with walnut oil—a beautiful and organic process used by the old masters. Pamela received her degree in fine arts at Ohio State University. Being fully immersed in the natural world ignited her creativity and increased her sense of belonging and overall well-being. She shares a semi-private studio with a group of painters on San Juan Island called the Friday Harbor...