Outsider Art

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A brown horse with a white tail and mane dips its nose into a black bag dangling from its head. The name Palomino appears above, hinting at a story. Layers of a...

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Artist Jaime Ellsworth depicts a sturdy white stallion with its face out of frame. A girl with a red skirt—also obscured from perspective—stands on its ba...

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A raccoon stands on a tree stump, playing music for a mischief of mice. Sunlight filters through the trees above and acts as a spotlight for the performance. Th...

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On a trip to Kauai, Hawaii, artist Kira Yusak found inspiration watching the sunrise each morning during her beach strolls. She noticed the colors, clouds, an...

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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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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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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 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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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...

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Artist Jaime Ellsworth paints the everyday experiences of the animals she handles. She portrays a white dog vigilantly watching an eager crow. The dog sits wi...

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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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"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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A poised cat with striking blue eyes sits amid an array of houseplants and dining wares. Pops of yellow contrast vibrantly against the background. The bold li...

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A solitary horse stands prominently against a cream-colored background. Created with multiple layers of oil paint, the artwork boasts a unique texture, reveal...

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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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Muted shapes and earthy tones define a serene landscape. Dots of wildflowers scatter across an expansive field while several trees gather in the distance. Art...

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A purple Siamese cat sits upright against a vibrant turquoise background filled with coneflowers. Artist Jessica JH Roller emphasizes the similarity of forms ...

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Large clusters of hydrangeas burst with vibrant blue hues, while a delicate butterfly perches on top, infusing the scene with life and lightness. Artist Kira ...

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During her stay in South Florida, artist Jessica JH Roller visited the beach daily and painted on the calmer mornings. She created this piece during the trip, capturing the short-eared bunnies that emerged from the dunes each day, alongside the emerald and turquoise waters of the Atlantic coast. The folk art style, with its bold colors and black outlines, gives the piece a vibrant and playful quality.

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: ocean, tropical, sea, folk art, rabbits, bunnies, dune, beach, shore, animals, primitive, acrylic painting, green

Beach Bunnies...

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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 nude figure with flowing hair turns slightly to the side, with a speech bubble saying "hi." Minimalistic lines outline her body against a background with ve...