Brian Rau is an illustrator and graphic designer who lives, works and cycles in Chicago. He does industrial work for manufacturers and businesses along with producing authentic work that he sells in his internet store at brianrau.com. Rau’s work combines myriad textures, geometric shapes and a minimalist colour palette to inform tales of energy, movement, stress, concord, love, nature and humanity. He’s the artist behind the 2023 REI Co-op Outdoors With Pleasure assortment, a line of drugs and attire that uplifts and have a good time the ways in which LGBTQ+ communities exist in and benefit from the outdoor.
We lately caught up with Rau to ask why he will get outdoors.
Biking in Chicago
I’ve at all times liked exploring the outside. Presently, one in all my largest passions is biking. Dwelling in a giant metropolis could make experiencing the outside really feel tough at occasions.
So, one in all my favourite outside actions is driving my bike for miles and miles alongside Chicago’s Lakefront Path. I can escape town, let my thoughts wander and reset. I really like the view over Lake Michigan and the infinite alternatives to cease alongside the water and chill out. Just a few stops alongside Lakeshore Drive embody Kathy Osterman Seaside, Montrose Level Hen Sanctuary and Promontory Level.
One other nice biking spot is The 606 path in Chicago. The 606 was an deserted elevated railway that runs east-west within the Logan Sq. neighborhood. The railway was transformed right into a strolling and biking path, making a inexperienced house and a protected route for cyclists.
Additionally, I’ll exit on a journey and unexpectedly spend the night with associates I ran into alongside the lake.
Getting outdoors is important, however not at all times accommodating within the Chicago winters. When the climate is good, I at all times make getting outdoors a precedence. I take pleasure in packing up my saddle luggage with a seashore towel, Frisbee™, speaker, meals and drinks and having a day on the lakefront with my associates. Chicago is the perfect metropolis—three months out of the 12 months.
Outdoors With Pleasure
To me, Outdoors With Pleasure means present in nature as you might be. Nature doesn’t abide by “societal norms” and doesn’t give preferences based mostly in your sexuality. Outdoors with Pleasure provides me a way of peace on this wild world.
A bear represents the energy and braveness it takes to reject societal norms and embrace your uniqueness. The birds symbolize the spectrum of id, expression and sexuality. Concord is achieved by love and acceptance for all numerous creatures.
A few of Brian Rau’s designs for the 2023 Outdoors With Pleasure line. Clockwise from left: Small Pleasure Tote Bag, Pleasure Bear Camp Mug and Pleasure Trucker Hat.
Inspiration All over the place
Probably the most stunning place I’ve skilled would in all probability be Yosemite Nationwide Park. After I visited, I had so many distinctive experiences simply in that one place. One among my fondest reminiscences was coming throughout an enormous monarch butterfly colony. There have been so many butterflies all over the place, fluttering across the forest. As you walked by the forest, they’d be flying throughout you want fairies. It felt like I used to be engulfed in wildlife, some magical wonderland. You possibly can attain out and contact them. It was an expertise that you simply solely get a number of occasions in your life, and it was very inspiring. It felt like a fantasy cartoon state of affairs delivered to life.
I’m a giant nerd—a fan of the cardboard recreation Magic: The Gathering, love Lord of the Rings, Journey Time, and so forth. Issues which are an escape from skilled life and the “concrete jungle.”
Inspiration is available in many kinds. I discover new experiences are the perfect—getting out of your regular routine. Touring is a big inspiration to me. After I get to discover new locations in nature, it may be very inspiring. I really like seeing completely different geography and animals in nature. I take pleasure in working with textures so once I have a look at rocks, I feel, how can I translate this in a brush stroke? And the identical goes for an animal’s fur or the attractive colours of a crustacean.
I’m continually impressed by my family and friends inside the queer group.
One other instance could be taking a look at one thing so simple as timber. They’re a typical ingredient when drawing landscapes. Bushes are available so many shapes and kinds, so getting out and exploring new terrain can assist you discover new methods to specific a typical ingredient.
Get Outdoors Like Brian Rau
Saddle Luggage
Along with becoming all of your necessities, the safety-neon Sport-Curler Excessive Visibility Panniers from Ortlieb can assist you be seen. “Excessive visibility is essential within the metropolis,” Rau says. “I’ve been doored earlier than, so it’s essential to have reflectors and lights.” Purchase right here.
Bike Helmet
You’re by no means absolutely dressed and not using a helmet—no less than if you’re biking in Chicago. The light-weight Session Mips Bike Helmet from Smith gives the mandatory safety whereas providing loads of air flow. “I’m not so apprehensive about my driving, however extra [about] different individuals’s driving and consciousness,” Rau says. Purchase right here.
Seaside Towel
The appropriate towel could make or break a day on the lake. The colourful, light-weight and absorbent Authentic Towel from Nomadix is constituted of tremendous gentle, World Recycle Commonplace (GRS) postconsumer recycled plastic. It really works simply as nicely for drying as for lounging round in type. Purchase right here.
Flying Disc
Let your Pleasure flag soar in disc type this 12 months with the special-edition Pleasure Flying Disc, which Rau designed for the 2023 REI Co-op Outdoors With Pleasure assortment. Purchase right here.
Transportable Speaker
Cost up and rock out with a transportable Bluetooth speaker like this waterproof and dustproof Cost 5 Transportable Speaker from JBL. It may well present as much as 20 hours of playtime and has a built-in energy financial institution in your cellphone or GPS gadget. Purchase right here.