Skip to main content

John Randall Nelson Abstract Paintings

American, b. 1956

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.

to
22
15
4
3
2
8
12
Overall Height
to
Overall Width
to
20
1
22
23
558
519
319
281
22
22
20
20
20
Artist: John Randall Nelson
Last Chance
By John Randall Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
John Randall Nelson’s paintings are layered with his own personal language consisting of patterns, symbols, and archetypes that may not make any literal sense but play on subconsciou...
Category

2010s Pop Art John Randall Nelson Abstract Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic, Panel

That It's Fun
By John Randall Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
John Randall Nelson’s paintings 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 paint, poured pigment, and saturated washes with layers of drawing and collage. While Nelson's work is akin to outsider, folk art, it should be noted that he received his MFA from Arizona State University in 1995 and has completed commissions for clients as diverse as the National Endowment for the Arts, the United States Postal Service...
Category

2010s Pop Art John Randall Nelson Abstract Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic, Panel

Breeze
By John Randall Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
John Randall Nelson’s paintings are layered with his own personal language consisting of patterns, symbols, and archetypes that may not make any literal sense but play on subconsciou...
Category

2010s Pop Art John Randall Nelson Abstract Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic, Panel

Always Ready
By John Randall Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
John Randall Nelson’s paintings are layered with his own personal language consisting of patterns, symbols, and archetypes that may not make any literal sense but play on subconsciou...
Category

2010s Pop Art John Randall Nelson Abstract Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic, Panel

Just Wundering
By John Randall Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
John Randall Nelson’s paintings 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 paint, poured pigment, and saturated washes with layers of drawing and collage. While Nelson's work is akin to outsider, folk art, it should be noted that he received his MFA from Arizona State University in 1995 and has completed commissions for clients as diverse as the National Endowment for the Arts, the United States Postal Service...
Category

2010s Pop Art John Randall Nelson Abstract Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic, Panel

Wink
By John Randall Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
John Randall Nelson’s paintings are layered with his own personal language consisting of patterns, symbols, and archetypes that may not make any literal sense but play on subconsciou...
Category

2010s John Randall Nelson Abstract Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic, Panel

Dream of Minnie
By John Randall Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
John Randall Nelson’s paintings are layered with his own personal language consisting of patterns, symbols, and archetypes that may not make any literal sense but play on subconsciou...
Category

2010s Pop Art John Randall Nelson Abstract Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic, Panel

Wilderness Downtown
By John Randall Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
John Randall Nelson’s paintings 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 paint, poured pigment, and saturated washes with layers of drawing and collage. While Nelson's work is akin to outsider, folk art, it should be noted that he received his MFA from Arizona State University in 1995 and has completed commissions for clients as diverse as the National Endowment for the Arts, the United States Postal Service...
Category

2010s Pop Art John Randall Nelson Abstract Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic, Panel

Feral Child
By John Randall Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
John Randall Nelson’s paintings are layered with his own personal language consisting of patterns, symbols, and archetypes that may not make any literal sense but play on subconsciou...
Category

2010s Pop Art John Randall Nelson Abstract Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic, Panel

Knows How to Dance
By John Randall Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
John Randall Nelson’s paintings are layered with his own personal language consisting of patterns, symbols, and archetypes that may not make any literal sense but play on subconsciou...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art John Randall Nelson Abstract Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic, Panel

Jaz
By John Randall Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
John Randall Nelson’s paintings are layered with his own personal language consisting of patterns, symbols, and archetypes that may not make any literal sense but play on subconsciou...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art John Randall Nelson Abstract Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic, Panel

Modern Migration of the Spirit
By John Randall Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
John Randall Nelson’s paintings are layered with his own personal language consisting of patterns, symbols, and archetypes that may not make any literal sense but play on subconsciou...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art John Randall Nelson Abstract Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic, Panel

Fruit of the Womb
By John Randall Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
John Randall Nelson’s paintings are layered with his own personal language consisting of patterns, symbols, and archetypes that may not make any literal sense but play on subconsciou...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art John Randall Nelson Abstract Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic, Panel

Naturally
By John Randall Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
John Randall Nelson’s paintings are layered with his own personal language consisting of patterns, symbols, and archetypes that may not make any literal sense but play on subconsciou...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art John Randall Nelson Abstract Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic, Panel

Tired of Elegance
By John Randall Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
John Randall Nelson’s paintings are layered with his own personal language consisting of patterns, symbols, and archetypes that may not make any literal sense but play on subconsciou...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art John Randall Nelson Abstract Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic, Panel

Woo Hoo
By John Randall Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
John Randall Nelson’s paintings are layered with his own personal language consisting of patterns, symbols, and archetypes that may not make any literal sense but play on subconsciou...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art John Randall Nelson Abstract Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic, Panel

It's All My Fault
By John Randall Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
John Randall Nelson’s paintings 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 paint, poured pigment and saturated washes with layers of drawing and collage. While Nelson's work is akin to outsider, folk art, it should be noted that he received his MFA from Arizona State University in 1995 and has completed commissions for clients as diverse as the National Endowment for the Arts, the United States Postal Service...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art John Randall Nelson Abstract Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic, Panel

