Outsider Art

Artist Comments
"Rosemary and her cat dad need one another to feel completely relaxed," says artist Jessica JH Roller. "Both are so gentle, so kind and if her cat dad sits do...

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A Siamese cat with bright blue eyes rests at the center, its golden fur accentuated by bold black outlines. A series of hearts filling the white background ad...

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During her stay in South Florida, artist Jessica JH Roller visited the beach daily and painted on the calmer mornings. She created this piece during the trip, capturing the short-eared bunnies that emerged from the dunes each day, alongside the emerald and turquoise waters of the Atlantic coast. The folk art style, with its bold colors and black outlines, gives the piece a vibrant and playful quality.

About the Artist
Artist Jessica JH Roller paints whimsical and playful compositions of animals and people, marked by bold colors and primitivist linework. She distills a scene into a few simple shapes, using color to create contrast and vibrancy, often choosing palettes that reflect pop culture. "My adopted kittens, Tony and Larry, opened my eyes and unleashed the artist inside me," shares Jessica. "After, I started to notice birds, trees, color, everything." Jessica brings to life her dynamic creations in the comfort of her studio in her century-old home. She enjoys listening to music and audiobooks while painting with her 18-year-old acrylic-covered easel. When not painting, Jessica cherishes time with her family and five cats, teaches yoga, and enjoys cycling along the river.

Words that describe this painting: ocean, tropical, sea, folk art, rabbits, bunnies, dune, beach, shore, animals, primitive, acrylic painting, green

Beach Bunnies...

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Rosemary, a black-and-white cat, sits gracefully, basking in the sun. A bank of red zinnias with bold, fan-like petals surrounds her, creating a striking cont...

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Large clusters of hydrangeas burst with vibrant blue hues, while a delicate butterfly perches on top, infusing the scene with life and lightness. Artist Kira ...

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"On hot summer afternoons on the East Side of Milwaukee, a young man could often be seen carrying his pet Tegu lizard to Bradford Beach so it could bask in the sun," says artist Leroy Burt...

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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...

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A fully-bloomed pansy flower displays the velvety texture of its petals. The vein markings and subtle shadows define its delicate form. Artist Pamela Hoke pai...

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This self-portrait captures a quiet moment with a neutral expression. The piece magnifies the artist's desire to live true and minimally, reflecting a sincere...

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A kindly middle-aged man holds his cat companion in this painting, depicting the artist Jessica JH Roller's husband with one of their family cats. The gentle ...

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"This lovely and graceful girl wearing her new red coat greets her smallest cat," says artist Jessica JH Roller. She holds her wide-eyed pet against her chest as if showing the viewer. The cat stares out with open curiosity. A delightful portrait using bold hues and painterly strokes.

About the Artist
A few months after Jessica JH Roller and her husband were married, they adopted two young Siamese cats from a shelter -- Tony and Larry. Jessica quickly fell deeply in love with the kittens and says the cats changed her. "They opened my eyes - I started to notice birds, trees, water, color, everything. It was as if the artist inside had been unleashed.” Jessica uses bold colors and primitive linework to create whimsical, expressive portraits. She intends to capture real or imagined moments that are both common and extraordinary.

Words that describe this painting: girl, folk art...

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Amid the joys and struggles of her life, a young mother takes a moment to rest, accompanied by a cute puppy. In the background, a small section repurposed fro...

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Artist Jessica JH Roller depicts four ponies in bright, playful tones and bold graphic style. "I wish to give a new tilt to colors often used in fashion and h...

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In artist Pamela Hoke's charming portrait, an animated turtle lies on the sunlit seabed. A soothing yet potent expression reference...

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Artist Kira Yustak reveals a primitive seascape of the New Jersey docks during a breezy and relaxed evening. She paints a scene of boats gently drifting by th...

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"The Great Cake Caper of 2019 happened in the early morning hours while the moon was still out on a Tuesday," says artist Andrea Doss. "The thieves made off w...

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A yellow tabby cat captures attention with its enigmatic and inviting gaze. Behind it, the dog shows a protective aura, silently vowing loyalty and friendship...

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Two nude figures join hands in artist Libby Ramage's arresting primitive piece. The elderly couple braces themselves going into an uncertain future. "The firs...

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Artist Libby Ramage daydreams under the shade of an old sycamore tree. In this mixed-media piece, she combines the images in her imaginative musings—a beaut...

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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...

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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
"After a seemingly eternal summer, five little birds snug in their nest, silently enduring the chill and wind," describes artist Jessica JH Roller. The birds each carry a unique design, colored in similar hues of turquoise, black, beige, and brown. A bright band of orange and turquoise appears above the birds shifting into beige and dark green hues. A balanced composition painted in folk-art style with an energetic palette.

About the Artist
A few months after Jessica JH Roller and her husband were married, they adopted two young Siamese cats from a shelter -- Tony and Larry. Jessica quickly fell deeply in love with the kittens and says the cats changed her. "They opened my eyes - I started to notice birds, trees, water, color, everything. It was as if the artist inside had been unleashed.” Jessica uses bold colors and primitive linework to create whimsical, expressive portraits. She intends to capture real or imagined moments that are both common and extraordinary.

Words that describe this painting: birds, winter, folk art, animals, primitive, nursery, kids, acrylicpaint, small, animals, primitive, acrylic painting, green

Winter Birds...

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Artist Jessica JH Roller paints a playful portrait of a king toad surrounded by white daylilies. "He lives in a quaint cottage alone, but he has a human frien...

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Artist Libby Ramage presents a modern expressionist piece collaged from abandoned students' works. She comes up with a composition clamoring in joy. Cartoonis...

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Artist Pamela Hoke displays a closeup of the large leaves and spiny tips of a giant Agave. The piece evokes a simply enchanting cal...