Outsider Art
Artist Comments
Artist Nick Bontorno paints a black horse running toward the distant desert bluffs. He renders the subject with minimal representatio...
21st Century and Contemporary Outsider Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Two pink horses run through a broad expanse in artist Nick Bontorno's piece. The vibrant red hues of the galloping equines radiate an ...
21st Century and Contemporary Outsider Art
Acrylic
2010s Outsider Art
Canvas, Oil
2010s Outsider Art
Canvas, Oil
1960s Outsider Art
Plywood, Oil
2010s Outsider Art
Canvas, Oil
Artist Comments
Two little bunnies sit watching the sky, counting star wishes, and discussing dreams in artist Andrea Doss's whimsical piece. They find solace in the middle of ...
21st Century and Contemporary Outsider Art
Acrylic
2010s Outsider Art
Canvas, Paper, Pastel
20th Century Outsider Art
Oil, Board
2010s Outsider Art
Canvas, Paper, Pastel
2010s Outsider Art
Mixed Media, Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Nick Bontorno paints a lone horse standing in a vast canyon. The pale blue tones and minimal representation display a relaxed resonance throughout the barren pastoral landscape. His painterly approach further creates an atmosphere of fanciful whimsy. "I focus on how the piece feels rather than how it looks," shares Nick.
About the Artist
Interested in how things feel rather than how they look, artist Nick Bontorno creates poetic gestural work expressing his love for animals, people, and the desert. He spent ten years working on a horse ranch in Wyoming, teaching him to love the grace of horses and the beauty of the land and seasons. Growing up with limited means, Nick found ways to express his creativity through painting pictures on cardboard and drawing on fogged windows. He persisted and studied representational art and portraiture at The Lyme Academy in Connecticut but ultimately became a self-driven artist with a distinctive approach. "My work has evolved to be more ethereal, and I'm increasingly interested in the essence of what I'm painting," shares Nick. His ideas come to life in a small studio in Provo in an old Studebaker repair shop from the 1950s. Nick's art has been featured and acclaimed in Jackson, Wyoming. In his free time, he grooves on playing the guitar, singing with his wife, playing pool, and fixing old cars.
Words that describe this painting: horse, desert, canyon, animal, night, evening, acrylicpaint, primitive, western, cliffs, monochrome, animals, western, primitive, acrylic painting
Blue Horse...
21st Century and Contemporary Outsider Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Artist Nick Bontorno exhibits wild horses running in the desert. The pair sprawl through the canyons with reckless abandon. The pink and turquoise hues create a vibrant and energetic display. Nick's painterly approach further creates an atmosphere of fanciful whimsy.
About the Artist
Interested in how things feel rather than how they look, artist Nick Bontorno creates poetic gestural work expressing his love for animals, people, and the desert. He spent ten years working on a horse ranch in Wyoming, teaching him to love the grace of horses and the beauty of the land and seasons. Growing up with limited means, Nick found ways to express his creativity through painting pictures on cardboard and drawing on fogged windows. He persisted and studied representational art and portraiture at The Lyme Academy in Connecticut but ultimately became a self-driven artist with a distinctive approach. "My work has evolved to be more ethereal, and I'm increasingly interested in the essence of what I'm painting," shares Nick. His ideas come to life in a small studio in Provo in an old Studebaker repair shop from the 1950s. Nick's art has been featured and acclaimed in Jackson, Wyoming. In his free time, he grooves on playing the guitar, singing with his wife, playing pool, and fixing old cars.
Words that describe this painting: horse, desert, canyon, animal, acrylicpaint, primitive, western, cliffs, running, galloping, profile, pair, duo, animals, western, primitive, acrylic painting
21st Century and Contemporary Outsider Art
Acrylic
2010s Outsider Art
Canvas, Acrylic
2010s Outsider Art
Canvas, Pastel
Artist Comments
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 c...
21st Century and Contemporary Outsider Art
Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Outsider Art
Glass, Paint, Archival Paper, Handmade Paper, Engraving, Etching, Intaglio
Artist Comments
A woman rides a horse toward crosses in the night in artist Nick Bontorno's piece. In his distinct primitivist style, he renders th...
21st Century and Contemporary Outsider Art
Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Outsider Art
Metal, Copper, Bronze
Artist Comments
Artist Nick Bontorno shares an image of two black horses running through a green field. The waning moon fades into the night, casti...
21st Century and Contemporary Outsider Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Artist Nick Bontorno presents an image of a white horse speeding through a vast canyon. The crescent moon peeks from the cliffs, ca...
21st Century and Contemporary Outsider Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
A grey bird swoops past a dog and dives into a berry bush in artist Jaime Ellsworth's playful piece. The playful work captures the whimsical sense of their unex...
