02
The Team
Tye Coleman
Co-Founder, Designer and Screen Printer
When I was seven years old, I drew a picture of a lion in the jungle on the back of a piece of paper I found in my mother’s closet. It was in orange and green crayon. I thought it was so cool. It turns out that piece of paper was my mom's high school diploma. I have been drawing, coloring, and creating ever since and my mom is a saint of a woman. I did not even get a spanking.
I did not discover screen printing until my sophomore year at MTSU
(go Blue Raiders). I frequently tell anyone who will listen that if I had learned to print in high school, it would have saved me many hellish nights washing dishes, bussing tables, and cleaning floors at Steak and Ale Restaurant. The worst job I ever had,
but those memories to this day fuel my creativity and keep me inspired.
Once I discovered screen printing, the process, the flexibility, the colors—I will say that again, THE COLORS– I was hooked. As a college sophomore, the money I made from printing signs and my own tees on campus was sweet.
Graphics and screen printing have taken me to many places around the world. Early in my career, it gave me access to other schools like Parson’s School of Design in New York City and designers like Milt Glazer and Massimo Vignelli. I was in NYC when screen printed tees really took off as an industry. Fortunately for me I happened to be in the right place at the right time to take advantage of the surge.
Over the years and a gazillion prints later, I am still in love with the industry and art form. Today, printing has evolved into many different processes–direct-to-garment digital/traditional press combos, and transfer paper, just to name a few. The palette is broad and access to creative elements is limitless thanks to the world wide web.
When it comes to creating and printing I am still that kid in the candy store. Still getting my Groove on!!! Whether it’s paper, garments, textiles or other substrates I absolutely love it. How can we help you? Come take a class and join the fun.
Let's print magic!
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Groovy Print Strokes is located at The FORGE in Nashville. When you walk into the building your creative juices start flowing. It has an energy that I won't try to explain–you have to come and experience it for yourself.
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Tye
Kenny Cohan
Co-Founder
" Every child is an artist, the problem is how do we remain an artist
when we grow up? "
The first time I visited the Forge, I was impressed by its mission. As important, in time it was clear the facilities and the management were capable of accomplishing that mission.
Supporting the dreams of artisans and artists, whether trying to make it as a profession, or as a hobbyist is important, so I wanted to be involved. To be clear, I am neither an artist or an artisan. I am one of the millions of people whose life is made better by what they create.
I spent most of my adult life in the business world, often benefiting from the talent of artistic professionals. Though I admired their work, I like many of us, thought deep inside of me was the soul and creativity of an artist, without the necessary tools or training. Wonderful images would invade my head, and then disappear as I had no way to record those pictures, ...certainly a loss to be shared by me and the world.
After I retired, I got pulled back in–sound familiar? I started working with Tye, a talented artist with a focus on printed t-shirts and other products.
When Tye my friend, and business partner suggested we create
"Groovy Print Strokes" I was intrigued - the idea of housing it at The Forge was a surprise. The Forge is for artists...then, I thought of Bob Dylan's remarks when awarded the Nobel Prize for literature. He said while writing his songs he never thought he was creating Literature. I never though that in making cool t-shirts I was creating art.
"IT IS THE GOAL OF EVERY ARTIST TO CREATE A MASTERPIECE"
Think you can't paint? or build? Groovy Strokes may be your opportunity to create your masterpiece. What is art? It informs...it provides joy and pleasure...... For the artist, it provides an outlet for expression, sometimes the satisfaction of knowing
they have brought a smile to someone's face... make a living doing something they love, or have a challenging hobby. Maybe create a masterpiece. Maybe just have fun. If like me, you have that piece of your soul waiting to express itself, come to The Forge and give Groovy Print Stokes a chance.
You cannot tell me that you haven't seen a graphic that you couldn't improve, or had an occasion you wanted to personalize by expressing your own vision. AND possibly, when you do visit you will see my masterpiece