The Painting Story

This pastel painting titled Still Life is the inspiration behind the first House of Caswell collection. It tells the story of where I came from, and no matter where I go from here my past will always be part of me.

I helped my husband with his band Berried Alive since the beginning, and together we built a streetwear brand around the concept as well. At one point we were both so involved with it that it became our whole identities. I started to feel lost, like I didn’t remember who I was without him or Berried Alive.

I wrote a song called Still Life about how I felt at the time, the confusion and loss, and I painted this still life so it could be the single art for the song. The band’s logo and monogram print serves as the wallpaper behind the fruit. We never released the song. Maybe we will someday, but if not that’s okay, because the artwork and the collection it inspired reminds me of the depths I’ve climbed out of to start something new. 

The Still Life collection is a call to remember the past in all the best ways, but to keep looking ahead as well, because our current situation doesn’t have to be our permanent one if it isn’t working anymore.