Bandits Bandanas : Forever Blooming

The Artist: REAL FUN, WOW! (Ojai, CA)

REAL FUN, WOW! is the moniker of Ojai, CA based illustrator, muralist, and designer Daren Thomas Magee. Masterfully blending elements of natural, supernatural, and human connectedness, Daren's work is both a perfect commentary and a welcome antidote for our modern times. In his own words, Daren explains "The aim of my work is to speak to the space between imagination and reality."

If you've ever been to Ojai, you've undoubtedly seen Daren's work either hanging in or painted on the side of local restaurants, breweries, hotels, and shops. Even if you haven't, there's a good chance you've seen his work. Daren's prolific list of collaborators includes REI, Vissla, CAMP, Christy Dawn, Tank Garage Wines, and Little Blind Beer Co., among many others.   

Our latest collaboration with Real Fun, Wow! is inspired by the idea that we're (hopefully) always growing. To become better as individuals, as a society, and as a species we must continue to approach each new day as a chance to learn.

When we embrace our differences as opportunities, when we are open to new experience, and when we use what we've learned to improve the world around us, we can become like blooming flowers - shedding the old ways to make room for the new, and becoming something even more beautiful in the process.