We caught up with the brilliant and insightful DeVon Glover a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
DeVon, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
Creativity has been a part of me since birth. I’ve been “art”ing since my early formal years, often drawing and painting throughout my elementary & high school years.
During my sophomore year in high school, I knew I wanted to start a clothing brand and created my first logo for “Ruff Dog Clothing”. Although nothing further manifested, it was the beginning of a creative journey that I presently travel.
High school graduation was fast approaching, and at that time, I knew I wanted to pursue a “career” in fashion design. Looking back, I remember hearing the many reasons why I shouldn’t get involved in the fashion industry.
I also knew that I would be playing baseball at the collegiate level, and that is where my creative journey was put on hold for many years to follow. Following my senior year, I signed a professional contract to play for the Tri-City Posse in the state of Washington.
I began outsourcing designs, early on, through friends that had the equipment to produce my designs, in addition to utilizing local print sources for several years.
I’ve been around various screen printing techniques over the years and have built a foundational knowledge of those particular processes and continue to learn updated & new ways of the craft.
In 2016 SLOOTH was born reawakened.
Fast forward to the lockdown…
I decided to cut out the “middle person” and opt to DIY and do it myself, to avoid the shop requirements on minimum orders.
Design concepts and ideas flow for me constantly, and freely, on a daily basis, and I just wanted to be able to make the designs in that moment! I didn’t want to wait two weeks to have the final product in hand, after seeing a mocked up image of my design that really didn’t portray my art, so I ultimately invested in my SELF and purchased a vinyl cutting machine, and a heat/hat press. That is when the momentum started to build…
I started vending at First Friday’s and many other shows and events locally, and continue to do so today. My favorite part of vending is being able to personally connect with others face to face, and just sharing stories.
I knew that by being able to produce my own garments for SLOOTH, I could also provide a service for other artists, creatives, businesses, and other individuals in need. Those collaborative projects ranged from creating logos, branding starter packages and the application of submitted client designs to garments
Collaborating with others further fuels my fire, and also keeps my creative blade sharp!
I’ve rambled a bit, but just giving the readers of this interview a brief introduction of how I learned to do what I do.
On the topic of speeding up my learning curve, the most important part is starting where you are now and taking action! It’s never too late. The energy we put out to the universe will be reciprocated in accordance with our sincere, genuine intentions, and assist us on our journey. The most essential skills are being open, and trusting the process as it unfolds, while also learning to adapt in the moment.
REMEMBER to always have fun! The ONLY obstacle is SELF, itself.
DO YOU & SELF EVOLVE at your own pace.
P.S. – Never let others opinions dictate your destiny. EVER.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
My spiritual journey started many years ago with a propensity to delve deeply in literature ranging in topics from metaphysics, psychology, sociology, biology and myriad of self help books and manuals by enlightened teachers, so called “gurus” & “prophets” of the past and present. This became my foundational way of being from that day forward. I didn’t know what my purpose was, but knew that self discovery was my primary focus. Rediscovering who I am in every aspect of being human, in relation to my spirituality, my soul and my physical body. The ongoing quest is to fill my vessel with knowledge and information, while applying the concepts that resonate within my most high.
-Inspirators of my creativity- (Highlighting a few, yet still many more…)
Basquiat, Banksy, Shepard Fairey, Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, KAWS
I absolutely love how these artists use a blank canvas to encourage conversations on uncomfortable & emotional topics, concerning the many ways of a fragmented human race for “progress”. Truths gets covered up and lies become truths collectively, and have been the norm for far too long. We are reawakening from a long slumber, and rediscovering our powers within. We are releasing the shackles and rising up!
In Self We Trust.
My focus is on revitalizing & upcycling found, donated, gifted, thrifted & throwed away clothing & various other items. Materials already present on Earth. These “blank canvases” are referred to as the RE/UP “An evolving lifestyle RE-Fashioned”. Unique 1 of 1 creations that are given a brand new life cycle.
The ever evolving designs will always remain relevant & inspire much needed conversation, even if the message blatantly hits you square in your 3rd eye!
The living mission of SLOOTH is to encourage each individual to dig deep within and reawaken your powers in your own universe.
How can I help the world become detached from all constructs that have held the minds of humanity captive for generations?
How can I inspire an evolution of the he(ART), the true navigator?
The brand needed to embody the same mission of self discovery, awareness and reconnecting with my higher self.
I AM.
A seeker of all things in truth
Words will never encapsulate the total essence of me. Undefinable.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
Aspiring to inspire others to look deep within to uncover our full potential as human beings. Seek nothing outside of one’s SELF. The universe is within.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
Rewiring and unlearning everything I have learned. History has been rewritten, or erased completely.
Contact Info:
- Website: islooth.com
- Instagram: slooth_brand
- Facebook: facebook.com/sloothbrand
- Twitter: @islooth
Image Credits
Talynthia Mitchell Amina Shaw