While it’s neither completely outsider art nor folk art, the work of John Randall Nelson shares common ground with those styles, particularly in its rawness and nonconformity. He uses symbols and archetypes in his paintings and sculptures, having developed a distinct artistic vocabulary over the years that materializes in his work in text and graphic elements.
Nelson was born in Princeton, Illinois, but works out of Phoenix, Arizona. Early visits to the Art Institute of Chicago introduced Nelson to painters such as Jim Nutt, Roger Brown and Karl Wirsum. He decided to move to Arizona to study at Arizona State University where he earned his MFA in 1996.
Nelson’s subjects are as playful as they are peculiar — his textured paintings, which feature collages, layers of oil paint and an integration of text, feature everything from animals and flowers to imagined human-animal hybrids or everyday objects such as shoes and bicycles. Many paintings are populated with brightly colored polka dot patterns while his Pop art-inflected steel sculptures take on fantastical forms and draw on the Pattern and Decoration movement, which emerged in cities such as Los Angeles and New York during the early 1970s.
Nelson has exhibited all over the United States. His sculptures can be found at the Scottsdale Center for the Arts, the Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix and the Phoenix Children’s Hospital. Nelson’s work is held in a number of private, public and corporate collections including Apple Inc., Phoenix Public Art and Design, the American Folk Art Museum and many other institutions.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of original John Randall Nelson paintings and other art.
Escape
By John Randall Nelson
Located in Tulsa, OK
Original art by John Randall Nelson depicting a bicycle with characteristics of Pop Art and Folk Art combined with a whimsical, illustrative style. The vibrant colors, cartoonish fig...
Mixed Media, Acrylic
Dead Eyed Cowboy
By John Randall Nelson
Located in Tulsa, OK
Original art by John Randall Nelson depicting a cowboy with characteristics of Pop Art and Folk Art combined with a whimsical, illustrative style. The vibrant colors, cartoonish figu...
Mixed Media, Acrylic
Enchanted by Life Itself
By John Randall Nelson
Located in Tulsa, OK
"Enchanted by Life Itself" by John Randall Nelson is an acrylic and mixed media painting on panel, measuring 19" x 19". This vibrant artwork features a bold red and pink butterfly se...
Mixed Media, Acrylic
Ousting Luck
By John Randall Nelson
Located in Tulsa, OK
John Randall Nelson's "Ousting Luck" features a black wishbone set against a warm-toned off-white backdrop. This piece, created with acrylic and mixed m...
Mixed Media, Acrylic
Trust Me
By John Randall Nelson
Located in Tulsa, OK
Original art by John Randall Nelson depicting a horse with characteristics of Pop Art and Folk Art combined with a whimsical, illustrative style. The vibrant colors, cartoonish figur...
Mixed Media, Acrylic
Naturally
By John Randall Nelson
Located in Tulsa, OK
Original Art: A mixed media painting by John Randall Nelson depicting vibrant flowers in a vase on a table. John Nelson's works often feature a central image superimposed over a col...
Mixed Media, Acrylic
Wavering Wish
By John Randall Nelson
Located in Tulsa, OK
John Randall Nelson's "Wavering Wish" presents a deep black background accented with subtle hints of blue. The artwork depicts a dice, outlined in vivid yellow and blue, floating in ...
Mixed Media, Acrylic
Rejects the Complexities of Life
By John Randall Nelson
Located in Tulsa, OK
"Rejects the Complexities of Life" by John Randall Nelson is a 19" x 19" acrylic and mixed media piece on panel. The artwork features a symbolic glass of wine placed against a vibran...
Mixed Media, Acrylic
$19,200
H 36 in W 48 in D 1.5 in
"Symphony" - Stunning Dynamic Abstract Expressionist Painting in Cool Palette
By Masri Hayssam
Located in Carmel, CA
Masri Hayssam (Lebanese, Italian, born 1965) "Symphony" 2019 Oil Paint, Acrylic Paint, Mixed Media, Canvas, Stretcher Bars The artist signed the bottom left and the back of the paint...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic, Stretcher Bars
$24,000
H 60 in W 48 in D 1.5 in
"Challenge 16" - Energetic Abstract Expressionist in Blue, Red, Black, and White
By Masri Hayssam
Located in Carmel, CA
Masri Hayssam (Lebanese, born 1965) "Challenge 16" 2019 Oil paint, Acrylic paint, Mixed Media, Canvas, Stretcher Bars The artist signed the bottom right and the back of the painting....
Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic, Stretcher Bars
$15,200
H 40 in W 50 in D 1.5 in
"Love for Meadow VII" - Colorful Rainbow Textured Impasto Contemporary Abstract
By Sveta Hessler
Located in Carmel, CA
Sveta Hessler (Russian, born 1973) "Love for Meadow VII" 2025 Acrylic paint, Gel, Mixed Media, Canvas, Stretcher Bars The artist signed the back of the painting. The artist notes th...
Canvas, Acrylic, Stretcher Bars, Mixed Media
$9,100Sale Price|30% Off
H 50.5 in W 63.5 in D 1.5 in
"Friendship Garden" by L. A. Spowart - Vibrant and Pastel Tone Large Abstract
Located in Carmel, CA
Lesley Anne Spowart (American, born 1957) "Friendship Garden" 2021 Acrylic Paint, Paper, Mixed Media, Canvas The artist signed the back of the painting. Friendship Garden by Lesley ...
Canvas, Paper, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Stretcher Bars
$24,000
H 60 in W 48 in D 1.5 in
"Memories I" by Masri - Colorful Action Abstract Expressionist in Warm Palette
By Masri Hayssam
Located in Carmel, CA
Masri (Lebanese, born 1965) "Memories I" 2018 Acrylic paint, Oil paint, Mixed Media, Canvas, Stretcher bars The artist signed the back of the painting. "Memories I" by Masri is a st...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic, Stretcher Bars
$11,000
H 40 in W 60 in D 1.5 in
"Village" - Bright Colorful Textural Contemporary Abstract Mixed Media Artwork
By Gail Lehman
Located in Carmel, CA
Gail Lehman (American, born 1950) "Village" 2022 Acrylic paint, Gesso, Canvas, Stretcher Bars The artist signed the bottom right of the painting. Within this captivating composition...
Canvas, Acrylic, Gesso, Stretcher Bars, Mixed Media
"More Worlds". Contemporary Mixed Media Abstract Painting
By Peter Rossiter
Located in Brecon, Powys
Mixed media on canvas. Mixture of acrylic and oil paint, and acrylic spray paint. Contemporary Wood Frame Excellent condition. signed
Mixed Media, Oil, Spray Paint, Acrylic
$18,500
H 48 in W 36 in D 1.5 in
"Travedo" - Colorful Layered Mixed Media Abstract Expressionist with Black Tones
By Masri Hayssam
Located in Carmel, CA
Masri Hayssam (Lebanese, Italian, born 1965) "Travedo" 2020 Oil Paint, Acrylic Paint, Mixed Media, Canvas, Stretcher Bars The artist signed the bottom right and the back of the paint...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic, Stretcher Bars
$11,750
H 60 in W 48 in D 1.5 in
"The Brides Bouquet" - Gray, Purple, and Pastel Tone Textural Abstract Artwork
By Gail Lehman
Located in Carmel, CA
Gail Lehman (American, born 1950) "The Brides Bouquet" 2022 Acrylic paint, Gesso, Canvas, Stretcher bars The artist signed the bottom right of the painting. "The Bride's Bouquet" by...
