Texas-native Chris Brown built his narrative from the ground up. Creating countless homemade zines both inspired by and rebelling against the glossy magazines of his childhood, Brown was enamored by the freewheeling ethos of the 1960s and 70s. He’s an artist reflected elements of a proud, singularly American tradition.
In 2008, he started Refueled Magazine, a testament to the legacy of American craftsmanship, ingenuity, authenticity expressed through design, music, fashion, writing… all about the American dream.
He’s surfing on the resurgence of interest in heritage wear and handmade goods. Today people care much more where the cotton what made their clothes comes from or how their food was grown.
Inspired by his childhood where he started creating his own hand-drawn magazines when he was 8-years-old, he’s been driven by his 60’s huge influences. For him, “Variety is the spice of life”.
Nothing beats the personal freedom when working for yourself; and even more rewarding—if the career you’ve created is based on sharing your passions in life with others. You can do what you love while staying true to your own ideas and views.
Through years of experimentation Brown perfected his craft with publication and shaped his voice. Whether he’s traveling, researching, or shooting features for the magazine, there is no such thing as a typical day for Brown. He’s a self-proclaimed workaholic, but keep all of his extra time for his wife and children.
As Refueled continues to evolve and expand, Brown admits, “As a publisher, I’d like to see magazines become and thought of as vinyl music albums. One you spend time with, get to know, and in the end—keep around and continue to pick up again and again. There is something special about picking up an old album—the feel, the smell and the art—becoming familiar with it all over again. I have that same experience with magazines.”
Brown has worked extremely hard to get where he is today, he makes it seem so effortless in his artistic approach to sharing a view into his world. For those wondering how to take similar steps in their career, follow Brown’s advice, “As long as you’re true to, and create for yourself—criticism, rejection or failure will never exist.”
Have a look to his work on http://www.refueledmagazine.com
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