Artists to Know: 10 LGBTQ+ Artists to Check Out
Starting with the Stonewall riots in 1969, Pride Month is prevalent for LGBTQ+ civil rights and justice. While we acknowledge and support LGBTQ+ rights no matter what time of year, we wanted to celebrate Pride Month by spotlighting 10 talented LGBTQ+ artists. We hope you discover a new favorite creator!
Art has always been a powerful form of self-expression, and LGBTQ+ artists continue to shape that power into something vibrant, personal, and universally resonant. From surreal symbolism to joyful expressionism, these 10 independent artists offer a rich range of styles, stories, and perspectives.
Whether they’re painting bold portraits, dreamy landscapes, or nostalgic still lifes, each creator on this list brings something uniquely beautiful to the canvas and to the world. Keep reading to discover LGBTQ+ artists whose work you’ll want to follow, collect, and celebrate.
Saira Holland | Symbolic Surrealist
Saira Holland’s artwork invites you into an intimate universe where memory, myth, and identity merge. Created during the isolating early days of the pandemic, her current body of work became a way to bridge distance and forge emotional connection. Each piece acts as a personal portal – what she calls her “Temple of Self” – constructed from layered experiences and a longing for shared understanding. In her work, Saira sees not just herself, but the echoes of others who find resonance in her vivid, introspective world.
Based in Austin, TX, she paints using watered-down acrylic on raw wood, allowing the natural grain to become an organic part of her compositions. Her distinct style fuses surrealism, cubism, and art deco with southwestern folk-pop influences, creating scenes that feel both grounded and galactic. Her bold female figures stand within cosmic dreamscapes, surrounded by symbols that feel ancient yet personal. With each brushstroke, she offers a moment of connection between artist, subject, and viewer.
Click here to see more of Saira Holland’s art on iCanvas.
Adrian Sykes | Whimsical Storyteller
Adrian Sykes’ paintings transport viewers into whimsical yet contemplative worlds where vibrant color meets surreal design. Based in Bristol, UK, Sykes draws inspiration from both real and imagined landscapes, building scenes that are as joyful as they are thought-provoking. His work often features playful architecture, charming oddities, and distorted proportions like ladders that stretch endlessly skyward or houses perched in improbable places. Beneath the surface cheer, however, lie deeper emotional threads exploring solitude, effort, and the beautiful unpredictability of human experience.
Driven by a fascination with how art connects people, he embraces the unexpected in both process and outcome. He often starts with quick, intuitive sketches, then moves directly into larger works using oils or acrylics, letting the paint evolve naturally on textured surfaces. This spontaneity allows for accidental discoveries that add depth and nuance to his compositions. Through a mix of humor, imagination, and visual challenge, he creates pieces that spark curiosity and invite personal interpretation.
Click here to see more of Adrian Sykes’ art on iCanvas.
Aley Wild | Joyful Expressionist
Aley Wild’s art radiates joy, movement, and connection. Based in Sydney, Australia, she draws inspiration from nature, community, and the pure, unfiltered delight of self-expression. Her work bursts with vibrant color, hand-drawn typography, and fluid, uncontained figures that seem to dance across the canvas. With each piece, Wild channels a deep sense of inclusivity and optimism, inviting viewers into a world where curiosity is celebrated and authenticity shines.
Known for her bold graphic style and uplifting energy, her creations feel like visual affirmations. Whether it’s a group of playful characters mid-dance or a cheerful phrase rendered in her signature lettering, her art is designed to uplift and inspire. Fueled by a passion to share her creative spirit, Wild brings a heartfelt positivity to everything she makes.
Click here to see more of Aley Wild’s art on iCanvas.
Jessica Wood | Modern Still Life Painter
Jessica Wood’s artwork is a celebration of color, memory, and everyday joy. Based in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, her vibrant still life paintings are rooted in personal nostalgia, particularly the warmth of her grandmother’s flower-filled home. Inspired by the simple beauty of a vase of freshly picked blooms, Wood aims to pass along that same spark of happiness through her art. Her work reminds us that joy can be found in the smallest, most heartfelt details.
Her “Floral Still Life Series” offers a fresh, imaginative twist on a traditional art form. Using a mix of mediums and a no-rules approach, she creates bold compositions that feel both contemporary and deeply sentimental. Each piece is a vivid blend of emotion and color, built from memories and fueled by her lifelong desire to live creatively. Whether it’s a bouquet on a kitchen table or a flourish of brushstrokes across the canvas, her art invites viewers to pause, smile, and find beauty in the moment.
Click here to see more of Jessica Wood’s art on iCanvas.
