Outsider Art

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A coin-operated horse ride evokes memories of simpler times. With just a quarter, it opens the imagination and offers a glimpse into the Wild West. The artwor...

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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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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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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...

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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 cat with striking blue eyes crouches against a vibrant yellow background. Bold, thick black lines outline its body, giving it a playful, cartoonish feel. Th...

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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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The scene depicts a figure foraging, capturing the quiet, often overlooked moments that bring peace and joy. In this encaustic piece, artist Deborah Eyde emph...

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

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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 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 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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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 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 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 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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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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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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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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"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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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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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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"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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Zinnia seeds planted in late spring bloom into vibrant flowers in midsummer. They attract many pollinators, among them are goldfinches. The painting depicts t...

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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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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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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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"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...