Twice a year our team sets out on a nationwide search to discover artists who are cream of the crop. When we find one who really has something special, we reach out and collaborate to bring their art and our wallets together. So who are these artists, what inspired their designs and what makes them tick? We’ve got all the deets below:

MEET GIANNA ROSE PAR

Do you have any nicknames?

Close friends call me 'G'

Tell us a little about yourself and how you got into art.

I have always loved being outside and participating in outdoor sports, so I followed my passions of skiing, climbing and biking to Bozeman, Montana where I attended college. There, I took a few college art classes and really enjoyed them. But I was so obsessed with all of my outdoor endeavors that I never put much time into art after the classes ended. Then, a few years ago I had just returned from mountaineering in the Himalayas, when I had a terrible mountain biking crash and broke my back. Confined to a back brace for several months, I began painting everyday. Through painting, I was able to interact with the outdoor places that I loved to spend time by creating my own little worlds of mountains, sky, ocean, etc. During recovery from my accident, painting transformed from a hobby into a lifestyle- and now it is all I want to do!

What is your goal with your art?

Art has taught me to believe in myself. I want to share my art and story with the world, so that I can inspire others to persevere when times get dark. I want to inspire people to believe in themselves.

What inspired your thread wallet designs?

Washington coast sunsets and mountain dreamcatchers of my imagination.

If you could get lunch with anyone (dead or alive) who would you choose?

Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. She had a terrible car accident and was also confined to a plastic cast, which inspired her to begin painting. She created beautiful paintings and self portraits to entertain her mind away from chronic pain throughout her life. Her story is one that I have often related to during my injury and recovery.

What’s your favorite thing you keep in your wallet?

A few hand-written notes from friends.

What inspires your creativity?

My creativity is inspired by the exploration of interacting with my surrounding world. I try to balance time spent creating and time spent getting outside in order to ensure that there is enough inspiration in my life.

What are you listening to right now (music, podcasts, etc.)?

Coconut Records when I am chilling and the new Lil Yachty Album when I need some stoke.

If you could recommend one thing, what would it be? 

Something I have realized through pursuing art as a career: The world doesn’t owe you anything. If you have a dream, you have to work for it, make compromises for it, keep going after being rejected, and no matter what, stay determined! That’s how dreams come true... YOU make them happen!

Do you have any words that you live by?

The only constant in the world is change. Stay wavy.

Want to check out some wallet's similar to Gianna's design? Head over here!