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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

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    #4

    Rainstorm Creates A Watercolor Painting On Windshield

    Rainstorm Creates A Watercolor Painting On Windshield

    anthson Report

    #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

    #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

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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

    #14

    The Corrosion On This Water Tap Looks Like A Map

    The Corrosion On This Water Tap Looks Like A Map

    Luke-Skywalk Report

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    Julia Mckinney
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated 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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    #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

    #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

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    Thegoodboi
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated 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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    #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

    #24

    This Tree Stump Looks Like A Really Cool Skyline

    This Tree Stump Looks Like A Really Cool Skyline

    Schodog Report

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    #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

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    #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

    #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

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    #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

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    Domi
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It reminds me of that image of a clock running out of space.

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    #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

    #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

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    #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

    #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

    #46

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

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

    bakedbeans2 Report

    #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

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    #49

    Our Campsite Matched Our Meal Cover Art

    Our Campsite Matched Our Meal Cover Art

    waffelman1 Report

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    #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

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    #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

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    fair_weather_rose
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated 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

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    Shyla Bouche
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated 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

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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

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    #59

    The Tube On My Expanding Foam Can Cracked, Resulting In This Mess. The Glove Is Irremovable

    The Tube On My Expanding Foam Can Cracked, Resulting In This Mess. The Glove Is Irremovable

    drmpl Report

    #60

    I Accidentally Painted A Silhouette Of A Forest In My Last Sip Of Coffee

    I Accidentally Painted A Silhouette Of A Forest In My Last Sip Of Coffee

    imgur.com Report

    #62

    Accidental Art

    Accidental Art

    anticafard Report

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    #65

    The Way My Glass Door Shattered

    The Way My Glass Door Shattered

    littlepetrabbits25 Report

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    #66

    My Coffee Break At San Francisco Moma Yesterday Turned Into Accidental Art

    My Coffee Break At San Francisco Moma Yesterday Turned Into Accidental Art

    FNFollies Report

    #69

    Accidental Map On A Dish Soap Bottle In The Kitchen Of A Car Workshop

    Accidental Map On A Dish Soap Bottle In The Kitchen Of A Car Workshop

    HideABear Report

    #71

    I Cracked My Screen Protector And It Created A Beautiful Piece Of Landscape Art

    I Cracked My Screen Protector And It Created A Beautiful Piece Of Landscape Art

    iMiserable Report

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    Sonja
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The beauty thing is, if it's just the screen protector they can carefully peel it off and put it on a bit of cardboard and keep it as a pretty picture

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    #73

    This Onion In My Taco Looks Like Digital Art

    This Onion In My Taco Looks Like Digital Art

    mai_hauran Report

    #75

    Dendritic Patterns In A Container After Removing A Block Of Frozen Blackberry Juice

    Dendritic Patterns In A Container After Removing A Block Of Frozen Blackberry Juice

    HideABear Report

    #76

    Accidental Dirt Art

    Accidental Dirt Art

    nnkosinathi123 Report

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    #77

    Left A Stick Of Glue In An Old Glass With Pencils, It Opened Over The Summer And Made Art

    Left A Stick Of Glue In An Old Glass With Pencils, It Opened Over The Summer And Made Art

    Whitenesivo Report

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    #78

    A Giant Poster Was Ripped Down At The Mall And Left This Behind

    A Giant Poster Was Ripped Down At The Mall And Left This Behind

    randomcanoeandpaddle Report

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    #82

    I Accidentally Spilled Some Gallium On A Pair Of Scissors And Made Modern Art

    I Accidentally Spilled Some Gallium On A Pair Of Scissors And Made Modern Art

    InterstellarOrange Report

    #83

    Took A Picture Of The Full Moon Out Of My Picture Window And Unwittingly Superimposed It Over The Mountain Painting Hanging On The Opposite Wall

    Took A Picture Of The Full Moon Out Of My Picture Window And Unwittingly Superimposed It Over The Mountain Painting Hanging On The Opposite Wall

    hampopkin Report

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    #84

    The Lidless Eye Of Sauron

    The Lidless Eye Of Sauron

    KingBarbarosa Report

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    #86

    This Door Was Left In The Rain Before It Was To Be Installed

    This Door Was Left In The Rain Before It Was To Be Installed

    harlsey Report

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    Sonja
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh my it's beautiful! I'd cover it with a thin veneer of resin and install it as is

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    #87

    My Friend Gave Me Her Senior Pics But I Accidentally Ran Them Through The Wash

    My Friend Gave Me Her Senior Pics But I Accidentally Ran Them Through The Wash

    ManNipplesYay69 Report

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    #88

    The Mold On The Bottom Of This Old Foosball Table Looks Like A Work Of Art

    The Mold On The Bottom Of This Old Foosball Table Looks Like A Work Of Art

    Livid_Narwhal Report

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    #89

    I Threw Out Some Ground Cinnamon At Work And It Spontaneously Created Art And Extra Terrestrial Hieroglyphs

    I Threw Out Some Ground Cinnamon At Work And It Spontaneously Created Art And Extra Terrestrial Hieroglyphs

    nonamebeats Report

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    #92

    The Turntable In My Spray Booth

    The Turntable In My Spray Booth

    ltron9k Report

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

    "Turn Turn Turn.... there is a time to every purpose under heaven" - Byrds

    #95

    Yesterday's Wine Glasses Were Soaking In The Kitchen O/N Because We Were Too Lazy To Wash Them. Today I Found This

