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Get to know the artist behind some of our most recognizable pieces of merch!
Photo by Wokeface.
When you think of Meow Wolf merch, your mind immediately fills with memories of all of our wonderful retail offerings: t-shirts, hats, plushies, socks sold singularly, even a coloring book. But there is also one thing that comes to mind almost immediately: the Wokeface beanie. There is nothing more synonymous with Meow Wolf wearables than those wonderful, one-eyed beanies. They’re one of our most popular, most recognizable merch pieces. You know the beanies, you love the beanies.
They were created by Wokeface, an art project started by the incredible human, Janet. She’s been a collaborator with us for years, and it’s long overdue that we formally introduce her. We chatted with Janet to learn more about her art beginnings, creation process, worldbuilding in illustration, and the popularity of her merch.
Read on to learn more about Janet and Wokeface, and check out the latest drop in the Meow Wolf x Wokeface collab world here (now more than just beanies)!
Tell us about your beginnings with Wokeface. How does it feel to see your art grow from street art to a worldwide production?
Wokeface began in 2016 when I was admiring street art near my home and it suddenly occurred to me that I could make that myself! At the time, I was a freelance graphic & web designer and only made artwork for my clients' needs, so creating something just for the sake of art and my own vision was immediately exhilarating! It was all I wanted to do. I started with hand-painted wood installations, then stickers and wheatpaste posters.
Pretty soon people started asking if the art I was making was for sale. It evolved into a brand very organically from there. Next year will mark 10 years since the day I decided to put the street art up— it's been a wild, magical journey! I feel incredibly grateful for every turn this path has led me on since.
How did you get started with Meow Wolf?
One of my most popular products is my third eye beanie. Brooke R., a Wokeface fan and employee at the Denver Meow Wolf gift shop, reached out to me in 2022 to share that she was wearing her beanie to work and customers kept asking if it was for sale. She suggested I reach out to the Meow Wolf team and things progressed from there. I was already a huge fan, having visited the Santa Fe and Las Vegas locations, so I was thrilled at any chance to be a part of the magic.
What is your process for designing wearable pieces? What inspires or influences you? Do you have a favorite environment you like to create in?
I see myself as a conduit of creation with advice from my inner child and my higher self, and let them lead the way. I like things that uplift me and feel good on every level. I'm very picky about the details and quality for the wearable pieces I make.
I am creating all the time, everywhere. I always have a notebook and tablet on me to write down ideas or draw sketches. Most of the time I'm in my home art studio, on my couch, or outside in the yard in good weather. Good music and a couple of fun beverages within arm's reach are necessary!
The merch you've designed is some of the most popular and recognizable pieces in our shop. How does it feel to create wearable pieces that go on to become a daily part of people's lives? Have you ever run into someone wearing one of your pieces?
It's such a thrill and it never gets old! My fans have coined the phrase "Wokeface in the Wild" and I get sent images all the time. I love when I hear stories of people making friends because one of them wearing my merch was the ice breaker as their shared interest. Since working with Meow Wolf, I've seen people refer to the beanies as "Meow Wolf Beanies" and I absolutely LOVE that— it is the highest of compliments to be so closely associated with such an incredible magical portal art experience. I feel like having my art in Meow Wolf is a peak in my career.
Do you name the creatures in your pieces? Do they have astrological signs? What do they order at their local coffee shops?
I steer pretty literal about naming my characters, but with a little cuteness. Examples: Frog Boi, Funguy Mushroom, Strawbebby. Sometimes they do seem to name themselves or my fans recognize their names. The cannabis leaf was ordained "Tokeface". I'm totally open to name suggestions! These guys definitely have their own personalities. My mushrooms usually spring up in pairs, maybe they are Geminis with the twins! I think my rainbow clouds are really into boba tea.
What would be a dream piece for you to make? Maybe a massive hoodie for our giant robot? Or a giant, wonderous mural?
It would be a dream to design a whole immersive room!! I can see it in my mind's eye, there's a ladder you climb up through a cloud. Once you're up there, you're in a cozy psychedelic dreamspace where you can whisper secrets to the creatures, plant seeds of your dreams in the garden of wonder, and zone out to the hypnotic sounds. When it's time to depart, you'll exit down the rainbow slide, obviously!
Shop the new Wokeface merch collab here, including the beanie you see before you here!
