Since moving to Brooklyn, it’s been difficult to find a routine with a very busy and chaotic schedule-balancing Natty Paint and a part-time MBA all while in a new city with so many exciting things going on. Two things that were constants in my life in Baltimore while Natty Paint was starting up were my diet and exercise:being vegan and Bikram Yoga.
I’ve decided after much deliberation, I don’t want to be vegan anymore. I like having many more food options available and miss things like eggs and greek yogurt. And now I can eat other things! Like goat cheese! The list keeps going… But milk will not happen, EVER. I hate milk.
I have also decided it’s time to pick up Bikram again, as it is the ultimate way to destress, relax, and clear my head. Today was my first day returning to practice Bikram Yoga. Luckily, there’s a studio super close by in Williamsburg! YES!
After getting back from class, I see I’m tagged in new pic on Facebook of a Bikram yoga instructor wearing a Natty Paint custom Bikram Yoga Hampden shirt, standing next to Bikram Choudhury himself! EPIC!
We’re going to work on getting Bikram his very own shirt to wear at teacher training. Bengal tiger strength, bulldog determination!
Since moving to Brooklyn, there’s been a lot in the works for Natty Paint. A lot of goals have been made for us for our first year in New York. It’s going to be a year of starting over again, making new contacts, making new designs, getting new exposure. This is all on a much different level from when we started out in Baltimore, because here in NY, everything is bigger and more intense! Natty Paint is evolving this year into a fashion label, while still maintaining it’s bold aesthetic and green roots. Instead of craft fairs, we plan to do trade shows to sell wholesale to buyers all over the US, focus on online sales and marketing, and gaining capital for expanding and outsourcing production through grants and investors. It’s going to be a lot of work!
I spent yesterday at the Strand Bookstore by Union Square, scouring the shelves for images for inspiration. First, I made a list of all the sources of inspiration I wanted to investigate: Art Deco, Art Nouveau, Pop Art, Mayan, Columbian, Native American, Weimar Republic, Bauhaus, Josef Albers, Greek & Roman Art. The conclusion of what draws me to these and ties all these together in my mind: geometry. All of these art styles feature shapes interacting with each other in bold colors with high contrast. I came across the title “The Geometric Period” while perusing the Greek vases section, and had an ahah moment. Stripes, checkers, zig zags, triangles, which a few representational objects, mostly animals. This is Natty Paint.
Note: black & white/cream, stripes & triangles…
Note: circles and stripes in the hair and the left side eyelash design…
Note: stripes in different directions, bending & warping.
This reminds me of the NP business card!!
I wish my house looked this like this.
Hmmm… Idea for an in-house NP photoshoot?
FYI. cadmium red + black + geometric shapes = ALWAYS IN.
cadmium red & navy + geometric shapes!
GEOMETRIC ANIMALS in cadmium red & black!
I’m planning to spend the next few weeks visiting libraries, museums, painting with black ink and white paper, and also of course, doing some investigations with Illustrator. I look forward to presenting you the next set of designs for Natty Paint. Stay tuned!
This Friday and Saturday from 8pm-4am, 14 local and national designers will be showcasing their pieces at Williamsburg Fashion Weekend. The focus is on young up and coming designers who make one-of-a-kind garments or small-run collections, with an emphasis on fair-trade, eco-friendliness, and artisan techniques celebrating the handmade and the visionary. Natty Paint can’t wait to go and make some new friends!
Glasslands Gallery. 289 Kent Ave. Williamsburg, Brooklyn on September 17th and 18th. Doors open at 8pm. Entry is $8.
Carlos, our website designer, has entered a design contest for a Mimobot flash drive. Check out his entry, “Tony Blenderhead” and vote here! Voting ends July 30th!
The Phillips Collection is a modern art museum located in the Dupont Circle neighborhood of Washington, D.C.
The Phillips Collection is “an intimate museum combined with an experiment station.” The museum is an exceptional collection of modern and contemporary art in a dynamic environment for collaboration, innovation, engagement with the world, scholarship, and new forms of public participation.
Natty Paint has been commissioned to design and print 215 T-shirts to be sold at the museum store.
The shirts are red with a fierce yet modern design in the front that fit with the ideals of the museum. Be sure to check out the museum and the museum shop!
Their goal is to put more people on bikes in Baltimore because they’re practical, sustainable, beautiful, and fun!
BBW embodies many ideas that Natty Paint. Therefore, we are super happy to have been commissioned by BBW to design and print tshirts that will be sold at their shop!
For the collection, Natty Paint and BBW decided to go for a bright green shirt with animal themed letters for a vibrant yet fun look!
Baltimore Bicycle Works is located at 1813 Falls Road Baltimore, MD 21201.
Saturday, June 26th at 8:00PM, Natty Paint will be at Paradox Nightclub! Natty Paint will be dressing many of the performers at this event including DJ Lemz.
Paradox Nightclub is located at 1310 Russell Street Baltimore, MD.
A protest against boredom.
An underground, modern-yet-throwback fantasy nightlife experience.
Truly avant garde, recklessly beautiful, edgy, and now.
With a focus on live music performances and DJs, but a melting together of scenes and crossing of boundaries.
Express yourself through your outfits – the most interesting concepts will be rewarded with free entrance (for you AND your party). Get the make-up out…look through some mags and sport some rags–have some fun making your outfit.
There are Three Music Areas—bands, DJs and
live P.A.
BBQ by Mama Saray
Tickets $20 in advance (more at the door). Click Here for advanced ticket sales.
For more info about this event, check it out on Facebook!
Houseoft, founded by Tt The Arti$t is having a t-shirt launch party this Saturday, June 5th!
Natty Paint has collaborated with Tt to create some awesome shirts.
Tt The Arti$t will be performing live with Murder Mark at City of Gods Boutique store in Baltimore. Store hours are 12-8 PM and the party is from 5-8 PM. Check out her music at www.myspace.com/houseoftproductions.
