30 Celebrities Who Create Visual Art

The iconic singer-songwriter and Nobel Prize winner, Bob Dylan, has spent decades creating visual art alongside his music career. His paintings and sketches are deeply rooted in American landscapes and culture, often depicting scenes of everyday life with a sense of nostalgia. Dylan's work has been showcased in galleries worldwide, including London's Halcyon Gallery, where his series The Beaten Path - a collection of screenprints and watercolours - was particularly celebrated. He has also explored printmaking, releasing limited-edition lithographs and screenprints that are highly sought after by collectors.

Ronnie Wood, guitarist of The Rolling Stones, has been painting for most of his life. His artworks are vibrant and energetic, reflecting the dynamism of his music career. Wood frequently creates portraits of his bandmates, other musicians, and scenes from his life on tour. His lithographs, especially of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, are among his most popular works. His work has been exhibited in galleries globally, cementing his status as both a musician and a visual artist.

David Bowie’s artistic prowess extended far beyond music. His paintings, characterised by abstract and expressionist styles, often explored themes of identity, alienation, and transformation - concepts central to his music and era-defining personas. Bowie painted prolifically in the 1970s and 1980s and experimented with mixed media and screenprinting later in his career. His DHEAD series, which features distorted portraits, remains a standout body of work.

The legendary Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards is less prolific than his bandmate Ronnie Wood but is an avid drawer and sketcher. Richards’ work often includes personal motifs, such as sketches of guitars, cigarettes, and moments from his life. His loose, expressive linework mirrors his raw, unapologetic approach to music.

Ringo Starr’s visual art takes a colourful, whimsical approach, showcasing his playful personality. Initially dabbling in drawing during downtime on tour, Starr eventually embraced digital art. His works include bold, childlike designs and quirky portraits that reflect his sense of humour, which Starr sells limited-edition prints of his work to benefit charity.

Patti Smith’s visual art shares the raw emotion of her poetry and music. Her work spans minimalist line drawings, abstract paintings, and mixed-media pieces that often incorporate handwritten text. Smith frequently references literary and philosophical themes in her art, and her exhibitions have been well-received in galleries like the Centre Pompidou in Paris.

Johnny Depp’s art career exploded with his Friends & Heroes series, where he painted pop art-style portraits of famous figures like Bob Dylan and Elizabeth Taylor. The vibrant, layered colours and dramatic brushstrokes give his work an electrifying quality. Depp’s limited-edition prints sold out within hours, proving his appeal extends far beyond the silver screen.

Yoko Ono’s conceptual art is widely recognised for its innovative and interactive nature. From her groundbreaking Cut Piece performance to her instructional art books and installations, Ono has made a profound impact on the art world. Her works often revolve around themes of peace, connection, and healing, aligning with her advocacy for social justice. Suggested image: An installation photo from Ono’s Wish Tree project.

Known as the pioneer of ambient music, Brian Eno also excels in the visual arts. His work often explores the intersection of light, sound, and technology. Eno creates digital light installations and generative art pieces that immerse viewers in evolving, meditative environments.

Fashion legend Karl Lagerfeld was also a prolific visual artist, creating sketches, lithographs, and fashion illustrations throughout his life. His art retained the elegance and precision seen in his designs for Chanel and Fendi. Lagerfeld frequently incorporated classical and contemporary influences into his work, blending timeless beauty with modern flair.

James Franco’s multimedia art spans painting, film, and installation. His work often interrogates themes of celebrity culture, identity, and perception. Pieces like those in his New Film Stills series reimagine Cindy Sherman’s iconic work, questioning the roles of gender and fame.

Pierce Brosnan’s journey into visual art began as a way to unwind between acting roles, but his abstract and colourful works have since gained acclaim. His paintings often reflect his Irish heritage and personal experiences, and he has auctioned several pieces for charitable causes. Brosnan’s use of vivid colour and dynamic brushstrokes creates an emotional impact, with works like Earplugs becoming standout pieces in his portfolio.

Dennis Hopper’s artistry spanned photography, painting, and sculpture, with his work capturing the countercultural zeitgeist of the 1960s and 1970s. His black-and-white photography, particularly, provides an intimate glimpse into the era’s art, music, and political movements. Hopper’s paintings often feature abstract forms and bold colours, echoing his experimental approach to filmmaking.

In addition to being a legendary Beatle, Paul McCartney has spent decades developing his painting style. His artworks, often abstract and colourful, reflect his fascination with bold shapes and vivid palettes. Exhibitions like those at the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool have showcased his versatility, revealing a more introspective side to his creativity.

