The Looking Glass Project 2019

We are so excited for the 2019 Looking Glass Project! This year we’ve teamed up with the Downtown Main Public Library and the Library Gallery Coordinator, Shawana Brooks!

What is The Looking Glass Project? Well, it was originally done 10+ years ago in Downtown Jacksonville, as a festive way to highlight an array of artists and designers while filling empty windows. It was revived in 2018 by Wolf & Cub and we were thrilled to activate 8 spaces throughout the urban core! This year, with the library partnership, we hope to bring even more people out to participate! We will be facilitating the project by working with property managers/business owners to pair with participating artists to install festive displays throughout the Downtown Jacksonville footprint. `

The Looking Glass Project is seeking participating artists to create a magical holiday scene in a Downtown storefront or empty space that will "POP" the perceptions of Downtown. Artists should be inspired to go beyond the typical winter fantasy scape and expected décor to reimagine exploration of holiday themes and traditions to send a message in a cool new way to our Downtown visitors. Express what do you love about being Downtown for the Holidays. 

The unveiling of the windows will take place the evening of December 5th for Artwalk and will be up the entire month of December. 

ARE YOU AN ARTIST THAT WANTS TO PARTICIPATE?

Channel the vibes of the striking windows in the finest spots in Manhattan that really pull the viewers in and transport them to a different place! We’re inviting Jacksonville based artists to apply by submitting a basic PDF sketch of their concept along with a brief description of the design and any other pertinent information needed for review (website, social media, etc...) to lookingglassdtjax@gmail.com. Please make sure to include your name, contact info, your project details, as well as any size requirements to your display. (The sizes of available windows will vary.) If you are a good fit for the project, we will be in contact to pair you with a space. Approved artists will receive a small stipend to help offset the cost for the window! Don’t delay, the deadline for artist submissions is November 15th. 

DO YOU HAVE A WINDOW OR STOREFRONT YOU WANT ACTIVATED?

We’re looking for spaces to pair artists with ASAP! Email lookingglassdtjax@gmail.com with location(s) you’d like activated. Please note the spaces will need to be made available for artist install days and the final displays will be up for the entire month of December.

DO YOU JUST LOVE THE PROJECT AND WANT TO HELP WITH A FINANCIAL SPONSORSHIP?

We’re looking for businesses to help financially sponsor the Holiday Windows of Art in Downtown Jacksonville. We will pair you with an artist to offer a stipend for supplies and to help support their time commitment to this project. Your funds will also go to help offset the cost of maps and print materials of the locations. 

• Window Sponsor - $250

  Your sponsored window will have an 8x10 framed sign with your name and/or logo (whatever you would prefer) displayed prominently in the front window. Your company name will be included in any marketing materials, press release and on the map of the locations. 

• Project Sponsor - $500

  Give a little more and become a presenting sponsor of the event. Your logo will be placed on window signage of all artist displays and your company logo will be placed on the map and all marketing materials.

Are you ready to support this project?

Simply email Emily Moody-Rosete at lookingglassdtjax@gmail.com to sponsor a window! 

R Middleton: What to think!

June 5th at Artwalk we’ll have new work from R Middleton. Not only will we have have art on the walls, we will have art you can wear because we’ve teamed up with the artist to bring you a new collection of totes, clutches and pouches constructed by Wolf & Cub out of his canvases.

Want to know more about R Middleton’s work and what can you expect out of the show? Read on and find out what he’s all about and then made your way to Wolf & Cub on Wednesday, June 5th from 5 to 9p.

Wolf & Cub: Give us a little background about your work.

R Middleton: I became committed to abstract painting in college. Like a lot of young people, I was trying to process too much all at once—and it didn't help that I was using a lot of energy trying really hard not to acknowledge my sexuality (Happy Pride!). I was a psych major at Princeton, going crazy trying to understand everything in the world, and myself, and put it all into words and forms that made cohesive sense. To be honest, colors, shapes, lines, and blobs of paint are a lot more appealing! Not having to make sense makes more sense.

WC: Tell us what art is to you? 

RM: Art is creative expression. That's really it. That's why art is everywhere and can be anything. Everyone can and does make art, but only a small percentage of us wind up devoting a huge chunk of our processing power over to it. I appreciate and own all types of art, but the art that moves me the most is art that takes me beyond reason.

WC: Can you describe your style?

