LadyGraphic
Denver, Colorado
Tell us a little bit about who you are and what you do:
Cassandra: LadyGraphic
I am a graphic designer and artist. My artistic focus is in my "wearable art" fashion line called 'Raw&Radiant.' This two year project displays sustainable jean jackets that present original artwork, mixed fabrics and usually activist statements overall.
Let us know more about your business name - how did you come up with it?
LadyGraphic came pretty naturally not only because of my role as a graphic designer, but also because my artwork has always had a "graphic" aesthetic to it. I like to create art that is raw, real, makes you uncomfortable and makes you feel.
What is your signature style / item? How did it become so?
My signature item is my Raw&Radiant line. This line has evolved with the current times, but the original piece I've developed and sold the most of, came from a drawing that just flowed out of me one night. A friend of mine had found the piece so strong that he encouraged me to do more with it. That is when I decided to learn how to screen print and sew and put this image out into the world, only to find how powerful it was to others as well. I won't share what it means to me, as I like to leave it open to interpretation and see what comes up for the audience.
What makes your business unique to the industry?
My business is quite unique to the industry because no two jackets are the same. Since everything is developed from sustainable clothing and hand-made from my personal expression or custom requests, there will never be another out there like what my customers are wearing. And again, these jackets are not quiet, they have a lot to say.
What's been your biggest roadblock when it comes to business and how have you been able to overcome?
Like any artist, I have a mother load of self-doubt. But with that, is the perseverance of true passion. All artists will also feel the ebb and flow of demand. It seems like when you don't have enough time, you get a load of orders and when you could really use the practice, no orders are coming in. It's always a battle and a lesson of trust.
How has your business had to adapt amidst the Covid- 19 Pandemic? What are you doing to navigate the situation?
All businesses and people have been impacted by Covid in one way or another. Mine has definitely slowed down, as many do not wish to spend money for pleasure for the time being. However, a quote I saved recently said it perfectly, "This is precisely the time when artists go to work. There is no time for despair, no place for self-pity, no need for silence, no room for fear. We speak, we write, we do language. That's how civilizations heal." -Toni Morrison
What is your favorite part of what you do?
My favorite part of what I do is the fact that I get to use so many different sides of my artistic background into one unique product. For a few years in the past I was an airbrush artist at an amusement park, I practiced caricatures there, I studied realism, I went to school for design. When I see all these parts fit in, it's a nice reminder of the steps I've made as an artist and the fact that I will never stop learning and shifting my interests.
What is your *must do* local activity?
My "must do" activities are observing the work of other local artists and spending time in nature. These are the things that keep me inspired.
Where to find LadyGraphic:
Website: etsy.com/shop/rawandradiantjackets
Instagram: @ladygraphic
Facebook: http://facebook.com/ladygraphic221