Comedian Joe Lycett uses his artistic talent to tackle social and environmental issues with humour and sharp wit. His mixed-media pieces often incorporate text, creating works that are both visually engaging and thought-provoking. Lycett frequently exhibits his art alongside his comedy, making his creativity multidimensional.

Brad Pitt’s venture into sculpture has received significant attention, particularly after his participation in an exhibition at Finland’s Sara Hildén Art Museum. His abstract sculptures, which often utilise raw, natural materials, explore themes of form, vulnerability, and decay. Pitt’s artistic endeavours demonstrate his deep interest in tactile, hands-on creativity.

Renowned for his surreal films, David Lynch applies the same eerie, dreamlike quality to his visual art. Lynch’s paintings and drawings are deeply unsettling, often featuring grotesque figures and abstract compositions. His works have been exhibited internationally, offering fans of his films a glimpse into his artistic psyche.

Lucy Liu’s expressive paintings and sculptures draw on themes of identity, femininity, and cultural heritage. Her abstract works feature vibrant colours and intricate textures, while her sculptural pieces often incorporate found objects. Liu’s exhibitions, including shows at the National Museum of Singapore, have earned her significant acclaim.

Known for her role on Girls, Jemima Kirke is also a talented painter, producing figurative works that explore themes of femininity and intimacy. Her oil paintings, often of women in domestic settings, exude a quiet vulnerability. Kirke’s exhibitions have been praised for their emotional depth and technical skill.

Jim Carrey’s politically charged paintings and satirical cartoons have garnered widespread attention. His large-scale works feature bold, expressive brushstrokes and vivid colours, often commenting on current events and figures. Carrey’s art has been displayed in galleries and shared extensively on social media, revealing his passion for activism through creativity.

Kim Gordon, co-founder of Sonic Youth, merges punk aesthetics with visual art in her paintings and multimedia works. Her pieces often incorporate text, graffiti-like imagery, and references to pop culture. Gordon’s work has been shown in avant-garde galleries, cementing her as a key figure in alternative art.

Courtney Love’s mixed-media artworks blend drawing, painting, and collage to explore themes of fame, self-image, and vulnerability. Her pieces are often deeply personal, reflecting her turbulent life and career. Love’s exhibitions have sparked both intrigue and acclaim for their raw honesty.

John Mellencamp’s paintings feature bold, expressive brushwork and often address social and political issues. His work, rooted in Americana, reflects the same storytelling sensibilities that define his music. Mellencamp’s art has been exhibited widely, showcasing his commitment to capturing the human experience.

Pharrell Williams blends his love of music, fashion, and art through collaborative projects with visual artists. His work often includes installations and sculptures, such as the vibrant, oversized chairs he designed for Galerie Perrotin. Williams’ art embodies his playful and innovative approach to creativity.

Grimes combines her futuristic aesthetic with digital art and NFTs, creating pieces that explore themes of technology, nature, and mythology. Her NFT series WarNymph was a groundbreaking success, blending visual art with music. Grimes’ innovative approach has made her a prominent figure in the digital art space.

Miley Cyrus channels her eclectic and bold personality into colourful, mixed-media artworks. Her creations blend pop art and folk influences, often incorporating found materials and personal items. Cyrus’ art has been exhibited at contemporary galleries, further showcasing her boundary-pushing creativity.

Madonna has explored art through installations, mixed media, and collaborations. Her works often revolve around themes of identity, gender, and sexuality, using herself as a subject. Collaborative projects like X-STaTIC Pro=CeSS, created with photographer Steven Klein, merge performance and visual art.

The intersection of celebrity and visual art underscores the multifaceted nature of creativity. These 25 artists demonstrate that their talents transcend their primary fields, offering unique insights into their personalities and passions through their art. From the vivid paintings of Paul McCartney to the surreal installations of Yoko Ono and the experimental digital art of Grimes, each artist brings their distinctive perspective to the canvas, sculpture, or digital realm.

Celebrity involvement in visual art has evolved into more than just a side hobby; for many, it’s a means of personal expression, activism, or connection with their audiences in new ways. By embracing traditional mediums like lithography, screenprinting, and sculpture, or pioneering digital spaces like NFTs, these artists contribute to an ever-expanding conversation about the nature of creativity and fame. Their works not only enrich their legacies but also invite us to view them as creators beyond the spotlight. For fans and collectors alike, the art of these celebrities offers a rare glimpse into their personal narratives, proving that the boundaries between artistic disciplines are increasingly fluid.

This blending of mediums and fame ensures that their art will continue to intrigue and inspire for years to come. Whether you're drawn to Bob Dylan's nostalgic prints or the surreal creations of David Lynch, there's no shortage of brilliance in this crossover between fame and fine art.