What is the main factor that makes art what it is? It may sound like a rhetorical question or maybe too generic to find an answer that fits everyone. But for the purposes of this post, we can say that art has what it takes to make you stop right on your feet and trigger some pure, genuine awe — even for just a couple of seconds.

From the Sistine Chapel to “The Great Wave off Kanagawa,” plenty of works have captured people’s imagination and attention. But what about when you’re just walking down the street and see something so random yet beautiful that seems like it should belong to a museum? From the lines of a cracked phone screen to the ice on trees during winter, everyday objects can form patterns and shapes that are both awe-inspiring and unexpected. Whatever the case may be, you can’t help but stop and stare at this random piece of art that is just… there, in all its offbeat creativity and glory.

Not sure what we’re talking about? Time to show you then. Scroll down and take a look at this collection of unexpected art, aka art gems hiding in plain sight! We’ve scoured the internet to find some of the best examples of art in everyday life, shared by the people who captured them! Each picture is unique, and all of them are proof that you never know where the next piece of accidental art might be hiding. They all challenge traditional notions of what art is and where it can be found — and the best part? They weren’t born with the intention of being art, making their beauty all the more remarkable!

#1

In Cute Cat News, My Mom Put Up An Easter Decal On Our Front Door And It Makes Gigi Look Like A Dr. Seuss Character

In Cute Cat News, My Mom Put Up An Easter Decal On Our Front Door And It Makes Gigi Look Like A Dr. Seuss Character

drewsoulman Report

A_Cat_To_The_Past
Community Member
1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Gigi didn't want just one superpower. Gigi wanted all of them.

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#3

Something Bumped Against A Wall At Work And Made A Painting Of A Snowy Town

Something Bumped Against A Wall At Work And Made A Painting Of A Snowy Town

bonerificnoodles Report

#4

Rainstorm Creates A Watercolor Painting On Windshield

Rainstorm Creates A Watercolor Painting On Windshield

anthson Report

Stephanie Did It
Community Member
1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You could frame and display that, it's beautiful.

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#5

Art Only Nature Can Create. My Fence This Morning After A Snowy Night On Terschelling, The Netherlands

Art Only Nature Can Create. My Fence This Morning After A Snowy Night On Terschelling, The Netherlands

Greien218 Report

#7

Sunset Reflected In A Broken Mirror

Sunset Reflected In A Broken Mirror

sivribiber Report

Domi
Community Member
1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I suddenly feel a wonderful warmth from that photo.

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#8

Took A Small Squirt Of My Shaving Gel, And Got A Little Chicken!

Took A Small Squirt Of My Shaving Gel, And Got A Little Chicken!

KrzysisAverted Report

#9

This Shadow From Two Different Trees In My Parking Lot

This Shadow From Two Different Trees In My Parking Lot

UnholyFire23 Report

#11

This Cracked Windshield Looks Like A Van Gogh

This Cracked Windshield Looks Like A Van Gogh

mcprogrammer Report

Annik Perrot
Community Member
1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Seurat or Signac, rather. It's pointillism.

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#12

A Patient Experienced Claustrophobia And Had A Panic Attack During A Ct Scan

A Patient Experienced Claustrophobia And Had A Panic Attack During A Ct Scan

tomjulio Report

#13

The Pattern The Ice Left On My Grill

The Pattern The Ice Left On My Grill

iX_Smokey Report

#14

The Corrosion On This Water Tap Looks Like A Map

The Corrosion On This Water Tap Looks Like A Map

Luke-Skywalk Report

Julia Mckinney
Community Member
1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wait, I think I live near there! How'd a map of my town end up on your faucet? Someone call the North American Cartographer Association and ask.