Hayden Williams | Fashion Illustrator
Watching Disney movies as a child eventually led London-based artist Hayden Williams to the path of fashion illustration as a teen and adult. A mix of inspiration growing up, including “pop culture, cartoons, video game characters, music videos, fashion editorials in magazines and also fashion dolls such as Barbie and Bratz” resulted in his now stylized fashion illustrations of celebrities. Often leaning into hyper femininity and glamor, he nods to both old Hollywood glam and modern fashion styles.
This mix of vintage and present day style can be seen throughout his creations of famous musicians, actresses, models, and other fashionistas posing in trendy outfits. From Beyoncé’s performance looks to luxurious beach attire to Cher and Dionne from Clueless, we think his art exudes fun attitude and flair. If his work looks familiar, you may have seen him collaborate with Rimmel London, Bratz and Kylie Jenner.
Click here to see more of Hayden Williams’ art on iCanvas.
Dan Nelson | People & Pets Artist
Inspired by joy and happiness, Chicago-based artist Dan Nelson claims that creating art has always been a part of who he is. While he has developed his own style of painting, he feels like his art evokes a little bit of “David Hockney and Norman Rockwell with a dash of the old Dick and Jane Illustrations”. His own vibrant spin on these legendary artists has led him to painting delightful scenes of people and their pets.
Whether it’s representing LGBTQ+ couples with their cute pups or or showing dance parties inside of mid-century style homes, his prints are sure to put a smile on your face. From disco dog parties to pool boys to canine celebrations, dive into these cheerfully sweet scenes.
Click here to see more of Dan Nelson’s art on iCanvas.
Gilliard Bressan | Travel Photographer
Based in Lisbon, Portugal, Gilliard Bressan became a photographer out of the desire to “escape to another world”. With his travels awakening his artistic vision over the years, he now loves to stroll around the city to find constant inspiration through his lens. Capturing the incredible sights seen through his unique eyes, his mix of street photography, travel, and architecture pulls you into incredible settings.
Ranging from old buildings to more modern structures, his mix of imagery is sure to mesmerize. From The Great Pyramids to Venetian sights to geometric windows, we think his photos give off historical flair and architectural drama.
Click here to see more of Gilliard Bressan’s art on iCanvas.
Brain Wave Cult | Poetic Portrait Artist
Drawn to the artists of the bohemian lifestyle in Paris around 1900, as well as the German Expressionists and Dadaism, Brain Wave Cult grew up creating comics and depicting TV personalities. Joining the Post-Punk movement as a teen, they worked with fashion and jewelry design in London and Berlin, while later on moving to creating figurative paintings and digital art. Now living in Italy, Brain Wave Cult hones in on poetic portraits that embrace artificial intelligence.
Often depicting same sex couples or intriguing male portraiture, each creation reveals eyes full of emotion. From radical passion to broken promises to young poets, we think their artwork reveals peculiar and intimate energy.
Click here to see more of Brain Wave Cult’s art on iCanvas.
Aaron Allen | Abstract Portrait Artist
Heavily involved in art as a child, Aaron Allen eventually reignited his passion for painting where he not only conveys his experiences but also “gives viewers a sense of power and emotion”. Not being subjugated to one style, his creativity has spanned portrait and figurative painting with a mix of abstraction and surrealism. By honing his craft with dedication, his career has led him to being spotlighted by the Phoenix Art Museum as an emerging artist, a solo interdisciplinary show at Arizona State University, and current representation by Framed Gallery in Cleveland, Ohio.
This passion for art can be seen throughout his expressive portraits featuring vibrant colors, patterned designs, and abstract brushwork. From the last sunflower to colors of the heart to lost love in the city, we think his prints emit captivating and complex vibes.
Click here to see more of Aaron Allen’s art on iCanvas.
Marcio Alek | Fashion Portrait Artist
A fashion designer and illustrator, Marcio Alek’s artistic background stems from graduating in fashion stylism from Studio Berçot de Paris, attending Fashion History at the Cartier Foundation, going to Art History at the Louvre School, and working on big names in fashion, such as Maison John Galliano, Bruno Pieters and Robert Normand. Believing in kindness, diversity, hope, and the restorative power of art, he immerses his portraiture with his fashion expertise, along with surreal elements.
Each of his female portraits exude a sense of eye-catching intensity that makes you question the inner emotions behind each subject. From tribal attire to abstract faces to Baroque ladies, his prints provide glamorous and thought-provoking energy. If his style feels familiar, you may have seen him work for several publications such as The French Têtu, the Brazilian Caras, Capricho, and the SPFW Journal.
Click here to see more of Marcio Alek’s art on iCanvas.
Want to see even more talented creators? Click here to see all Art by LGBTQ+ Artists on iCanvas.