American artist Scott Dykema paints surreal scenes and subjects in bold, visceral colors that are ingrained with improvised textures and an otherworldly perspective that evokes Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí. Animals, drawn with sharp, unusual patterns on their bodies, are portrayed in peculiar poses as they stand before alien backdrops of contrasting neons, pastels and earth tones. Dykema’s work tells the story of another place and another reality, one with only the faintest resemblance to our own.
Possessing a strong appreciation for the primordial, Dykema draws inspiration from cultures that revere nature, something reflected in the sense of spirituality in his work. He layers different materials — like ink, spray paint, acrylic and varnish — to create dynamic surfaces that enhance the surroundings of his extraordinary subjects.
Dykema graduated with honors from the University of Texas at Arlington. While there, he apprenticed as an assistant to a decorative artist. In 2001, Dykema and his wife, Anna, opened a decorative painting business, Daydream Studios, located in Arlington, Texas. They collaboratively work on an array of private and public art commissions for homes and businesses in the Texas area.
When not working at Daydream Studios,he paints inside an old school bus that he converted into a makeshift studio. His solo work includes illustrating the popular children’s book Keep Dreaming, as well as creating fine art inspired by his imagination.
Dykema boasts clientele from around the United States and internationally. Prestigious publications, such as 360 West and Luxe, have showcased his art, as have many galleries in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
On 1stDibs, explore Scott Dykema’s mystifying mixed-media paintings.
Crystal Clear, Original Painting
By Scott Dykema
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Radiant and self-assured, this striking portrait is part of Scott Dykema’s ongoing series celebrating powerful women. Her gaze is direct and soulful, captur...
Mixed Media
Queen of the Sea, Original Painting
By Scott Dykema
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A regal mermaid with flowing golden hair emerges from the water, her piercing gaze exuding mystery and power. Her shimmering scales reflect the light. A towerin...
Mixed Media
A Seated Chief, Original Painting
By Scott Dykema
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A contemporary portrait depicts an honorable man wearing a colorful feathered headdress against a starry night sky. His calm expression grounds the vibrant and ...
Mixed Media
Gold Edges, Original Painting
By Scott Dykema
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
In this mixed-media painting, artist Scott Dykema depicts a house seemingly floating above lush greenery, with hints of palm trees suggesting a sunlit, coastal ...
Mixed Media
Golden Horn, Original Painting
By Scott Dykema
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A brawny bison stands against a vibrant, dreamlike landscape. Layers of brown add warmth to its dark-toned fur, while vivid blue strokes around its eye give i...
Mixed Media
Grace, Original Painting
By Scott Dykema
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A glowing portrait of a young woman by artist Scott Dykema. Part of Scott's series of bold, strong women, this piece is rich with heavy texture and dynamic us...
Mixed Media
Prize Winner, Original Painting
By Scott Dykema
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
This is a piece of art from Scott Dykema's horse series. In the artwork, the horse is depicted as a unique and significant animal. The image is full of striki...
Mixed Media
With Orange Flowers, Original Painting
By Scott Dykema
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Part of the artist Scott Dykema's series of works with the American Bison as the subject matter. He depicts the hefty animal standing firm in a verdant landsc...
Mixed Media
Adoration of Lily, Original Painting
By Scott Dykema
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A portrait features an angel with gold and silver wings, a glowing hairpiece, and a shimmering dress. The soft green and grey background highlights her bold pre...
Mixed Media
Persuasion on Pink, Original Painting
By Scott Dykema
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Scott Dykema presents a portrait of a beautiful lady as part of his series of powerful women. The composition touches on combinations of beauty and str...
Mixed Media
Adversity's Light, Original Painting
By Scott Dykema
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
"The light that comes with adversity is almost a badge of honor," states artist Scott Dykema. "A badge of honor that nature wears anonymously. It is a badge o...
Mixed Media
In Flight Together, Original Painting
By Scott Dykema
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Two butterflies spread their wings, revealing intricate white patterns. Outlined with gold metal leaf, they glow softly against a vibrant turquoise background. ...
Mixed Media
With Golden Clouds Raining Down, Original Painting
By Scott Dykema
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Scott Dykema exhibits a hefty brown bison with a thick bushy mane. A psychedelic Aztec background in blue and red, with gold metallic accents draws int...
Mixed Media
Moonlit Travel, Original Painting
By Scott Dykema
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Part of artist Scott Dykema's series of the majestic bison. Mist clears in the dead of the night as an eye emerges from within wisps of bright vivid clouds. I...
Mixed Media
$4,600
H 21 in W 17 in
Original Guggenheim Museum Exhibited Jiri Kolar Collage Art Abstract Music Notes
By Jiri Kolar
Located in Surfside, FL
Jiri Kolar, Czech (1914-2002) "Musical Notes" Paper Collage & Ink on Paper Hand signed with Initials Lower Right. Dimensions: Sight-7.5" x 11". Frame-17" x 21" Circa: 1960's-1...
Paper, Mixed Media
Chinese Graffiti Pop Artist Kwok, Mixed Media Collage
By Kwok Mang Ho
Located in Surfside, FL
Filipino Fire by Frog King Kwok (Hong Kong, born 1947) Arguably the most prolific performance artist in Hong Kong, Frog King Kwok (Kwok Mang Ho) in his ubiquitous artistic persona ‘F...
Mixed Media
$2,500
H 77 in W 36 in D 3 in
Large Handmade Tapestry Textile Wall Hanging Wool Mixed Media Marlene Richard
Located in Surfside, FL
Eclectic, mixed media wall hanging textile tapestry by Marlene (Marlen) Richard featuring abstract embroidery atop free hanging locks of fabric over a black background embellished wi...
