Justin Teodoro is the powerful and creative name behind the Statue of Liberty’s illustration that went viral a few weeks back! We talked to him about his breathtaking career, his inspirations and discovered his 7 secret spots in NYC.
A few weeks back, the social media universe went wild with a beautiful illustration created by the NY-based illustrator, Justin Teodoro.
In a powerful response to the first lady, Melania Trump’s Zara jacket, which had “I really don’t care. Do you?”, written on the back, Justin’s creative, powerful and positive reply, moved the world.
The outrageous act that has been moving people to stand up against the zero tolerance policy of family separations at the boarder, led by President Trump, was spread through out the internet.
Even those that chose to be isolated for the political scene, were touched.
Like us, countless other media platforms and Instagram users, reposted Justin’s illustration, supporting the cause.
Our interview below, will show you more about Justin’s story, career, conquests, inspirations, finishing off with 7 of his secret spots in NYC!
Photo Credit: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
1. Can you tell me a bit about your background? Where you’re from? What you studied? Where you’ve worked?
I’m from Vancouver, BC Canada – born and raised there. I did my undergrad at University of Toronto and after I graduated in 2003 I moved back to Vancouver to figure out what to do for a career.
I’ve always drawn and loved art, but never knew how to make that happen as a “job”. I was always into fashion but, that seemed so far away to me as a career.
I then found about the Associates Fashion program at Parsons and with the support of my family applied and got in. So, I moved to NYC in 2005 to pursue a career in fashion.
I worked as a womenswear designer for 8 years for brands as Tuleh, Cynthia Steffe and Kenneth Cole, before I made a career change to focus on my own illustrations and art.
2. Was the Barney’s window in NY your first major fashion project? Tell us a bit about this project! Or, tell us about your first major project that boosted your career.
My first big project as an illustrator was probably working with Lorenzo Martone and his brand Martone Cycling – we met through mutual friends and I began doing illustrations for him.
That led to us working together on a small capsule range of illustrated tees for Martone Cycling, then a pop up in NYC and finally an artwork for a window display when Martone Cycling was sold at Colette in Paris. That was a major first for me.
I’ve worked with Barneys NY a few times – first on their website doing a few illustrations stories. Those projects led me to working with Barneys New York Japan in 2015 for their holiday campaign. Another major milestone in my career – I created artwork for their holiday campaign and was invited to Tokyo for the holiday launch.
3. You’ve done so many amazing works around the world like Colette in Paris, the subways in Tokyo! I believe you obviously enjoyed them all, but is there one that you’re exceptionally proud of and would love to relive it? Why?
I’ve been lucky to have worked on some pretty amazing projects with really great brands, so it is hard to choose.
I guess though I would always cherish the projects that allowed not only my work to travel internationally but me as well!
So, my project with Barneys in Tokyo and recently doing artwork for Six Senses in Kaplankaya, Turkey was amazing. It’s been great to expose yourself and your eyes to what is out there.
4. The entire Social Media universe saw your latest illustration of the Statue of Liberty with the child. We were one of the hundreds of accounts that share it. Can you give us a taste of how the idea can about and how the creation process was? Did you expect this amazing repercussion?
It really came about from me just reacting to all the news that week – I remember it being so hard to hear all the stories of these families being separated and then seeing all those images in the news.
It was hard not to react.
I think I tried to do something that felt true to what I wanted to say, but also to my art and I think I just wanted to put something out there that was perhaps positive, a sense of hope in all of this sadness, anger and messiness.
So, it kind of just came naturally – I don’t remember exactly what the process was but putting the jacket with what I think we all wanted it to say on the statue of Liberty seemed to be my creative reply.
The reaction was pretty amazing to see – definitely all the viral attention was amazing.
But, it was much more amazing to me to have people email/message me to say thank you for doing this artwork, that it gave them a sense of hope and light in all this darkness.
That really touched me and made me realize that the work had taken on a more powerful meaning that I ever anticipated.
5. Is there any exciting upcoming project you can share with us first hand?!
A few projects in work, so stay tuned!
6. Can people find your work in NY and also to purchase online?
I have a few t-shirts/prints available on my website. Below an image of the gorgeous Jane’s Carousel.
