Our latest Artist Series highlights the work of Brooklyn Bell, a Washington-based illustrator, mountain biker, and adventurer whose art is a reflection of her deep connection to the outdoors.
With a unique blend of hand-drawn and digital designs, Brooklyn captures the landscapes that inspire her, celebrating nature and adventure. Her collection for tentree is crafted on our ultra-soft, regenerative organic cotton — Earth-First materials that are as kind to the planet as they are comfortable to wear.
Every piece plants trees in the Pacific Northwest (PNW). Why the PNW? Well, its coastal temperate rainforest covers over 60 million acres, with old-growth forests that are among the best carbon sinks on Earth. Not to mention that it’s home to bears, wolves, elk, eagles, whales, salmon habitats, and thousands of other species, and more than 50 Indigenous Nations and Tribes have called this region home for over 10,000 years.
And… It’s Brooklyn’s home. Get to know Brooklyn, her creative journey, and how the PNW has inspired her work below.
Can you tell us about your connection to nature and the role this plays in your life?
I have been connected to nature since I was a kid. Some of my first memories of being outside were climbing trees and roller skating in my local parks. When I moved to Bellingham, I experienced more access and freedom in the outdoors as a kid. I now spend most of my time outdoors if I can. I’m outside gardening, skiing, biking, and hiking. Being outside gives me such a strong connection to place, people, and myself.
The art you created for your tentree series will fund tree planting in the Pacific Northwest. What does this region mean to you?
The conservation happening in the Pacific Northwest is important to me. I personally live in a rainforest with old-growth trees in my backyard. The Pacific Northwest is my home, and it includes places that are powerful and dear to me. Those places include Neah Bay, the Sunshine Coast, and Haines. Some of my favorite memories of these places have been skiing with friends on steep peaks in Haines, visiting old-growth groves with my grandparents, and biking on the Sunshine Coast. These places hold lots of memories for me as a person, but they are also important ecosystems that deserve protection.
What inspired you to pursue a career in art?
I have created art my whole life and started having an interest in design when I was a pre-teen. I ended up pursuing a degree in graphic design, and that snowballed into creating fine art.
Can you share how your personal journey and background have shaped your creative process as an artist?
When I first started creating art, it was a way for me to escape and create the person/life I’ve always wanted to be. It has given me a way to create a visual North Star for my life, and it has helped me move through hardships.
What are your key sources of inspiration, and how do they influence your creative process?
Right now, I am really inspired by other black artists like Doechii. I love that she approaches her work through being a student. I love that she says what’s on her mind in her music, and I want to continue using my art as a way to speak up.
What do you hope people take away from your work?
I want people to experience joy, see themselves in my work, and have a strong connection to their own favorite places.
Shop Brooklyn Bell’s designs for tentree today, and head to her website or Instagram to check out more of her work.