21st Century and Contemporary Outsider Art
Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Outsider Art
Copper
21st Century and Contemporary Outsider Art
Brass, Copper
21st Century and Contemporary Outsider Art
Metal, Copper
Artist Comments
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 flowing...
21st Century and Contemporary Outsider Art
Mixed Media
21st Century and Contemporary Outsider Art
Metal, Copper
Artist Comments
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 revolutionar...
21st Century and Contemporary Outsider Art
Mixed Media
Late 20th Century Outsider Art
Wood, Mixed Media
Early 2000s Outsider Art
Watercolor
Artist Comments
Taking inspiration from the famous Baroque painting, artist Lee Smith presents her spirited interpretation of Vermeer's masterpiece. In her playful rendition, she includes the mysterious model's favorite pet. Lee paints in the style of primitivism, creating a fresh perspective to the work. Rich with texture, the painting glows with intense color contrasts and playful patterns in the background.
About the Artist
Artist Lee Smith combines abstract, primitive, 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.â€
Words that describe this painting: girl, dog, canine, pearl earring, scarf, classic, Vermeer, eyes, pet, medieval, Dutch Baroque, stencil, portrait, posed, head, profile, animal, girl, woman, people, mixed media, primitive, eyes, fashion, animals, people, fashion, primitive, mixed media artwork, green
Girl With Pearl Earring...
21st Century and Contemporary Outsider Art
Mixed Media
Artist Comments
Two nude figures join hands in artist Libby Ramage's arresting primitive piece. The elderly couple braces themselves going into an uncertain future. "The first ...
21st Century and Contemporary Outsider Art
Mixed Media
21st Century and Contemporary Outsider Art
Wire
21st Century and Contemporary Outsider Art
Copper
Artist Comments
Artist Johansen Newman paints a military man displaying the symbols of his many accomplishments and acts of courage. Aglow with ribb...
21st Century and Contemporary Outsider Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Artist Johansen Newman illustrates a nude portrait of a woman in the deep woods. She uses her unique combination of colors, patterns, and details, presenting a tattooed woman with flowing hair basking in the brilliant sunset light, surrounded by pygmy owls. Johansen draws fascination from the majesty of birds of prey and how they enhance the beauty of the human body. "The peacefulness of the ethereal moment is interrupted by the piercing eyes of the woman and her feathered friends," shares Johansen.
About the Artist
Artist Johansen Newman captures various characters through charming scenes that often weave nostalgia. A reflection of her fondness for edge and funk prevails in her dynamic portrayal of humans with animals and objects of their affection. As a toddler, her mother gave her crayons and allowed her to draw on the walls of her room. She pursued a degree in painting and printmaking, then furthered her education by studying with Bil Baird at his puppet theater in New York, ultimately forming her puppet troupe. Years of crafting puppets, designing scenery, writing stories, and performing shows developed her arsenal of skills—going on to be an award-winning fiber artist exhibiting throughout North America. She integrates these learnings into her current art practice. "My paintings capture fragments of a tale in a time and place that was, is, or has the promise to become," says Johansen. She works at her studio and display gallery at Gorse Mill Studios, a 19th Century textile mill building in Needham, MA. Her woodworking shop doubles as her home studio, where she constantly evolves her compositions to satisfy her aesthetic. Johansen's work has been featured on the cover of local publications, in pictorial essays, and toured museums across the United States. She was a professional and published illustrator for more than 35 years, including two dozen children's books, three of which she also wrote. Besides creating art, she finds herself an enthusiast of vintage collectibles, jukeboxes, signages, tin toys, neon lights, cookie jars, carnival chalkware...
21st Century and Contemporary Outsider Art
Acrylic
1980s Outsider Art
Oil, Mirror, Plaster, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Outsider Art
Metal, Copper
Mid-20th Century Outsider Art
Oil, Gouache
21st Century and Contemporary Outsider Art
Wood, Paper, Mixed Media, Oil
Artist Comments
Artist Pamela Hoke presents a fully-bloomed white chrysanthemum with its petals radiating in vigor. She finds herself enchanted by this flower from the beautiful autumn florals of her friend's farm. The work focuses on the form and subtle movement of the delicate petals. "It is as if the flower is reaching out for hugs," says Pamela.
About the Artist
Profound sensory experiences of nature unfold in artist Pamela Hoke's stylistically primitive representation of the world and her connection to it. Her vast array of subjects, including landscapes, florals, and animal portraits, emerge as intuitive expressions of energy in motion. She creates her own paint with natural earth and mineral pigments mixed with walnut oil—a beautiful and organic process used by the old masters. Pamela received her degree in fine arts at Ohio State University. Being fully immersed in the natural world ignited her creativity and increased her sense of belonging and overall well-being. She shares a semi-private studio with a group of painters on San Juan Island called the Friday Harbor...
