Coloring outside the lines

We’ve all heard of wearing your heart on your sleeve, but how about wearing your home? Durango native Chris Warren, who now lives in Boulder, recently launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund his new clothing line, “Beatnik Prints.”

Growing up in Durango, Warren always had a love for maps and the unique landscape of the Four Corners. After graduating from the University of Colorado Boulder in 2013 with a degree in film studies, Warren’s love of place and visual arts lead him to explore the topography of the United States through form and color. The result has been 3D sculptures, paintings and his latest endeavor, a casual line of T-shirts, leggings and headbands based on his unique topographic artwork.

“People like to show off their favorite places and things through clothing,” Warren said. “We wear our college logos, favorite sport teams, favorite bands, so why not your favorite places? Like Yellowstone or Canyonlands?”

Just in time for summer festivating, the wild psychedelic prints are not for wallflowers or those prone to vertigo (think topo map-on-acid-meets- lava-lamp–meets-good-old-fashioned-tie-dye.)

Warren, who launched his campaign last month, is a little more than a quarter of the way to his $10,000 goal, which he must reach by June 8. If he is successful, his plan is to take his wares on the road to sell at festivals across the country.

As a bonus for all the fashion locavores out there, all of the fabrics are printed in the United States and sewn right here in Colorado in small batches. “What does that mean for you?” he asks in his Kickstarter video (which is a must-see for the entertainment value alone.) “Localized custom clothing.”

And if all goes as planned, shirts, headbands and leggings will just be the tip of the iceberg.

If the reception from Kickstarter is any indication, this should hold true. Within the first 36 hours of launching his campaign, it was picked up by Kickstarter as “Projects We Love,” a coveted label for campaigns.

To donate or check out Warren’s video, go to kickstarter.com. Donors are eligible to receive topographic T-shirts, leggings and headbands at the varying levels.

For more information on Warren’s art, visit beatnikprints.com.