    Yesterday's Wine Glasses Were Soaking In The Kitchen O/N Because We Were Too Lazy To Wash Them. Today I Found This

    a_pinch_of_maggie Report

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    #99

    Voila! Bowl Sans Pasta

    Voila! Bowl Sans Pasta

    the_sodfather Report

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    #100

    Accidentally Impressionist Photo Thanks To High Zoom

    Accidentally Impressionist Photo Thanks To High Zoom

    AllHailtheBeard1 Report

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    #101

    Dirt Of The Balcony Carpet. Looks Like Roots

    Dirt Of The Balcony Carpet. Looks Like Roots

    Cetx Report

    #102

    This Satisfying Imprint In My Carpet When I Moved My Wood End Table

    This Satisfying Imprint In My Carpet When I Moved My Wood End Table

    ScruffleMcDufflebag Report

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    #103

    A Woman With Cascading Curly Hair Over Shoulder

    A Woman With Cascading Curly Hair Over Shoulder

    labnelady Report

    #104

    A Fish From A Chemical Reaction

    A Fish From A Chemical Reaction

    LittonTD Report

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    #105

    Leaves On Concrete

    Leaves On Concrete

    DarkDayzInHell Report

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    #106

    I Was Making A Cad Drawing Of A Laser When The "Projected View" Tool Got Stuck. I Clicked Frantically To Resolve The Problem

    I Was Making A Cad Drawing Of A Laser When The "Projected View" Tool Got Stuck. I Clicked Frantically To Resolve The Problem

    EventHorizon5 Report

    #107

    This Towel My Wife Accidentally Bleached That Looks Like An Odd Couple Kissing In A 17th Century Painting

    This Towel My Wife Accidentally Bleached That Looks Like An Odd Couple Kissing In A 17th Century Painting

    mikkiex97 Report

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    #108

    The Light Bouncing Off This Wheel Made An Interesting Pattern

    The Light Bouncing Off This Wheel Made An Interesting Pattern

    imgur.com Report

    #109

    Then: Stack Of 2x4s... Now: Art Piece

    Then: Stack Of 2x4s... Now: Art Piece

    candymay22 Report

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    #110

    The Soap That I Clean Paintbrushes With Is Also Art

    The Soap That I Clean Paintbrushes With Is Also Art

    kaptionless Report

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    #111

    Owl Print! An Owl Has Pretty Clearly, Flown Into My Window. Leaving A Very Detailed Splat

    Owl Print! An Owl Has Pretty Clearly, Flown Into My Window. Leaving A Very Detailed Splat

    VitiateKorriban Report

    #112

    I Put This Coaster Over My Berocca Glass To Stop It Spraying Everywhere When It Dissolved. I Call It “Dawning Of A Million Suns”

    I Put This Coaster Over My Berocca Glass To Stop It Spraying Everywhere When It Dissolved. I Call It “Dawning Of A Million Suns”

    Notherereally Report

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    #113

    Accidental Psychedelic Art

    Accidental Psychedelic Art

    araccoonwithabiggun Report

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    #115

    This Display Of Notebooks At My Local Goodwill Looks Like Modern Art

    This Display Of Notebooks At My Local Goodwill Looks Like Modern Art

    sozh Report

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    #116

    A Ceramic Stone After A Long Day Of Knife Sharpening

    A Ceramic Stone After A Long Day Of Knife Sharpening

    DifferentElevator326 Report

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    #119

    No Use Crying Over Spilt Coffee

    No Use Crying Over Spilt Coffee

    PatonBMX Report

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    #120

    When The Cherry Dropped

    When The Cherry Dropped

    Sleepyhead_WTMB Report

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    Leoninus Fate
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I guess you could say they *puts on sunglasses* "Popped their Cherry! YEAH!

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    #121

    Water Droplets Left By A Wet Dish Rack

    Water Droplets Left By A Wet Dish Rack

    michellerelley Report

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    #122

    Oil Leaking From The Bottom Of A Washing Machine = Gross Spin Art

    Oil Leaking From The Bottom Of A Washing Machine = Gross Spin Art

    cowslaw Report

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    #123

    The Reflection Of A Cloud On This Building Looks Like Pixel Art

    The Reflection Of A Cloud On This Building Looks Like Pixel Art

    CC-42069 Report

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    #125

    Yesterday's Rainy Day Pics. What A Difference A Day Makes

    Yesterday's Rainy Day Pics. What A Difference A Day Makes

    wingsgirl64 Report

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    #126

    This Is The Story Of A Good Snowfall On Wrought Iron

    This Is The Story Of A Good Snowfall On Wrought Iron

    fanieville Report

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    #127

    Ink Rags Should Be A Recognised Art Form. Or An Accidental, That's Cool, Too

    Ink Rags Should Be A Recognised Art Form. Or An Accidental, That's Cool, Too

    tante-sansa Report

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    #128

    Uncontrollably Leeking Spray Paint Can That Changed Everything

    Uncontrollably Leeking Spray Paint Can That Changed Everything

    Wierd_eric Report

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    #129

    Maybe I’m Just High But This Glaze Looks Like Water Splashing

    Maybe I’m Just High But This Glaze Looks Like Water Splashing

    Speaty101 Report