American artist Scott Dykema paints surreal scenes and subjects in bold, visceral colors that are ingrained with improvised textures and an otherworldly perspective that evokes Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí. Animals, drawn with sharp, unusual patterns on their bodies, are portrayed in peculiar poses as they stand before alien backdrops of contrasting neons, pastels and earth tones. Dykema’s work tells the story of another place and another reality, one with only the faintest resemblance to our own.
Possessing a strong appreciation for the primordial, Dykema draws inspiration from cultures that revere nature, something reflected in the sense of spirituality in his work. He layers different materials — like ink, spray paint, acrylic and varnish — to create dynamic surfaces that enhance the surroundings of his extraordinary subjects.
Dykema graduated with honors from the University of Texas at Arlington. While there, he apprenticed as an assistant to a decorative artist. In 2001, Dykema and his wife, Anna, opened a decorative painting business, Daydream Studios, located in Arlington, Texas. They collaboratively work on an array of private and public art commissions for homes and businesses in the Texas area.
When not working at Daydream Studios,he paints inside an old school bus that he converted into a makeshift studio. His solo work includes illustrating the popular children’s book Keep Dreaming, as well as creating fine art inspired by his imagination.
Dykema boasts clientele from around the United States and internationally. Prestigious publications, such as 360 West and Luxe, have showcased his art, as have many galleries in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
On 1stDibs, explore Scott Dykema’s mystifying mixed-media paintings.
Crystal Clear, Original Painting
By Scott Dykema
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Radiant and self-assured, this striking portrait is part of Scott Dykema’s ongoing series celebrating powerful women. Her gaze is direct and soulful, captur...
Mixed Media
Grace, Original Painting
By Scott Dykema
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A glowing portrait of a young woman by artist Scott Dykema. Part of Scott's series of bold, strong women, this piece is rich with heavy texture and dynamic us...
Mixed Media
With Orange Flowers, Original Painting
By Scott Dykema
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Part of the artist Scott Dykema's series of works with the American Bison as the subject matter. He depicts the hefty animal standing firm in a verdant landsc...
Mixed Media
Gold Edges, Original Painting
By Scott Dykema
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
In this mixed-media painting, artist Scott Dykema depicts a house seemingly floating above lush greenery, with hints of palm trees suggesting a sunlit, coastal ...
Mixed Media
A Seated Chief, Original Painting
By Scott Dykema
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A contemporary portrait depicts an honorable man wearing a colorful feathered headdress against a starry night sky. His calm expression grounds the vibrant and ...
Mixed Media
Adoration of Lily, Original Painting
By Scott Dykema
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A portrait features an angel with gold and silver wings, a glowing hairpiece, and a shimmering dress. The soft green and grey background highlights her bold pre...
Mixed Media
Queen of the Sea, Original Painting
By Scott Dykema
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A regal mermaid with flowing golden hair emerges from the water, her piercing gaze exuding mystery and power. Her shimmering scales reflect the light. A towerin...
Mixed Media
Golden Horn, Original Painting
By Scott Dykema
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
A brawny bison stands against a vibrant, dreamlike landscape. Layers of brown add warmth to its dark-toned fur, while vivid blue strokes around its eye give i...
Mixed Media
Prize Winner, Original Painting
By Scott Dykema
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
This is a piece of art from Scott Dykema's horse series. In the artwork, the horse is depicted as a unique and significant animal. The image is full of striki...
Mixed Media
Persuasion on Pink, Original Painting
By Scott Dykema
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Scott Dykema presents a portrait of a beautiful lady as part of his series of powerful women. The composition touches on combinations of beauty and str...
Mixed Media
Adversity's Light, Original Painting
By Scott Dykema
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
"The light that comes with adversity is almost a badge of honor," states artist Scott Dykema. "A badge of honor that nature wears anonymously. It is a badge o...
Mixed Media
In Flight Together, Original Painting
By Scott Dykema
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Two butterflies spread their wings, revealing intricate white patterns. Outlined with gold metal leaf, they glow softly against a vibrant turquoise background. ...
Mixed Media
With Golden Clouds Raining Down, Original Painting
By Scott Dykema
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Scott Dykema exhibits a hefty brown bison with a thick bushy mane. A psychedelic Aztec background in blue and red, with gold metallic accents draws int...
Mixed Media
Moonlit Travel, Original Painting
By Scott Dykema
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Part of artist Scott Dykema's series of the majestic bison. Mist clears in the dead of the night as an eye emerges from within wisps of bright vivid clouds. I...
Mixed Media
Fortress America
By Kat Flyn
Located in New Orleans, LA
assemblage sculpture: vintage wood fort with hand-painted graffiti, a vintage handmade wood carving of Uncle Sam & Trump, confederate flag scrap blindfold, metal chains, 4 vintage fl...
Mixed Media
Dance Girl : contemporary collage
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary collage by a New York based artist Paul Antonio Szabo. Paul searches for interesting and eye-catching images to later use and arrange them in new compositions. He crea...
Paper, Mixed Media
$1,075
H 33 in W 25 in
The Hills - Original Abstract Colorful Urban Still Life Collage Artwork Framed
By Maria C. Bernhardsson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Maria C. Bernhardsson is a colorful artist who lives and paints in Sweden. Most of her works are influenced by the architecture and geometry of houses. Bernhardsson travels the world...
