Outsider Art

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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 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...

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"This playful reptile rests amongst native flowers and insects," says artist Jessica JH Roller. A happy crocodile comfortably relaxes against a pastel pink ba...

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Artist Kira Yustak reveals a diverse perspective of a thriving forest. Inspired by her deep connection with the earth, Kira depicts a large root system below ...

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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 flowi...

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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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Pretty pink petals debut across a hazy green field, hinting at the early stirrings of spring. Artist Drew Noel Marin uses subtle brushwork and a muted palette i...

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In this uplifting garden view, artist Drew Noel Marin combines a bright palette with soft, rhythmic strokes to set a warm summer mood. Orange and pink blossoms ...

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"Three dogs created from the labels of Italian wines, primarily Chianti, meet to share the day's news," describes artist Libby Ramage. Utilizing paper, wine l...

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In this piece, artist Libby Ramage utilizes torn wine labels to define the two figures and their clothing. "A mother is scolding her child for the pile of torn paper at her feet while a guilty bunny in the lower right corner sneaks away," Libby explains of this playful collage.

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: wine labels, bunny, mother, child, figurative, family, folk art, people, representational, primitive, mixed media artwork, beige

Bad Bunny...

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Combining handmade paper with old postcard ephemera, artist Libby Ramage demonstrates a modern abstract piece. She forms whimsica...

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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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"There is nothing better than welcoming a new day with the sun shining in a cloudless sky," says artist Pat Forbes. Topsy turvy monochrome structures in pale ...

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Using her signature folk art-style, artist Jessica JH Roller captures an endearing portrait of a wolf and two hedgehogs in a verdant abstract landscape. Jessi...

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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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Using simplified forms and warm colors, artist Deborah Eyde captures a moment of quiet labor and connection to nature. In this encaustic piece, she depicts a ...