EVAN MILLER - DESIGN CONTEST WINNER

EVAN MILLER + TOFINO TOWEL CO.

THE ARTIST

EVAN MILLER | GET BORN Co.

Evan Miller is a digital illustrator and musician from Penelakut Nation. Evan now calls Ladysmith, BC home but has spent the majority of his life touring the world with bands such as Current Swell, The Wild Romantics, Art d'Ecco and Tourist Company.

When the pandemic hit in March 2020, Evan shifted his focus towards creating hand drawn, digital artwork and logos as a way to pass the time. He now operates under the moniker Get Born Co and makes art inspired by skate, moto, music and coffee culture from all around the globe.

THE JOURNEY

My path to being an artist has many twists and turns. As a young kid, I started holding my pencil like an absolute caveman but loved and was excelling at drawing. My teacher called my parents in and told them that this was insane and that I would have to change it if I was ever going to succeed. Both of my parents said the teacher was crazy and the rest is history. Just kidding but I do still hold my pencil that way. Throughout high school, drawing was always a big part of my every day but not in a very focused way. All of my notebook margins were completely covered with cartoon drawings of all sorts. To be honest, it was actually most of the page that was covered and the margins were for the little bits of school work taking place.

After high school, I took a few art classes in university but nothing serious, dropped out to be a touring musician and art took a backseat while I got to play music around the world with bands such as The Wild Romantics, Current Swell, Art d’Ecco and Tourist Company. When the pandemic hit, I had no idea what to do. I started doodling a lot more on the last tour I was on in February of 2020 thanks to a friend and once the world started to shut down my partner insisted I buy myself an iPad and just start creating every day no matter what. Fast forward three years later and that was one of the best purchases I’ve ever made. Bless having a partner who pushes you! Now I can’t go a day without drawing and to say that I’m grateful to have this new way to express creativity is an absolute understatement.

THE 'PROCESS'

My process as an artist isn’t much at all. I do what’s fun and that’s about it! When I have an idea that gets me stoked I always make sure to jot it down in my notebook or my phone and just give it a whirl later on my iPad.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m serious about my work and take great pride in it but fun is number one when it comes to Get Born Co. I do my best to post a new illustration every day on my socials and I find that that helps me balance the business aspect with the pleasure of it all.

GET BORN CO.

The project itself was born during the pandemic as a way to channel creative expression when Evan’s other job of being a touring musician had to take a pause. At first it was just random black and white doodles with next to no meaning but after a while a certain aesthetic and attitude began to take place.

After starting out by working with friends from and around the music scene, Get Born Co. is now in it’s third year as a business and has worked with such brands as Beachman Bikes, Whistle Buoy Brewing, Current Swell, Seek & Surf and of course, Tofino Towel Co!

Working with Tofino Towel Co. has been an absolute dream. When they opened up submissions for their design contest my brain started running a mile a minute. Growing up and living most of my life on the west coast I felt like I knew the vibe immediately.

I love their designs that combine cool earthy elements like suns and waves while combining a fun retro aesthetic to set themselves apart from the crowd. That’s what I love about the two designs that we’ve come up with together for the new TTC collection.

Both ‘Birds of a Feather’ & ‘Flower Power’ designs hit those marks for me; an awesome recognition of the west coast of BC with a nod to retro California. I cannot wait for these designs to be brought to life and hit the shelves. I couldn’t be more stoked about the work that Get Born Co. and Tofino Towel Co. have done together so far!