the rose
The influence of graffiti, tattoo flash, graphic design and Japanese sumi painting is the foundation for the organic creation of the rose design.
This rose has come to represent different things to people. For many reasons- more than 200 people (that I know of) have made the decision to get it tattooed on them.. To me, it means a myriad of things including: an exchange of mutual admiration, love, and respect (give them their flowers while they’re still here), perseverance (the rose that grew from concrete), and a statement of peace, and anti hate/anti violence.
Stevie Wonder wrote, “heaven help the roses if the bombs begin to fall” and Kanye West wrote “we’re the roses” 🌹 Where these two statements meet is where the icon exists.
My dream is to utilize this rose and this message to spread love and respect in a non threatening and visually creative way. To “pollinate” or spread this icon is to make a social impact and connect people and brands with a simple, recognizable symbol of respect.
shop rose gear
shop rose gear
“Did you hear about the rose that grew from a crack in the concrete? Proving nature's laws wrong, it learned to walk without having feet. Funny, it seems to by keeping it's dreams; it learned to breathe fresh air. Long live the rose that grew from concrete when no one else even cared.”
— Tupac Shakur