PAINTING
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Original Abstract Figure Oil Paintings by Adam LoRusso
My contemporary abstract figure paintings utilize dynamic brushwork and painterly mark-making to blend realism with abstraction, inviting you into a space that is familiar yet unknown. Working mostly from live models, I render images of anatomy and energy through intimate observation and a meditative process. Explore my portfolio of original oil paintings and available figurative artwork below. |
Email Adam directly at: [email protected]
A Rose
Original oil painting, 16x20”
A Rose is a mid-size figurative oil painting done from life by Adam LoRusso.
The painting was done during a 5 hour live session with a model. The stylized background and color choices are signature of Adam's work - somehow both arriving and departing from physical reality simultaneously. An attempt to see between colors and catch a glimpse of the vibrating particles that come together to create the illusion of form.
The piece is painted with high-quality, artist grade oil paints on a triple gessoed canvas panel.
One of Adam's favorites! A treasured piece that marked a new chapter in his painting journey.
Nude Figure Study (in blue)
Original oil painting, 12x16”
A figure started from life and finished using photographic reference. The image was painted over a scraped down previously "failed" painting; a common technique which leads me to wonder what the word or implied meaning of "failed" is in this context. If the previous layers were required to create the final state of the image - does that really mean they were failed? Or was it rather that my expectations were misaligned with the intention of the piece outside of my own egoic desires?
The piece is painted with high-quality, artist grade oil paints on a triple gessoed canvas panel.
Morning Glory
Original oil painting on canvas, 24x36”
Created using collaged photographic reference material gathered in my studio using a friend and fellow painter as the model. A perfect example of why I prefer using creatives as models; be they dancers, musicians, or such as in this case a fellow visual artist. There's something that feels more genuine and collaborative about working with models that bring their own voice to the piece. I think I can take a step back, letting them engage more in self-direction, which allows me to focus on moving the paint around. I also feel more strongly inspired in a way which bypasses my intellect and causes my hands to start moving without needing to think about "what to do"
Premium oil pigments on on professional grade stretched canvas
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The Day the Whole World Went Away
Original oil painting canvas, 24x48”
Premium oil pigments on on professional grade stretched canvas
Created using photographic reference material gathered in my studio using a friend and fellow artist as the model. A prime example of why I like using creatives as models; be they painters, musicians, or in this case a musician and writer.
Fellow creative folks bring their own intention to the table which blends with mine - allowing me to take a step back from needing to feel "in charge" and creating a more well lubricated creative process.
The meaning or felt sense of the piece reveals itself over time. In this case, I imagined the figure finding themselves on the floor after hearing crushing news that resulted in a sense of complete lack of control; though ironically that lack of control gave way to the feeling of being directed and moved by something higher than themselves and a sense of safety and ability to simple show up in every moment knowing that everything was exactly the way it was intended.
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Breathing
Original oil painting, 24x24” inches
Painted via photo reference and imagination. Adam utilized a photograph of a woman's back as a starting point for anatomy and then augmented the pose in order to create a more interesting composition.
Once there was something on the canvas that somewhat resembled a human form, reference was abandoned and Adam worked from memory in order to engage his imagination and allow for more interesting color combinations and dynamic movement across the surface.
There's more to capturing a moment than simply what the eyes sees; how do you engage all of the senses and create a feeling?
The piece is painted with high-quality, artist grade oil paints on a triple gessoed canvas.
*SOLD Untitled (Pink Nude)
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SOLD
Original oil painting, 18” x 24”
This piece was generated from photo reference and imagination. A photograph of a woman's back was used as inspiration and augmented over time to create a sense of space - or lack there of.
Reference is often abandoned once there is something on the canvas that somewhat resembles a human form - the work is then finished from memory in order to engage the imagination allowing for more interesting color combinations and dynamic movement across the surface.
The piece is painted with high-quality, artist grade oil paints on a triple gessoed wood panel.
Julie
Original oil painting canvas panel, 16x20"
Premium oil pigments on on professional grade canvas panel
Created using collaged photographic reference material gathered in my studio using a friend and fellow painter as the model. Julie is a reappearing subject in my work. She has a wonderful sense of space and a fantastic wardrobe that she kindly lugs to the studio to help build interesting shapes and reference materials for paintings.
There's something that feels more genuine and collaborative about working with models that bring their own voice to the piece. I think I can take a step back, letting them engage more in self-direction, which allows me to focus on moving the paint around. I also feel more strongly inspired in a way which bypasses my intellect and causes my hands to start moving without needing to think about "what to do"
LOCAL BUYERS choose "pick-up" to avoid shipping charges
*SOLD Pink (is my favorite crayon)
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SOLD
Original oil painting, 11x14”
The piece is painted with high-quality, artist grade oil paints on a triple gessoed canvas panel.
