# Concise Honest Artwork These Nick Nelson Prints are Humorous By Matthew Naik | Published 2011-11-23 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nick-nelson References: [nelsonicboom](http://www.nelsonicboom.com/) & [society6](http://society6.com/nelsonicboom/prints) As the end of the Mayan calender approaches and 2012 looms closer, illustrator Nick Nelson presents a variety of new prints, all with short, slightly comedic sayings, including one stating "The Pretend is Near." This continues the [sarcastic pattern](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/liquid-death-misfortune-cookies) in Nick Nelson’s work, which combines [vibrant, catchy illustrations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/randy-perez) with phrases from pop culture. "Life’s a Beach," "Soul Good Soul Far" and "The Pretend is Near" are only a few of his enticing prints. Nelson has done work for a variety of bands and publications, including a few very recognizable names, and his artwork demonstrates his knowledge of pop culture, while showcasing his sense of humor. He does a great job at turning a simple phrase into a print masterpiece. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.0/10 - Popularity: 74% | Activity: 68% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South 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 ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Pop Culture Illustrations:** Nick Nelson combines pop culture phrases with vibrant illustrations to create prints with humorous sayings. - **Sarcasm as Art:** Nelson's sarcastic artwork highlights how humor can be used as a successful marketing tool. - **Calculated Comedic Messaging:** Using calculated comedic messaging in print designs can lead to increased customer engagement and brand recognition. ### Where This Applies - **Print Design:** Nick Nelson's print designs showcase how humor can be successfully integrated into the print design industry. - **Entertainment:** Nelson's work for bands and publications demonstrates the potential for humor and pop culture references in the entertainment industry. - **Marketing:** Nelson's use of humor in his artwork highlights the potential for marketing departments to use calculated comedic messaging in their advertising efforts. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Apocalypse Post Pandemic Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/contemporary-urban-art.md) - [Cheekily Creative Bookmarks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/illustrated-bookmarks.md) - [Archival Pigment Art Print](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/parallax.md) - [Personality-Forward Bookmark Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/humdrum-paper.md) - [Artful Graphic Beach Towels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/artist-terry-beach-towel.md) - [Art-Appreciating Hazy IPAs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/artistic-hazy-ipas.md) - [Colorful Artful Textile Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nick-cave-collection.md) - [Vibrant Design Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/neon-primitivism.md) - [Artist-Designed Collectible Dining Sets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/killer-napkins.md)