One look at Raymond Uhlir's portfolio is like taking a trip into the subconscious of an incredibly talented, fantasy obsessed illustrator with a gift for storytelling.
Raymond Uhlir is a 32-year-old Austin, Texas-based artist with a BFA from University of Texas and an MFA from the Univeristy of California-Santa Barbara. His work has been exhibited all over the United States, including Washington, D.C., Houston, Texas, and Miami, Florida.
Raymond Uhlir is skilled at using dazzling colors and fantastical landscape to convey a series of connected paintings that work as a compelling, continuous story, packed to the hilt with elements of adventure, familial history, and mystery. One of my favorite paintings from the Raymond Uhlir collection is one that features a young woman playing a cello, with her teacher nearby. The caption on the illustration reads: "You play beautifully. (But you must work harder. No cowards. Quit that moody brooding.)"
A very apropos message from an accomplished and well-travelled author. Raymond Uhlir is currently exhibiting his work at galleries in the US.
Implications - In the last few years, Hollywood has seen a marked change in business strategy by placing an increased focus on animated film franchises. A company or brand can capitalize on this craze and consumer interest in animated properties by partnering with or developing their own animated character franchises. These animated properties make for lovable mascots and can be exported to any number of mediums, including toys, comic books, and product cartoons.
Freakish Fantasy Paintings
Raymond Uhlir Illustrates Fantastical Dreams
Trend Themes
1. Fantasy Illustrations - The trend of fantastical landscape and storytelling illustrations opens up opportunities for artists and businesses in the entertainment and publishing industries.
2. Storytelling Through Art - The trend of creating a series of connected paintings tells a compelling story and opens up opportunities for artists and businesses in the art collecting and museum industries.
3. Animated Character Franchises - The trend of Hollywood's increasing focus on animated film franchises opens up opportunities for businesses in the entertainment industry to develop their own animated character franchises for toys, merchandise, and cartoons.
Industry Implications
1. Entertainment - The entertainment industry can capitalize on the trend of fantasy illustrations and animated character franchises by creating and promoting new content across multiple mediums.
2. Publishing - Publishing industries can take advantage of the storytelling through art trend by publishing illustrated stories or graphic novels that feature connected paintings.
3. Art Collecting and Museums - The trend for connected paintings used to tell a continuous story has potential for museums and art collectors to display and acquire these pieces as curated exhibitions and collections.