Artist as Outlaw Day

Artist as Outlaw Day is observed annually on January 19^th.

Artist as Outlaw Day History

By some definitions, a true artist is someone who breaks the rules, moves an art form in new directions, and makes people think in new ways, all while remaining true to his artistic vision. These artists could be considered outlaws, as they rebelled against the conventions of their time. While most outlaw artists are forever outside the mainstream, a few famous stars have introduced avant-garde concepts and ideas — The Beatles and Bob Dylan are two prime examples. We honor all artists outlawing today, whether they work in the visual arts, music, cinema, writing, or any other art form.

How to Observe Artist as Outlaw Day

You can celebrate this day by creating your own artwork or by discovering artists who can be classified as outlaw artists. There are hundreds of such artists, and some may be more outlawed than others. The definition of who qualifies as an outlaw will also vary depending on who you ask. Here's a list of some that come to mind when we think of outlaw artists: Alejandro Jodorowsky, Allen Ginsberg, Andy Warhol, Captain Beefheart, David Lynch, Frank Zappa, Franz Kafka, Gilda Radner, Hal Ashby, Hedy Lamarr, Ida Lupino, Jack Kerouac, Jackson Pollock…