Keep A Breast - MISSION STATEMENT
The Keep A Breast Foundation™ is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization. Our mission is to help eradicate breast cancer by exposing young people to methods of prevention, early detection and support. Through art events, educational programs and fundraising efforts, we seek to increase breast cancer awareness among young people so they are better equipped to make choices and develop habits that will benefit their long-term health and well-being. For more information, please visit www.keep-a-breast.org.
How did you start out as an artist?
It's always been a part of me through various outlets. Before college I was making clothes for myself, painting and writing poetry. Later, living in Savannah attending art school I met some friends who needed artwork for their band's upcoming tour and it just spiraled out from there. After graduating college in 2004 I found absolutely zero local job offerings within my field of Illustration and decided to go full time freelance illustrating shirts and music packaging within the music industry as well as for a few clothing companies. Things just progressed from there.
Is there a first piece of work that stands out to you?
All of my early work is hideous. Years ago I had an obsession with painting anything anatomical, it was a major theme in my art. I did an acrylic piece of a Paper Doll's torso wearing a bathing suit with all parts of the bathing suit depicted as her anatomically correct insides. I still like that piece but there is a funny story here. I ended up submitting it to a group art show about 5 years ago at a gallery in NC called Wootini. My friend Mike who owns the gallery still gives me a hard time about this painting because it was a piece from college that still had my grade on the back! It said "B, Late", something like that. Hey, I liked the piece….
 In your long list of different types of work in the art world, there seems to be a lot of work for music or music-inspired pieces. What are some of your favorite bands? And your favorite pieces?
Yeah, definitely. The past 7 years have been predominately music related work and I've been able to work with so many great people who have become good friends of mine. It's hard to choose favorites but my drum wraps, pattern work and anything I've done with strong clean lines is what I tend to be happy with for a longer period of time. I'm so critical of my work that I can only enjoy it for so long before I'm seeing new ways to improve.
The past year or so I've been itching to change things up so right now my focus is doing less in the music industry and more on what has developed as my passion, which is creating patterns for surface, textiles and fibers. I want to move into surface pattern work for home furnishings like wallpapers, fabrics and textiles for furniture as well as the fashion side creating patterns for fabrics for clothes, more footwear, etc. The Pony/KAB footwear collaboration was the perfect project for where I want to take my art right now.
Some of my favorite bands? To name a few…The Cure, Crowded House, Rilo Kiley, Evanescence…Any of whom I would be delighted to work with!
Before working with PONY, what did the brand mean to you?
PONY triggers such a nostalgic feeling for me. I grew up with Pony so to me it's youthful, classic and reliable. I think for a lot of people that's what Pony means to them. For a brand to invoke that feeling while maintaining a new fresh vibe relevant to what's going on now is incredible. Pony is a classic, a collectable and I'm so pumped on having a part of that involvement with the KAB collab!
How was is to work with footwear as an art medium?
It was amazing! This collaboration was my first footwear opportunity and I think my work transferred well to this medium. Both Keep A Breast and Pony were so great to work with, a smooth process open to allowing me the creative freedom I needed to get my vision across. I can't wait to see how people respond to the shoes. I'd love to get involved on more footwear projects in the future. So fun!
Where did your inspiration come for the design of the shoes?
I wanted a classic balance between clean bold lines and intricate illustration to create unique shoes that would appeal to a wide audience. I was inspired by Native American imagery and combined that with a Nautical theme so you'll see anchors and arrows, shark teeth, a feather symbolizing a dream catcher and a Herringbone pattern that is both reminiscent of Native American weaving and symbolic of water. The shoes carry different shades of blue with a pop of gold and red. I think blue is going to be a prominent color this season so it came together perfectly with the theme.
Why did you want to get involved with Keep A Breast?
I appreciate their prevention approach to breast cancer awareness and their use of art as a catapult to draw in a younger crowd and really resonate with people. It's great to see an organization making a genuine connection with people through art, music, sports and knowledge. Keep a Breast is showing people that it's ok to talk about breast cancer and they encourage us to protect ourselves and the people we care about. They are bold, honest and to the point and have done so much good in a unique way that no one else has done before. The I Love Boobies campaign works so well because it gets your attention right away and who doesn't love boobies? Check Your Self is reminding us we are responsible for our bodies and what we put inside our bodies. I respect that immensely.
How do you think KAB uses art to impact people about breast cancer prevention?
Art communicates in such a personal and profound way that is always unique to it's viewer, transcending culture, race and language. Keep A Breast is completely on top of their message and their use of art including music, live painting events, the beautifully painted breast casts, influential sports figures and relevant nutritional and environmental facts to create knowledge in an accessible way is highly effective because they're interweaving all these positive methods and celebrating a happy, healthy lifestyle. It's a serious issue they're dealing with, but in their approach they've created a family like community which in turn makes a huge impact on the KAB mission as well as those who've dealt with breast cancer in their families and those who maybe had not even thought about taking precaution. Through relatable art, Keep A Breast is getting people talking which makes them take action.
How does the Check Your Self message influence you in your day-to-day life?
I reminds me to take responsibility in being aware of how I'm choosing to live my life and care for my body. Above all it reminds me to love myself.
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