I know it’s been awhile since there’s been any major moves when it comes to any collection drops since the world has been introduced to the current pandemic. It is definitely a challenging time for everyone. During my time in quarantine and through the remainder of the summer months, I have been working towards how to better express this brand to its next level. As some of us have probably taken up some fun hobbies during the pandemic, I have gone through several artistic explorations. The past few months of R+D have produced somewhat of an XV Pattern Design Lab. This exploration has developed our XV Deco Prints and XV Abstract Prints.
Today (Black Friday) marks a full year since XVITALDESIGNS launched back in November 2019 and looking towards a fresh take, the first addition to the XV Deco Prints is the XV Signature Deco printed pattern. I’ve taken the signature XV logo and manipulated it into a pattern design. Now, as I’ve said before, patterns are a personal thing. Some people like the dynamics of a fun printed pattern, and some may choose to stick with something less loud. Whatever your decision, I still believe that you can develop a connection with a print. Think of it in terms of going to an art museum. Some people can look at a piece of art and continue to the next. However, are you the one taking in that piece of art—analyzing every square inch, noting artistic technique, or taking in that emotion? If so, I know you get it. XV is continuously pushing forward with its new year thematic MMXX+ notion and taking a fresh step integrating the iconic XV shapes into some new looks. Take a look at our XV Signature Deco Collection! Also, keep an eye out for the second deco print addition of our XV XPLORE new look!
So other than print and pattern manipulation, I’ve gone back to my artistic roots and took up painting. If you know me, painting was not always my favorite. I may have been a bit traumatized from taking Color Theory in art school undergrad. In my defense, I think it all came down to the trial and error of making shades and tints of colors, or maybe it was the inner Capricorn in me unable to handle not being in control of color matching and paint techniques. Now, I see painting through its art discipline—you need to definitely appreciate it in order to enjoy it. Okay, so now for a bit of a tangent…
Recently, I’ve had the opportunity to move into a new apartment. Being able to take all my things out of storage and back into a living space has been more than satisfying since it has been quite a few years after leaving New York. As I began to re-discover home decor archives, I saw an opportunity to keep the creative art flowing. When I had initially launched XV Home back in April 2020, I was able to play with some fun home decor items. Now, I started thinking on a larger perspective on how to integrate my own painted designs not only to my home, but to the masses. I then began placing empty canvases around the apartment. This is where I developed a home decor concept (what I have come to call it as) of revolving artwork. Whenever I was able to take some free time, I would take a set of canvases and begin my exploration one wall at time. Once all the canvases were painted, I could potentially sell them online and then bring in a new set of canvases to continue the cycle. I then started playing with acrylic paints, watercolors, spray paints, and integrating some unorthodox mixed media additions for texture and depth.
Let’s get back on track… One of my proudest moments was completing this trio set of canvases. I decided to paint them individually, not really having a clear outcome to what it would look like. Letting the flow of nature take its course from the colors to brush strokes. However, I did want one resonating notion—although each canvas was to be painted in its own integrity, I wanted them to be able to stand together as a series to create an abstracted landscape journey. This began the first concept in the XV Abstract Prints. The creation of the abstract XV TRIO Series (Everest, Rivière, and Chevron) designs was developed. Everest depicts the summits of mountain ranges with an ambiguous sun/moon. Rivière depicts the vibrant and lush landscapes hidden within the valleys of the mountains. Chevron depicts a close-up POV look of the mountain landscape journey. And just in case you would like to have this fantastic trio set of paintings, you can own a printed replica on framed canvas in our updated XV Home // MMXX+ Collection!
After exploring some artistic techniques on other canvases around the apartment, the daunting set of six canvases behind the couch was something I knew was going to take commitment. Rather than painting each canvas individually, I wanted to tackle all six simultaneously. With two and a half months of paint exploration I was able to prepare and finish this set just within two days of diligent preparation and painting, I was able to complete what I call the XV VUE Series—(from top left to right) Summit, Ridge, Zenith, (from bottom left to right) Sawtooth, Ravine, and Geode.
- The Summit canvas depicts various areas of the elevated mountains and the highest peak of the range.
- The Ridge canvas depicts the narrow mountain top.
- The Zenith canvas depicts an ambiguous sun or moon view with surrounding mountain peaks.
- The Sawtooth canvas depicts steep and gentle mountain slopes.
- The Ravine canvas depicts an abstracted view of a deep and narrow gorge within the mountain range.
- The Geode canvas depicts a view of a geode-like mountain formation.
But why stop there? Who says that these painted designs can’t be somewhat versatile? I also have curated a Limited Edition Collection using these XV Abstracted Designs Prints outside of home decor. I’ve taken some of my favorite designs and meticulously placed them on some of my essential faves! Just in time for the holidays to share the gift of XV with your loved ones! Take a look at our XV Pattern Lab.
I know that was quite a bit of information to absorb—my apologies. And you know what they say, "All good things happen in threes." I hope you are able to connect with these prints as I have developing them for you. Now, I feel like we all have just been going through a very interesting moment in our lives and the year 2020 has been such an eye-opener to how we are all just trying to get to a better place. Now that XVITALDESIGNS is officially past it's first year in the making, it's incredible how coming full-circle can present so many more developing opportunities to bloom. As we begin to close out the year, let’s remember the MMXX+ mantra. It’s all about how we progress further than this first wave and start to push forward with new beginnings and discoveries.
Love always,
Matthew