RM: Anti-verbal. Anti-narrative. Anti-symbolic. Anti-representational. Illogical. It's a reprieve from the rest of life. 

WC: Why don’t you tell us about anything new that the viewer will see in this show?  

RM: YES! That's why it's funny that I am calling this show What To Think! I am going against many of my own currents, by attaching pushy messages to some works and by offering art that's literally transformed into pragmatic merchandise, in the form of bags. Look, I am fully committed to my message that "art transcends reason and purpose." But I'm not an ideologue and I also live in the real world. I probably own 50 tote bags! (Most of which I keep by my front door, always at the ready.) I would rather see more people carrying one of a kind bags made from abstract painting scraps than ones with corporate logos on them. It excites me to think where my little painting bags might go!

WC: Anything special we should look for in your new work? 

RM: The unifying theme in this new show is my struggle with messaging and merchandising. On some level I think we can all relate. The gig economy and social media makes us all into brands selling ourselves as the product. For an artist even more so, because we actually are distilling pieces of ourselves into works that we hope someone somewhere might appreciate and hopefully buy so that we can afford to continue doing what we're doing. For this show I challenged myself to embrace messaging and merchandising in a way that works for me. Underneath it all, I will continue to make abstract paintings. I think that there will always be a place for them. I highly recommend staring into color swirls for as much time as you can spare every day. You'll honestly feel happier. 

To dye for!

We’re headed out on a buying trip in a couple days (Eeeeek! I can’t wait!) and I was really craving a new pair of boots for the trip. Then I remembered I had a pair that I’ve barely ever worn sitting in my closet. They are gorgeous leather knee high flats that zip up the back calf. The flats will be perfect for all the walking we plan on doing while we’re away but the reason they haven’t gotten much wear is because the color was just not quite right. They were a light camel and I am much more of a grey and black girl these days. I’m all about sustainable style and clothing waste pains me, so, I thought, why not dye them? Voila! A fresh pair of chic boots for our trip for around 6 bucks! 

Want a refresh on a pair of shoes? Try dying them. It’s super easy! Gather your supplies and get to work.

You’ll need:  

• a 1/2 roll of paper towels (you might not go through all of them but better to have on hand just in case)

• rubber gloves (or be prepared for the dye to stain your hands for a few days) 

• a sponge or a foam brush

• leather dye *I picked up a jar of Fiebing’s leather colors in black from Michaels but I know Joann has this too. Look for it in the leather crafting section, not in the paint section. The containers are very small but it was enough for this pair of boots! (A jar is around $6.50 but don’t forget to pull up a 40% off coupon on your phone and save a few bucks!) 

During the process.

Put on your gloves and start the process. First I balled up a paper towel so it was easier to rub over the leather. Get your paper towel generously wet with the dye (it’s the consistency of water) and then start rubbing in small circular motions all over the surface to get even coverage. I liked to switch back and forth between using the paper towels and the foam brush. When using the brush be mindful that it holds a lot more liquid than the paper towel so you almost need to apply in small sections with the brush and then immediately rub in with a paper towel. The brush also helps get into the small seams and little nooks and crannies of the leather. Getting full coverage takes time but it will be worth it in the end! I absolutely LOVE how mine turned out a little distressed and weathered looking. I used the black dye but they came out looking more of a gunmetal grey when mixed with the camel underneath, which is a perfect color for me! If you feel like you want to darken up, simply wait for them to dry and then add another coat. 

Enjoy your updated shoes (or any leather item you wish)! I can’t wait to rock my boots in a few days! 

The finished product! Aren’t they gorge?!?!

Great gifts under $20!

Is the impending fear setting in as you realize you’ve got a long list of gifts to give without the matching budget? If you’re like us, then you’re probably also looking for something unique and thoughtful so here are some of our favorites available at Wolf & Cub right now for under $20! 

We’ve got loads of cute notebooks for jotting down the next big idea (Like this one from Wit & Delight, $12), pencils to perk up a drab desk ($12) or some sunnies ($15) to keep your favorite friends stylin’. 

One size fits all with pint sized prints from Jacksonville-based artist Karen Kurycki. Budget friendly sizes in 5x7 and 8x10 are are available in store in a variety of designs and filled with Karen’s clever humor. $12 for a matted 5x7 print.

