ICONOGRAPHY
Surrealist Storytellers of Storm Ritter
THE CLASSICS
ESTABLISHED 2014 | NEW YORK CITY
ICONOGRAPHY
The Cool People
The Cool People are the spirits around you, people in your mind, and souls within you; they are whatever you want them to be. Each person is completely unique; never one like the other. Storytellers among us, they are simply reminders that we are never truly alone." Using the right hand for structure, and left hand for emotion, her dynamic motifs are birthed. Empty elements within their forms symbolize unfulfilled qualities we all share. Their organic head line is their identifying characteristic. To the artist, they are ghosts of all genders. Just like us, The Cool People are unique in shape, height and physique. And when curves dominant their stature, it's apparent the divine feminine takes the lead.
Something magical happened when Storm started painted with two hands. In the beginning of her practice, she learned that each hand provided not only a separate style, but tapped into dual parts of her brain. The right hand provided technique while consciously creating. The left hand channeled her subconscious, and with experience, awakened childlike whimsy and skill. She describes the painting process as a method of connecting with herself and the universe on a completely freeing and spiritual level.The Cool People are spawned from two sources, opposite but beautifully complimentary. Storm is not a character creator of The Cool People, but an artist channeling something from within herself or around her. A sense of divine was established along her journey. Divinity can be created when something human-made, mirrors nature. She found peace when she allowed The Cool People to guide her artistry and realized that they offer paralleled healing for her clients.
Who Are The Cool People?
STORM: The Cool People are my iconography, surrealist storytellers and ethereal friends. They are the spirits in your head and around you. And just like us, not one is the same. Their silhouettes are unpredictable in nature, and they are whoever you want (or need) them to be.
My otherworldly figures were the first visuals that were organically produced from my ambidextrous painting. Clients called them cool, so that naturally became their name. They are identifiable by their divine head lines—or hats as some say—and their common, sporadic emptiness within their forms, alluding to the feeling we all share of lacking fulfillment. I had an inkling that these figures were special then, and they have proven to influence my collections, philanthropic projects, and the retrospective reflection that perpetually informs my work.
The Cool People are dominantly found in monochromatic paintings and in technicolor, detailed compositions, either depicted as classic variations or transformative concepts, like esoteric symbols or personified natural elements. They also are featured in mural wallpaper, textiles, painted garment details, jewelry, logo merch, and tattoo designs, but I’ve barely scratched the surface with their impact.
With their elongated and curved bodies, viewers sometimes assume they’re women, but The Cool People are spirits of all gender identities. Like the collective term man includes women, my figurative motifs are also a collective, just a reflection of their female creator. The Cool People are indeed versatile, and without a doubt, serve as a reminder that we are never alone.
"The Cool People are the soulful storytellers in Storm Ritter's surrealist universe."
Spiritual Iconography
Storm Ritter's paintings birth a sense of escapism and enlightenment. As an ambidextrous painter, Storm works in harmony with the sounds of her surroundings, stimulating emotions and mental musings when creating in studio. In the past years, she has produced solo show collections focusing on visually immersive chapters of The Cool People, her signature storytellers. With an array of mediums and aesthetics, her esoteric style and old world techniques remain consistent.
The Origin Visuals
Since 2015, Storm Ritter has actively recorded and photographed her process, archiving endless visuals of The Cool People's evolution. From studio to her storefronts, the figures are aligned with the artist's name. As of 2026, she is focusing even more on the root of her iconography in her surrealist storytelling paintings, publishing ambitions and of course, continuing her signature designs for murals and custom orders. Explore the online photo gallery of The Cool People in fine art, fashion, scenic design and more.
The Cool People
Signature Murals
The most popular mural booking is for the Ascend pattern design of The Cool People, as well as singular silhouettes. With her ambidextrous painting style, there is a strong energy embedded in the walls, elevating the rooms spirituality. Explore the portfolio and request a quote for custom artwork or on-location mural.
Shop online or order a custom monochromatic painting of The Cool People. The artist often caters to client's requests for personalization and symbolism. Typically produced on artisan paper or canvas, the works are available now for purchase or immediate order.
Shop and request a quote for fine artwork of The Cool People in Storm Ritter's colorful storytelling style. These immersive works showcase the figures in their universe and esoteric realm. Commissions are current open and creative prompts for the artist's interpretation are welcome.
Shop The Cool People
Classic Collections
Browse the available and sold collections of classic depictions of The Cool People, from fine art and fashion to merchandise and customized home decor.
