# Darkly Exotic Illustrations Ryan Peltier Includes Paranoia and the Bizarre in his Artwork By Andrew Robertson | Published 2012-04-15 | Naughty Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ryan-peltier References: [brwnpaperbag](http://www.brwnpaperbag.com/) & [rpeli](http://www.rpeli.com/) The New York and Minneapolis-based illustrator Ryan Peltier gets inspiration from [American Folk Lore](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/american-art-furniture) and early American animations. The characters within these images portray human features yet their elongated frames and skin tone appears to set them in a realm of otherworldly inhabitants. The portraits depict [wildly exotic environments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/anima), familiar through the representation of nature yet still retaining a sense of the sublime -- reminiscent of the landscapes we explore in our daydreams. The artwork recalls the animations of American writer and artist Edward Gorey. Both artists include an [element of the macabre](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-tales-of-the-weird) in what is otherwise a non-threatening environment. A unifying element in many of Ryan Peltier's drawings are the eyes that distinguish his characters. Articulating a sense of unease and slight paranoia, the inhabitants in these animations appear to always be in direct response to a possibly foreboding entity. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.7/10 - Popularity: 71% | Activity: 33% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Naughty](https://www.trendhunter.com/naughty) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Darkly Exotic Artwork:** A trend of illustrations portraying otherworldly inhabitants, including elements of the macabre, inspired by American folklore and early animation. - **Elongated-frame Characters:** A trend of illustrations featuring characters with distinct elongated frames, adding a unique element of art and design. - **Paranoid Portrayals:** A trend of illustrations featuring characters with a sense of paranoia, adding an element of discomfort and intrigue. ### Where This Applies - **Art and Design:** Opportunities to incorporate the trend of dark and exotic artwork in fields such as advertising, graphic design, and interior design. - **Animation and Film:** Opportunities to produce animations and films featuring elongated-frame characters in unique and intriguing storylines. - **Marketing and Branding:** Opportunities to use paranoid portrayal in marketing campaigns to create intrigue and engagement among target audiences. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Archival Pigment Art Print](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/parallax.md) - [Digital Archetype Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/christian-rex-van-minnen-1.md) - [Otherworldly Wooden Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wooden-sculptures-1.md) - [Human Duality-Themed Abstract Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/passive-aggression.md) - [Surreal Art Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jeffrey-deitch-art-gallery.md) - [Striking Urban Wildlife Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/clare-allin.md) - [Dark Abstracted Art Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-minyades-exhibition.md) - [Vibrantly Colorful Dynamic Artwork](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kayla-rumpp.md) - [Whimsical Spirit Art Shows](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/anima.md)