Outsider Art

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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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Artist Libby Ramage daydreams under the shade of an old sycamore tree. In this mixed-media piece, she combines the images in her imaginative musings—a beaut...

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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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The photographs that form the head of this catlike creature are images of the carousel from the amusement park Idora Park in Youngstown, Ohio that is long go...

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Amid the joys and struggles of her life, a young mother takes a moment to rest, accompanied by a cute puppy. In the background, a small section repurposed fro...

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Artist Lee Smith presents a mischievous-looking rabbit in the act of running away. She leaves out the pursuer from the composition, allowing the viewer to create their own narrative. Bold black linework with strategically placed teal accents outlines the patterned golden hues of the charming hare. The gray background allows the subject to take center stage, enhanced with a complex system of white tick marks, which add interest and help create the feeling of action and motion.

About the Artist
Artist Lee Smith combines abstract, 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: rabbit, bunny, grin, teeth, eyes, pattern, running, run, leap, leaping, animal, ears, feet, legs, jack rabbit, mixed media, playful, animals, mixed media artwork, grey

The Getaway...

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A yellow tabby cat captures attention with its enigmatic and inviting gaze. Behind it, the dog shows a protective aura, silently vowing loyalty and friendship...

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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 white-winged cat soars over a forest on its way to heaven. It wears a happy smile and carries a twinkle in its eyes. Bright verdant hues contrast with textu...

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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 young man leans on his dragon friend, engrossed in a book, while the gentle giant surveys the woods. Both immerse themselves in the beauty of the world, whe...

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

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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...