Growing up in southern Indiana led me to venture into many different interests and hobbies. I express myself through technology by building computers, customizing operating systems, and playing video games through emulators. Through out the week, you can find me thrifting, working out and cycling. When I am not preoccupied with hobbies, I am usually relaxing in a hammock, watching anime and soccer. I love challenging myself by learning another language or by reading multiple books at once. I enjoy listening to nearly every genre of music, but I truly relate with lo-fi and instrumentals that provide a positive atmosphere for thoughts. I choose to focus on challenges that lead to progression so I can create a environment for self growth. I believe that we all have the capacity to continuously aim to be a better version of ourselves season after season.
CJ Cook
I'm passionate about helping others discover a positive identity through art. I strive to create a movement that inspires and empowers children to invest time in themselves as they go through the ups and downs of life. I believe expressing yourself through symbols that you can relate with, can help establish a positive mindset. The vision is to build a reinforced self-image that can withstand the toughest of storms. The art is meant to reflect who you are and what you live for as you strive to understand what you are made of. Self-discovery will ultimately direct you to who you want to be. I am inspired to share that concept and principle to show others how you can use art to establish a stronger identity.
I transitioned from a decade in corporate management to a non-profit artist. Before then I was a football scholarship athlete which propelled me towards an opportunity to study abroad in Florence, Italy. I was perplexed by the frescoes and countless examples of Renaissance art that was illustrated on the ceilings of classrooms. Street art was intertwined throughout the city as artists were actively bringing the underground scene to the surface. Being exposed to street art in Europe led me to my favorite artist; Banksy, who embodies the definition of self expression, hope, and activism. The individualism that stems from Banksy’s freehand stencil graffiti encouraged me to express myself with spray paint and stencils to create artwork that can be converted to apparel.