Metal
$20,000
H 36 in W 48 in D 1.5 in
"Big Rubber” - Mixed Media Porsche Car Artwork Collaboration with Patrick Long
By Gabrielle Benot
Located in Carmel, CA
Gabrielle Benot (Latvian, born 1978) "Big Rubber" 2024 Acrylic paint, Rice paper, Resin, Mixed Media, Canvas, Stretcher bars The artist signed the bottom right of the painting. "Big...
Canvas, Resin, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Rice Paper, Stretcher Bars
$635
H 28 in W 20 in
Skyscrapers - Architectural Colorful Still Life Mixed Media Collage on Paper
By Maria C. Bernhardsson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Maria C. Bernhardsson is a colorful artist who lives and paints in Sweden. Most of her works are influenced by the architecture and geometry of houses. Bernhardsson travels the world...
Paper, Mixed Media
$1,378
H 20.875 in W 17 in
Winter Patterns: Mixed Media Collage, Surrealist, Signed, 1990s
By Terri Warpinski
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Field Study - Winter Patterns" is a mixed media piece by Terri Warpinski using photographs, drawings, and fragments of notebook and sketchbook paper. The artist signed the piece in ...
Paper, Mixed Media, Photographic Paper, Graphite
3 Choices
By Marcel Dzama
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Marcel Dzama is one of the most successful contemporary Canadian artists, beloved for his unmistakable version of Surrealism. Born in Winnipeg in 1974, Dzama achieved an internation...
Ink, Mixed Media
$565
H 28 in W 20 in
Melrose Green House - Abstract Architectural Watercolor Painting on Paper
By Maria C. Bernhardsson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Maria C. Bernhardsson is a colorful artist who lives and paints in Sweden. Most of her works are influenced by the architecture and geometry of houses. Bernhardsson travels the world...
Paper, Mixed Media
Telstar : mixed media collage
By Debra Friedkin
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary collage by Debra Friedkin. Debra Friedkin’s work ranges from whimsical to darkly humorous, informed by sleek modernism, pulp science fiction and spiritual symbolism. Debra Friedkin studied art at Lehman College, NYC and Long Island University post-graduate. She mentored privately with Lester Zakarin, an illustrator for Stan Lee Comics...
Mixed Media
$2,400
H 37 in W 35 in
Sailing Through The Day - Abstract Colorful Urban Collage Mixed Media Artwork
By Maria C. Bernhardsson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Maria C Bernhardsson's original artworks are influenced by the architecture and geometry of houses. Born in Sweden, Bernhardsson travels the world photographing and sketching houses ...
Paper, Mixed Media
$3,100
H 28 in W 22 in D 0.75 in
The Virgen & Child, Oil, Mixed Media, Hyperrealism, Modern Cuban Art, Surreal
By Brian Sanchez
Located in Houston, TX
LOOK FOR FREE SHIPPING AT CHECKOUT. The Virgin and Child - La Virgen y Nino was recently painted by the Cuban artist Brian Sanchez in 2023. It is oil and mi...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil
$565
H 28 in W 20 in
Melrose Animal House - Abstract Architectural Monochromatic Watercolor Painting
By Maria C. Bernhardsson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Maria C. Bernhardsson is a colorful artist who lives and paints in Sweden. Most of her works are influenced by the architecture and geometry of houses. Bernhardsson travels the world...
Paper, Mixed Media
Where Dreams Come True, Original Painting
By Scott Dykema
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Scott Dykema takes a spin on pop art with the big bad wolf holding a giant fork as he drives a yellow car. Scott paints the pie...
Mixed Media
Vibrant Sky Bison, Original Painting
By Scott Dykema
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Part of artist Scott Dykema's series of the majestic bison. In this piece, Scott depicts the large animal against the bold and rich colors of the sunset. Gold l...
Mixed Media
Bright Light Cowboy Fight, Original Painting
By Scott Dykema
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Drawing on Andy Warhol's famous painting 'Triple Elvis,' artist Scott Dykema offers a contemporary and humorous approach to the composition. Part of Scott's Antonyms series, combining text and imagery. Three glowing cowboys draw and fire their pistols out of the frame. At the top of the painting in all caps "BRIGHT LIGHT...
Mixed Media
Sold
H 36 in W 36 in D 2.5 in
A Nighttime Checkered Horse With Wings, Original Painting
By Scott Dykema
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
This painting is part of the Humble Horses With Wings series. It is the fifth piece in the series and depicts a horse taking flight in the dark of night.
About the Artist
Scott works out of a 1947 Chevrolet school bus that is parked permanently in his Texas backyard. His highly expressionistic, figurative work is reminiscent of contemporary street art, largely due to the inclusion of spray paint in his arsenal of media. Scott is inspired by images he comes across in books or in daily life. His bold statement pieces demonstrate artful yet fanciful interpretations of world cultures. Each painting, through its dynamic layers of color and metallics, presents a story that awaits the imaginative viewer.
Words that describe this painting: horse, wings, winged, flight, flying, night, evening, dark, checkered, Mckenzie Childs...
Mixed Media
Modern Day Matriarch, Original Painting
By Scott Dykema
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
"This piece is heavily influenced by both the art of the Renaissance as well as the work of today," says artist Scott Dykema. "The woman featured is a strong ...
Mixed Media
Hopeful Modern Chief, Original Painting
By Scott Dykema
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Part of artist Scott Dykema's continuing series of Native American chiefs. "This piece is rich in color, texture and pattern," says Scott. "The chief projects...
Mixed Media