Ah yes, “Velvet Elvis.” The kitschy king of wall art. The patron saint of questionable taste and roadside flea markets. Let’s shake, rattle, and roll into some trivia that’s as smooth and fuzzy as a velvet painting of The King himself.

**CATEGORY: REGULAR QUESTIONS**

**1.** What makes a "Velvet Elvis" painting distinct from traditional portraits?  
**Answer:** It's painted on black velvet.

- Taglines:
    
    - When you want tacky and dramatic in one convenient wall-hanging.
        
    - Classier than dogs playing poker, barely.
        
    - Texture you can feel with your soul and your regret.
        
    - The Mona Lisa of truck stops.
        
    - Art critics weep—mainly from the fumes.
        

**2.** In which decade did Velvet Elvis paintings first surge in popularity?  
**Answer:** 1970s

- Taglines:
    
    - When bell bottoms weren’t the worst fashion crime.
        
    - Disco inferno meets artistic shame.
        
    - The ‘70s: proof taste took a sabbatical.
        
    - Painting like it’s 1979!
        
    - Elvis has left the building... and entered your den.
        

**3.** Who is typically depicted in a "Velvet Elvis" painting?  
**Answer:** Elvis Presley

- Taglines:
    
    - In case the name didn’t give it away, Sherlock.
        
    - You guessed Sinatra? That’s cute.
        
    - The only king whose throne was a toilet.
        
    - Not your grandma’s Jesus portrait—unless she’s _really_ cool.
        
    - Suspicious minds think it's Chuck Norris.
        

**4.** What U.S. state is often credited with helping popularize Velvet Elvis art?  
**Answer:** Texas

- Taglines:
    
    - Where oil, BBQ, and velvet-based art flourish.
        
    - Don’t mess with Texas... or their questionable decor.
        
    - Deep in the tacky of Texas.
        
    - Bigger hair, bigger belt buckles, bigger Elvises.
        
    - They turned "tacky" into a lifestyle.
        

**5.** Which pop-punk artist released a song titled "Velvet Elvis"?  
**Answer:** Kacey Musgraves

- Taglines:
    
    - Yeehaw with a side of irony.
        
    - Country meets kitsch in glorious harmony.
        
    - She rhymed “Velvet” and “Elvis.” Give her a Grammy.
        
    - Nashville’s answer to a thrift store fever dream.
        
    - Not just another boot-scootin' ballad.
        

**CATEGORY: FILL-IN-THE-BLANK QUESTIONS**

**6.** Fill in the blank: The Velvet Elvis phenomenon is often seen as a symbol of __________ culture.  
**Answer:** kitsch

- Taglines:
    
    - So kitsch, it hurts.
        
    - It’s French for “gaudy on purpose,” right?
        
    - Taste is dead, long live taste!
        
    - Somewhere, Andy Warhol is slow clapping.
        
    - Irony not included—sold separately.
        

**7.** Fill in the blank: Velvet paintings often use the color __________ as the background.  
**Answer:** black

- Taglines:
    
    - Because nothing says “class” like mourning fabric.
        
    - Goth art’s fun cousin.
        
    - Paint it black, because why not.
        
    - Black velvet—like the song, but worse.
        
    - It’s not emo, it’s just misunderstood.
        

**8.** Fill in the blank: Velvet Elvis paintings were often sold in __________ markets.  
**Answer:** flea

- Taglines:
    
    - Come for the tube socks, stay for the Elvis.
        
    - Where dreams and tetanus meet.
        
    - Nothing says “luxury” like $3 and a handshake.
        
    - Pick up a Velvet Elvis and some questionable hot dogs.
        
    - Discount nostalgia for the discerning hoarder.
        

**CATEGORY: MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS**

**9. [Difficulty: 1]** What is a Velvet Elvis?  
A. A cocktail made of bourbon and regret  
B. A type of rockabilly hairstyle  
C. A painting of Elvis on velvet fabric  
D. A conspiracy theory about the real King of England

**Answer:** C

- Taglines:
    
    - It’s not a drink, but it’ll make you dizzy.
        
    - Pour one out for taste.
        
    - More velvet, less Velveeta.
        
    - Hair’s too stiff for a painting, sorry.
        
    - Elvis impersonators everywhere just nodded solemnly.
        

**10. [Difficulty: 3]** Which phrase best captures the cultural perception of Velvet Elvis art?  
A. Postmodern surrealism  
B. Classic American portraiture  
C. Lowbrow kitsch  
D. Neo-expressionist rebellion

**Answer:** C

- Taglines:
    
    - It’s “lowbrow” with a mullet.
        
    - Kitsch: the new black.
        
    - Because irony is cheaper than oil paint.
        
    - Not in the Louvre, but give it time.
        
    - The Mona Lisa just filed a restraining order.
        

Want more gloriously absurd art trivia? Or want to pivot to something even weirder—like cheese-themed conspiracy theories or celebrity pet names? Name your poison.