After two nourishing weeks in Portugal—soaking in music, movement, and connection at Boom Festival and meeting artists pushing boundaries on sustainability and expression—I’m returning home inspired and energized.

Portugal offered us rhythm, reflection, and deep inspiration.
Art and culture are woven into the soul of everyday life there. The biggest lesson we brought home? Slow down. Be present. There’s a grace in how the Portuguese move through the world—polite, passionate, and untethered from the constant hustle that defines so much of American culture.

In Lisbon’s winding neighborhoods, we encountered the striking work of Bordalo II, whose towering 3D murals turn discarded trash into expressive animal portraits—a fox, storks, a panda—reminding us that even waste can tell a story of beauty and reclamation.

Evenings stretched late into the night with Fado, Portugal’s traditional ballads, sung with aching emotion beside Atlantic cuisine and candlelit tables. Our days ended with salt on our skin—kayaking the turquoise coast of Sesimbra and walking barefoot on the soft white sandy beaches of Arrábida Natural Park.

But the heart of our journey was Boom Festival—a 9-day celebration of music, consciousness, and sacred land in Idanha-a-Nova. Boom is more than a music festival. Boom is a living vision of what’s possible when global community, regenerative design, ecological thought, and creative expression align.

A personal highlight: meeting the eco artist collective Downtown Palmela, who set up a screen and block-printing station close to the Pirate Market. These are artists building brands rooted in sustainability and story, and we hope to volunteer with the collective soon.

From activist lectures to healing spaces held by lineage keepers, receiving Watsu in the lake, herbalist circles, and breathtaking art installations, this trip gifted us with clarity and conviction. Earth Medicine Apparel Co. is evolving, in rhythm with the global movement for more intentional, artful, and Earth-aligned ways of creating.

We’re channeling that energy into exciting next steps:

🎨 Photoshoot coming soon – Our first capsule collection is about to be photographed and featured online! We’re working with Fox&Nug and a group of close friends to shoot lifestyle photos in the Colorado Rockies.
🌐 Website launch is around the corner – We’re getting closer to going live! Still targeting August 15th as we move through a photoshoot and final details in copywriting.
🛍️ First Friday Art Walk – We’re vending in the Santa Fe Arts District in Denver, sharing our pieces in person today (August 1). Come say hi if you’re local! It starts at 5:30 and goes until 10 pm.
🖌️ New Designs in the works – We’re starting to work on our new designs to launch this Fall. Our focus for the next series is Rocky Mountain Flora & Fauna. We have a series of designs featuring birds, mammals, reptiles, and medicinal plants found throughout the Rocky Mountains of North America.
👕 Re-assessing our garment suppliers – We’re exploring new garment supplier partners that are committed to recycled, natural materials, reducing the carbon footprint, and mindful production.

This brand has always been about honoring Earth Medicines and the communities that care for them, while uplifting artists and shedding light on our supply chain. With each step, we're building something more intentional, and I couldn’t do this without you.

With love and gratitude,

Founder, Earth Medicine Apparel Co.

Ready to add Earth Medicine Apparel to your wardrobe?

»📍We’re vending at the following dates and locations:

• First Friday Artwalk on Santa Fe, Denver | August 1st | 5:30 - 9:30 pm

• Mirus Art Gallery, Denver | August 15th + August 29th | 9 pm - Midnight (event is 21+)

• Makers Hive Market, Ft. Collins | August 30th | Noon - 5 PM

• Colorado Artisan Market It’s Fall Y’all, Denver | Sept 20 & 21

✨ Love what we’re building? Share the magic.

If this newsletter inspired you, the best way to support us is to share it with your friends, community, or anyone who believes in art, Earth medicine, and ethical fashion. Every share helps us grow this vision—rooted in reciprocity, creativity, and connection.

Coming Soon to EarthMed Threads

• More on the saga of garment sourcing and printing - how we’re seeking long-term partners from American garment manufacturers, and navigating the sudden closure of our printing partner

• A deeper story behind the creation of El Guacamayo Malu

• Exclusive (aka not on Social Media) sneak peek at our next round of designs from our founder

  🖥️ Celebrate with us online at launch, Aug 15th: www.earthmedicineapparel.clothing