To Temper Bitterness
By John Randall Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
John Randall Nelson’s paintings 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 paint, poured pigment and saturated washes with layers of drawing and collage. While Nelson's work is akin to outsider, folk art, it should be noted that he received his MFA from Arizona State University in 1995 and has completed commissions for clients as diverse as the National Endowment for the Arts, the United States Postal Service...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art John Randall Nelson Abstract Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic, Panel

For Real
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...
Category

2010s Abstract John Randall Nelson Abstract Paintings

Materials

Metal

Keep Trying To
By John Randall Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
"Keep Trying To", diptych, mixed media on panel — 94 x 94 inches. John Randall Nelson is an Arizona-based painter and sculptor. Nelson’s works are layered with his own personal lan...
Category

2010s Pop Art John Randall Nelson Abstract Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media, Panel

Equilibrium
By John Randall Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
John Randall Nelson’s paintings are layered with his own personal language consisting of patterns, symbols, and archetypes that may not make any literal sense but play on subconsciou...
Category

2010s Pop Art John Randall Nelson Abstract Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic, Panel

Easy Travel to Other Planets
By John Randall Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
John Randall Nelson’s paintings 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 paint, poured pigment and saturated washes with layers of drawing and collage. While Nelson's work is akin to outsider, folk art, it should be noted that he received his MFA from Arizona State University in 1995 and has completed commissions for clients as diverse as the National Endowment for the Arts, the United States Postal Service...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art John Randall Nelson Abstract Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic, Panel

Related Items
Circle Jerks - Group Sex (Record Label, Ticket Stub, Setlists, Contemporary Pop)
By Kerry Smith
Located in Kansas City, MO
Kerry Smith Circle Jerks - Group Sex Mixed Media on Crescent board Year: 2021 Size: 12x12in Framed Signed, dated by hand COA provided Ref.: 924802-1612 ----...
Category

2010s Pop Art John Randall Nelson Abstract Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media, Acrylic, Gouache, Board

Deeper Understanding - Original Pointillist Textured Painting
By Susan Gale
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Susan Gale's work explores the nostalgia of community by highlighting the juxtaposition between the peaceful, quiet, mystery of light, and the rush of visually invoked sensation. She...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary John Randall Nelson Abstract Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media, Acrylic, Panel

Led Zeppelin - Ramble On (Record Label, Pop Art, Grammy)
By Kerry Smith
Located in Kansas City, MO
Kerry Smith Led Zeppelin - Ramble On Mixed Media on Crescent board Year: 2018 Size: 12x12in Signed, dated by hand COA provided Ref.: 924802-1631 -----------------------------------...
Category

2010s Pop Art John Randall Nelson Abstract Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media, Acrylic, Gouache, Board

Nina Simone - Little Girl Blue (Grammy, Album Art, Iconic, Jazz, Soul, Pop)
By Kerry Smith
Located in Kansas City, MO
Kerry Smith Nina Simone - Little Girl Blue Mixed Media on Crescent board Year: 2022 Size: 21x20in Signed, dated by hand COA provided Ref.: 924802-1634 -----------------------------...
Category

2010s Pop Art John Randall Nelson Abstract Paintings

Materials

Gouache, Board, Mixed Media, Acrylic

Destination - Original Pointillist Textured Artwork
By Susan Gale
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Susan Gale's work explores the nostalgia of community by highlighting the juxtaposition between the peaceful, quiet, mystery of light, and the rush of visually invoked sensation. She...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary John Randall Nelson Abstract Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media, Acrylic, Wood Panel

We'd Better Get Going' abstract allegorical narrative, blue tones
By C. Dimitri
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Piero della Francesca meets the Clash." Abstracted figures in classical round medallion composition. This work suggests allegorical narrative with multiple figures suggestive of a ...
Category

2010s Contemporary John Randall Nelson Abstract Paintings

Materials

Charcoal, India Ink, Oil, Spray Paint, Acrylic, Wood Panel

Nirvana - In Utero (Record Label, Ticket Stubs, Pop Art, Grammy)
By Kerry Smith
Located in Kansas City, MO
Kerry Smith Nirvana - In Utero Mixed Media on Crescent board Year: 2022 Size: 12x12in Signed, dated by hand COA provided Ref.: 924802-1630 --------------------------------------- "...
Category

2010s Pop Art John Randall Nelson Abstract Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media, Acrylic, Gouache, Board

"She’s Your Friend" Brigitte Bardot Pop Art Portrait Décollage Painting Canvas
By Gieler
Located in New York, NY
This piece depicts the famous French actress and model Brigitte Bardot. Done with beautiful expressive colors and a distinctive street art design, this piece pops with energy and rom...
Category

2010s Pop Art John Randall Nelson Abstract Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Mixed Media, Spray Paint, Acrylic