Canvas, Acrylic, Gesso, Stretcher Bars, Mixed Media
$24,500
H 48 in W 60 in D 1.5 in
"Colorful Stories" by Masri - Large Gestural Contemporary Abstract Expressionist
By Masri Hayssam
Located in Carmel, CA
Masri (Lebanese, born 1965) "Colorful Stories" 2018 Acrylic paint, Oil paint, Mixed Media, Canvas, Stretcher bars The artist signed the back of the painting. "Colorful Stories" by M...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic, Stretcher Bars
$4,000Sale Price|42% Off
H 40 in W 30 in D 1.5 in
"Anatomy of a Secret", Dark Abstract Oil and Acrylic Artwork, Yellow, Blue, Pink
Located in Carmel, CA
Rizaldy Celi Jr. (American, Filipino-Vietnamese, born 1983) "Anatomy of a Secret" 2024 Oil paint and acrylic paint on canvas, stretcher bars The artist signed the back of the paintin...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic, Stretcher Bars
$19,000
H 36 in W 48 in D 1.5 in
"Challenge 22" - Mixed Media Abstract Expressionist Painting in Colorful Palette
By Masri Hayssam
Located in Carmel, CA
Masri Hayssam (Lebanese, Italian, born 1965) "Challenge 22" 2019 Oil Paint, Acrylic Paint, Mixed Media, Canvas, Stretcher Bars The artist signed the back of the painting. "Challenge...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic, Stretcher Bars
Sold
H 15 in W 15 in D 15 in
Suite Three of Clubs, Three of Diamonds, Queen of Hearts, Spade Moxie
By John Randall Nelson
Located in Tulsa, OK
Suite Three of Clubs, Three of Diamonds, Queen of Hearts, Spade Moxie is a suite of paintings by John Randall Nelson that are playful mixed media works, each measuring 15" x 15" on ...
Acrylic, Wood Panel
Spade Moxie
By John Randall Nelson
Located in Tulsa, OK
John Randall Nelson’s mixed media on panel, "Spade Moxie" showcases a vibrant and textured interpretation of the spade symbol. Using acrylic and mixed media on panel, Nelson layers a...
Mixed Media, Acrylic
Sing For Me
By John Randall Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
John Randall Nelson is an Arizona-based painter and sculptor. Nelson’s works are layered with his own personal language consisting of patterns, symbols, and archetypes that may not m...
Mixed Media
Where She Stops and The World Begings
By John Randall Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
John Randall Nelson is an Arizona-based painter and sculptor. Nelson’s works are layered with his own personal language consisting of patterns, symbols, and archetypes that may not m...
Mixed Media
Higgeldy Piggeldy
By John Randall Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
John Randall Nelson is an Arizona-based painter and sculptor. Nelson’s works are layered with his own personal language consisting of patterns, symbols, and archetypes that may not m...
Mixed Media
Time Travel
By John Randall Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
"Time Travel", mixed media on panel — 36 x 48 x 2 inches — 2016. John Randall Nelson is an Arizona-based painter and sculptor. Nelson’s works are layered...
Sold
H 70 in W 48 in D 2 in
She Points to Comets, to Thunder, to the Migrating Herds
By John Randall Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
"She Points to Comets, to Thunder, to the Migrating Herds", mixed media on panel — 70 x 48 x 2 inches. John Randall Nelson is an Arizona-based painter and sculptor. Nelson’s works ...
Mixed Media, Panel
Polka Dots No. 51
By John Randall Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
"Polka Dots No. 51", mixed media on panel — 15 x 13 x 2 inches — 2016 "Polka Dots No. 51" features a textural multicolor bullseye on a rust colored background. This aluminum panel is...
Aluminum
Cycoplasm
By John Randall Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
"Cycoplasm", mixed media on panel — 36 x 48 x 2 inches — 2016. John Randall Nelson is an Arizona-based painter and sculptor. Nelson’s works are layered with his own personal language consisting of patterns, symbols, and archetypes that may not make any literal sense but play on subconscious associations. His paintings are thick with poured pigment, saturated washes and worked with layers of drawing and collage. The main subject of "Cycloplasm" is a lone silhouetted bicycle. There might be more to this old bike...
Mixed Media, Panel
Dope
By John Randall Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
"Dope", mixed media on panel — 48 x36 x 2 inches — 2016. John Randall Nelson is an Arizona-based painter and sculptor. Nelson’s works are layered with his own personal language c...
Mixed Media, Panel
Hare Daze
By John Randall Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
"Hare Daze", mixed media on panel — 22 x 30 x 2 inches — 2016. "Hare Daze" depicts a silhouetted rabbit mid-sprint. The background is richly textural with a geometric pattern run...
Mixed Media, Acrylic, Panel
Not Taught to Fear the Things I Fear
By John Randall Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
"Not Taught to Fear the Things I Fear", mixed media on panel — 48 x 36 x 2 inches — 2016. John Randall Nelson is an Arizona-based painter and sculptor. Nelson’s works are layer...
Acrylic, Mixed Media, Panel, Wood Panel