How To Be an Outsider Artist
Outsider art is a form of art that is usually a creation of what the artist sees through their own eyes. The art piece may be of people, places or objects, or some artists may create a self-portrait of how they see themselves. The outsider artist is most often someone that remains isolated from society.
How to Become an Outsider Artist
Outsider artists are people that do not live in a society. These people can be prisoners, psychiatric patients or people who spend an unusually isolated life from other humans. Their isolated lifestyles are how the naming came about for this form of artwork.
Outsider artists thrive outside the traditional world of art. These artists have a desire to create an individual art work which is usually created from personal conflicts and beliefs. Most outsider artists are self-taught, never receiving any artistic training.
Types of Outsider Artist
Visionary Art
Visionary art, or religious art, is one of the many varieties of outsider art. The artwork reflects what the artist sees for the future of mankind. Some artist see visions of warnings or ideas to make their version of the apocalypse. Some artist create their collections from a religious background or from what they hold in their heart. The viewer can then connect to the creator through their creations.
Recyled Art
Recycled material art is a form of outsider art, created from recycled materials used to make a single piece of art. The artwork can be of people, animals, and objects made from used paper, aluminum, glass and miscellaneous plastics.
Famous Outsider Artists
James Hampton
James Hampton was an African American janitor, who used the trash he recycled from his job to create "The Throne of the Third Heaven of the Nation's Millennium General Assembly." This well-known masterpiece took Mr. Hampton years to complete and it is now on display at the Museum of American Art in Washington, D.C.
Helen Martins
Helen Martins, one of South Africa's famed outsider artists, was born in 1897 in an isolated village, named Karoo, in South Africa. After the death of her parents and a divorce, Mrs. Martins took to herself and began to distance herself from the community. The locals considered Mrs. Martins an odd character with the complete isolation of herself. Mrs. Martins art was frowned upon by the villagers who thought it was eerie. Her art was executed through decorating her house with colored glass and light. She later took her own life due to her loss of sight, hindering her artwork.
Where to Submit Artwork
There are several online websites that accept submissions from outsider artists. Some are free and some charge a fee.
Outsider's Guide Project
The Outsider's Guide Project is a website created for new artists and seasoned artists. The project is a way artists can share their work with the public. The artist must send a story about themselves and the piece of work submitted. The copyrights of the work still belong to the artist.
Sydney University Collections - The International Journal of Self-Taught and Outsider Art
This University program takes submissions of articles and artwork. They promote the exposure of self-taught outsider artists. Some work may be chosen to add to their collection.
Free Artist Resources
Free Artist Resources is a website dedicated to advancing an artist's career. Instructionals are given to teach the artist how to build and develop a website to promote their own outsider artwork.