# Pop Icon Makeovers Dirk Erik Schulz's Fan Art Earns Big Bucks From Generation Y By Katherinev123 | Published 2009-10-04 | Pop Culture Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dirk-erik-schulz-fan-art References: [lifelounge](http://www.lifelounge.com/Mario-Bros-fan-art-will-make-you-rich.aspx) & [themrock.deviantart](http://themrock.deviantart.com/) People are paying to have their favorite [pop culture icons](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/keiichi-tanaami-1) immortalized in drawings, painting, and illustrations. Of course, you do need to have artistic ability (but hey, you can always call it ‘abstract’). According to Life Lounge, “There’s a whole lot of 20 somethings out there with disposable income to thrown around. They’ll pay BIG BUCKS for an [ironic portrait](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/portrait-mom) of Sesame St, Saved by the Bell, 1970s cigarette advertisements, whatever.” One prospering [fan art maker](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/joopiter) is Dirk Erik Schulz, who has created artworks featuring the Mario Bros series. Click through the gallery to see his work! ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.8/10 - Popularity: 64% | Activity: 12% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/popculture) > [Media](https://www.trendhunter.com/media) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Fan Art Collecting:** Creating and collecting fan art is becoming a popular hobby, with people willing to pay high prices for unique and ironic portrayals of their favorite pop culture icons. - **Generation Y Consumerism:** Millennials are driving the demand for fan art, with their disposable income and willingness to spend big bucks on nostalgic and ironic artwork. - **Artistic Entrepreneurship:** Artists like Dirk Erik Schulz are capitalizing on the fan art trend, using their artistic talent to create unique and profitable pieces that resonate with Generation Y. ### Where This Applies - **Art Market:** The demand for fan art is creating new opportunities in the art market, with artists able to sell their work directly to consumers for high prices. - **Entertainment Merchandise:** Selling fan art can be a lucrative business for entertainment companies, as they can license popular characters and enable artists to create unique and authorized artwork. - **Nostalgia Merchandise:** The fan art trend opens up opportunities in the nostalgia merchandise industry, with artists creating ironic and nostalgic portrayals of retro icons that resonate with consumers. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Snack Artwork Auctions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mischief-by-chester.md) - [Video Game-Themed Pixel Paintings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pixel-art-collection.md) - [Playful Cartoon Apparel](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kenny-scharf-and-axel.md) - [Giftable Customized Figurines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pop-yourself-funko.md) - [Artistic Game-Inspired Figures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/louis-de-guzman-1.md) - [Pop Art Skateboard Capsules](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-skateroom-1.md) - [$1,000 Coffee Cups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/expensive-coffee.md) - [Vintage Icon-Themed Accessories](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/susan-kare.md) - [Sci-Fi Show Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/yusuke-hanai-1.md)