Outsider Art

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Artist Alana Clumeck portrays five horses treading a vast western landscape. A moody storm brews in the sky moments before a downpour. Alana applies black swirl...

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Artist Alana Clumeck illustrates a diverse herd of horses in the wild west. "To create a pattern of horses, I cut out a horse shape and repeated the pattern acr...

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Artist Andrea Doss presents a whimsical narrative of a fairy reading a book to animals in the forest. "She read all sorts of books, but her favorite kind were f...

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Artist Nick Bontorno presents a spotted horse walking through a cactus field in a red desert. Its white main gently sways as it plods across the canyon. In his distinct primitivist style, he renders the subject with minimal representation. The fiery hues create a vibrant and energetic display.

About the Artist
Interested in how things feel rather than how they look, artist Nick Bontorno creates poetic gestural work expressing his love for animals, people, and the desert. He spent ten years working on a horse ranch in Wyoming, teaching him to love the grace of horses and the beauty of the land and seasons. Growing up with limited means, Nick found ways to express his creativity through painting pictures on cardboard and drawing on fogged windows. He persisted and studied representational art and portraiture at The Lyme Academy in Connecticut but ultimately became a self-driven artist with a distinctive approach. "My work has evolved to be more ethereal, and I'm increasingly interested in the essence of what I'm painting," shares Nick. His ideas come to life in a small studio in Provo in an old Studebaker repair shop from the 1950s. Nick's art has been featured and acclaimed in Jackson, Wyoming. In his free time, he grooves on playing the guitar, singing with his wife, playing pool, and fixing old cars.

Words that describe this painting: horse, cactus, desert, canyon, animal, cliffs, acrylicpaint, profile, western, primitive, animals, western, primitive, acrylic painting, red

Painted Horse...

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Everyone said the old dragon was grouchy, grumpy, and mean. Some even said he was dangerous and should be left alone. "A monster!" others cried, warning their c...

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Artist Nick Bontorno paints a black horse running toward the distant desert bluffs. He renders the subject with minimal representatio...

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Taking inspiration from the famous Baroque painting, artist Lee Smith presents her spirited interpretation of Vermeer's masterpiece. In her playful rendition, she includes the mysterious model's favorite pet. Lee paints in the style of primitivism, creating a fresh perspective to the work. Rich with texture, the painting glows with intense color contrasts and playful patterns in the background.

About the Artist
Artist Lee Smith combines abstract, primitive, expressionist, and gritty contemporary art in her work. “My style is greatly influenced by years spent in CGI production and an unapologetic love for the daily comics,” says Lee. As a keen observer, she finds her inspiration in the social aspects of life. Her work represents human emotions and portrays these emotions by illustrating the animal world, often using those popular companions—cats and dogs. In her long professional career, Lee has worked as a newspaper layout artist, a visual merchandising specialist, a freelance graphic artist, a technical illustrator, and an art director. Lee retired from the corporate world ten years ago to concentrate on her art career. “Although I studied art in college, I prefer to describe myself as 'self-taught.' Years of irreplaceable hands-on experience have provided an extensive and invaluable continuing education in the arts,” says Lee. When building her current home in Oregon, she added a small studio that she keeps organized and clutter-free. She wears her trusty paint-covered denim overall when working, and typically listens to audiobooks or podcasts. “I have dozens of paintbrushes in cans all over the studio, but I have only about 10 favorites that I always use.”

Words that describe this painting: girl, dog, canine, pearl earring, scarf, classic, Vermeer, eyes, pet, medieval, Dutch Baroque, stencil, portrait, posed, head, profile, animal, girl, woman, people, mixed media, primitive, eyes, fashion, animals, people, fashion, primitive, mixed media artwork, green

Girl With Pearl Earring...

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Artist Nick Bontorno displays four horses grazing in a wide field. The muted background directs the focal point toward the charcoal...

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Artist Nick Bontorno presents a majestic horse gazing at the sky in dark earth tones. A lustrous rainbow shines on the horizon as a...

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Artist Andrea Doss presents a playful image of a green dragon dozing off with its two feline friends. "These creatures both love to nap and can often be found together in slumbering states," says Andrea. She presents a whimsical fantasy...

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Two pink horses run through a broad expanse in artist Nick Bontorno's piece. The vibrant red hues of the galloping equines radiate an ...

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Artist Nick Bontorno displays two horses facing away from each other. Their contrasting black and red coats allow both subjects to ...

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Two little bunnies sit watching the sky, counting star wishes, and discussing dreams in artist Andrea Doss's whimsical piece. They find solace in the middle of ...

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A woman rides a horse toward crosses in the night in artist Nick Bontorno's piece. In his distinct primitivist style, he renders the work with minimal represent...

