Child Figurative Paintings

Artist Comments
A colorful scene of a carnival in Rochester, Minnesota, with two young people strapped into their seats waiting for the ride to start. "I love the tawdry splendor of gaudy carnival attractions," says artist Leroy Burt. "Flashing lights and bright colors. One often sees the most unlikely combinations of people who might never meet except during those moments when they sit next to each other on rides."

About the Artist
Artist Leroy Burt paints playful, offbeat landscapes and portraits based on his experiences living in Milwaukee, New York, Costa Rica, and currently Rochester, Minnesota. "I think of my paintings as short stories," he says. As a young child, Leroy faced a number of obstacles. His parents divorced when he was four years old and he was raised by his grandparents in a three-room shack without running water or electricity. Leroy worked hard to pull himself out of poverty. He studied graphic design and painting, which led to a 30-year career in graphic design - five years at WMVS, the PBS television station in Milwaukee, fifteen years at city hall in Milwaukee, and ten years at WNET, the PBS station in New York. In 2015, Leroy retired to focus his energy on painting. Today, he works from a tiny studio filled with half-finished paintings stacked against every wall. "There are photos and sketches for future paintings taped everywhere," says Leroy. "My windows are filled with orchids. There are books, films and music CDs in every corner. And the room is dominated by a black and silver Andy Warhol silkscreen print of Marilyn Monroe."

Words that describe this painting: David Hockney, Edward Hopper, carnival, lights, excitement, colorful, folk art, people, representational, primitive, acrylic painting, blue

Carnival Ride...

Artist Comments
Three figures wearing matching suits, ties, and shirts evoke the vision of what artist John McCabe imagines a 1973 rehearsal dinner might have looked like. Su...

Artist Comments
A group of men in hats had their photo session interrupted by an orange giraffe eager to join in. Amused by the giraffe's wide smile, they decided to keep the photo. The orange background highlights their presence and adds an energetic feel to the scene.

About the Artist
Artist John McCabe produces graphic illustrations that take a progressive spin on pop art. He typically takes influence from his music to create vibrant caricatures of people, places, and things significant to the industry. Growing up, one of the highlights for John when buying music is the artwork on the packages. Inspired by that, he created art for his first EP, and every subsequent release includes artwork for each single, plus a front and back cover for the record. "The pieces are normally tied or related to the lyrics of a particular song," shares John. "In the case where I have made a series structured around music, a unique narrative unfolds within each." As imaginative as he is, John usually paints from the island surface of his kitchen or the dining room table. His music studio also doubles as a work area where he does pre-sketches. John has had several profiles from VoyageLA, Shoutout LA, and Queen City Arts and Sounds. His record label has featured his works along with his eclectic music releases.

Words that describe this painting: hats, giraffe, suit, hat, polka dot pants...

Artist Comments
A young man pushes a traffic light across a grassy field. Dressed casually in a blue jacket over a white shirt and shorts, he moves through the landscape unde...