Welcome to the World of Storm Ritter

Up Magazine released Issue 7, Volume one in April, featuring original artwork by Storm Ritter on the cover, including visuals on the back cover and inside the book. The launch party is April 25th and May 2nd at Taglialatella Gallery downtown NYC at 229 10th Avenue. Art Production Spring of 2023, Up Magazine commissioned the artist to design their 2025 cover for their print fashion edition. The original painti ng on wood, " Vogue of The Cool People " was created and sold at Storm Ritter Gallery at 807 Washington Street, NYC. The surrealist-led iconographic style and composition has become a series in Storm's commissions, foreshadowing similar pieces like " Council of The Cool People " for Girl Scouts of Greater New York and " The Cool People in Ultra Violet " for the 2024 solo show exhibition, A Kind Soul Is A Cool Soul.

Since 2020, Storm began tattooing variations of "The Cool People" and "The Cool Cats" for clients at her West Village Private Studio and Storm Ritter Gallery in Meatpacking. As of summer 2024, Storm is offering artist authenticated tattoo designs for clients to purchase for their tattoo artists.

As an avid archivist, Storm Ritter's body of work not only exists in gallery, but in sketchbooks. In the past years, she produces and sells classic editions of The Cool People as paintings on paper. And, as of February 2026, she is creating and releasing new variations of her classic works, inspired directly from sketchbook entries. ` Paintings on parchment paper, produced in March 2025 at the East Village Studio. Available to purchase online and as prompts for commission work.

Jubilance and warmth can be found in drought. Sometimes you can be stuck between a rock and a hard place. Life seems to feel like that recently with the pandemic, governmental transition, and loss of life -- in many ways. Taking a deep breath, and pushing onward day by day is a triumph. This painting glorifies the rejoicing feelings even in a drained source of life.

The beast of vengeance is near! The title, Internal Inferno , was first a name for a 2015 canvas painting, But the name developed into an ongoing concept. When I am in a state of internal inferno , I 'm boiling over with rage inside over something or someone that was in the wrong. Its a feeling we all find when our world is attacked, and we want to focus in right on the cause of destruction. Powerful, the phrase gives inner strength to dispel the flames inside. No one really can do it but you. To calm the internal inferno, you must find that the best vengeance is calming, not unleashing a storm. Definitely not saying you should be silent or not fight back when necessary, but moreover speculating that you can't control people. You can only control yourself. Ergo, use the intensity of internal inferno to fuel your vengeance with intelligence, not negative negligence. Internal Inferno developed into an entire repertoire of items, all contributing to the same story. The battle between good and evil within yourself is constant. Does a mischievous devil and philanthropic angel simultaneously dwell on your shoulders? I know I have internal battles on the regular. Why not continue to explore the explosion of contradictions in human nature. How do we use our anger with couth ? The original painting makes me think about these notions. The artwork has a depth of power that translates with a confident intensity when worn. This jacket embodies the vibe of Internal Inferno and showcases an except from the inspired esoteric poem. Below are further garments with the original Internal Inferno design featured. Motivation can be fueled by anger and outrage. Encouragement to better yourself and your world comes from the fact that there is something wrong that needs to be made right. How you channel your Internal Inferno is how you will justify a solution to a problem. It's how you handle yourself during hardship. The psychedelic chaos inside you can be mellowed out, and you can choose to route your emotions to empower yourself find a way to make peace (whether that peace is with yourself or something else.) Regardless, its again, up to you to use your Internal Inferno wisely.