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Artist Nick Bontorno shares an image of two black horses running through a green field. The waning moon fades into the night, casting a subtle translucent glow ...

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Artist Nick Bontorno presents an image of a white horse speeding through a vast canyon. The crescent moon peeks from the cliffs, ca...

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Artist Nick Bontorno exhibits wild horses running in the desert. The pair sprawl through the canyons with reckless abandon. The pink and turquoise hues create a vibrant and energetic display. Nick's painterly approach further creates an atmosphere of fanciful whimsy.

About the Artist
Interested in how things feel rather than how they look, artist Nick Bontorno creates poetic gestural work expressing his love for animals, people, and the desert. He spent ten years working on a horse ranch in Wyoming, teaching him to love the grace of horses and the beauty of the land and seasons. Growing up with limited means, Nick found ways to express his creativity through painting pictures on cardboard and drawing on fogged windows. He persisted and studied representational art and portraiture at The Lyme Academy in Connecticut but ultimately became a self-driven artist with a distinctive approach. "My work has evolved to be more ethereal, and I'm increasingly interested in the essence of what I'm painting," shares Nick. His ideas come to life in a small studio in Provo in an old Studebaker repair shop from the 1950s. Nick's art has been featured and acclaimed in Jackson, Wyoming. In his free time, he grooves on playing the guitar, singing with his wife, playing pool, and fixing old cars.

Words that describe this painting: horse, desert, canyon, animal, acrylicpaint, primitive, western, cliffs, running, galloping, profile, pair, duo, animals, western, primitive, acrylic painting

Turquoise Runners...

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A young Latin girl travels the desert on a pink horse in artist Nick Bontorno's piece. The muted background directs the focal point to...

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Artist Nick Bontorno paints a lone horse standing in a vast canyon. The pale blue tones and minimal representation display a relaxed resonance throughout the barren pastoral landscape. His painterly approach further creates an atmosphere of fanciful whimsy. "I focus on how the piece feels rather than how it looks," shares Nick.

About the Artist
Interested in how things feel rather than how they look, artist Nick Bontorno creates poetic gestural work expressing his love for animals, people, and the desert. He spent ten years working on a horse ranch in Wyoming, teaching him to love the grace of horses and the beauty of the land and seasons. Growing up with limited means, Nick found ways to express his creativity through painting pictures on cardboard and drawing on fogged windows. He persisted and studied representational art and portraiture at The Lyme Academy in Connecticut but ultimately became a self-driven artist with a distinctive approach. "My work has evolved to be more ethereal, and I'm increasingly interested in the essence of what I'm painting," shares Nick. His ideas come to life in a small studio in Provo in an old Studebaker repair shop from the 1950s. Nick's art has been featured and acclaimed in Jackson, Wyoming. In his free time, he grooves on playing the guitar, singing with his wife, playing pool, and fixing old cars.

Words that describe this painting: horse, desert, canyon, animal, night, evening, acrylicpaint, primitive, western, cliffs, monochrome, animals, western, primitive, acrylic painting

Blue Horse...

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Inspired by antique equestrian portraits, artist Jennifer Ross depicts a chestnut horse wearing a plaid blanket in a stall. The steed grazes in a barn strewn with hay on the floor. Her unique eggshell and paper collaging technique creates a dynamic textural element. Subtle hints of metallic in the composition lend a contemporary feel to the classic art form.

About the Artist
Artist Jennifer Ross creates intimate portraits of birds, nests and horses. Jennifer grew up surrounded by the art of her mother and grandfather. Her attempt to follow in their footsteps presented detours, however, and she ended up working in art galleries selling other's work. But her desire to paint continued to grow throughout the years. In 2008, a gift certificate...

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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 unex...

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A dancing lady throws her arms in the air with fervor in artist Libby Ramage's mixed-media piece. The work expresses the exuberance of a young girl in a flowing...

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Artist Libby Ramage presents an image of two human figures and an insect. She paints the glove crimson and attaches beads and pages of a book for a revolutionar...

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Two nude figures join hands in artist Libby Ramage's arresting primitive piece. The elderly couple braces themselves going into an uncertain future. "The first ...

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Artist Johansen Newman paints a military man displaying the symbols of his many accomplishments and acts of courage. Aglow with ribb...

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Artist Jessica JH Roller paints a portrait of a charming pair of long-bodied dogs. She draws inspiration from the jolly pet daschunds of her friend. Jessica's p...

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Artist Johansen Newman illustrates a nude portrait of a woman in the deep woods. She uses her unique combination of colors, patterns, and details, presenting a ...

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A frisky blu-eyed dog strikes a charming, mischievous smirk in artist Lee Smith's playful canine portrait. Her primitivist painting sty...