We can’t get enough of these beautiful, cleansing products from Incausa. From essential oils soaps ($11) and dried sage ($8) to smudge bowls ($18) and Palo Santo incense ($8), Incausa prides itself on connecting products from indigenous tribes in Peru with retailers around the world. Through their social entrepreneurship program these people have the opportunity to create a sustainable life, so purchasing their products helps support their mission all while enjoying the natural scents.

Based out of Miami, Deco Nail Lacquer ($8-12) is vegan friendly and not tested on animals. You’ll love their beautiful palette of colors even though we are always a sucker for black! You can go wrong with theirs, aptly named “Black like my soul.”

Creature Cups ($15) are the cutest little surprises hidden in the bottom of your mug. Put a smile on your friends face as they sip their coffee and are greeted by a little dragon, manatee, fox or hedgehog, to name a few.

The Looking Glass: Call to artists and business owners!

Let’s make something magical happen Downtown this holiday season. Won’t you join us in helping create all the festive vibes through the streets of Downtown Jacksonville? Wolf & Cub is excited to be organizingThe Looking Glass: Holiday Windows of Art!

What is this all about?

Originally done about 10 years ago in Downtown Jacksonville, the Holiday Windows of Art were a festive way to highlight an array of artists and designers while filling empty store windows. This year Wolf & Cub is organizing the project to bring the decorated windows back! By working with local property managers and business owners, artists will fill windows with festive displays throughout the Downtown Jacksonville footprint.

This year’s theme, The Looking Glass, is inviting artists to create a magical holiday scene in a Downtown storefront or space that reflects a winter fantasy-scape. We want to encourage artists to go beyond the typical, expected decor and explore holiday themes or send a message in cool, new way. Channel the striking windows in the finest shop in Manhattan that really pull the viewers in and transport them to a different place!

Check out the article here about some of the windows done when the project initially ran in 2008.

When?

The windows will be unveiled the evening of December 5th for Artwalk and will be up the entire month of December.

Are you an artist who wants to participate?

We invite you to apply by submitting a basic PDF sketch of your concept along with a brief description of your project to lookingglassdtjax@gmail.com . Please make sure to include your name, contact info, your project details, as well as any size requirements to your display. (The sizes of available windows will vary.) If you are a good fit for the project, we will be in contact to pair you with a space. Currently each artist will need to install their window using individual resources, however we are hoping to gain sponsorship for each space! If we are able to raise some funds to support this project then we will give a stipend to each artist for window expenses.

Do you have a window or storefront you’d like activated?

We’re looking for spaces to fill! Email lookingglassdtjax@gmail.com with location(s) you’d like activated. Please note the spaces will need to be made available for artist install days and the final displays will be up for the entire month of December.

Become a sponsor!

Interested in becoming a window sponsor? We are raising money to support this project. Email us for a sponsor packet!

We look forward to partnering with you during the holidays as we continue to activate and beautify Downtown Jacksonville!

Release the Beasts: Artwalk Release Party

You’ve all been waiting for them and it time to RELEASE THE BEASTS! We’re launching the Fall 2018 Jags tees during September Artwalk on Wednesday, September 5th from 5 to 9p. 

Did you preorder? If so, yours will be ready for pickup. If you didn’t preorder, don't worry! We will also have inventory on hand to purchase. 

Swing by because we’re sure these will sell out fast!

Jag Tee Presale

Guess what? We just launched the newest t-shirt designs from Varick Rosete and we can't wait to get them in your hands! Order now through August 15th and take advantage of the early bird pricing of $25 each before they go up to $30. 

View and purchase all the tees on our website here. 

We will happily ship for an additional charge or you can chose "in-store pickup" for free! Tees are expected to be delivered by mid-September.

We can't wait till you're rocking Wolf & Cub gear at a game this year! GO JAGS!

Because the Earth laughs in flowers

You don’t have to have a designer budget to be on trend. Spring/summer ready to wear designers tossed florals down the runway like a bunch of well trained flower girls and we can’t get enough of it. Be it feminine floral bouquets, bold retro prints or rich life-like images of flowers, there’s no doubt flowers are always a good idea.  

I love to scope out what high end designers are doing and then let that inspire not only my closet but our vintage racks at Wolf & Cub. In fact, right now, we have a whole rack dedicated to the best floral prints on dresses, skirts, and tops! Really feeling funky, why not mix two florals to make one deliciously gawdy statement? 