7. What are you +7 top secret spots in NY you love to go with friends, or for work inspiration?
We interviewed the multitalented artist, Jason Naylor, and learned about his journey, his upcoming projects and also his 7 best NYC secret spots! Check it all out below!
Today we bring you a fantastic interview with Jason Naylor! We’re sure many of you are already huge fans – as we are – and, have seen his work throughout New York City.
But, did you know that Jason is a multitalented artist? He is not only the Creative Director at his design company, but also a brand consultant, an artist, a designer and also, an illustrator. Phiuf!
He told us a bit about his journey:
“Well, I was born in Salt Lake City, Utah. My mother is an artist, and so I spent my youth making art and entering art contests.
I always did well in art class and that evolved into going to Design School and studying Communication & Graphic Design. This sort of led to the designs I now use in my art, which are very typographic and design heavy.
My work ranges from graphic designs and paintings as well as illustration, to video and digital graphics. I currently am in a very colorful kick and love holographic colors and rich blacks.
I just finished a collaboration with COACH, where I used their logo to create a massive, colorful LOVE mural. The bright colors and blacks came together nicely to shape that piece, and the colors really fortify the message of love.
What better to explain love in a piece of art than bright colors, right?
In addition, I have a pretty cool series of projects coming up this spring, where I’ll work with schools to develop messages of empowerment and then paint the messages as murals on the walls of the playgrounds.
This will start to come together hopefully in the next few weeks, so I’m pretty stoked on that!”
“Watching the planes land at LGA. Ok, if you don’t know about this, its SPECTACULAR.
Across the street from the Enterprise car rental at LGA, there’s a small park that overlooks both the freeway and the runway… and it’s the closest place you can get to the planes landing.
It’s literally like 100ft from where they land, and you can sit on the bench and watch / listen to the planes come in. It’s riveting. Great date spot too!”
Best hotdog – Anchored Inn
“The Anchored Inn is in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Little “divey” metal bar with a great kitchen. Amazing hotdog – a must try. Get the cheese fries too, you won’t be bummed.”
Their menu serves Mexican-American food, the décor is pretty cool, they have a few pool tables (FYI, we LOVE playing pool) and pinball machines.
As they say, it’s “a place to get fed and drunk”.
Who’s in!?
Hours:
Monday – Friday: 12pm – 4am
Saturday & Sunday: 11 am – 4 am
“I am not even going to say anything about Carthage Must Be Destroyed. You just have to go with at most one other person, or maybe just by yourself, and have lunch. It will change your perspective on the word beautiful.
This place doesn’t have a street sign, so pay attention when you’re looking for it. It’s really something! From the outside you’d never expect to see what’s inside.
As Jason said, we’ll let you go and experience it yourself!
“This is an obvious one, but this a place I like to go to sit and get fashion inspiration. Good place to sit and hang and soak in the beautiful people of SoHo.”
We have to agree! SoHo is one of the best neighborhood in New York City to people watch. You’ll be able to experience every style in only one place.
“I always order the Brazilian Steak at Beco Bar, in Greenpoint. Bring cash, for it’s cash-only. Put plenty of salt on your meat and be sure to order their famous Pão de Queijo too!”
They have been chosen by locals as one of the neighborhood’s favorite to-go spots and it can get quite busy! Besides the fantastic food and specialty Brazilian cocktail drinks – like the Caipirinha and the Batida de Coco, they still have awesome live music performances.
One of our favorites bands is Regional de Nova York that plays the traditional Brazilian “Chorinho” music. This happens every other Sunday afternoon!
Best secret place to watch NYC fireworks – Parking lot at Western Beef
“At the edge of Ridgewood there’s a grocery wholesaler called Western Beef. The parking lot sits on a hill and has a view of the entire city.
You can see ALL the fireworks that happen just by parking in the parking lot and hanging by the fence. It’s not the closest view, but you can see them all, as well as the NYC skyline, and it’s pretty quiet.”
Location: 47-05 Metropolitan Avenue
Best Bar – Boobie Trap
Photo Credit: Nicole Dissier for Bedford + Bowery
“My friend owns this bar called Boobie Trap, and I designed a lot of the stuff in the place including the logo, which has boobs!!! You can also sit in my chair which is covered in art!!!”