Thrilled to announce the opening of my show, The Realm of The Cool People on October 7th, 2021. Greenwich Village-based ambidextrous artist and fashion designer, Storm Ritter is rooted one foot in the past, one foot in the present. A kindred spirit of the Village’s creative yesteryears, Storm undeniably lives her life with an authentic sense of self. Her se ries, Realm of The Cool People,  opens a door into another existing world around us. Esoterically led, the series invites our souls to identify themselves within. The work encourages inner enlightenment in a time indulgent in technological reliance. Storm paints with her unconscious and conscious in tandem to achieve organic divinity. The spiritual figures in the series are collectively named, The Cool People , a signature motif formed in 2014. They are individually birthed with the emotional left hand and structural right hand. Each uniquely spawned with duality, just like people. Their evolution allows them to ascend as relatable storytellers in a surrealist universe. The highly cohesive series invites us to astral project outside (or inside) of ourselves. With a passion for heirlooms and ephemera, Storm primarily works with leather paint mixed with acrylic to create a textual depth of energy, mimicking an aged object. As a painter of canvas and garments, Storm sculpts paint in a way to create a sensation of human wear. Her work is naturally intended to feel as though it has transcended through time, elevating an old-world affiliation. Storm aligned with the heartbeat of the Village in 2015. As a small business owner in New York City, Storm opened a two-story, brick-and-mortar storefront, Storm Ritter Studio , on West 8th Street. Embodying the quintessential village vibe, the store housed a working studio and record-spinning retail shop featuring her original fashion and art. Storm muraled ceiling to floor, always accompanied by her studio cat and soundtracked to classic rock’n’roll. She hosted countless eccentric events, attracting locals and tourists alike to experience nostalgia in a modern community of cool. These moments in time developed Storm’s ability to equally think as an ever-changing artist and as a successful business head. “The Hierophant” depicts a psychedelically ethereal land with a dominating leader. Akin to the tarot and mystical literature, the colors and composition showcase an internal kingdom of power. Although alluding a feminine presence, The Cool People , are inherently both genders. Society prioritizes male first over female in collective word associations. In Storm’s work, female characteristic take precedence in the term, people , but we are all one in the same. In “The Magician,” a crystal ball takes center stage, revealing a musician in a theatrical space. Depicting ethereal movement, the figures dance in harmony. Like others in the series, the title is inspired by the tarot, connecting musicians and magicians as equals. We are conductors of our own lives, and that’s only what the crystal ball can predict. Storm Ritter has been designing and painting since her early start in scenic design. She graduated from New York University, attending Tisch School of the Arts and Gallatin School of Individualized Study. Her work experience in television/stage costume and editorial fashion styling equipped her skills in personal presentation. With gratitude to the inspiring characters she’s met along the way, Storm values endless didactic education. Her business, Storm Ritter, Inc. , enables her to work as an full-time artist, designer, and retailer from her West Village studio. Inner peace is our most valuable currency, and Storm’s mission is to share the richness of our souls.

With past work in arts mentorship with Girl Scouts of Greater New York , Storm donated a custom made canvas to their Annual Gala auction. The painting featured the classic girl scout colors with a powerful line-up of The Cool People , evoking friendship and unity. Titled, "The Council of Cool" the piece embodied the essence of their organization. Storm attended the gala, downtown Manhattan, and the painting raised $2500 for their new camp community center upstate New York. The new building and camp location is intended to be accessible to all young girls involved in the Girl Scouts  to build long lasting relationships and confidence. The event was sponsored by Bank of America  and included speakers and panels featuring women in varied workforce exemplifying leadership and persistence.

10+ years have gone by since I designed and created the set + Audrey II puppets for L ittle Shop Of Horrors . As a junior in HS, my mania for absurdism & creative production exploded. I co-directed it, and I wish we had more evidence but this was the time of the blackberry/sidekick. I was quite obsessed with the designing and creating; spent months building, painting, and working with the crew/cast. Even had the soundtrack on repeat while I slept. When the show was done, I sold the puppets to a professional theatre company. And as a true Cancer Moon, I cried when they drove them away in the van. Grateful for this opportunity; this became a grand moment of realization.

Artist shot process photos from the East Village Private studio.

Photos archives from studio and art salon refresh.

