Stones Unturnd by Carlos Hernandez

MEDIUM: Logo / T-shirt Design DESCRIPTION: StonesUnturnd is a clothing brand that I began in June 2021. I taught myself how to screenprint, transfer my ideas from my sketchbook to digital through illustrator and photoshop, have since refined my process, successfully marketed my brand on social media and have a few garment print samples to be able to display at this event. ARTIST’S STATEMENT: The concept behind the name is a play on the popular phrase “leave no stone unturned”. The idea is to seek out as many new experiences in life as you can, because when I am on my deathbed, I want to look back on my life and honestly say that I have no regrets, and that is the mantra by which I live my life everyday. The objective of my brand is to motivate other individuals who are seeking purpose in their life. From that point on, I took the initiative to learn how to screen-print on my own, buy the necessary materials, sketch designs, transfer the design to digital and begin printing on my own garments. My ultimate goal is to create a movement and encourage people to seek discomfort. I am a firm believer in the idea that growth is impossible without stepping outside of your comfort zone. For me, the concept is very personal. Being the son of two immigrant parents who sacrificed so much to put me in the position that I am in today, I feel an obligation to make the most of my life , and ultimately be in a position where I can pay it forward. I plan on doing just that, as 20% of all profits will be donated to a program called “Bottomless Closet” through the Milwaukee Women’s Center, which provides job-appropriate interview attire and training to prepare each client for his/her job interview and beyond. The goal of the foundation is to eliminate barriers to employment for low-income men and women.