July in the United States is when summer really starts to heat up. It’s when we celebrate America’s independence, set out on summer vacations, and reflect on the many freedoms we enjoy. This month, BANDITS thought it was appropriate to feature a design that both honors that independence and reminds us that, in some corners of the country, the fight for freedoms continues to this day.
(The "Got Snaked" Bandana designed by Alex & Zack Suhadolnik)
Our “Got Snaked” bandana was designed by Santa Barbara, CA husband-and-wife artistic team Alex and Zack Suhadolnik. The design expertly incorporates both Native American and universal symbols into a powerful, politically-charged piece. Inspired by Alex and Zack’s experiences at the Bears Ears National Monument in Southern Utah, “Got Snaked” serves as their unapologetic stand against threats to this beautiful land and the five Native American tribes that consider it sacred.
The design itself blends elements of what both Alex and Zack do best. Alex’s whimsical vintage aesthetic is on display in the hand-drawn central graphic, while Zack’s multi-platform expertise is evident in the detailed accents and intricate layering that make “Got Snaked” come alive. Framed in classic navy piping and polka dots, it all comes together in a potent mix of symbolism, subversion, and service to an incredible cause.
Keep reading below to learn more about Alex and Zack, their design, and the incredible cause that it helps to support!
The Artists – Alex & Zack Suhadolnik
(The dynamic design due behind "Got Snaked" - Alex & Zack Suhadolnik)
Alex, a long-tenured illustrator and designer for Hello Lucky Cards, effortlessly infuses pared-down creations with her trademark wit and whimsy. Her line drawings are somehow able to elicit the full range of human emotions with only a handful of colors, lines, and letters. Alex’s work has been featured on countless Hello Lucky cards and goods, including featured products for Urban Outfitters and Planned Parenthood.
Zack, a UI/UX designer with Patagonia by trade, has a penchant for the surreal in multiple mediums including illustration, graphic design, paint, and mixed media. His expertly crafted, other-worldly characters have a dream-like quality but somehow remain almost universally relatable. In addition to Patagonia, Zack has lent his skills to names like Yelp, Google, Fox Sports, and Surfline.
(Alex & Zack in the "Beast and Barnacle" - their ultimate adventure mobile and temporary home on an epic road trip across the US)
These two embody all of the pillars of the BANDITS brand – creativity, individuality, philanthropy, and never-ending sense of adventure. Their recent decision to take a 3-month, 10,000 mile trip across the US in a tiny house on wheels (lovingly dubbed the “Beast and Barnacle”) definitely played a part in inspiring my wife’s and my travels over the past few years. As you’ll see, it also had a part in inspiring the “Got Snaked” design. Whether its road-tripping, surfing, climbing, camping, hiking, or just hanging at home with their dog Judah – they do it with a creative flair and impeccable style all their own.
Alex and Zack are not only extremely talented designers, they’re also dear friends of mine who were both integral in the formation of the BANDITS vision and brand. BANDITS truly would not exist without them, and for that I am eternally grateful.
The Design - "Got Snaked"
The breathtaking Bears Ears region in Southern Utah consists of over 1.3 million acres of largely undeveloped public land. The area holds ancestral significance to 5 separate Native American Tribes and contains a wide array of historic, cultural and natural resources. The area gets its name from two towering buttes that rise to nearly 8,700 feet in elevation and resemble the two ears of a bear emerging from the horizon. The area is bordered to the west by the Dark Canyon Wilderness and Beef Basin, to the east by Comb Ridge, and to the north by Indian Creek and the southern edge of Canyonlands National Park.
(The namesake "Bears Ears" in Southern Utah - From PBS.org)
Alex and Zack have visited the region many times to hike, camp, and take in the stunning landscapes. It holds a special place in their hearts as one of their favorite stops on the US road trip they took together before getting married. The natural features and kind-hearted people stayed with them long after their visit and have had a significant influence on both of them. They were inspired by this sacred land (and by the recent threats to its protection) to create "Got Snaked" and use 10% of the proceeds to support The Bears Ears Coalition (more on that below).
Explaining the meaning behind their design, the couple said, "Using the serpents, a symbol of fertility in nature according to the Hopi tribe, and the olive branch, a universal symbol of peace and victory, our goal was to create a beautiful yet meaningful graphic."
We think they absolutely succeeded and we at BANDITS can't wait to help support this worthy cause!
The Charity – The Bears Ears Coalition
The Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition is a partnership of the 5 Native American Tribes to which the Bears Ears National Monument region of Southern Utah holds ancestral significance. This land is a place where tribal traditional leaders and medicine people go to conduct ceremonies, collect herbs for medicinal purposes, and practice ancient healing rituals. The Hopi Tribe, Navajo Nation, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, Pueblo of Zuni Tribe, and Ute Tribe have all banded together, along with the Native American Rights Fund, in a legal battle against a recent Presidential proclamation that would significantly reduce the protected area in the monument.
(Map of the Bears Ears National Monument as established in 2016)
For background: Former President Obama established the area as a National Monument in 2016, providing protections for the land and giving significant control of the area to the 5 ancestral tribes. In December 2017, the Trump administration issued a proclamation that would shrink the protected land included in Bears Ears by nearly 85%. The Native Tribes, along with legal scholars have argued that the reduction is not authorized by law, and federal lawsuits have been filed challenging the action.
The coalition proposes, instead, that the land retain its protected “National Monument” status and that management of the land be by a collaborative effort between the member tribes and the Federal Government.
10% of proceeds from the sale of “Got Snaked” will go to support The Bears Ears Coalition to aid in their legal battle to protect their ancestral land from development or use by outside entities.
The Most Exciting Part
BANDITS is so excited to feature this amazing bandana design, introduce Alex and Zack to a whole new audience, and bring awareness and financial support to the fight to protect Bears Ears That’s why BANDITS is helping you to support all three!
In honor of “Got Snaked” being this month’s featured design, BANDITS is giving you 20% OFF all July long! Just use code JULYFEATURE at checkout. Show your support for Native American rights, protecting our public lands, and taking a stand in style!
Click the discount code above or go HERE to grab a “Got Snaked” bandana of your very own!