An expansion on the pre-existing painting, " The Hierophant," this painting is a color-packed explosion of movement. A magical world with musical undertones. A little a la Mary Blair, the final painting packs a story-telling punch. "The Hierophant"

Ecstatic to release the new stainless steel bracelet, The Divine Duality Cuff! Featuring two connected cool people, each bracelet is handmade in NYC. A standard size, the piece is flexible to accommodate wrist sizes, small to large.

Custom orders, new paintings, and studio process from May to July 2022.

This archive diary from artist, Storm Ritter, dates from January 1st to February 3rd 2022, with periodic updates throughout the production. Follow her process in this archive and view the full coverage in the portfolio. ARTIST DIARY by STORM RITTER ARCHIVED PROCESS January 1 - 10, 2022 Starting off this divine year with an estimated 60 ft. mural on a side of a building in Downtown Dunedin, Florida. The location of the painting will be the side of the eccentric and historical bar/nightc lub, Blur . Last year in 2021, I painted The Cool People wall inside, so it's serendipitous to be working there again in 2022. Honored to showcase my work in such a brilliantly eccentric and unique town. Huge thanks to and love for Kathy, Dan, and Virgil of The Blur for giving me the canvas of the century! And of course, endless gratitude for Lisa Sampietro of Dorky Daisy Photography , who shot GoPro and digital photo content, daily. P reparing for the project, I've been creating a series of conceptual layouts. The design is broken down into four parts: The Earth, The Sun, The Star, & The Moon. I want the piece to have a magical, otherworldly feel; evoking a joyful, colorful, and ethereal sensation. And, it's a huge treat it feature my motif of The Cool People to share a glimpse into their world. My 2021 work has roots in the esoteric, tarot, and zodiac, so the mural will infuse imagery from my current fine art series, Realm of The Cool People . And with my theatrical scenic painting history, I'm not a newbie to painting large-scale spaces. From 2015-18, I was a manic painter inside my two-story NYC clothing/art storefront, Storm Ritter Studio , where I painted, floor to ceiling. So, this is such a thrillingly fun project to embark on! I've been lucky to spend an extended time in Dunedin to focus on the mural. Velvet and I had the opportunity to set up a siesta studio to finish new pieces, including The World . Alas for my studio cat, she is truly heartbroken not to be riding in the lift, but I promised to sneak her into the painting. I dedicated time in December to make stronger drafts of the mural. On raw wood, I constructed three progressive versions of the mural design. All are excellent process archives and will be used as guides for me to create, with a plethora of ideas to jump off from. The final draft will be the main source of composition. At the competition of the mural, all three will be available for purchase, as well as art prints. First Draft - 18 x 48 inches, on wood - Right off the bat, I wanted to created an environment before establishing a story. With elements from a past pieces, like Zodiac Rising , and composition of Morning Masquerade , I roughly starting building a world. Subtle elements started to birth, but lots to develop. A magical mood is nicely coming together. A basic idea, but fabulous jumping off points. Second Draft - 11.5 x 24 inches, on wood - This second draft was done shortly after the first to re-adjust scale and placement of the elements. Playing with colors a bit more, I took note to what to re-construct for balance in the third draft. The more the concept is painted out, the easier it will be to visualize it in larger scale. There's an organic nature needed when painted, so as long as I have my landmark moments locked down, more detail and story will bloom. Still wasn't 100% on the undeveloped lay-out, so on to another version. Third (Final) Draft - 18 x 48 inches, on wood - This is the final mock-up for composition, adding new small elements from past paintings, Frolicking Foliage For Fools with dancing flowers, Gemini Moon with the pearl, Gemini Games with an checkered egg, a balloon, and surrealist sun, The Star with pouring water and detailed pirate ship, Wheel of Fortune with surrealist faces as people, and The Hierophant with the divine crown. The mermaid concept was re-constructed to change the layout of the land. With the column in the center of the building, I wanted to make sure it was balanced with an abyss essence at the bottom center. The intent of the mural is to showcase a surreal world of mysticism and beauty. Luckily the wall has rectangular sections, so as long as I follow the placement of the main concepts, I am free to organically paint. I rather not project onto the wall, but us my brushes as my guide. - References - After the general layout was established, I still