Tidal Wave
Original oil painting, 24x30”
Tidal Wave is a dynamic expression of figurative abstraction in oil paint. Brushstrokes crash against the surface of the canvas panel and give way to the muscular back of a Male figure.
Painted via photo reference and imagination. Once there was something on the canvas that somewhat resembled a human form, reference was abandoned in order to engage the imagination and allow for more interesting color combinations and dynamic movement across the surface.
The piece is painted with high-quality, artist grade oil paints on a triple gessoed canvas panel.
You Were the Only Source of Light that Night in Paris 1953
Original oil painting canvas, 16x20”
It's often the case that as a painting develops, there's a story that emerges associated with the figure in the work. I was reminded of the first time I drank absinthe, not realizing the potency of the spirit, and fell asleep only to have wildly vivid dreams of what was unsure to be imagined or memories of a past life. While painting this I was reminded of the distinct feeling of velvet in hot, heavy air and the sweet, syrupy stench of anise and fennel. The dream was less about the content and more about the deep sensory experience - something that I've only experienced on occasion to date. The image reminded me of how the dream felt.
Premium oil pigments on on professional grade stretched canvas
LOCAL BUYERS choose "pick-up" to avoid shipping charges
Life's a Beach (dig it)
Original oil painting, 24x30”
Life's a Beach was created as part of the Under Loves Sun series for a solo show in 2025. The imagery depicts a variety of figures at the beach; sharing the same sun, sand, water, and sky. The figures were intentionally chosen to have outward differences (build, complexion, etc.), yet were all painted from the same palette.
Adam was interested in creating a narrative for the shared body of work; something he hadn't explored yet in previous series, which relied more on shared aesthetics to tie things together. Who were these people and where was this beach they all found themselves on? Where did they come from as individuals and where were they going as a Whole?
The piece is painted with high-quality, artist grade oil paints on a triple gessoed canvas panel.
Spontaneous Simplicity
Original oil painting, 24x36”
The piece is painted with high-quality, artist grade oil paints on a triple gessoed canvas panel.
*SOLD Seated Female Figure II
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SOLD
Original oil painting, 16x20”
The piece is painted with high-quality, artist grade oil paints on a triple gessoed canvas
Wading into the Present
Original oil painting, 24x36”
Custom Frame Included
Wading Into the Present is a slight departure from Adam's typical works. The background is made up of swatches of paint that create a gradient of hues mimicking the morning sunrise.
At the time this piece was painted, Adam was revisiting the work of Kilmt and was taken by the integration of ornamental backgrounds. While comparatively, Adam's use of ornamentation is quite tame, the influence is still notable and creates a unique aesthetic within this image.
Custom Frame Included
Waiting for Yesterday (the old guard)
Original oil painting, 18x24”
Waiting for Yesterday (the old guard) is a mid-size figurative oil painting by Adam LoRusso that is part of the "Under Love's Sun" series.
The "Under Love's Sun" series explores humanity through our sharing of Earth, Wind, Water, Sun. The impressionist favorite of the sunbather is utilized as an anonymous figure representing all of us; both differences and commonalities.
The piece is painted with high-quality, artist grade oil paints on a triple gessoed canvas panel.
One of Adam's favorites! A treasured piece that marked a new chapter in his painting journey.
Missing the Point
Original oil painting, 11x14”
Missing the Point was created as part of the Under Loves Sun series for a solo show in 2025. The imagery depicts a variety of figures at the beach; sharing the same sun, sand, water, and sky. The figures were intentionally chosen to have outward differences (build, complexion, etc.), yet were all painted from the same palette.
Adam was interested in creating a narrative for the shared body of work; something he hadn't explored yet in previous series, which relied more on shared aesthetics to tie things together. Who were these people and where was this beach they all found themselves on? Where did they come from as individuals and where were they going as a Whole?
The piece is painted with high-quality, artist grade oil paints on a triple gessoed canvas panel.
The Movement
Original oil painting, 9x12”
The Movement is a smaller piece, painted during a live drawing session.
Adam had some extra paint towards the end of the session, so he worked with a limited palette, and quickly due to a short time left in the pose. The result is a spontaneous painting full of wonderful energy and dynamic brushwork.
The piece is painted with high-quality, artist grade oil paints on a triple gessoed canvas panel.
A wonderful piece to add to, or start, your collection of original artwork!