Yes, this place is quite something!
Be sure to observe the details around the bar…you’ll certainly have a great time uncovering each one of them!
We also uncovered a few other curiosities about Jason:
Read below to get deeper into Jason’s journey. He shared more about his murals, his inspirations, what he enjoys working on the most, where we can find his murals around New York, which are his favorite artists and still, his passion with tattoos!
How did you start working with painting murals and what was the first one you did?
“The first mural I did was in 2013 – a producer friend called me in panic with an event for Microsoft at SXSW and their graphics for the event fell through.
She asked if I could get graphics up on the wall for the space as I had done that a lot before for brands – you know, design graphics to be printed on vinyl and wrapped on to walls.
But there was no time to have them printed so I offered to paint a mural on the wall during the event. I assumed it couldn’t be that hard? Get the right supplies and get to work?
So, I did, and it was a huge success, and they brought be back the next year to do it again! Meanwhile, I was hooked on large scale. Never looked back.”
What are your inspirations to create these fantastic art works? Does your hometown of Salt Lake City have a part in it?
“Well, I’m inspired by anything uplifting. I like a ‘feel good’ vibe, and I like to brighten things with color and positivity. So quotes, motivational speaking, self help… these things inspire me, as well as anything colorful.
My upbringing I’m sure plays a big part, but that is a very long story, LOL. Suffice it say that I am happy about where I came from and happy about where I am now, and I feel inspired by anything that is optimistic or positive.”
You are gifted with so many expertise, from doodles, logos, typography, design, etc…what do you most enjoy doing?
“First of all, thank you! I honestly enjoy the range of things I do. The variety enables me to put all my love into each project, as it keeps things fresh and never feeling tiresome or old.
I think diversity in mediums and tools and projects keeps me on my toes, as well.”
Where can people find your murals around New York?
“On 16th Street with 6th Avenue, 60th Street with 2nd Avenue, Houston with 1st – 2nd Avenues (in the park), Orchard & Houston (the ice cream shop gate), Bowery & Hester, Suffolk & Delancey, (collaboration with HekTad).
Also, in Queens, on Queens Blvd with 46th Street and in Brooklyn, across from Kings Plaza.”
This is tough, but what are some of your favorites works?
“Ohhh. Well. I love Tristan Eaton murals. Insanely cool and well planned. I love the photography of Nick Knight. I love Kaws, so smart and James Jean, his magical illustrations make me swoon.”
How about your tattoos? Are they all your drawings? If not, how do you choose the tattoo artist to be part how these drawing come to life?
“The only tattoo that I drew is the first one. I drew and re drew it 100 times before getting it tattooed.
Now, I’ve learned that you have to enable the tattoo artist some creative liberty, if you want a good tattoo. So, I try to selects artists based on their portfolio, style etc…and talk it through with them.
They know how your ideas will come out on the 3D surface of your body. Sometimes flat art doesn’t translate, and it’s best to let the artist do his/her thing!”
Jason, we had a great time interviewing you and learning more about your journey, your work, your 7 best NYC secret spots and all the upcoming exciting news!
Keep up this fantastic work and continue leaving your mark throughout our beloved New York City!
Video Credits: @FreshNewYorkers and Test Truck by NotBeAfraid2Fail Photo Credit: Courtesy of Jason Naylor, Nicole Dissier for Bedford + Bowery, @HeyDavina, @SheraStClair and all venues *Last Update on April/2020.*
The beauty of working out of coffee shops in Brooklyn is the possibility of meeting random strangers. It is most definitely an experience everyone should have one day! I recently met Dana Barry, a very talented illustrator!
Today, I was working from one of the coffee shops in Williamsburg that I love spending the day! After grabbing a smoothie and approaching back to my place, a breathtaking sketchbook lying on top of my “neighbor’s” table caught my attention.
I couldn’t help myself and started talking to her! Well, you know me! I’m great at starting random conversations with stranger, and usually leave with a new friend.
Her name is Dana Barry. She was born in New York, but lived in Cali for a while where she studied at an Art College. After some time there, she decided to come back to the East Coast. She explained that New York was more of her style, and is now living in Brooklyn.