wanted to plan deeper with additional specific references from past paintings 2020-21 . The three rough mock-ups created include "anchor moments" in each of the four panels, meaning, I have my landmarks to develop the composition. But there is a requirement for more hyper detail and storytelling in all elements. So, these cropped images are key moments that would seamlessly marry the mural's story together. I would prefer to use my own reference images during the mural process. January 10-12, 2022 - Paint Prep - Choosing the color palette is always challenging as most of my work is created in an organic nature. I planned out the paint strategically by concept: water, land, figures, magic elements. I use gold more than white in blending and mix my colors directly as I work on canvas/clothes/wood, etc. So, it's still a generous palette with opportunity to create countless additional colors on location. The rough mock-ups are painted with my stock of leather paint, so my palette was not as open as I would have liked, as I am away from my NYC studio materials. But choosing the paint for the mural was a gas as I can see the potential for intense color combos. In preparation, all brushes, sponges, rags, buckets, etc. were acquired for the project. Typically mural artists can use spray paint or rollers, plus project on the wall or paint by grid system. But, I'm approaching the mural as a scenic painter with old school rogue values. Obviously I prepared quite a bit, but there's a honesty and beauty about painting on-location that I don't want to lose. And music is a massively important friend in such creation. You can listen to my go-to mural playlist on Spotify. Lots of The Who, Mama Cass, Joplin, Hendrix, Nina Simone and The Monkees, just to name a few. - Day One - Jan. 13, 2022: Started mid day on Wednesday, and it took quite some time to learn the lift. It's like a circus ride, I swear. But, by the 6pm, I felt so much more confident moving and grooving. Love to hang on a hammock on the bottom and live there. Kidding, but not really. Game plan is to create the environment and layout first. Just a primary layer of color gradations. Started painting around 2pm, so half day of painting. - Day Two - Jan. 14, 2022: Starting 8:30am and working until 6/6:30pm, it's feeling good. Next two days, worked on painting the water and the land. Laborious work but so enjoyable. My set-up is so accommodating and grateful for the assistance from the team at Blur and my dad, Tim. Paint brush cleaning and daily break down is a bitch! When I start really painting the full story, it will be easier to work into the night, as I have a light source on my lift! Definitely a labor or love. Build the world, then add the soul! - Day Three - Jan. 15, 2022: Continuing the land/earth and expanding the composition. Beautiful weather and many visitors. A positive and productive day. Time to start planning the second layers of dimension on water/land too. - Day Four - Jan. 16, 2022: It's rainy and blustery outside this morning, but itching to get back down there! The paint of course is dry and safe. Due to the weather, I waited it out, but still ended up going down to help trim the tree near the right side of the building and start adding on more land/face shape. Painted a couple hours then called it quits due to the high winds and rain. Blur is right by the Gulf of Mexico, so the wind tunnel was more than expected when up high! - Day Five - Jan. 17, 2022: Thankfully a gorgeous day although a bit chilly for FL! Next up today is the main anchor of the red sun and portal door. Initially designing the wall, this was the first concept I put in place due to the existing window frame. Each step is crucial to ensuring that the sizing is correct for the following pieces. After the sun and door frame were added, the first three Cool People were born! Extremely happy with their size and emotion. Sketched in the castle placement as well. I'm using nautical gold paint, which is highly toxic and quite permanent, so it's important larger images are shaped out first in exterior paint before adding the gold boat paint. - Day Six - Jan. 18, 2022: Sharpened up the castle, placing another red circle into the composition. Repeated images and colors are always in 3's (yellows), 5's(blues), 6's (reds), etc. Numbers appear as colors so I often use those as guides when I create compositions. There's a madness to my balancing technique, but it's all in my head. Added in the anchor of The Star, and couldn't be happier! So far, the concepts are lining up nicely with the mock-up yet still feeling organic. - Day Seven - Jan. 19, 2022: Placing in the divine Gemini Sun and key Cool People details. Sunny day and positive vibes. Each piece that is painted needs a few layers and aging so the final look has an old-world sensation. Began to bring in the warmth as well from the bottom center. - Day Eight - Jan. 20, 2022: The ascending