Celebrate with us. Our Downtown location is TWO!

Saturday, July 28th come help us celebrate the 2 year anniversary of our shop in Downtown Jax! Swing by from 5-8p to enjoy savory nibbles from our friends at Bread & Board while sipping on a tasty beverage as you peruse all the newest looks! Sounds like our kinda party. 

Not only is the entire shop on sale for 20% off but we’re also giving away our limited edition “See ya later” tote to the first 25 people who purchase $25 or more. Everyone who makes a purchase will be entered to win a super awesome Wolf & Cub prize pack. 

Come see the latest and greatest we’ve stocked just for you including beautiful new jewels created with vintage deadstock beads and findings, a selection of hand picked vintage from Brooklyn, or pick up a tee from our new collection! 

And just in case that’s not enough... Saturday we will be launching our presale for the 2018 football season with new designs and color ways. Place your preorder to get in while the price is cheaper!

Bangin 4th of July Sale!

It's a big ol' banging 4th of July sale this week at Wolf & Cub! 

Take 25% off all vintage clothing and accessories! 
Take 40% off all Wolf & Cub tees! 
Take 25-50% off selected jewelry! 
All Socks BOGO FREE!

Make sure to note our special holiday hours!

Monday 7.2 /// 12-4p (YES WE ARE OPEN ON A MONDAY!!!!) 
Tuesday 7.3 /// 12-5p
Wednesday 7.4 /// CLOSED
Thursday through Saturday 7.5-7.7 /// 12-4p

For the Love of Munny

We are at it again with an event celebrating Jacksonville’s art scene. “For the Love of Munny,” a vinyl toy exhibition and toy drive curated by Wolf & Cub will run during the month of December at the shop. The show will feature a collection of vinyl toys, affectionately named “Munny," from specialty maker of designer art toys, kidrobot. Each individual collectible toy stands 6” tall and will be designed, painted, destructed, and created by some of our amazing Jacksonville-based artists.

From painting and illustration to street and graphic arts to fashion design and mixed media, the broad selection of participating artists celebrates art in many different mediums. The impressive list of of talent include many Jacksonville favorites including Tommy Armageddon, Nick Villalva, Crystal Floyd, Dustin Harewood, Matt Abercrombie, Amy Ploss-Samson, Ed Hall, Chip Southworth, Jessica Becker, Henry Gonzales, Rob Middleton, Overstreet Ducasse, “Metal” Mark McCombs, Russel Quadros, Lauren Trump, Centism, Margete Griffin, Joseph Shuck, Chris Sellen, Mark Creegan, Ryne Samson, Roosevelt Watson, plus ourselves—Varick Rosete, and Emily Moody-Rosete playing along. Some of the unique Munnys will be available for sale during the show and will make an interesting, one-of-a-kind gift for someone special!

The show opens with a celebration on Saturday, December 2nd from 5 to 8 p.m. Wolf & Cub will continue the celebration during December Artwalk, Wednesday December 6th, from 5 to 9 p.m. with the show closing on Saturday, December 30th.

To coincide with the toy theme and the season of giving, Wolf & Cub will also be collecting toys for underserved youth during the run of the show. Bring a toy in on the opening evening or during December Artwalk and receive a 20% off shopping pass (good for use that night only).

We're super pumped to bring the Munny show back to Jacksonville and can't wait to see what the artists come up with! See you on December 2nd!

October Artwalk Recap

Back to our regularly scheduled, non-confrontational, Artwalk in Downtown Jacksonville. Why? IT'S OKTOBERFEST!! BIER!! BIER!! BIER!! Thank you to everyone who came out to support Wolf & Cub last night, and got to enjoy some great music from Folk is People!

September Artwalk Recap

Regardless of the limitations from last night's Artwalk, Emily and I just wanted to thank everyone who were able to come out to September's Artwalk to support the artists and resistance to hate. Big thanks to Mama Blue and old W&C friend, Brad Lauretti for the tunes above us at Cathedral Arts Project. Thanks for helping keep the spirits light!

- V

The Artwalk show must go on!

Varick and I aren't ones to get publicly vocal on issues but we feel like it's time to say something regarding the limitations put out on Artwalk for tomorrow night. 