Bee Gees - Saturday Night Fever (Grammy, Album Art, Music, Iconic, Disco)
By Kerry Smith
Located in Kansas City, MO
Kerry Smith Bee Gees - Saturday Night Fever Mixed Media on Crescent board Year: 2022 Size: 21x20in Signed, dated by hand COA provided Ref.: 924802-1625 -----------------------------...
Category

2010s Pop Art John Randall Nelson Abstract Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media, Acrylic, Gouache, Board

Patsy Cline - Showcase (Grammy, Album Art, Iconic, Music, Rock and Roll)
By Kerry Smith
Located in Kansas City, MO
Kerry Smith Patsy Cline - Showcase Gouache, Conservation Glass Year: 2018 Size: 21x22in Framed Signed, dated by hand COA provided Ref.: 92-1658 -------------------------------------...
Category

2010s Pop Art John Randall Nelson Abstract Paintings

Materials

Glass, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Gouache

Gorgeous, Unique, One of a Kind, Painting by Renowned Artist Fahri Aldin (1950).
By Fahri Aldin
Located in Belleville, CA
On the Artist's 73rd year, he would like to share a Very Special limited edition series, small and compact and for a fraction of the cost, these One of a Kind beauties are intricatel...
Category

2010s Contemporary John Randall Nelson Abstract Paintings

Materials

Lacquer, Board, Wood Panel, Panel, Acrylic, Mixed Media, Varnish, Coatin...

United We Stand: Four Statues of Liberty with Blue Statue signed painting framed
By Peter Max
Located in New York, NY
Peter Max United We Stand: Four Statues of Liberty with Blue Statue of Liberty, 2001 Acrylic and Mixed Media painting with collage on thin board Boldly si...
Category

Early 2000s Pop Art John Randall Nelson Abstract Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media, Acrylic, Lithograph

Previously Available Items
Easy Travel to Other Planets
By John Randall Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
John Randall Nelson’s paintings 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 paint, poured pigment and saturated washes with layers of drawing and collage. While Nelson's work is akin to outsider, folk art, it should be noted that he received his MFA from Arizona State University in 1995 and has completed commissions for clients as diverse as the National Endowment for the Arts, the United States Postal Service...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art John Randall Nelson Abstract Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic, Panel

Equilibrium
By John Randall Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
John Randall Nelson’s paintings are layered with his own personal language consisting of patterns, symbols, and archetypes that may not make any literal sense but play on subconsciou...
Category

2010s Pop Art John Randall Nelson Abstract Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic, Panel

Simple and Complex Layers
By John Randall Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
John Randall Nelson’s paintings are layered with his own personal language consisting of patterns, symbols, and archetypes that may not make any literal sense but play on subconsciou...
Category

2010s Pop Art John Randall Nelson Abstract Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic, Panel

Varmit
By John Randall Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
John Randall Nelson’s paintings are layered with his own personal language consisting of patterns, symbols, and archetypes that may not make any literal sense but play on subconsciou...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art John Randall Nelson Abstract Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic, Panel

Varmit
Varmit
H 22 in W 17 in D 1.5 in
Nothing but Confection
By John Randall Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
John Randall Nelson’s paintings are layered with his own personal language consisting of patterns, symbols, and archetypes that may not make any literal sense but play on subconsciou...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art John Randall Nelson Abstract Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic, Panel

Momentum
By John Randall Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
John Randall Nelson’s paintings are layered with his own personal language consisting of patterns, symbols, and archetypes that may not make any literal sense but play on subconsciou...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art John Randall Nelson Abstract Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic, Panel

Momentum
H 48 in W 60 in D 1.5 in
Bleu Boy
By John Randall Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
John Randall Nelson’s paintings are layered with his own personal language consisting of patterns, symbols, and archetypes that may not make any literal sense but play on subconsciou...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art John Randall Nelson Abstract Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic, Panel

Bleu Boy
H 72 in W 48 in D 1.5 in
Vehiculate
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...
Category

2010s Abstract John Randall Nelson Abstract Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media, Wood Panel

Vehiculate
Vehiculate
H 36 in W 48 in D 1.5 in
Junket
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...
Category

2010s Abstract John Randall Nelson Abstract Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media, Wood Panel

Junket
Junket
H 36 in W 48 in D 1.5 in
Stingray Daze
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...
Category

2010s Abstract John Randall Nelson Abstract Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media, Wood Panel

And That's Who I am
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...
Category

2010s John Randall Nelson Abstract Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media

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...
Category

2010s Abstract John Randall Nelson Abstract Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media

John Randall Nelson abstract paintings for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic John Randall Nelson abstract paintings available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by John Randall Nelson in mixed media, panel, acrylic paint and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 21st century and contemporary and is mostly associated with the Pop Art style. Not every interior allows for large John Randall Nelson abstract paintings, so small editions measuring 13 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Charlotte Andry Gibbs, Michael Kalish, and Gieler. John Randall Nelson abstract paintings prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,200 and tops out at $24,000, while the average work can sell for $5,900.

Recently Viewed

View All