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#15

The Dark Side Of The Moon Art Work Appeared On My Wall

The Dark Side Of The Moon Art Work Appeared On My Wall

treeman26 Report

Ms.M.
Community Member
1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

🎶 The lunatic is on the grass 🎶

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#16

Beautiful Cabbage Art

Beautiful Cabbage Art

Ravenbob Report

#17

At First I Thought This Was Mosaic Tile, Until I Got Closer And Found It Has Been In The Sun Too Long

At First I Thought This Was Mosaic Tile, Until I Got Closer And Found It Has Been In The Sun Too Long

TidalPod Report

Laura Williams
Community Member
3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would buy it if it was a mosaic.

#18

This Is What Happens When The Triple Foam Breaks At The Car Wash

This Is What Happens When The Triple Foam Breaks At The Car Wash

Cheezdealer Report

#19

The Aftermath From A Tornado That Passed Through Mayfield Kentucky - On Display

The Aftermath From A Tornado That Passed Through Mayfield Kentucky - On Display

TehBamski Report

Thegoodboi
Community Member
1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

*wearing 3D glasses* It's almost like it's really happening!! Oh...

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#20

Art By Nature

Art By Nature

M-Saga Report

#21

The Opening In This Wall Looks Like A Piece Of Art Hanging On It

The Opening In This Wall Looks Like A Piece Of Art Hanging On It

JSaltyRae Report

#22

A Rock Created Bird Shaped Window Art On My Car

A Rock Created Bird Shaped Window Art On My Car

AshlynnMartell Report

#23

This Door Handle On A Frosty Morning

This Door Handle On A Frosty Morning

cucumberman_lettuce Report

Domi
Community Member
1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It reminds me of a wedding. I do not know why.

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#24

This Tree Stump Looks Like A Really Cool Skyline

This Tree Stump Looks Like A Really Cool Skyline

Schodog Report

Angi
Community Member
1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's predicting it's own future

#26

Oranges Photographed Through The Glass Panes Of A Greenhouse

Oranges Photographed Through The Glass Panes Of A Greenhouse

mikeleus Report

#27

Icicle Shaped Like A Hummingbird

Icicle Shaped Like A Hummingbird

imgur.com Report

#28

If You Zoom In It Looks Like A Turner Landscape

If You Zoom In It Looks Like A Turner Landscape

Llesnad Report

#29

A Pen Exploded On Our Office Wall, So I Converted It Into A Modern Art Exhibit

A Pen Exploded On Our Office Wall, So I Converted It Into A Modern Art Exhibit

scottsinct Report

#30

My Daughter Dumped Out Her Acrylics In The Sink

My Daughter Dumped Out Her Acrylics In The Sink

imgur.com Report

Shyla Bouche
Community Member
1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's in the sink! The question is, what does the intentional art look like?

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#31

The Guy At Walmart Looked At Me Like I Was Weird For Taking A Picture Of My Paint Before He Could Mix It

The Guy At Walmart Looked At Me Like I Was Weird For Taking A Picture Of My Paint Before He Could Mix It

TJAH Report

#33

When You Go To The Library And Accidentally End Up In Interstellar

When You Go To The Library And Accidentally End Up In Interstellar

welshie123 Report

#34

A Clock In A Server Room Where I Work Is Accidental Modern Art

A Clock In A Server Room Where I Work Is Accidental Modern Art

liamski1902 Report

#35

First Rain, Then Freezing Temperatures = Nature Art

First Rain, Then Freezing Temperatures = Nature Art

jonr Report

#36

Dust In A Wine Glass Creates A Galaxy

Dust In A Wine Glass Creates A Galaxy

anthson Report

#37

The Way This Car Froze

The Way This Car Froze

KingShacka Report

#38

Work In A Paint Store, The Tint Came Out Looking Like A Volcano Erupting

Work In A Paint Store, The Tint Came Out Looking Like A Volcano Erupting

Cazie Report

#39

Spilled Flour On Black Countertop = Cosmic Event

Spilled Flour On Black Countertop = Cosmic Event

Electronic_Potato166 Report

Shyla Bouche
Community Member
1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's going to be a collision in a few billion years! Duck!