Sure, it was a risky move to open Wolf & Cub to Downtown JAX, but being the only boutique Downtown, we already knew we were up against a unique set of challenges: the walking traffic is hit or miss, there is a (albeit false) perception of the area being "unsafe" (although this is one of the safest zip codes in JAX), and there are not very many options to make it a shopping destination. However, we love this city and care deeply about the future of our wonderful Jacksonville. We are down here because we want to help build up our Downtown! We want to see it flourish and truly become a must-see destination for residents and tourists alike. When we signed our lease in May of 2016, Hemming Park still had a good amount of activity happening—there were some planned events and we were hopeful about gaining exposure and traffic through those. Plus, then we knew we could at least count on Artwalk to bring even more people out. 

So, when Downtown Vision came by the shop last week to let us know that, in their words, "per JSO," that we would not be able to activate the sidewalk during Artwalk and Laura Street would remain open to traffic due to the to opposing protest groups, it was extremely disheartening, especially for a small business that has committed to helping build Downtown. We were instructed to move any planned activities inside of our shop, (as of Tuesday afternoon, we have been cleared to have some activation on the sidewalk as long as it does not block the right of way) but on any given day, we always have a cafe table and two chairs to give more life to the sidewalk. And for every Artwalk, we usually plan for musicians, other organizations or food vendors to set up in front of our space well in advance. Plus, if you're an Artwalk regular you know we always have our $5 vintage sale bins outside during the event, as well. The fact that they are letting two groups dictate the entire footprint of Artwalk seems extreme and completely against what the soul of Artwalk is all about. This change will affect many small businesses who, not only rely on Artwalk sales as a revenue boost right around rent time, but also it serves as a great way to expose people who don't often venture downtown to experience the cool products that Wolf & Cub has to offer! 

Regardless of the attempted damper being put on tomorrow night's event, we need you all to come out and show your support! We are committed to being active, engaged participants of Downtown culture, and we will still carry on with our planned pop up show with our good friend Brad Lauretti, plus have complimentary beverages for our supporters, Wolf & Cub tees 2 for $30, a rack of 75% off clothing and LOTS of awesome vintage goodies in our $5 bins. Now more than ever, DOWNTOWN NEEDS YOU. We hope to see you out and about tomorrow! 

Thank you, as always, for your love and support!

XO,
Emily and Varick

What is sustainable style?

One reason we do what we do at Wolf & Cub is because we are passionate about giving amazing clothing the chance to live out it's full potential. In a world of fast fashion, being able to upcycle, repurpose or give a vintage piece more life can have a major impact on the environment. Every year the average American discards between 65 and 85 pounds of clothing which adds up to a whopping 16 million(ish) tons of textile waste in the US! By wearing vintage and pre-loved items, even if it just makes up a little bit of your wardrobe (hey, it's baby steps but you can always keep building), you're helping contribute to less toxic chemicals and more waste being dumped into our environment every year. 

While more might mean more when you're piling on all the accessories, it really is about quality not quantity when it comes to fashion purchases these days. Instead of spending $100 on 10 items that are poorly made think about investing in just a couple pieces that are of higher quality. Gone are the days when you need a closet full of cheap clothes. Minimizing your wardrobe to include only the most amazing pieces will leave you feeling free. Clothing with color that fades as rapidly as the trend it follows are sure to hit the bottom of that Goodwill bag quicker than you can say Yves Saint Laurent.

Dressing in vintage doesn't mean you have to look like a character out of a Wes Anderson movie, but hey, that wouldn't be so bad either, amiright?!?  I'm all about mixing modern styles with a nod to the past and am a huge fan of splurging on a favorite brand of denim and pairing it with a great 70's floral vintage top. Did you know that you could water your lawn for 9 hours with the amount of water it takes to produce one pair of jeans? That makes it all the more worth it to think about investing in some that will last years, not months. 

I'm by no means saying it's realistic to think you can go through life without having to do a quick Target run or head to your fast fashion chain of choice to grab a last fill in piece in a pinch. However, if we all became just a little more mindful of our purchases and made an effort to wear vintage, pre-worn and upcycled when possible, it would have a serious impact on our lil' Earth we call home. So, I challenge you to start mixing some preowned pieces in with your favorite mass produced brands. Not only is it a fun way to get creative with your looks (and know that the girl next to you at the bar isn't going to be wearing the same H&M dress as you) but you can also feel good knowing you're being little more socially conscious with your shopping habits while still remaining stylish! 

