If you’ve ever been to one of the Aslan Brewing Co locations you know we have deep admiration for art, design, and aesthetics. At the Brewpub we have a monthly featured artist in which we display their art for sale. The interior design of the Depot is influenced by the history of Bellingham and the 1920s era in which the bar was once a train depot and hub for the community. And the taproom in Seattle is adorned with mural work that gives brightness even in the darkest days of winter. We have an amazing in-house team of artists that have helped establish our brand including our graphic designer, Austin Martin, muralist and illustrator (turned tattoo artist), Connor McPherson, and our merchandising manager and designer, Bobby Bruce.
But we’ve recently decided to expand the network of artists we bring into our company, specifically for label artwork. This has allowed us to not only make greater connections in our community, but give more exposure to artists who are Black, Indigenous, People of Color, members of the LGBTQ+ community, women and non-binary folks. While consistency in branding is important, we very much value artists we respect and want them to also represent Aslan with their great work. Here are some of our featured label artists that we’ve worked with so far:
Ciara Sana (she/her)
Ciara is a Chamoru artist who currently lives here in Bellingham but hails from Guam. Her art style is rooted in her culture in which she grew up with her family and those of the Pacific Islands, Asia, and the US. The natural beauty of the Oceanic island is very present in her art, with themes of tropical plants, pops of color, and strong femme subjects. Her art stretches across mediums including prints, clothing, pins, and jewelry. “The goal of my work is to empower and uplift others, celebrate differences, and encourage love”. Ciara created the label for one of our Fresh Hop IPAs in 2021, Cascade Bloom.“I wanted to do something that felt fresh and hip when you looked at it. Something that made you visually feel the crispness and the joy of summer so that when you tasted it, you had a joyful experience of both senses.”
Follow her: @artbyciara, artbyciara.com
Kelsea Hill (she/her)
Kelsea is a PNW artist through and through, bouncing from Gig Harbor to Bellingham and now Seattle. Her first love is dance but her artistic talent goes beyond the stage. Her endeavors include but are not limited to: painting, photography, and graphic design. “I've always loved the look of floral linework, and when I found out I was getting to design a beer with rosehip and hibiscus, I was so excited to begin drawing out my ideas. At the time a name hadn't been nailed down for this beer so I put together several rough sketches of ideas I had and when the name was decided on, I instantly knew which design would best embody this style and name. The name of the beer, ‘Floraison’ is French for bloom which led me to one of my early designs of the evolution of the rose blooming.” You can catch Kelsea bartending at our Seattle taproom, dancing at local productions, and selling her art at farmers markets.
Follow her: @studio__sundaze
Maddi Studer (she/they)
A graduate of Western University, Maddi jumped straight into the media world working with Aslan while still a student. While we loved having her on our team, her dreams and aspirations expanded beyond the brewery. She grew up in Montana and that wild, open sky spirit is very much alive within her. Amidst the pandemic she quit her marketing job and began tattooing and metal working. She just recently opened up her very own studio in Bellingham where she privately tattoos delicate black and gray subjects and designs stone jewelry that lies somewhere between wild west and bohemian. Maddi designed the label for our German Black Lager, Frauenbier (German for women’s beer). “The Frauenbier label is inspired by all the women in my life and our shared experiences. Being a woman in a male-dominated industry, in particular, can be quite an exhausting thing– but I was (and still am) continuously in awe of the sheer strength and resiliency of the women around me. In working closely with these women during my time at Aslan, I learned a lifetime of valuable lessons: How to heal my femininity, how to grow beyond what I ever thought imaginable, how to advocate for myself, and perhaps most importantly– how to unapologetically take up space.”
Follow her: @dadditatts @daddibling, daddibling.com
Kaisa Lemley (she/her)
Kaisa is an illustrator who grew up in Skagit Valley and now resides in Bellingham, WA. Her work pops with bright color blocking in landscape scenes. “The landscape is often a main character in this dialogue as I spend a great deal of time in the outdoors. I almost exclusively draw scenes from memory, to give nod to that which has stuck with me from an experience , resulting in over emphasis on the qualities of a place that gave me pause”. The mountains are calling and she illustrates them. Perhaps her most relatable work is her Mt. Baker comic series inspired by her ample time snowboarding there.
Follow her: @kaisa_jane, kaisalemley.com