21st Century and Contemporary Outsider Art
Oil
2010s Outsider Art
Paper, Acrylic
Late 20th Century Outsider Art
Tapestry, Mixed Media, Board
Early 2000s Outsider Art
Fabric, Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
Late 20th Century Outsider Art
Canvas, Plaster, Mixed Media
2010s Outsider Art
Oil Crayon, Acrylic, Board
Artist Comments
A pink chrysanthemum blooms in artist Pamela Hoke's lively floral piece. "An island friend gifted me with an enchanting autumnal bouquet from her farm," shares Pam. The playful waving magenta petals drew her attention and compelled her to paint the flower. Pam expresses the vibrant bloom in naturally flowing paint strokes.
About the Artist
Profound sensory experiences of nature unfold in artist Pamela Hoke's stylistically primitive representation of the world and her connection to it. Her vast array of subjects, including landscapes, florals, and animal portraits, emerge as intuitive expressions of energy in motion. She creates her own paint with natural earth and mineral pigments mixed with walnut oil—a beautiful and organic process used by the old masters. Pamela received her degree in fine arts at Ohio State University. Being fully immersed in the natural world ignited her creativity and increased her sense of belonging and overall well-being. She shares a semi-private studio with a group of painters on San Juan Island called the Friday Harbor...
21st Century and Contemporary Outsider Art
Oil
21st Century and Contemporary Outsider Art
Wire
2010s Outsider Art
Paper, Ink, Woodcut
2010s Outsider Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Andrea Doss presents a whimsical fantasy piece of woodland animals playing musical instruments. The pale crescent moon gives a silvery glow as the raccoon, frog, and squirrel serenade at night. "Band practice was on every Tuesday and was usually a chaotic affair," says Andrea. "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star...
21st Century and Contemporary Outsider Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Artist Johansen Newman paints a detailed portrait of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. She bases the piece's title on Frida's diary, where she often recorded thoughts about their life together. "I took the words literally by painting Diego only in shades of black and white while rendering Frida in full color," says Johansen. Frida's vibrant clothing and jewelry sharply contrast Diego's limited palette.The painting comes with a handmade, embellished wood assemblage frame painted black.
About the Artist
Artist Johansen Newman captures various characters through charming scenes that often weave nostalgia. A reflection of her fondness for edge and funk prevails in her dynamic portrayal of humans with animals and objects of their affection. As a toddler, her mother gave her crayons and allowed her to draw on the walls of her room. She pursued a degree in painting and printmaking, then furthered her education by studying with Bil Baird at his puppet theater in New York, ultimately forming her puppet troupe. Years of crafting puppets, designing scenery, writing stories, and performing shows developed her arsenal of skills—going on to be an award-winning fiber artist exhibiting throughout North America. She integrates these learnings into her current art practice. "My paintings capture fragments of a tale in a time and place that was, is, or has the promise to become," says Johansen. She works at her studio and display gallery at Gorse Mill Studios, a 19th Century textile mill building in Needham, MA. Her woodworking shop doubles as her home studio, where she constantly evolves her compositions to satisfy her aesthetic. Johansen's work has been featured on the cover of local publications, in pictorial essays, and toured museums across the United States. She was a professional and published illustrator for more than 35 years, including two dozen children's books, three of which she also wrote. Besides creating art, she finds herself an enthusiast of vintage collectibles, jukeboxes, signages, tin toys, neon lights, cookie jars, carnival chalkware...
21st Century and Contemporary Outsider Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
A nude woman sits in an affecting posture, demonstrative of her feelings. Artist Sharon Sieben presents the expressive portrait evoking raw and powerful emotions. Her bold brushwork reveals an articulate and deep narrative. Sharon paints with strong strokes to create dynamic textures in the background.
About the Artist
Sharon Sieben prefers working in a loose, fluid technique and finds inspiration in the most unexpected things. Her parents bought her a set of oil paints when she was ten years old and it sparked her love of art. She especially admires the work of Impressionist artists such as Paul Cezanne because of how they broke tradition. When she's not making art, she enjoys reading and playing classical guitar...
21st Century and Contemporary Outsider Art
Acrylic
Artist Comments
Artist Johansen Newman paints four women celebrating Dia de Los Muertos, a tribute to the festive Mexican holiday. "On this day, ...
21st Century and Contemporary Outsider Art
Acrylic
1990s Outsider Art
Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, C Print, Color, Polaroid
2010s Outsider Art
Acrylic, Board
2010s Outsider Art
Canvas, Oil Crayon, Acrylic
Mid-20th Century Outsider Art
Acrylic, Permanent Marker