Happy shopping! 

XOXO,
Em

JAGS TEE PRESALE HAPPENING NOW THROUGH 8/13!

Burning with pride, passion and adrenaline, our infamous Jaguars make their way into the battle arena surrounded by thousands and thousands of avid, loyal fans—all screaming "DUUUUUUUUUUVVVAAAAAAL!!" We are the hardcore. The 12th man. Duval 'til we die. Welcome to Jagsonville. 

It's finally here! We are so excited to release the newest JAGS tee design by the one and only Varick Rosete! Get amped for the 2017/2018 season with the latest Flaming Skull tee or pick up one of our other designs (see below) available for limited release in all new colorways. Click on any of the tees to take you straight to the order form now! 

Now through August 13th pre-order a tee at a super discounted rate of only $20. (After that, the rate will go up to $30.)

• Printed on super-comfortable, boutique quality t-shirts

• Available in Unisex and Women's sizes

• Tees expected delivery date: September/October 2017

NOTE: THIS IS A PRE-ORDER SALE!! THIS IS A PRE-ORDER SALE!! Shirts will be available for free in store pick up or we will ship anywhere for an additional charge, choose your option at checkout. 

Wolf & Cub celebrates one year at our Downtown location!

Well, it's hard to believe but one year in Downtown JAX has sped by but we are already approaching our anniversary as a brick & mortar shop! Our mission of pioneering a fresh retail concept and bringing an interesting shopping experience full of unique items has survived its first year in a downtown district otherwise void of boutique options. Varick and I knew it would be challenging to open Wolf & Cub in Downtown but we wouldn't want it any other way. Our deep rooted passion for the city is apparent from our past contributions to the arts and culture of Jacksonville and we are so happy to be continuing to contribute to the urban core by opening Wolf & Cub in the urban core.

Being downtown has come with some challenges. Specifically, for a city that wants to progress and ignite the downtown corridor, there is very little support or incentives for small business entrepreneurs to take the risk of moving to an area so desperate for more retail and a sense of place. Sure, I could add lots of fluff and sparkles and unicorns to this blog post and say that it's been such a breeze but no, that is not the reality at all. Running your own business might sound oh-so-glam but every day is a hustle if you want to succeed. It keeps us constantly pushing forward and working hard to create fresh products, bringing in interesting artists and makers and offering the best curated vintage at affordable prices. THAT is what makes us unique.

In the first year of the store, Varick and I both continued to work other jobs to support the shop but I'm excited to announce that I've transitioned to working the shop full time in hopes of pushing it even further. With Varick is still cranking away at his day job he also takes the lead on on the shop’s branding and design. We are still just as passionate about continuing to build up Downtown as we were last year when we signed our lease.

You know what makes it all worth it though? When out of town visitors or Jacksonville residents that rarely venture Downtown happen upon the shop and immediately travel to a different place. They walk through the door and wander around looking at all the objects and curiosities that fill the shelves. We love inspiring others through the shop and at the end of the day that's why we do what we do. We want others to find their own spirit animal and be as unique as they want to be! 

This first year wouldn't be possible without the love and support we've received from so many of you! Thank you to everyone who has supported us, sold us product, reposted an event or sported a W&C tee in our first year. We can't pay our rent, keep the lights on, or buy more cool stuff to stock the shop without the support of ALL OF YOU! Thank you for believing in us. We're celebrating our first year with a party on Saturday, July 29th from 6 to 9 p.m. Swing by and enjoy beer, bites and bubbles! We're releasing some new t-shirt designs PLUS we'll be giving away limited edition totes (with the design at the top) to the first 25 shoppers who spend $30 or more! Click here to head over to our Facebook event page and find out more! 

Find your spirit animal and then lead the pack with Wolf & Cub! We hope to see you soon!

XOXO,
E & V

July Artwalk Recap

Thanks to everyone who made it out last week to July's Artwalk Downtown! It was definitely a hot one! Not only because the temps were pushing 100˚, but the cyphers out front were bringing the heat, as well, for Mal Jones' presents The Lyricist Live! show! And who could forget about the increased presence of the boys in blue? We could definitely feel the heat there, breaking up the B-boys and making sure our sound was in check. Yah, that was...interesting. But even with all of that, we all still had a great time! 

