"What If I Tried It This Way Instead" with Brendan Dunlap
When we think of the Spectrum brand, it’s imperative that we not only think of the events that have helped us grow into the brand image that we have today, but also the people who helped us to create that image. Undoubtedly, Brendan Dunlap is one of those people. The 22-year old Whitman-based visual artist has been creating content for Spectrum since our nascent stages, and his eye as a creator has continually helped us refine and define our aesthetic. It seemed fitting that he was one of the first interviews done for The Spectrum Spotlight, our queer artist interview series where we chat with different LGBTQ+ artists and influencers about their work, their inspirations, and their life in general. Brendan is the first interview in a series of many, his work leading the way like it does for so many other moments for The Spectrum Apparel.
Artwork by Brendan Dunlap
The Spectrum Apparel: Thanks for interviewing! So, first and foremost- how would you describe your art to someone who’s never seen it before?
Brendan Dunlap: My art is definitely all over the place —which is what I love most about it! I enjoy experimenting with new mediums, techniques, etc. At the core of everything I create is curiosity. I’m constantly asking myself, “What would that be like” or “What if I tried it this way instead,” always questioning and then responding. My creative process is a call and response between my body and my mind.
TSA: Aside from your art, what is something you are completely fascinated and/or obsessed with?
BD: Ribboning! What I’m referencing is the long colorful ribbons used sometimes in artistic gymnastics. But they are seriously SO fun and therapeutic. For anyone who has not yet tried ribboning, please do yourself a favor and buy a set on Amazon. You can get a really cheap set and they are guaranteed to provide endless fun. I know this sounds weird, but it rocks.
TSA: Noted! Alright, what is one of your favorite moments or best memories you have experienced as an artist?
Artwork by Brendan Dunlap
BD: Being asked to have my art featured on the Spectrum Instagram was a great moment for me! It’s such an honor and privilege to be able to help contribute artistically to a company whose values so closely align with my own.
TSA: Well then, you know that at Spectrum, we believe in the confidence and power that comes from presenting in clothes you feel good in. What are two clothing pieces or accessories that you feel your most confident or comfortable in? And why?
Artwork by Brendan Dunlap
Artwork by Brendan Dunlap
BD: I believe clothing has an incredible potential to influence the world through radical self-expression. Some of the times I feel most authentically myself are when I walk out of the house wearing my white ankle boots. They're fun, fem and make me feel so confident and sexy.
Another way I play with clothing is to wear wigs. My favorite is a pink bob that my best friend Natalie bought me for my birthday. I get asked often what my "alternate persona" name is, to which I reply that I'm not embodying a different person when I wear feminine clothing. People are complex and multifaceted, and prescribed gender aesthetics just get in the way of our creative capabilities. When I step outside in heels, a dress and dripping in jewelry, I am engaging in a process of creating myself with color and freedom. It's just as "me" as when I wear a t-shirt and jeans! And it's very rewarding, I recommend everyone try to step past their comfort zone and embrace playfulness.
Artwork by Brendan Dunlap