The Future of Pop Culture Art: An Interview with Pat Kenrick

The world of pop culture art is always changing and evolving, and keeping up with the latest developments can be a challenge for artists. Pat Kenrick of Amourable Art, a pop culture artist, wanted to share his insights on the future of pop culture art and how he stays current in the rapidly changing landscape of pop culture fandom. From engaging with fans to following industry news, attending conventions and watching pop culture media, Pat provides practical tips on how to stay relevant and innovative in the world of pop culture art. Additionally, the artist also discusses his exciting new projects, as well as his predictions on how the art market for pop culture art will change in the future. Get ready to delve into the dynamic and ever-evolving world of pop culture art!

Pat in his studio working on an original watercolor cut out painting.

Question: What do you believe is the future of pop culture art and how it will evolve in the coming years?

Pat: I fully believe that pop culture art will continue to grow and evolve in the coming years. With the increasing popularity of pop culture franchises, the love of fan conventions, and the growth of the online art community, there will likely be more opportunities for pop culture artists to showcase and sell their work. Additionally, advances in technology such as virtual and augmented reality may open up new avenues for artists to create and display their work. Conventions are not going anywhere and are going to become even more important in pop culture art than ever before.

However, the market for pop culture art will become over saturated, which will require artists to continuously innovate and find unique ways to stand out. The future of pop culture art will be a bumpy and winding road and I am excited to see how my industry develops in the coming years.

The 2023 Convention Exclusive Print "1985". Pat has never made a piece like this before, where he cut first and then painted. It was new and innovative for him.

Question: How do you think artists can keep up with the rapid changes in pop culture and technology?

Pat: Artists can keep up with the rapid changes in pop culture and technology by continuously learning, adapting, and experimenting with new tools and techniques. Networking with other artists and "experts" in the field can also provide valuable insights and inspiration. Networking is even easier these days since our reach is wider with technology and the internet.

Additionally, artists can push themselves out of their comfort zones by trying new approaches and mediums, or incorporating technology into their work. I recently purchased an iPad to start sketching on. I still plan on always making my original artwork with watercolor and alcohol ink paper cutouts, but the iPad technology will assist with sketches and organization to allow for my designs to be in one place when I reach the studio after traveling on the road.

Collaborating with other artists or brands can also be a way to stay current and bring a fresh perspective to an artist's work. The key is to be proactive, open-minded, and continuously learning and experimenting to stay relevant and innovative in the rapidly changing pop culture and technology landscape.

Question: Can you discuss any exciting new projects or collaborations that you have in the works related to pop culture art?

Pat: As you all know, I always am working on new art. I'm always watching anime, reading comics, watching movies, watching Alexis play her video games, and catching up on the latest TV shows. This allows me to make new projects relevant to pop culture. I have a lot of exciting pieces planned for this year including from media such as Stranger Things, Wednesday, Jujutsu Kaisen, Disney, Star Wars, and much more. You'll just have to stick around to see it all.

Pat reading a comic at home during his down time.

Question: How do you think the art market for pop culture art will change in the future?

Pat: In recent years, geek culture has become increasingly mainstream, and geek-themed products and art have become more widely accepted and sought after. This is partly due to the popularity of franchises such as Star Wars, Marvel, and Game of Thrones, which have helped to destigmatize pop culture and bring it into the mainstream. As a result, geeks are now more proud of their interests and are more likely to display pop culture art in their homes as a way of celebrating their fandom.

The growing popularity of pop culture art has also led to an increase in the quality and variety of art being produced, making it easier for geeks to find pieces that appeal to them and fit their personal styles. Additionally, the rise of popularity in exhibitor halls and artist alleys within comic and fan conventions has made it easier for artists to reach a wider audience, and for consumers to be able to browse multiple artists at one time to find their ideal style that matches their personality.

Overall, the shift towards more widespread acceptance of geek culture has created new opportunities for artists and entrepreneurs, and has allowed geeks to proudly display their passions and interests through pop culture art. As a result, it is likely that the market for geek art will continue to grow and evolve in the future.

Pat's gallery wall in her own home, showing a small variety of art styles that are available to fans now.

Question: How do you stay current with the latest developments in pop culture and ensure your work remains relevant?

Pat: As a pop culture artist, staying current with the latest developments in pop culture is crucial in order to ensure my work remains relevant.

I engage with fans. Fans are often the first to know about new and upcoming pop culture developments, and they can provide valuable insights and feedback on what they would like to see in my work. I make a point to engage with my fans through social media, email, and in-person conventions to stay informed about their interests and the latest fandoms.

I follow industry news and developments. I stay informed about industry news and developments by following pop culture websites, blogs, and forums (reddit). I also attend comic cons, anime conventions and other pop culture events to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and to network with other artists and experts in the field.

I watch pop culture media. I constantly watch pop culture media, including movies, TV shows, and video games, to stay informed about the latest developments and to find inspiration for new pieces.

By continuously engaging with fans, staying informed about industry news, watching pop culture media, and being a fan myself, I am able to stay current and ensure that my work remains relevant and appealing to fans of pop culture.

Pat took a vacation to Disneyland in California with his family to do research and keep up-to-date on all things Disney.

--end interview--

The future of pop culture art is expected to continue to grow and evolve in the coming years with the increasing popularity of pop culture franchises and the growth of fan conventions. The market for pop culture art may become over-saturated, requiring artists to innovate and find unique ways to stand out. Artists can keep up with changes in pop culture and technology by continuously learning, adapting, experimenting with new tools and techniques, networking, and collaborating with other artists or brands. The shift towards more widespread acceptance of geek culture has created new opportunities for artists and entrepreneurs, and it is likely that the market for geek art will continue to grow and evolve in the future. Pat, a pop culture artist, stays current with the latest developments in pop culture by engaging with fans, following industry news, watching pop culture media, and being a fan himself.

What do you think? How do you think the future pop culture art will change? What do you see in the future of pop culture art?