English artist Ruth Murray has established an intriguing and distinct aesthetic with her artwork -- painting portraits of teens and tweens engaged in carefree chaos.
As an artist, Ruth Murray is classically trained, earning her BA in Fine Art from Loughborough University in 2006, and then earning an MA in Painting from the Royal College of Art in 2008. The formal training is evident in her artwork, which manages to blend the detail and style of a technically gifted artist with the free-wheeling aplomb of an artist painting portraits of her young friends.
As an artist, Ruth Murray's biggest strength is her ability to draw viewers into a story that features a basic portrait. Each illustration seems to harken back to the halcyon days of a fun-filled and carefree youth. Who can't relate to that kind of art? And who doesn't want to dive back into that history?
With an eye on our inner-child, Ruth Murray's art career looks mighty bright.
Implications - In the last few years, there has been an increased premium placed on nostalgia. A company can capitalize on this by featuring advertising that forces viewers to think back on the happy parts of their childhood (street hockey games, sleepovers, picnics). This, on a subconscious level, connects the brand with the halcyon days of one's youth, connecting the company and the consumer on an emotional level.
What's Driving This Trend
- Nostalgic Art
- Capitalizing on nostalgia in art to evoke emotions and promote brand connection
- Youth Portraits
- Artistic focus on teens and tweens in nostalgic, carefree poses
- Narrative Illustration
- Creating stories and emotional connections through detailed illustrations
Who This Affects Most
- Advertising
- Using nostalgic art to promote brand connection and emotional response in advertisements
- Art and Design
- Exploring opportunities to create emotional connections through narrative illustrations
- Fashion and Apparel
- Incorporating nostalgic art into clothing and accessories to tap into consumer desire for connections to their youth