trio of people are created. Worked into the night thanks to my lift light. The trio of mermaid people are coming together, who are just absolutely charming. Embedded in their chests are eyes and a pair of lips. Really effective design. Using two hands is quite assisting; brings a sense of whimsy to their characters. - Day Nine - Jan. 21, 2022: Starting to implement smaller details on the left side of the wall. Frolicking foliage and esoteric eggs are appearing! Little details here and there, but didn't want to invest too much time as I need to start catering to the right side of the wall. Back and forth we go from here. Layers to create dimension! Worked a little more on the surrealist mermaids, but need to return to them later. - Day Ten - Jan. 22, 2022: Battling the tree on the right side. Let me tell you, squeezing into the spot on the lift took some unique technique! But so pleased with the placement of the "Cancer Moon" design and large scale "Zodiac Rising" circle. Creating a symmetrical circle at this angle was wild, but I know it's imperfectly perfect. Lots of details to come in this area, and happy with the basic layout & colors. Added in the three golden Cool People over The Star so I can plan where the next pieces will live in tandem. - Day Eleven - Jan. 23rd, 2022: Now we are getting somewhere! The Gemini pearl was born and little details at the horizon line, like the swans. I initially placed in five, as 5 is blue (aka water) but switched back to three, as 3 is closer to the yellow/orange family (aka beaks.) It's my logical mania! The Gemini Sun really came together today too, as there's a plethora of layers embedded within. Just love the energy! - Rain Day - Jan. 24, 2022: It poured all day, so I wasn't able to rock it out. Solid rest day as I'm physically feeling it! Working on the lift 8:30am-6:30pm is wickedly fun, but the subtle and constant movement of the lift is a little rough on my brain. Regardless, calling it a null day and enjoying some down time. - Day Twelve - Jan. 25, 2022: Details! The astrological wheel was added, as well as the palmistry hand and endearing people at the bottom right. Worked in to the dark with such vigor. I'm having the time of my life and couldn't be enjoying this more. - Day Thirteen - Jan. 26 2022: The descending steps were dried and carved out. Brought in the first layers of The Cool People from the abyss. More details with the pirate ship and Oasis sign! The building was originally a bar in 1934, called Oasis, so it's a little historical tribute. Added a peace sign made of The Cool People near the star, straying from the mock-up, but I know it will come in handy with balance later on. - Day Fourteen - Jan. 27, 2022: Little hidden moments are the best. Things that will keep people coming back and discovering again. Hustled a lot today and made quite a bit of process that honestly goes unnoticed until the end. - Day Fifteen - Jan. 28, 2022: The entire day was focused on micromanaging details, hues, and layers. Additions here and there while making sure every area was contributing to the overall balance. - Day Sixteen - Jan. 29, 2022: Getting close! Everything is placed from the mock-up, but now it's time to hyper detail, balance, and age. The Blur held a grand re-opening event to celebrate the nightclub and the mural. Fabulous night! Little did most people know how much more the mural needed! - Day Seventeen to Nineteen- Jan. 30 - February 1, 2022: Back at it after the event, starting to focus on the true story and evolution. February 3rd will be my completion date, so lots to do before that! It could be done, but for me, the story isn't fully told. Barely had time to photo and archive, but had that GoPro running! Hustle mode. - Day Twenty - Feb. 2, 2022: Now we are talking! Bringing the flow out of the anchors and making the magic ascend! Final details everywhere and game-planning the plaque and signature. February 3rd is my birthday, and it could not be more serendipitous to end this stretch on that day. Nothing could be better than painting on my birthday! Many friends and loved ones around. Too cool. My dad has been a constant source of help with daily breakdown, and he finally got a ride on the lift! I worked late this night, but worth it so my to-do list won't be overwhelming tomorrow. - Day Twenty-One - February 3, 2022: Best day ever. Painted thee plaque for Age of The Cool People and finalized details. Originally I wanted the piece to have an Age of Aquarius feel, so the name was perfect. The plaque resembles my canvas work with the gold frame. Just love it. Perfect day of positivity, and my mom even went up for the up-close tour on the lift! Finished the day by celebrating at The Blur. Once I re-set, we will take final photos of the mural this coming week. What a ride! Prints will be made of the final mock-up and the mural, and of course the three original designs will be available for purchase.