Paper, Mixed Media
Trump Memorial
By Kat Flyn
Located in New Orleans, LA
A model of the Lincoln Memorial is defaced, suggesting that metaphorically Trump has debased our public discourse with his lies and incessant tweeting. A contrast is drawn between Li...
Mixed Media
Butch
By Kat Flyn
Located in New Orleans, LA
Here's to all the girls who risked disapproval and ridicule from their peers and parents as they shunned dolls and dresses for the toys and lives their brothers had. --- Kat Flyn i...
Mixed Media
$455
H 24 in W 18 in
Bomber Babe (1/2) - Colorful Figurative Cowgirl Pin-up Inspired Artwork on Paper
By Jesse Black
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Jesse’s imagery often merges playful and gritty elements, blending floral patterns, vintage-inspired designs, and bold outlines with a touch of whimsy. His artwork exudes a sense of ...
Paint, Paper, Mixed Media, Spray Paint, Acrylic, Other Medium
$405
H 24 in W 18 in
Cowboy Cat - Whimsical Colorful Figurative Western Animal Painting on Paper
By Jesse Black
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Jesse’s imagery often merges playful and gritty elements, blending floral patterns, vintage-inspired designs, and bold outlines with a touch of whimsy. His artwork exudes a sense of ...
Paint, Paper, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Other Medium, Permanent Marker
$455
H 24 in W 18 in
Wild West Dream - Colorful Playful Figurative Cowgirl Horse Mixed Media on Paper
By Jesse Black
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Jesse’s imagery often merges playful and gritty elements, blending floral patterns, vintage-inspired designs, and bold outlines with a touch of whimsy. His artwork exudes a sense of ...
Paper, Mixed Media, Oil Pastel
$825
H 32 in W 26 in D 0.875 in
"Target Practice", Surrealist Portrait, Brown, Mixed Media, Acrylic Painting
By John Baker
Located in Franklin, MA
John Baker’s “Target Practice” is an acrylic painting on canvas with collage 32 x 26 inches in rich browns and blacks complementing the buff color of the collaged paper. The merciles...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic
$499
H 18 in W 24 in
Lover 5 - Original Pink Figurative Cowgirl Pop Art Painting on Paper
By Jesse Black
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Jesse’s imagery often merges playful and gritty elements, blending floral patterns, vintage-inspired designs, and bold outlines with a touch of whimsy. His artwork exudes a sense of ...
Paint, Paper, Mixed Media, Spray Paint, Acrylic, Other Medium
Spin : contemporary collage
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary collage by a New York based artist Paul Antonio Szabo. Paul searches for interesting and eye-catching images to later use and arran...
Paper, Mixed Media, Board
Surreal Collage: 'The Descendant'
By David Barnett
Located in New York, NY
Combining found elements with those fashioned by my own hand, my work encompasses two- and three-dimensional collage as well as sculptural objects. Infused with a rich sense of histo...
Mixed Media
Where Dreams Come True, Original Painting
By Scott Dykema
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Artist Scott Dykema takes a spin on pop art with the big bad wolf holding a giant fork as he drives a yellow car. Scott paints the pie...
Mixed Media
Vibrant Sky Bison, Original Painting
By Scott Dykema
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Part of artist Scott Dykema's series of the majestic bison. In this piece, Scott depicts the large animal against the bold and rich colors of the sunset. Gold l...
Mixed Media
Bright Light Cowboy Fight, Original Painting
By Scott Dykema
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Drawing on Andy Warhol's famous painting 'Triple Elvis,' artist Scott Dykema offers a contemporary and humorous approach to the composition. Part of Scott's Antonyms series, combining text and imagery. Three glowing cowboys draw and fire their pistols out of the frame. At the top of the painting in all caps "BRIGHT LIGHT...
Mixed Media
Sold
H 36 in W 36 in D 2.5 in
A Nighttime Checkered Horse With Wings, Original Painting
By Scott Dykema
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
This painting is part of the Humble Horses With Wings series. It is the fifth piece in the series and depicts a horse taking flight in the dark of night.
About the Artist
Scott works out of a 1947 Chevrolet school bus that is parked permanently in his Texas backyard. His highly expressionistic, figurative work is reminiscent of contemporary street art, largely due to the inclusion of spray paint in his arsenal of media. Scott is inspired by images he comes across in books or in daily life. His bold statement pieces demonstrate artful yet fanciful interpretations of world cultures. Each painting, through its dynamic layers of color and metallics, presents a story that awaits the imaginative viewer.
Words that describe this painting: horse, wings, winged, flight, flying, night, evening, dark, checkered, Mckenzie Childs...
Mixed Media
Modern Day Matriarch, Original Painting
By Scott Dykema
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
"This piece is heavily influenced by both the art of the Renaissance as well as the work of today," says artist Scott Dykema. "The woman featured is a strong ...
Mixed Media
Hopeful Modern Chief, Original Painting
By Scott Dykema
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist Comments
Part of artist Scott Dykema's continuing series of Native American chiefs. "This piece is rich in color, texture and pattern," says Scott. "The chief projects...
Mixed Media