# Freak-Plastered Paintings Johan Potma Gets Art Inspiration from Oddballs By Kevin Young | Published 2012-04-23 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/johan-potma References: [visualnews](http://www.visualnews.com/2012/04/21/monsters-freaks-weirdos-oddballs) & [johanpotma](http://www.johanpotma.com/about.html) While some people tend to shun from freaks and misfits, Dutch painter Johan Potma embraces them. This Berlin-based artist takes a step into the artistry world of painting from the [skateboarding scene](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-psychedelia) and environment. Most of Potma's work comprise of [acrylic and collage](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/painting-exhibition) where his choice of canvas are usually made up of cigarette boxes, wood blocks and discarded box lids. The use of these materials create a sense of history with the cracks, stains, dents and used facade. This collection of smiling, lethargic and big ogled-eyes monster look friendly and approachable. Potma's work revolves around the imagination of living in a world where so-called freaks are what society is made up of. Viewers can see this correlation in these paintings by Johan Potma as the artist bridges the gap between society and those who don't belong. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.3/10 - Popularity: 27% | Activity: 4% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Freak-friendly Art:** Creating approachable art featuring 'freaks' and misfits - **Upcycled Canvas:** Using unconventional materials like cigarette boxes and discarded box lids as canvas for painting - **Skateboarding Influence:** Incorporating skateboarding culture into the art world through painting and mixed media ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Art:** Opportunity for disrupting the traditional narrative of art by promoting inclusivity and creativity through unconventional means - **Skateboarding:** Chance to innovate skateboarding culture by collaborating with artists to bring a new visual perspective to the scene - **Recycling/upcycling:** Potential for combining art and sustainability by using discarded materials as canvas and promoting eco-friendly practices in the art world ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Surreal Love-Themed Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/joakim-ojanen.md) - [Digital Archetype Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/christian-rex-van-minnen-1.md) - [Glamorous Artful Bronze Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sweet-jane.md) - [Surreal Art Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jeffrey-deitch-art-gallery.md) - [Big-Headed Sculpture Pots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sculpture-pots.md) - [Smiling Snakes Art Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smiling-snakes-art-exhibition.md) - [Deconstructed Pop Art NFTs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/matt-gondek.md) - [Bubblegum Street Art Buildings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hubbabubbabuilding.md) - [Vibrantly Colorful Dynamic Artwork](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kayla-rumpp.md)