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#40

I Dropped Some Water, Opened The Table Extension To Dry And A City Landscape With Temples And Pinnacles Appeared

I Dropped Some Water, Opened The Table Extension To Dry And A City Landscape With Temples And Pinnacles Appeared

Roccobot Report

#41

When You Fill The Soap With Remnants From Multiple Soap Bottles And Accidentally Make A Mana Potion

When You Fill The Soap With Remnants From Multiple Soap Bottles And Accidentally Make A Mana Potion

dickfromaccounting Report

#43

Paper Jammed In My Scanner And I Accidentally Created Abstract Art

Paper Jammed In My Scanner And I Accidentally Created Abstract Art

whatislife4 Report

fair_weather_rose
Community Member
1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel like it says something, but all I can make out is llIlElOlIl

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#45

These Natural Art By Fungus On My Mom's Kitchen Cupboard Wall

These Natural Art By Fungus On My Mom's Kitchen Cupboard Wall

abu_tva Report

Amy Feldman
Community Member
1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

After playing "The Last of Us" I'd simply burn my house

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#46

Accidental Art: Water, Chalk, LEGO Dried On A Table

Accidental Art: Water, Chalk, LEGO Dried On A Table

bakedbeans2 Report

Panda Boi
Community Member
1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yep, frame it and hang it on your wall!

#47

Accidentally Took A Photo With My Phone Inside My Pocket, Created A Wonderful Effect

Accidentally Took A Photo With My Phone Inside My Pocket, Created A Wonderful Effect

jawasaregae Report

#48

This Happened When I Went To Spread Margarine On My Toast

This Happened When I Went To Spread Margarine On My Toast

jeweliegb Report

#49

Our Campsite Matched Our Meal Cover Art

Our Campsite Matched Our Meal Cover Art

waffelman1 Report

#50

A Piece Of Art At The Office - Displays The Live Ticker Tape Headlines, Thrown Into The Trash

A Piece Of Art At The Office - Displays The Live Ticker Tape Headlines, Thrown Into The Trash

dpintoman Report

#51

The Photo Taken Through My Bathroom Window Looks Like A Real Piece Of Art

The Photo Taken Through My Bathroom Window Looks Like A Real Piece Of Art

LaRoso Report

#52

I Spilled Some Coffee In My Lunch Box And The Stain It Created On The Cover Of My Books Looks As If It Is Part Of The Cover Art.

I Spilled Some Coffee In My Lunch Box And The Stain It Created On The Cover Of My Books Looks As If It Is Part Of The Cover Art.

StinkyPinkSock Report

#53

This Potato We Pulled From Our Garden Looks Like A Vegetable Art Piece

This Potato We Pulled From Our Garden Looks Like A Vegetable Art Piece

minimalistdesign Report

fair_weather_rose
Community Member
1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I see a person leaning on one arm and scratching the back of their neck with the other.

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#54

I Had Prepared A Few Agar Plates And Stored Them In A Poorly Sterilized Bag For A While. Now It Has Become Art

I Had Prepared A Few Agar Plates And Stored Them In A Poorly Sterilized Bag For A While. Now It Has Become Art

lou-jay94 Report

#55

Coffee Stain Kitty

Coffee Stain Kitty

reddit.com Report

Shyla Bouche
Community Member
1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thank you, thank you, I know I'm beautiful. If anyone else needs a model, I charge one mousie toy, two socks, and a can of tuna.

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#56

Enter The Quantum Realm (Jasmine Tea Left Overnight)

Enter The Quantum Realm (Jasmine Tea Left Overnight)

MonkeyBananaRainbow Report

John Power
Community Member
1 month ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Quantumness & Tea what a combination I'll have a cuppa that

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#57

I Washed My Car And Was Treated To Some Interesting Patterns In The Frost The Next Morning

I Washed My Car And Was Treated To Some Interesting Patterns In The Frost The Next Morning

dave21779 Report

#58

My Suction Packed Embroidery Thread Looks Like A Modern Art Piece

My Suction Packed Embroidery Thread Looks Like A Modern Art Piece