Hand Painted/Drawn Outsider Art

Outsider art is art that is created by the mentally ill and/or mentally unstable. They often have no access to the art world-as they are often locked up, etc, thus are considered outside the art world. It isn't a phrase for everyone who has no formal training. I love outsider art as it is so raw and unrestrained, and often just crazy.

I love outsider / visionary art!

Wolfeagle - you are right that that is part of the whole 'outsider' thing. But it does include those who are not mentally ill, as well. Yes, unrestrained is true. To me there is just so much feeling and 'life' to it. I am happy to connect with others, like you and catlingmex, who love it too. :)

I do have some mental health problems. Not too severe but sometimes takes me into hospital and the walls in the corridors of the psychiatric unit are covered in wonderful paintings done by patients. The nurses or the art therapist have framed them and hung them up. Some of them are fantastic talented pieces of art and some are by most peoples standards very poor/childish but I think all of them tells a story. I love looking at them. Wish I could find some art therapy in the community. Woops! this is long! I didn't mean to write a story but I just wanted to share my experience even though I didn't know it was called outside art.

Gofeen, those corridor walls must be wonderful with all the art there! I am sorry for your problems, and I wish, too, that there was some available art therapy for you in your community. Any community would truly benefit from it. I hope you, wolfeagle and catlingmex will consider joining this swap if you haven't already.

Yup! I've already joined. :>)

I've never heard of the term Outsider Art, but I just googled it, and really like what I saw. So thanks for introducing me and maybe others who never heard the term before. I want to join, but my issue is, how do we find our own voice within this? It's far too tempting to get "heavily inspired" by what is done by others (I think), because how else could we be sure that what we draw/paint will fit into this category? Sorry to make this a long comment, but I'd love to hear your thoughts about it before joining :)

Hmmmm....good question. And I don't really have a definitive answer. But, historically, artists have learned by studying the masters and copying their methods or works as exercises, so that is one legitimate way of finding your own voice. Everything is influenced to some degree by something else. But you could just paint what you like to normally paint or draw. I like faces and dogs and trees and people, so that is what I normally do. I guess when you look at the googled examples, you can just get a feel for outsider art, then paint what you feel like painting with that outsider 'feeling' to it. Whether it is heavily influenced or not, it is still your painting, done by you. It won't be a copy, just a learning process either way. I hope this ramble helps. :)

Thanks a lot for your reply :) I'll give it a shot :)

I can't join in this swap, as I am a newly minted Newbie. But just wanted to pass on that there is a FANTASTIC outsider art museum in Baltimore, MD. It's called the American Visionary Art Museum. If you have the chance-do go! There are several buildings, including a great gift shop. I actually cried when I went there!

Joonberry, I left you a note on your profile. :) No, I've never been to an outsider art museum anywhere! I'd love to go to one though.

Everyone ~ today is the last day to sign up, so tomorrow I will be clicking the 'assign partners' button. Have fun!

Two of our members have not yet sent out their art. One has contacted me that she is running late and the other has not. If you have not sent yet, you need to let me know and your other partner know.