Outsider Art Paintings

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A gull perches on a rock at the ocean's edge in the early morning, its call—resembling laughter—mingling with the crashing waves. Known for its intelligen...

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Symbolic of water's vitality, artist Kira Yustak depicts a sight of hands cupping water from a clear river. She paints the introspective piece with an absorbi...

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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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Artist Kira Yustak reveals a charming landscape in her recognizable style of primitivism. A prismatic rainbow emerges from the raging waterfall connecting to ...

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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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"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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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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"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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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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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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A family of doves nest on the porch roof of artist Jessica JH Roller's neighbor. Their chicks often wander to Jessica's fence, where they rest and perch among...

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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...

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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...

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"While both very large and very strong, Fritz was a very timid dragon," says artist Andrea Doss. "He was afraid of everything, from the shadows of tree branch...

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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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"She emanates an aura of quiet strength while maintaining a delicate presence at the same time," says artist Sharon Sieben. She captures a woman mid-stride, w...

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A fully-bloomed pansy flower displays the velvety texture of its petals. The vein markings and subtle shadows define its delicate form. Artist Pamela Hoke pai...

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Artist Libby Ramage shows a father and daughter being swept away by the beauty of the autumn leaves. "They try to grasp that which is beyond their size," says Libby. A horse gallops forward, representing the fading summer days. She chooses highly saturated colors to enrich the intensity of the moment. "Nature looms large in this artwork."

About the Artist
Libby Ramage infuses a playful and whimsical mood into her works. In fact, she credits the children she works with for greatly influencing her aesthetic. She often uses children’s abandoned work in her collages. Libby currently lives in New Jersey and finds inspiration in the work of Rauschenberg. She believes collectors should buy from the heart.

Words that describe this painting: man, daughter, fall, autumn, season, mixed media, small, leaves, people, horse, primitive, primitivism, nature, people, primitive, acrylic painting, orange

Falling Leaves...

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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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"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 Jessica JH Roller paints a woman sitting on the ground with her legs crossed. Vibrant wildflowers in pink and red thrive all around her. "Summer is in ...

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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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Elegant lilacs blossom in artist Pamela Hoke's dazzling floral piece. A joyous escape of wonder of this particular species exudes t...

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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...

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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...

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Artist Pamela Hoke depicts a soft, moving embrace from a sunflower, one of her favorite flowers. She draws inspiration directly fro...