Tell Me About the Ocean
Original oil painting, 12x12”
Tell Me About the Ocean was created as part of the Under Loves Sun series for a solo show in 2025. The imagery depicts a variety of figures at the beach; sharing the same sun, sand, water, and sky. The figures were intentionally chosen to have outward differences (build, complexion, etc.), yet were all painted from the same palette.
Adam was interested in creating a narrative for the shared body of work; something he hadn't explored yet in previous series, which relied more on shared aesthetics to tie things together. Who were these people and where was this beach they all found themselves on? Where did they come from as individuals and where were they going as a Whole?
The piece is painted with high-quality, artist grade oil paints on a triple gessoed canvas panel.
Under Loves Sun
Original oil painting, 36x48”
Under Loves Sun is a slight departure from Adam's typical works. The background is made up of swatches of paint that create a gradient of hues mimicking the morning sunrise.
At the time this piece was painted, Adam was revisiting the work of Kilmt and was taken by the integration of ornamental backgrounds. While comparatively, Adam's use of ornamentation is quite tame, the influence is still notable and creates a unique aesthetic within this image.
Custom Frame Included
Dreamland
Original oil painting, 24x30”
For this piece, Adam utilized a photograph as a starting point for the anatomy, but changed the posture of the figure in order to create a more interesting composition.
This piece is unique in that there were many iterations painted, then scraped away, then re-painted in order to achieve the final image you see. Adam's tendency is to leave paint and work into it, and over it - but here he experimented with removing paint much more than usual and working wet over dry.
The idea is to never let the process become a formula - each piece is its own unique puzzle with its own unique solution. Embracing the process until the painting tells Adam that it is complete.
The piece is painted with high-quality, artist grade oil paints on a triple gessoed canvas.
Crest of the Wave (memory of a woman in pink)
Original oil painting, 16x20”
The piece is painted with high-quality, artist grade oil paints on a triple gessoed canvas panel.
Storm on the Horizon
Original oil painting, 12x16”
Storm on the Horizon was created as part of the Under Loves Sun series for a solo show in 2025. The imagery depicts a variety of figures at the beach; sharing the same sun, sand, water, and sky. The figures were intentionally chosen to have outward differences (build, complexion, etc.), yet were all painted from the same palette.
Adam was interested in creating a narrative for the shared body of work; something he hadn't explored yet in previous series, which relied more on shared aesthetics to tie things together. Who were these people and where was this beach they all found themselves on? Where did they come from as individuals and where were they going as a Whole?
The piece is painted with high-quality, artist grade oil paints on a triple gessoed canvas panel.
Lazy Summer Daze (Ain't No Sunshine)
Original oil painting, 12x16”
The piece is painted with high-quality, artist grade oil paints on a triple gessoed canvas panel.
Together We'll Cross the River
Original oil painting, 18x24”
Together We'll Cross the River is a mid-size figurative oil painting by Adam LoRusso that is part of the "Under Love's Sun" series.
The "Under Love's Sun" series explores humanity through our sharing of Earth, Wind, Water, Sun. The impressionist favorite of the sunbather is utilized as an anonymous figure representing all of us; both differences and commonalities.
The piece is painted with high-quality, artist grade oil paints on a triple gessoed canvas panel.
One of Adam's favorites! A treasured piece that marked a new chapter in his painting journey.
What Does Your Soul Look Like?
Original oil painting, 24x36”
The piece is painted with high-quality, artist grade oil paints on a triple gessoed wood panel.
Finding Beauty in the Dissonance
Original oil painting, 20x16”
The piece is painted with high-quality, artist grade oil paints on a triple gessoed canvas panel.
Team Sleep
Original oil painting, 24x36”
Team Sleep is a large-scale, experimental piece in which Adam employed a series of aggressive marks all made without the use of a brush. The result is a form that is dynamic, moving across the picture plane at breakneck speeds; the flesh starting to vibrate as if the molecules hidden in it's makeup start to become visible.
Something to be viewed in person. Adam absolutely loves the texture that was achieved in this painting.
The piece is painted with high-quality, artist grade oil paints on a triple gessoed canvas panel.
* SOLD Lady in Red
Sold out
Original oil painting canvas panel, 16x20"
Premium oil pigments on on professional grade canvas panel
LOCAL BUYERS choose "pick-up" to avoid shipping charges
** Original oil paintings on canvas, wood panels, or paper. Sizes are approximate; frames are not included.
*** ALL SALES ARE FINAL - as a small, independent business, we cannot support returns at this time. Once your painting has been safely handed over to USPS will we provide a tracking code - at that time, we are no longer responsible for lost or stolen packages.