What We Love | Artist Turns Thrift Store Finds Into Wonderfully Weird Paintings

Artist David Irvine creates hilariously surreal art by inserting pop culture characters into paintings he finds in thrift stores, and we're sort of obsessed. Weird, nerdy, macabre, or just plain funny – there's something for everyone. You can see his work on his Instagram, or even better, you can buy a piece for yourself from his Etsy shop, The Gnarled Branch. Here are just a few of our faves.

 

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Work in progress. Redirected thrift store painting. Based on the John Travolta/PulpFiction meme where he's a bit confused. #pulpfiction #johntravolta #meme #painting #redirectedart #redirectedpainting #davidirvine #thegnarledbranch #popculture #movie #lol #art

A post shared by David Irvine (@thegnarledbranch) on Sep 2, 2016 at 10:25am PDT

 

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Work in progress. Redirected thrift store painting featuring Fonzi /jumping the shark(in a freshwater lake) .This and many others will soon be made available when I post my newest series in a few weeks. No advanced sales sorry. #Fonzi #henrywinkler #happydays #jumptheshark #tv #popculture #waterskiing #thefonz #davidirvine #redirectedart #redirectedpainting #thriftart #thegnarledbranch #nerd #geek #painting #art #lol

A post shared by David Irvine (@thegnarledbranch) on Sep 7, 2016 at 2:43pm PDT

 

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"Bad Kitties" Brand new series of redirected thrift store paintings will presented in less than a month! This piece and the rest will be made available for purchase near the end of September. No advanced sales-sorry. #davidirvine #thegnarledbranch #thriftart #thriftstore #thriftstorepaintings #redirectedart #painting #upcycledart #heart #kitten #kittens #gore #paintbynumber #dada #wtf #lol

A post shared by David Irvine (@thegnarledbranch) on Aug 29, 2016 at 12:22pm PDT

 

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Very likely the only public event I'll be doing this year. Art-O-Con in Burlington,Ontario Canada. October23 11am-6pm Holiday Inn. Lots of talented artists and special guests! #artocon #con #popculture #nerd #geek #cosplay #cosplayer #tv #movie #art #popart #davidirvine #thegnarledbranch #redirectedart #thriftart #Burlington #Hamilton #Toronto #jadeddragonstudios

A post shared by David Irvine (@thegnarledbranch) on Aug 12, 2016 at 9:02am PDT

 

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Now accepting new commission work starting in April. If you are thinking of a redirected thrift art painting- I'd suggest to book now if there's a deadline (a gift for someone) as it could take time to find that perfect candidate to paint on. Message or you can email me info@gnarledbranch.com Prices vary depending on project- $250-$800+ (Canadian funds) #redirectedart #davidirvine #popculture #nerd #geek #tv #movies #commission #art #painting #customart #fanart #starwars #timburton #startrek #cartoon #thegnarledbranch

A post shared by David Irvine (@thegnarledbranch) on Mar 29, 2019 at 9:03am PDT

 

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New original redirected thrift store paintings available via my Etsy shop. Framed and ready to hang. #davidirvine #thegnarledbranch #redirectedart #painting #thriftart #upcycle #etsy #popculture #nerd #geek #muppets #tv #retro #art #originalart #upcycledart #artist #lol #funny

A post shared by David Irvine (@thegnarledbranch) on Mar 23, 2019 at 3:25pm PDT

 

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Here's another commissioned piece that the buyer had to regretfully step back from. Done a few years ago, framed up recently and ready for quick sale from my Etsy shop. Look for TheGnarledBranch on Etsy.com #thegnarledbranch #davidirvine #redirectedart #thriftart #nerd #geek

A post shared by David Irvine (@thegnarledbranch) on Aug 10, 2018 at 10:04am PDT