Royalties from every Pride Artist Series Carter sale go directly to the artist and throughout June, we’re donating an additional $2 from every purchase to The Trevor Project, a non-profit organization providing suicide prevention and crisis intervention services for LGBTQ young people.
We spoke to the artists about their designs and about what Pride and The Trevor Project means to them.
Pride in the Forest by Danny Brito
Danny Brito is a queer artist living in Miami, Florida. His work takes inspiration from 1960s and 1970s children’s illustrations, blending that cute, whimsical style with contemporary subject matter.
What inspired you to create this design?
I was inspired by what I think a Pride celebration would look like in a storybook forest… I feel motivated to create art I would have loved to see in the world when I was younger.
What does Pride mean to you?
I came out when I was 19, but I knew I was gay way before that. Pride is important to me because it helps support and uplift members of our community and make them feel safe and seen. If Pride was as big as it is now when I was younger, I definitely would have felt safer to come out earlier and be my true self.
Danny Brito’s mug is available here, and you find more of his work on his Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
Queer Kinship is a Love Spell by Angélica Becerra
Angélica Becerra, Ph.D. is a Latinx queer immigrant artist, podcast producer, and scholar of political graphics based in Washington State. Her art has been featured in VICE and the LA Design Festival and exhibited at the Santa Cruz Museum of Art.
Tell us about your design!
The design for the Fellow Carter Mug was inspired by the impact and power of queer friendships in my own life. In my experience, the emphasis on romantic love and partnership often makes invisible the platonic, deep loving friendships that queer folks have with each other. Our families of choice are just as important and capable of love. I wanted to use the design to honor my chosen family and the kinships that often outlast most romantic partners.
Where do you get your creative ideas from?
I get my creative ideas from the world around me, and the people whom I love. I believe artists have a responsibility to reflect the world they live in, and speak to injustice whenever possible, in small and grand ways.
How do you describe your art style?
My scholarship on political graphics has deeply influenced my art style and expression. I favor strong color and graphic lines, I’ve always enjoyed working with type and incorporating it into my designs. My work is inspired by the strong text and image combinations of posters from OSPAAAL (Organization of Solidarity of the Peoples of Asia, Africa and Latin America) and the work of Emory Douglas with the Black Panther Party.
Pick up Angélica Becerra’s mug here, and find more of her work on her website, Instagram, and Patreon.
Cheers Queers by Tim Singleton
Tim Singleton is a designer, illustrator, and overall good time, living in Toronto, Canada. His work takes inspiration from queer culture, drag queens, old cartoons, movies, books, music, and nature.
What inspired you to create this design?
I wanted to make something that would create a moment of reflection, relaxation and calm in a potentially busy, hectic day. I really liked the idea of mimicking a well-loved mug plastered in stickers, with little affirmations, reminders, and fun pieces of art for the drinker to get lost in for a quick moment. This mug is going to be with you every day, so I love the idea of it being this little colorful maze that you can use as a mental vacation, or as a creative kickstart.
What was the design process like?
I wanted to make something that would create a moment of reflection, relaxation and calm in a potentially busy, hectic day. I really liked the idea of mimicking a well-loved mug plastered in stickers, with little affirmations, reminders, and fun pieces of art for the drinker to get lost in for a quick moment. This mug is going to be with you every day, so I love the idea of it being this little colorful maze that you can use as a mental vacation, or as a creative kickstart.
What does Pride mean to you?
For me, Pride is every day of the year. It's being able to live authentically in your own skin, practicing self-love, and pure, unapologetic self-expression. In a larger sense, Pride is a time to think about where we're at as a society, reflecting on how far our Queer community has come (and giving thanks to those past generations) while also acknowledging and acting on how much work there is still to be done.
Shop Tim Singleton’s design here, and find more of his work on his website, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok.
Personal Growth by Jason Naylor
Based in Brooklyn, Jason Naylor has created a signature bold and electric color palette using digital tools and spray paint. An award-winning artist, muralist, and author, you can find his work on walls, canvases, soda cans, boats, and even hot air balloons.
What inspired you to create this design?
This design is about growth, and as I have been focusing my recent work on the concept of growth, I am loving the idea that the growth is not necessarily upward movement like with plants, but rather, a journey along a path we can’t quite see, as it is tangled in obstacles and distractions, many of which ARE in fact part of the path... unbeknownst to us.
Where do you get your creative ideas from? What motivates you to create?
Ideas and inspiration are everywhere, and I have a habit of soaking in the world around me and filling the well. I am often inspired by lyrics to songs, or things people say, quotes and even comedy. I also get excited about interesting uses of color or naturally occurring gradients, like rainbows or the iridescence of oil spilled on the pavement.
Motivation for me is a cycle. The more I do, the more I feel motivated to do more. I keep this alive by stepping away to exercise every day, which I feel really helps keep me moving creatively.
What does The Trevor Project mean to you?
The Trevor Project will always be special to me. My youngest sister who is sadly no longer with us, was an advocate for LGBTQ+ youth and always favored The Trevor Project. Since her passing, all of my Pride related endeavors have been dedicated to TTP and I will continue to support them with my work and efforts!
What does being an ally mean to you?
Being an ally to me is about a lifelong commitment to stand by, support, and advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community… My youngest sister died a few years ago. She was gay, and coming out for her was very challenging because of our religious upbringing. My support and allyship stem from the protective feelings I had for her and my desire to fight for her and others like her to make the world safer, more accepting and more loving.
You can order Jason Naylor’s mug here, and find more of his work on his website, Instagram, and Twitter.