Raw Paw: Friends Working Together

By Hayley Labrum Morrison

Chances are you know someone that has been to a Raw Paw event, collaborated on a Raw Paw product, or shown in Raw Paw’s space. That’s because Raw Paw has been actualizing the creative wanderings of local and national artists for a decade. And now, as many artists are struggling to find platforms for their work, Raw Paw has developed a budget-friendly money-making opportunity. Read on to learn about this Austin mainstay and how they are supporting creatives during COVID-19.

CA: How and when did Raw Paw come about?

RP: We began in the early 2010’s in a broth of new talent. In discovering what Raw Paw was, we became a poetry reading, a zine, a garage screen print shop, a house show art party, a book, a magazine, a publisher, a curator, a newspaper, a brand, a music festival, a record label, a scene. We then consolidated the snowball. Now, we are a screen printing shop for artists and businesses while working as a team to create our dreams. 

CA: How was Raw Paw’s name chosen?

RP: I can’t remember if our name was a collective dream that we all had at the same time, and then, Sleep walked into a field where lightning struck the ground forming the words “Raw Paw,” or if we drew the name out of a hat at an early poetry potluck. I think it might have been the hat. 

CA: What is general philosophy or mission of Raw Paw?

RP: We are a family of friends based in Austin screen printing: fun, art-driven, ethically made clothing and goods for artists, businesses, and ourselves. We enjoy having an active role in our community by hosting events and workshops, buying wholesale goods, and acting as a creative agency. We want to be a part of putting Texas on the map when it comes to thinking of art and artists, it has always been a dream to see our friends and ourselves flourish from their talents, so this feeds our mission every day. A key aspect of our philosophy is pairing elements of different genres and mediums to bring people together and create something beautiful. 

Oddball Vintage + Raw Paw Capsule Collection, 2019, Video Courtesy of Chris Dock.

CA: Can you tell us about your team?

RP: We have an amazing team and work very closely together to share ideas and fine tune everything we create. 

The 2020 Raw Paw Crew:

• Brittany Bernstrom / Printer / @brittalightning

• Chris Dock / Creative Director / @chrisdocksecrets

• D’Anna Siciliano / Client Executive / @ponytailmafia

• Jeffrey From / Printer / @unofficial_jeffrey

• Jinni J / Community Organizer / @heyjinnij

• Karen Le / Client Specialist / @_karensmatic

• Kyle Carter / Production Manager / @cogdut

• Laura Lewis / Color Specialist / @lorhsdraws

CA: What do ya’ll do best?

RP: We have always focused on balancing art and business. We have an art-forward perspective that allows us to work with amazing artists of all mediums and as our business grows, the artists we work with grow as well. We also are a super high-quality print shop and handle every good we produce with as much care and attention as if it is our own art. We aim to treat each client as we would a friend. 

CA: What does Raw Paw bring to the Austin creative community?

RP: We bring our dedication to art, craft, and community and a sustainable model of a group of friends working together to pursue their dreams of becoming successful artists. We provide a space for creativity, liveliness and livelihood. We pack a room with positive people and the air of anything is possible. When you do that, a lot of energy is exchanged and magic is the result. We aim to bring people close to our dream, and in turn, they get closer to theirs.

CA: Tell us about some of your most successful Raw Paw events and workshops.

RP: There are really too many shows to rank, but of all the effort, decoration, and intention we put into our events, it really is the people that give the event the magic. There is nothing better than a gathering of loosely connected people having fun and becoming friends through art, music, dance, and ideas. It’s that feeling that started it all. 

CA: What do you look for in the artists you work with and how do collaborations usually come to fruition?

RP: We look for artists who have a spark that they keep kindling and growing through discipline and hard work. People who are kind and making work that we connect to and want to interact with and share with our friends. 

CA: Tell us about your "Community Drop Ship" initiative in response to COVID-19.

RP: The goal of Community Drop Ship is to provide artists, musicians, brands, and everyone in between the ability to make money for free. We are offering a zero-risk solution for selling shirt designs online through preorders on our site. This is something we have always wanted to do and it has never been as much of a necessity to have a way to make money from home without having to manufacture, ship, or physically sell your designs in person. 

CA: What are Raw Paw's short-term goals?

RP: We are working together to grow our network, resources, and audience. We will continue to cover our bases with service-based work, paying off the debts and responsibilities of our past, as we expand and create products, shows, and works we believe in. 

CA: Where do you hope to see Raw Paw long-term?

RP: I would like to see Raw Paw as a worldwide media company. 

CA: Describe a utopian dream project you have for Raw Paw.

RP: This kind of project would be too secret to describe. But I imagine it would be like being in a futuristic movie about the past. 

CA: How do you recommend artists start a conversation with Raw Paw?

RP: Right now, our Community Drop Ship is a great way to get involved because we can start working together right away and helping each other make money through our art. Coming to a show and saying “Hi” is always a fun way to connect. 

CA: What are the best ways for fans to keep up with Raw Paw?

RP: Follow us on instagram @rawpaw and sign up for our newsletter on https://rawpaw.ink/. Also, come by and visit our shop (in the near future) to see the new art goods we have!