Dana’s work is amazing and very powerful. She sketches images of people that pass through the New York subways! Sometimes, she has just a few minutes before the person jumps off at another station. So, she draws the main lines and compliments is later with her memory and creativity!
Her idea is to eventually put together this beautiful book with her sketches, showing the diversity of this crazy City. Dana explains:
“It’s a way to break all the preconceptions we have when we judge someone before even talking to them. Sometimes, a guy that might look like a hardcore drug dealer, is actually thinking good thoughts, or what he’ll be cooking his kids for dinner tonight. While a gorgeous woman wearing an expensive fur coat can be pondering on the possibility of suicide…”
We never know what goes through people’s heads, but humans are judgmental beings at a first glance, for sure.
Her work is really something! Her energy is definitely great and she’s one of these beautiful souls you just happen to stumble upon.
I’m always glad when I start these random conversation throughout my week, in the most diverse spots.
Fê is our Founder & CEO! She’s Brazilian (Yup! Not a New Yorker!), but her indescribable passion and curiosity for NY makes her a New Yorker by heart. Fê worked in companies like Kimberly Clark, Quintessentially, Vogue Brazil and Iguatemi Group, and after 12 years of working for these fantastic companies, she decided to go solo and move to NYC!
She lives in Brooklyn since April of ’15 and has been tirelessly working on BTSNYC, working with huge companies on corporate projects, practicing her Arhatic Yoga meditations, finding time for gym and friends! Phiuf!
The men’s wear designer, Thom Browne, was the guest curator of #ThomBrowneSelects hosted inside Cooper Hewitt Museum. His work was certainly intriguing and discussed the concept of individuality.
“If you’re going into design, you should be in it only because you want to design things that are provocative and new. Be true to yourself and have the confidence to design according to what you think and not what other people are trying to tell you.” – Thom Browne
In a world where we see everyone copying everyone else and that individuality and being unique is so rare, Thom Browne challenges this topic in a recent project.
Hosted inside the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, his installation gathered over 50 contemporary mirrors and frames that are part of they museum’s historic collection.
He explored the “ideas of reflection and individuality”. On the other hand of being the same, he shows the beauty and simplicity of working with a beautiful design.
Ok? You didn’t get it? He explains:
“Uniformity in the fashion world is almost a four-letter word, especially for women, who don’t want to wear the same thing every day. In actuality, it would be so refreshing and simplify things. If it’s beautifully made and fits really well, there’s nothing boring about that. It’s just beautiful.”
In an ongoing series, Thom Browne is the 13th exhibition where over 210,000 objects from Cooper Hewitt’s collection is used and interpreted by different outstanding designers, architects and artists.
The exhibition on view through October 23, 2016 at the Cooper Hewitt – The Smithsonian Design Museum. It’s located in landmark Carnegie Mansion.
Simply gorgeous! But, do keep posted on their upcoming exhibitions. They are always fantastic!
You can walk down 5th Avenue at stop at the both, super famous Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. Or, just enjoy all the museums and galleries down the Museum Mile. It starts at the famous The MET Museum and goes all the way up to 105th Street.
We love customized products and we also offer customized NYC experience, so everything within this universe, calls our attention! Fe Feher has created a series of customized denim jackets with unique portraits of renowned personalities!
…and we want them all! We are literally obsessed with the newest one with Iris Apfel, so you might want to run to guarantee yours!
We’ve written about Fernanda Feher a few weeks ago. She’s an amazing Brazilian, Brooklyn-based artist!
We love her work and we are now desperately in love with this newest project!!!
Fe, as friends call her, has started painting unique, one of a kind customized denim jackets!!
We are particularly hugs fans of Iris Apfel and adored her documentary Iris, so we went completely crazy when we saw this new, freshly painted jacket (photo)!
Guys, if you also loved these jackets by Fe Feher, they go for $480. There are no two of a kind, so you can contact us if you’re interested.
We can simply forward your e-mail directly to Fe and introduce you to her! Then, you can ask her to tailor your jacket as you with and with the portrait of a personality that rocks your world!
Oh, she ships to any Country across the globe, so don’t be why!
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