Today we’d like to introduce you to Derek Owens and Chance Ray.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
We had a rough past, both fell into addiction, in and out of jail. We didn’t have a clue where life was going or if we’d ever live to see tomorrow some days. We both got into lifting weights to fill our time and stay out of trouble. All of that snowballed into us competing in power lifting and strongman, we now both coach and train out of the great Metroflex Gym of Plano and both co-own an apparel company called Painted Face Apparel that focuses mainly on helping aid in suicide prevention awareness and ending stigmas surrounding mental illness. Life couldn’t be better for us and we are able to give back to our community and fight the good fight.
Please tell us about your art.
All of apparel are designed, created, and hand-presses by us in house so each shirt has a special place in of heart. Our biggest message is to bring everyone too afraid to talk about taboos out of the darkness and make them not feel alone. We’ve personally lost close friends over the years to suicide and both of us have been on the edge too many times so what motivates us every day is being able to connect to people and try to save a life in the process. Our shirts are designed to provoke dialogue between strangers and help people not feel alone no matter what battle they may be going through inside.
As an artist, how do you define success and what quality or characteristic do you feel is essential to success as an artist?
Success in the art world and designing your own product is getting that out into the world as often as possible. Putting your energy into something you care about and watching it turn into something special, that’s essential.
Providing something for someone to enjoy and feel the emotion behind it that you put into it.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
We have an online store that’s user friendly and has all of our current products listed on the website.
PaintedFaceApparel.com
Contact Info:
- Website: PaintedFaceApparel.com
- Phone: 9723024597
- Email: PaintedFaceApparel@gmail.com
- Instagram: @paintedfaceapparel
Image Credit:
Thomas Pennington
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