The Art
Mixed media portraits
Portraits depicting real Titanic passengers, where the artwork itself is the artifact.
Surrealism, fantasy and whimsy. Home of Artifactism™ and Souls of the Titanic.
Above: Tom Waits & The Watchers. Impasto and acrylic on a hand built oak panel, with sheet music by Mozart worked into the surface.
The Art of Dirk Strangely
The Work
A new art genre, created by Dirk Strangely
Artifactism™
Historical artifacts are not just included. They become the art itself.
The medium is not paint alone. The medium is a genuine, authenticated artifact, used as the material of the artwork. Each portrait in the Souls of the Titanic series includes authenticated Titanic coal and is constructed using 1912 era paper and 24k gold leaf, transforming history into a tangible, collectible artwork that is itself an artifact.
Through a process called levigation, Strangely turns the recovered coal into a high quality pigment. It is used in the eyes of each subject, and in the signature.
The Artifact
Authenticated materials
Authenticated Titanic materials embedded within each piece, on paper made in 1912, finished with 24k gold leaf.
The Music
Original compositions
An original composition paired with each portrait, and a live string quartet performing Titanic bandleader Wallace Hartley's repertoire at the event.
The Experience
An immersive dinner
An annual dinner recreating the Titanic's final first class meal, held on the anniversary of the night the ship struck the iceberg.
The founding series
Souls of the Titanic
A twelve part fine art series incorporating authenticated artifacts recovered from the RMS Titanic wreck.
Three of twelve finished
Captain Edward John Smith. Margaret “Molly” Brown. Ida and Isidor Straus.
- Premiere14 April 2026, Souls of the Titanic Exhibition & Anniversary Dinner
- LocationsThe exhibition and dinner is staged in a different venue each time. Newsletter subscribers hear where next, first.
- The eveningExhibition, live string quartet, storytelling, and a recreation of the ship's final first class meal
- The workThe first finished paintings are on display for viewing only, as the works are being reserved for future museum exhibitions
- CollectorsPrivate collectors may be considered. Enquiries can be made directly to Dirk Strangely at dirkstrangely@gmail.com
- Ticketssoulsofthetitanic.com
My great grandmother told me our family had a relative who was a crew member in the dining hall. That got my attention to Titanic at a young age. Dirk Strangely
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- New original art and the next Souls of the Titanic portraits
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Prints from $25. Originals from $125.
The Store
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What people are saying
“Wow! You have a wild imagination, Mr. Strangely!” Stan Lee
“Your art is so beautiful it made me cry. Thank you for my lovely piece of art.”
Fairuza Balk
“What is this? Is this supposed to be me? Go Team!”
Gary Busey
“Dirk Strangely is a favorite among art collectors in the underground fine art scene who creates unique fine art that is a blend of both creepy and beautiful.”
Rue Morgue Magazine, 2009
“I was browsing Hot Topic with my boyfriend when 'Darkened Bedtime Stories' caught my eye. 'Myrtle's Broken Turtle' was the first piece I saw, and I was blown away. It reminded me of Tim Burton, but with a cool, creepy-cute twist. The illustrations were amazing, so I looked you up online. Turns out, you make even more art with that same awesome style! I love it.”
Maegan S. San Jose, CA
“Many years ago, my family was at Disney World in an art studio at what was then called Downtown Disney. We saw this really cool Alice In Wonderland series that we all absolutely loved. Unfortunately we couldn't get them at the time as Disney had all our money. A year or two later, we're walking around a Houston Pop culture/Comic book convention and see this art again. We realize, "Hey, this is the guy who did that work at Disney!". We bought everything in the Alice series that he had and 14 years later we're still keeping up with him.”
Tracy P. Houston, TX
“We were at Comicpalooza, and my daughter was captivated by Dirk Strangely's art. Sadly, we were on a tight budget that day and couldn't afford to buy anything. Dirk noticed, and I'll never forget what he did next. He not only sketched a beautiful drawing for her, but he also gave her one of his books, 'The Little Girl Who Loves Pink,' and even took the time to teach her how to draw a cat. It was such a kind and generous gesture. We were blown away. That moment sparked a lifelong passion for art in my daughter, and now she's in college pursuing her dreams. We've been fans and supporters of Dirk ever since. He's a true artist and a wonderful person.”
Rene S. Houston, TX
Artist, writer, musician, U.S. Navy veteran
About Dirk Strangely
Renowned artist and writer Strangely has been enchanting audiences with his distinctive and captivating style for over 20 years. With a loyal following across the United States, Strangely's work has been widely showcased and represented by a diverse range of iconic brands and publishers, including Disney, Hot Topic, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, TokyoPop, and many others. A master of his craft, Strangely's unique blend of surrealism, fantasy, and whimsy has earned him a reputation as a beloved visionary artist and storyteller.
He is a U.S. Navy veteran. He does not remember a time when art did not enchant him, and his work first took off while he was in the Navy, where he often crafted pieces from the ship he was stationed aboard.
In 2026 he founded Artifactism™, a new art genre in which historical artifacts are not just included but become the art itself. He is a frequent guest at comic, horror and science fiction conventions across the country.
Where to find Dirk
Appearances
3 to 7 September 2026
Next up
Dragon Con
Atlanta, Georgia. The largest multi media and pop culture convention in the country, held over Labor Day weekend.
14 April 2026
Premiered
Souls of the Titanic Exhibition & Anniversary Dinner
The first three finished paintings premiered on the anniversary of the sinking.
Dates to come
In progress
Souls of the Titanic, portraits four through twelve
Released as each one is finished. Newsletter subscribers hear first.
Now booking
Enquire
Conventions, galleries and private exhibitions
Available for convention appearances, gallery shows, commissions and speaking on Artifactism™.
Commissions, galleries, press, licensing
Contact
Every message goes straight to Dirk.
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Dirk reads everything himself. Expect a reply within a couple of days.