Brian Rau is an illustrator and graphic designer who lives, works and cycles in Chicago. He does business 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 shade palette to inform tales of power, movement, stress, concord, love, nature and humanity. He’s the artist behind the 2023 REI Co-op Exterior With Pleasure assortment, a line of drugs and attire that uplifts and rejoice the ways in which LGBTQ+ communities exist in and benefit from the outdoor.
We not too long ago caught up with Rau to ask why he will get exterior.
Biking in Chicago
I’ve all the time cherished exploring the outside. Presently, one in every of my largest passions is biking. Dwelling in a giant metropolis could make experiencing the outside really feel tough at occasions.
So, one in every of my favourite out of doors actions is using my bike for miles and miles alongside Chicago’s Lakefront Path. I can escape town, let my thoughts wander and reset. I like the view over Lake Michigan and the countless alternatives to cease alongside the water and calm down. A couple of 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 area and a secure route for cyclists.
Additionally, I’ll exit on a experience and unexpectedly spend the night with buddies I ran into alongside the lake.
Getting exterior is important, however not all the time accommodating within the Chicago winters. When the climate is sweet, I all the time make getting exterior a precedence. I take pleasure in packing up my saddle luggage with a seaside towel, Frisbee™, speaker, meals and drinks and having a day on the lakefront with my buddies. Chicago is one of the best metropolis—three months out of the 12 months.
Exterior With Pleasure
To me, Exterior With Pleasure means present in nature as you’re. Nature doesn’t abide by “societal norms” and doesn’t give preferences primarily based in your sexuality. Exterior with Pleasure provides me a way of peace on this wild world.
A bear represents the power 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 Exterior With Pleasure line. Clockwise from left: Small Pleasure Tote Bag, Pleasure Bear Camp Mug and Pleasure Trucker Hat.
Inspiration In all places
Probably the most lovely place I’ve skilled would in all probability be Yosemite Nationwide Park. Once I visited, I had so many distinctive experiences simply in that one place. One among my fondest recollections was coming throughout an enormous monarch butterfly colony. There have been so many butterflies in every single place, fluttering across the forest. As you walked by the forest, they might be flying throughout you want fairies. It felt like I used to be engulfed in wildlife, some magical wonderland. You may attain out and contact them. It was an expertise that you just solely get just a few occasions in your life, and it was very inspiring. It felt like a fantasy cartoon situation dropped at life.
I’m a giant nerd—a fan of the cardboard sport Magic: The Gathering, love Lord of the Rings, Journey Time, and so on. Issues which can be an escape from skilled life and the “concrete jungle.”
Inspiration is available in many types. I discover new experiences are one of the best—getting out of your regular routine. Touring is a large inspiration to me. Once I get to discover new locations in nature, it may be very inspiring. I like seeing totally different geography and animals in nature. I take pleasure in working with textures so once I take 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 continuously impressed by my family and friends throughout the queer group.
One other instance could be taking a look at one thing so simple as bushes. They’re a standard ingredient when drawing landscapes. Bushes are available in so many shapes and types, so getting out and exploring new terrain can assist you discover new methods to specific a standard ingredient.
Get Exterior 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 necessary to have reflectors and lights.” Purchase right here.
Bike Helmet
You’re by no means absolutely dressed with out a helmet—a minimum of once you’re biking in Chicago. The light-weight Session Mips Bike Helmet from Smith supplies the mandatory safety whereas providing loads of air flow. “I’m not so frightened about my driving, however extra [about] different folks’s driving and consciousness,” Rau says. Purchase right here.
Seaside Towel
The proper towel could make or break a day on the lake. The colourful, light-weight and absorbent Authentic Towel from Nomadix is made out of tremendous smooth, International Recycle Normal (GRS) postconsumer recycled plastic. It really works simply as properly for drying as for lounging round in fashion. Purchase right here.
Flying Disc
Let your Pleasure flag soar in disc kind this 12 months with the special-edition Pleasure Flying Disc, which Rau designed for the 2023 REI Co-op Exterior 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 could actually present as much as 20 hours of playtime and has a built-in energy financial institution in your cellphone or GPS machine. Purchase right here.
