Often children see things just as clearly as adults but tend to say what they see without filtering their thoughts.

 "Grandma's a bit grumpy today". Everybody agrees, but hesitates to say so.

Naïve art aims to be as honest as that. It is childlike rather than childish. It has a charm and a directness which engages the viewer on the most basic level. It is not the poor efforts of the untalented. Henri Rousseau and Vasily Kandinsky both painted in a naïve manner but are recognized as masters. 

A perfect Day
martin whittam

Small City Blues
Paul Bursnall

 

Any subject matter is possible. It's the clarity of childlike vision which makes it Naïve.

Chasing birds
Liz Caires

Private Dancers
Paul Kiernan

Grey day on beach ladies by the Pier
Teresa Tanner

 

Even portraits can be driven by the same simple honesty.

No Fear, Dear
Jaclyn Mason

Groen Fluit II
Zhana Viel

 

Thinking like a child can be very refreshing - but don't necessarily tell Granny she's grumpy.

Looking at an artist's childlike response, in paint, can be equally stimulating.