This body of work was primarily created in 2022 at her home studio in the West Village. Ranging from tapestries and canvas, to wood pieces and leather jackets, the storytelling collection captures a sense of an old world traveling circus, visualized by travel gypsy. The final exhibition was focused on the eccentricities of her lifestyle and spiritual growth with The Cool People . The first exhibition of the work included designer jewelry and limited eidtion art prints of the collection. With the glorified energy of an esoteric circus, The Cool People divinely invite the viewer into a spiritual showcase of their own accord. This tapestry was featured in the solo show, "Cirque of The Cool People" opened, September 29th in Meatpacking, NYC at 807 Washington Street. The Cirque 8'8" x 5'6" House paint, acrylic, leather paint, oil on loose canvas drop cloth

This January, the home & studio received a magical revival. Elevated warm and zen atmosphere for an immersive vibe. Storm freshly re-painted walls and ceilings and updated the curation of artwork. Fresh platform for the 2025 fine art collection.

Since February 2025, Storm has been in the creation and planning stages of her summer collection of fine art and fashion. With a heavy focus on her theatrical design roots, the storytelling heavy collection will include full color canvas paintings alongside their monochromatic paintings, showcasing both organic process and re-imagined immersion. "Dream in royal purple, for life is not a dress rehearsal."

"A Kind Soul Is A Cool Soul" solo exhiition was originally set as a week-long show, but with the success and additional events, Detour Gallery extended the run twice. The artist resided daily at the gallery catering to client meetings, private tours and photo/video interviews. On December 18th, the show officially closed with plans for the artist to show again in 2025.

February 2024, Storm moved into her new home studio and living quarters in the East Village. She worked into March renovating and painting the space. During the summer she established an art salon style living quarters, accompanied by a home studio. The video and images below depict the East Village Private Studio's main living quarters Spring/Summer of 2024.

Past two months, the studio has been in full production mode, finalizing the collection for the November 14th Solo Show, "A Kind Soul Is A Cool Soul" downtown Chelsea, NYC. Over 70+ paintings, art prints, paintings on paper, clothing, and merchandise will be featured at the opening and week run. View a collection of process photos taken by the artist, October 2024 at the East Village Private Studio.

For the opening of "A Kind Soul Is A Cool Soul," Storm created a small collection of her classic designs of digitally printed textiles, all hand made locally in NYC. The fabric is printed in bulk yardagge and manufactured by her seamstress Jenny Lin, following her origginal Storm Ritter Studio patterns. Below are examples of pieces created for the showcase gift shop and online. Photos by Joseph Dalton and Peter Koloff.

Storm Ritter's solo show exhibition opened in Chelsea at Detour Gallery on Thursday, November 14th from 6-9pm. This was the first of three events held during the month long showcase. All photos are credited to Dan Bassini and Omar Ortiz. Storm Ritter photographed by Dan Bassini Guests at the Gallery Opening

A week after the opening night of "A Kind Soul Is A Cool Soul" 2024 solo show, Detour Gallery held an Artist Tour event. Storm Ritter led groups of guests around the gallery providing process and backstory information about select pieces.

View images of inside Detour Gallery at 545 West 23rd Street, NYC. Portrait images shot by Joseph Dalton and display images by Dan Bassini. November 2024. Inside The Gallery November 2024

November 2024, after the opening exhibition, Ovono Magazine published an online internview and article about the artist, including coverage on the showcase at Detour Gallery.