Outsider Art

Artist Comments
"On hot summer afternoons on the East Side of Milwaukee, a young man could often be seen carrying his pet Tegu lizard to Bradford Beach so it could bask in the sun," says artist Leroy Burt...

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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 woman sitting on the ground with her legs crossed. Vibrant wildflowers in pink and red thrive all around her. "Summer is in ...

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Part of Rachel's Rodeo Tarot series. A playful interpretation of The Moon card. The moon hovers above the landscape, embracing circling fish or yin and yang. ...

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"Nothing captures the excitement of New York City like Christmas ornaments in and around Times Square," says artist Leroy Burt. "Thi...

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Artist Libby Ramage takes inspiration from her seventh-grade son's algebra homework. She imposes a sheet of equations on the face of a prince's portrait. Libb...

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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 revolution...

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Elegant lilacs blossom in artist Pamela Hoke's dazzling floral piece. A joyous escape of wonder of this particular species exudes t...

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A bonsai tree glows in morning light, with rays of sun shining through the branches. "The painting is meant to show joy in the new day as it arrives with a po...

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Artist Jodi Dann displays a lemon tree with branches cascading heavily with plump fruit. They dangle from the thin twigs, inviting anyone who passes by to take one. "How can I resist the temptation to paint one of the most beautiful colored fruit?" asks Jodi.

About the Artist
In 1999, Jodi Dann seized the opportunity to become a full-time painter. Today, her paintings read like hazy memories of imagined faraway places. The compositions are abstract, but possess strong architectural elements, recalling bridges, arches, and doorways. Each piece retains an overall sense of place without prescribing a location, allowing the viewer to form an individualized connection with the work. Jodi paints from her cozy studio on her property in Oregon while listening to a variety of music on Pandora. She doesn’t feel the need to strive for perfection in her work. “Life isn’t perfect,” says Jodi. “Why force a painting to be?”

Words that describe this painting: lemons, fruit, leaves, citrus, fruit tree, branches, plant, nature, acrylicpaint, primitive, kitchenart, nature, primitive, acrylic painting, beige

Harvest Time...

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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...

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Part of Rachel's Rodeo Tarot series. A playful interpretation of The Sun card. The sun hovers above the landscape with a slight smile. Twin girls reach for each other behind the bottom rays and the scene is bordered by prancing horses. The base layer of the painting is acrylic gold paint as a symbol of the heat and fundamental life giving force of the sun. The eyes of the sun are gold acrylic paint. "This sun painting is my version of the Tarot card and influenced by my horse obsessed childhood and my childlike interpretation of the solar being, the childlike sense of completion, openness, and light and my newly linked connection with Tarot," says Rachel.

About the Artist
For Rachel Srinivasan, an idea is worth putting on a canvas only if it still feels exciting after a few days. Rachel enjoys mulling the idea over in her mind for some time before creating an artwork. She hopes viewers will engage with her work and wonder about the subject matter, shapes and colors. "My current work is all about creating a connection between the person on the canvas with the viewer," she explains. She prefers large paintings and sometimes even makes her own canvases. She currently lives in Arizona and enjoys baking rhubarb pies, reading, running and going to art museums.

Words that describe this painting: sun, solar, Tarot card, cosmic, stars, horses, daydream, twins, equine, fantasy, representational, primitive, oil painting, yellow

The Sun Tarot...

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Artist Pamela Hoke depicts a soft, moving embrace from a sunflower, one of her favorite flowers. She draws inspiration directly fro...

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Artist Libby Ramage presents a modern expressionist piece collaged from abandoned students' works. She comes up with a composition clamoring in joy. Cartoonis...

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Artist Lee Smith paints a golden-haired young woman walking her lively pup through a neighborhood. “Monica loves getting out in the...

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"This piece is a pure expression of my delight from poppies," declares artist Pamela Hoke. She draws detailed focus to the elegant blossom's soft petals and ...

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"After a seemingly eternal summer, five little birds snug in their nest, silently enduring the chill and wind," describes artist Jessica JH Roller. The birds each carry a unique design, colored in similar hues of turquoise, black, beige, and brown. A bright band of orange and turquoise appears above the birds shifting into beige and dark green hues. A balanced composition painted in folk-art style with an energetic palette.

About the Artist
A few months after Jessica JH Roller and her husband were married, they adopted two young Siamese cats from a shelter -- Tony and Larry. Jessica quickly fell deeply in love with the kittens and says the cats changed her. "They opened my eyes - I started to notice birds, trees, water, color, everything. It was as if the artist inside had been unleashed.” Jessica uses bold colors and primitive linework to create whimsical, expressive portraits. She intends to capture real or imagined moments that are both common and extraordinary.

Words that describe this painting: birds, winter, folk art, animals, primitive, nursery, kids, acrylicpaint, small, animals, primitive, acrylic painting, green

Winter Birds...

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Artist Pamela Hoke exhibits an alluring view of a blooming lotus flower. An expression of rising above adversity with gorgeous blos...

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Artist Andrea Doss paints a fox, a bunny, and a mouse sailing out to sea each in their own boat. Their flags dance in the wind while the bunny holds on to the...

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Artist Kira Yustak reveals a primitive seascape of the New Jersey docks during a breezy and relaxed evening. She paints a scene of boats gently drifting by th...

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Artist Pamela Hoke exhibits a striking image of a Gingko leaf. A potent painterly expression of the much adored and documented anci...

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Artist Lee Smith paints a playful pack of dogs leaping headlong, intent on the fun. Bold linework with teal highlights outlines their rich golden hues. The wh...

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"Beja was an entertainer at one of the most colorful and notorious bars in Milwaukee," states artist Leroy Burt. "C’est La Vie cater...

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Artist Jodi Dann paints an image of lemons with a contemporary approach. The zesty fruit falls throughout the composition as a literal play on the title. Jodi...

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Artist Libby Ramage portrays the mischievous god, Eros in a quaint assemblage of wine labels and charcoal. Inspired by the illustrations on the wine label, Li...

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Artist Jessica JH Roller shows a young girl hugging a black cat. Both with striking green eyes, the duo is set against a bright purple background. "Pepper is ...

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"Yannis was a waiter at one of Milwaukee’s finest Greek restaurants, the Mykonos Gyro and Cafe," states artist Leroy Burt. "His favorite dish was Saganak—Kefa...

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In this whimsical assemblage by artist Libby Ramage, a man and his pooch attempt to court the lady and her wolf with a song of love. "Maybe it's the wine talk...

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Using her signature folk art style, artist Jessica JH Roller captures a tranquil scene of a woman sitting on the shore, looking out longingly at the sea. A q...

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A whimsical, folk art style painting of nature interacting with a human in the forest. A snake wraps itself around the outstretched hand while a cardinal rest...

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In 2016 I inherited an envelope of old photographs my mother had taken at a closed and soon to be demolished icon of my area, Idora Park. This old amusement p...