Thanks again, Mal, for creating a great show for Artwalk. We look forward to having you, the MCs, and the B-boys back out front soon again! HOLLA!

- V

rms Beauty: A Healthy Solution

Did you know you ingest hundreds of toxins through your skin every day? Most drugstore beauty and styling products are filled with chemicals, metals and other unsafe elements absorb quickly from your skin straight to your bloodstream, which can lead to serious health issues. That's why when we discovered the organic cosmetic line, rms Beauty, getting it for the shop was a no-brainer. Founder and make-up artist, Rose-Marie Swift created a stripped down makeup for healthy beauty and seven years later, the line is stocked at all the best shops around the world, including right here at Wolf & Cub. rms Beauty uses a cold-pressed system combined with undiluted essential oils, all natural pigments, to ensure that the make up doesn't just give you an outer glow (although it does that FABULOUSLY as well) but it also gives your skin a mini spa treatment every time you use it. Come by and try out some colors for yourself. Plus, receive a complimentary deluxe sample of the signature "un" powder with any rms purchase (while supplies last)! 

Q&A with Jessica Becker

Varick and I met Jessica Becker shortly after we opened the shop opened and loved her energy right off the bat. We mentioned wanting to put her work up at some point so when she started posting about her latest Frida piece, We thought Wolf & Cub would make a perfect spot to showcase it. She unveiled her process on social media as she shared out images of the hundreds of lashes she glued on to give Frida her epic brow, the hand embroidery floral details of Frida's dress, and even Frida's jewelry which was made specifically for the 3D piece out of found objects! Head over to her Instagram to see the pics, and more, for yourself!) It's always fun to get a glimpse into the behind the scenes workings of what it takes to create a work of art. She uses a variety of processes to complete her work and you can feel the love in the finished product. Stop by Wolf & Cub on Wednesday night from 5:30 to 8:30p to view her latest works. (Click here to visit our Facebook Event Page to find out more!)

In the meantime, read on to find out more about this awesome Jacksonville based artist and hear the inspiration behind her work and what's coming up next! 

Wolf & Cub: Where are you from? If not from here, how long have you been in Jax?
Jessica Becker: I was born in Ft. Lauderdale moved to Jacksonville at the age of four. I lived in Peoria, IL from 1999-2003 and moved back to Jacksonville because I couldn’t handle the cold weather. I now call Atlantic Beach my home.

W&C: What do you consider some of your major influences to be?
JB: Music is my major influence. All of my portraits are of musicians with the exception of Frida. The singers I chose have a very strong and unique presence which inspires me to seek my own individuality and self-confidence regardless of pressure to conform to social norms.

W&C: We love that you chose strong females as subjects in your work. What is inspiring you most right now?
JB: Thanks! I appreciate the compliment and glad that my intention behind the paintings are recognized. Not to say there won't be a guy in my 3D painting collection but my paintings within the past couple years have been majority women because of the connection I have with the artist I'm painting or the image of the artists gives off the expression that best explains my feeling at that time What inspires me right now is the Women’s March. The march has inspired me to make a doll from my likeness with a shirt demonstrating the power women hold. It represents another fight because we have not stopped fighting for equality.

W&C: How did you pick Frida as your latest subject to immortalize? 
JB: I chose her because she’s a female icon that symbolizes strength, power, and beauty. She painted her own reality so I used her portrait to paint my reality and all the symbolism in the painting represents what I’m going through in my life currently.

W&C: Tell us about some of your big mural projects!
JB: Restaurant TacoLu is my biggest accomplishment. Owners Don and Debbie Nicol trusted me to painted the side of their 3 story building and 8 other murals inside. The outside mural was my 3rd mural.  I’d only painted a skate ramp and a 7’ x 7’ space before being asked to paint the side of their restaurant. I’m forever grateful for their trust and the amazing opportunities it’s given me from doing their murals.

Other big murals I've done can be seen locally at Carribbean Connection (Front and Back of building), Lynch's Irish Pub (Tullamore D.E.W. Room), Backyard Pops, NAS JAX (Teen & Youth Center) and Girl Scouts of Gateway Council in Murray Hill (Entrance hallway murals). I also have murals in Miami Wynwood District at two popular clubs SHOTS and Brick. 

W&C: What’s next? Do you have any big projects coming up?  
JB: I have a big project in Destin, FL at the end of February where I’ll be painting decorative murals in an entire house.