We are so excited to unveil our latest design, Rose & Arrows Boxy Tee. This limited edition print is a collaboration between Sweet Skins and local artist, Anna Dyer McGowan. We couldn’t be happier with the results!

This blog post features the artist behind this beautiful design, giving you a better understanding of who she is and how this collaboration came to life.

Anna wearing Rose & Arrows.

Anna Dyer McGowan, native Eugenian, has been drawing since she can remember. Growing up, she took any kind of art centered class that she could. She was homeschooled by her parents and art was always a very important part of her education. Her parents strongly supported her and encouraged her to explore her passion, enrolling her in many different classes like sewing, drawing, painting, pottery, and sculpting. She loved them all and knew she had found something she was passionate about.

Anna is deeply inspired by tribal art from around the world. She is very drawn to geometric art and anything Native American. Nature is also a constant inspiration for Anna, especially feathers and flowers.

Some of Anna’s recent pieces.

Her favorite medium right now is pen and ink because she likes to design her own tattoos and that’s the best for doing so. It’s also not messy and very portable and Anna really likes to take her sketch book and pens with her wherever she goes, so it’s perfect!

Anna describes her art as detailed, geometric and a reflection of what she loves. She often has several projects in the works at the same time and just starts a piece when she feels moved to and circles around to each project until they are complete.

Anna has known Mira Fannin, owner and designer of Sweet Skins, for several years now and was excited about the idea of doing a collaboration. She really loves when her art is featured on clothing and cares deeply about fashion that doesn’t trash the earth, so this project was especially important to her. “I try not to shop at the mall or buy fast fashion clothing. I prefer to shop second hand. I also love sustainable brands like Sweet Skins, Teeki, and Patagonia. We all need reminders of how damaging the standards of the fashion industry are to people and the environment.”

Anna is a stay-at-home mom and fitness coach. She homeschools her daughter, Tati, who is turning three on Valentine’s Day. You can often find photos of Anna and Tati doing art projects together and it’s important to Anna to share her passion with her daughter.

Anna and her daughter, Tati.

One of Anna’s dreams is to have a tee shirt company that features amazing artists with empowering messages. Particularly, messages that empower women. When asked what messages Anna would want to send out to the world if given the platform right now, one of the messages was something that we here in the eco-fashion industry get behind 100%. “Vote with your dollars. Huge mainstream brands are owned by big corporations that have no interest in healing the planet or promoting community, family values or protecting human rights. Support local.”

Visit our online shop to get your Sweet Skins/Anna Dyer McGowan limited edition print. It’s fresh hemp wear with awesome art, what could be better than that!