# Haunting Nightmarish Paintings Paul Pretzer Turns the Comforting into the Disturbing By Meghan Young | Published 2011-02-05 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paul-pretzer References: [lifelounge.au](http://www.lifelounge.com.au/art-and-design/news/paul-pretzer-paints-nightmares.aspx) & [paulpretzer.de](http://www.paulpretzer.de/) If you haven't been sleeping well for the last few nights, you might want to skip out on browsing through the gallery above, which happens to be filled with Paul Pretzer's [nightmarish paintings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/junji-ito-artwork). Born in Estonia and based in Germany, Paul Pretzer creates art with a very 'Donnie Darko' feel to it. With [mutant animals and deranged cartoons](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/garage-beer), the pieces are made further disturbing because of Pretzer's use of [traditionally innocent and comforting subjects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/deddy-bears). ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 0.8/10 - Popularity: 14% | Activity: 2% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Modern](https://www.trendhunter.com/modern) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Nightmare-inspired Art:** Opportunity to create and market art that taps into the dark, unsettling side of the human psyche. - **Disturbing Visuals:** Opportunity to incorporate unsettling imagery into various forms of media and entertainment, such as movies, video games, and immersive experiences. - **Subverting Innocence:** Opportunity to challenge societal norms and expectations by juxtaposing innocence with disturbing elements in various creative expressions. ### Where This Applies - **Art:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Introduce a new genre of art that combines traditional techniques with haunting and disturbing themes. - **Entertainment:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop new forms of media and storytelling that explore psychological horror and evoke strong emotional reactions in audiences. - **Fashion:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create clothing and accessories that incorporate sinister and unsettling elements, allowing individuals to express their unique style and embrace the darker side of fashion. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Otherwordly Art Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/william-monk.md) - [Otherworldly Wooden Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wooden-sculptures-1.md) - [Playful Modern Art Shows](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brent-estabrook-debuts-storytime.md) - [Distorted Burger Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ailloween.md) - [Creature-Inspired Home Good Lines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/charles-jeffreys-loverboy.md) - [Surreal Art Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jeffrey-deitch-art-gallery.md) - [Abstract Fantasy Home Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/abstract-fantasy-home.md) - [Digital Archetype Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/christian-rex-van-minnen-1.md) - [Witty Toy-Brand Horror Posters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/horror-poster.md)