A Navajo man is getting a lot of support for his artwork. Not just because of his designs, but how they represent the issue of missing and murdered indigenous people (MMIP).”I used to sketch a lot. Three in the morning, I would just be sketching. I had books and tons of sketches, Delwin Lewis, owner of Creations Ink Apparel. Graphic designing was a passion Lewis always had, but he didn’t draw just anything. The Diné husband, and father of two, often includes a variety of Native American symbolism in his crafts. Particularly when it comes to certain issues within his own community, such as MMIP. “Growing up, I knew a lot of people. I just know where they were at,” he said. “I see their names sometimes on the missing . I’m like ‘oh, I went to school with them.'”Lewis’ own grandfather was murdered in Gallup in 1968.”Long time ago, my grandpa Leo Lewis was murdered in Gallup , New Mexico. He was stabbed in the heart. They took his money and they just left him there,” Lewis said. The graphic designer said the impact of his grandfather’s passing, and his family’s mourning, served as an inspiration one day. That led to the creation his first design, known as “Breaking Silence.” It features a native woman with a red handprint across her face. An image shared online and immediately loved by everyone. I started seeing the numbers kept going ,” he said. “So, I just started designing stuff.”The sketch is now one of over 100 creations Lewis has on his iPad. “Sometimes I just sit there and watch TV, and all of a sudden, I’ll just think of something. Then I’ll just go to my iPad and I’ll just sketch,” Lewis said. Some of Lewis’ designs are already on t-shirts, hats, and posters. Then, he sells his merchandise to customers from all over the world via social media. Lewis also attends local flea markets across New Mexico.”I have some people that are buying my stuff from Canada and mostly towards the east coast, like Alaska,” he said. All in hopes of spreading the awareness of MMIP even further, and to prevent others from experiencing the pain his own family feels to this day. “Mostly spread awareness to wherever they’re going, and to the families,” Lewis said. “To take care of them and teach them about everything that’s going on.”Lewis is already planning to expand his business with other merchandise, like skateboards and handbags. To learn more about Kreations Ink Apparel, visit his Facebook page here.
A Navajo man is getting a lot of support for his artwork. Not just because of his designs, but how they represent the issue of missing and murdered indigenous people (MMIP).
“I used to sketch a lot. Three in the morning, I would just be sketching. I had books and tons of sketches,” Delwin Lewis, owner of Kreations Ink Apparel.
Graphic designing was a passion Lewis always had, but he didn’t draw just anything.
The Diné husband, and father of two, often includes a variety of Native American symbolism in his crafts.
Especially when it comes to certain issues within his own community, such as MMIP.
“Growing up, I knew a lot of people. I just [didn’t] know where they were at,” he said. “I see their names sometimes on the missing [person’s report]. I’m like ‘oh, I went to school with them.'”
Lewis’ own grandfather was murdered in Gallup in 1968.
“Long time ago, my grandpa Leo Lewis was murdered in Gallup, New Mexico. He was stabbed in the heart. They took his money and they just left him there,” Lewis said.
The graphic designer said the impact of his grandfather’s passing, and his family’s mourning, served as an inspiration one day.
That led to the creation his first design, known as “Breaking Silence.” It features a native woman with a red handprint across her face.
An image shared online and immediately loved by everyone.
I started seeing [that] the numbers kept going [up],” he said. “So, I just started designing stuff.”
The sketch is now one of over 100 creations Lewis has on his iPad.
“Sometimes I just sit there and watch TV, and all of a sudden, I’ll just think of something. Then I’ll just go to my iPad and I’ll just sketch,” Lewis said.
Some of Lewis’ designs are already on t-shirts, hats, and posters.
Then, he sells his merchandise to customers from all over the world via social media.
Lewis also attends local flea markets across New Mexico.
“I have some people that are buying my stuff from Canada and mostly towards the east coast, like Alaska,” he said.
All in hopes of spreading the awareness of MMIP even further, and to prevent others from experiencing the pain his own family feels to this day.
“Mostly spread awareness to wherever they’re going, and to the families,” Lewis said. “To take care of them and teach them about everything that’s going on.”
Lewis is already planning to expand his business with other merchandise, like skateboards and handbags.
To learn more about Kreations Ink Apparel, visit his Facebook page here.