Inspiring Conversations with Normandie Rainwater of Velo Donna

Today we’d like to introduce you to Normandie Rainwater.

Normandie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I have a picture that was taken when I was about seven years old. My brother and I are standing in front of a random assortment of things I’d arranged on our family’s buffet table. My mom says I called them my “pretty things.”

There was a doll-sized chair that was teal and plastic, but also fancy with a wing back and little bumps to represent the texture of the fabric. There was a colorful drawing of a desert landscape done with cray pas by one of my older siblings. There were figures and household objects, along with stuffed animals. Each item was maybe not incredibly attractive in its own right, but I was in love with how they all looked as a group. All the different colors and shapes and patterns playing off of each other made my heart sing.

I’ve traveled many roads since then, and have had many adventures, but it is still one of my favorite things to put together various elements in new ways and marvel at the results. Now I’m combining fabric with paper, or weaving old bike tubes with sticks. If I’m working digitally I’m mixing pieces of photos with bold colorful shapes. Juxtaposition is my spirit animal.

I spent a lot of time in my youth trying different things. First I went to college to be a fashion designer. I wanted to create wearable art like the brick suit David Byrne wears in the film True Stories. But then I traveled and built a house off the grid in northern Vermont. I made art and communed with nature. Eventually, I found my way back to design in my late twenties. Tired of waiting tables I bought a computer and taught myself Photoshop. I studied books on design principles and typography and then got an internship with a local freelance designer. Now I’ve been working as a graphic designer for over 20 years. 15 of those years here in Colorado.

Recently I’ve launched a business where I bring together my art with my love of riding bikes. At Velo Donna, I create artful products for bicycle lovers. I’m focusing on women cyclists and the role of bikes in combating the climate crisis. I am growing as an artist and am looking forward to where this new venture will take me.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
After all these years I still struggle with valuing myself as an artist. I don’t always honor the time involved in exploring my creativity and honing my craft. I wish that I had more time to spend just creating, apart from the time I’m trying to make money from it. And there are the usual struggles — Is what I’m making any good? Is it important? Does anyone care? I’m not sure whether the self-doubt I’ve experienced is more than most, but it has been a major challenge. It has affected how much I’ve shared my work with the world. It was the reason I never finished design school. But I’ve come a long way with this. These days I’m thankful for all the artists and creative podcasts I listen to. There’s so much good support out there for us artists letting us know we are not alone in our struggles!

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At Velo Donna, I create artful products for bicycle lovers. I offer unique goods celebrating all cyclists, especially women. My designs are to make every rider feel included in the world of riding bikes. You may be taking a ride to work across town, or striving for a place on the podium —no matter who you are, no matter what you ride, or where…Velo Donna says how YOU ride is just right!

My designs are available on all sorts of goods, including: apparel, mugs, wall art, stickers, home decor items, and more. Available at Society 6, TeePublic, and Redbubble.

I also have an Etsy shop where I offer fine art cycling prints, very-eco greeting cards, and stickers. I’ll soon be adding more products to this shop, including t-shirts and hats.

In the future, I’m looking forward to wholesaling my products to local shops. I also look forward to expanding my body of work that focuses on women in cycling, and the role bikes play in fighting climate change.

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Being able to do what you love and feeling valued in the world. Being able to make a difference, whether it’s personal or professional. Loving oneself.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.velodonnagoods.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/velo.donna/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/velo.donna/
• Other: https://www.normandierainwater.com/artwork

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