Earlier this summer, I was excited to discover a label design contest for a collaboration beer between Hellbent Brewing Company and TREAD, a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing and preserving outdoor recreation opportunities in Washington’s Chelan and Douglas counties. I painted a new landscape specifically for the contest and entered my design on the final day that entries were accepted. I discovered a week later that my entry won! The seasonal brew is now available for sale at Hellbent’s locations in Seattle and Wenatchee, as well as many other places that beer is sold!
The landscape I painted for the contest was actually a trail at Mount Rainier National Park. I chose this landscape specifically because I wanted to use an “anonymous” Washington trail that lacked any obvious identifying features. My goal was for it be representative of a trail you might find almost anywhere in the state, especially in the regions that TREAD is active. A couple of months beforehand, I painted a color study of the reference photo in my sketchbook, so I could hit the ground running with the painting when I finally sat down to complete it.
Admittedly, I initially forgot about the contest until a couple of days before it was due. When I realized my mistake, I knew I had to work fast to make my vision come to life. I finished the painting in about a seven-hour painting cram session, scanned it in, and then worked out the label design layout. The design was due at midnight, and I submitted my entry at 11pm. I felt like I was back in college doing my design homework. Anxiously submitting my work, I told myself I put in a good effort that I should be proud of. I then tried to forget about the whole thing.
A week later, the email came in saying that I had been selected as the winner! I was utterly delighted and am honestly still so excited. TREAD invited me out to the release luau that they were throwing at Hellbent’s Wenatchee taproom at the end of July. Spenser unfortunately couldn’t join me due to some previous commitments at home, so I drove out by myself to take part in the celebrations.
I booked a campsite for the night at Wenatchee-Confluence State Park, which is a short drive from where the party would be. Despite being located in the center of Wenatchee, the park was serene and beautiful. Sadly I didn’t get the chance to explore it too much.
I arrived at the party and was blown away by the celebration. It took place in the event center at Wenatchee’s Pybus Market, which is a really cool space that I’d love to come back and explore in the future. As I sheepishly entered the luau, one of the owners of Hellbent that I’ve known for almost a decade now immediately greeted me. He made sure I had enough delicious Hawaiian food and drinks to last all evening. He then introduced me to so many members of TREAD, who were all so excited to meet me. They took me in as one of their own and we had a fantastic night.
By the end of the evening I had so many new best friends. They even presented me with one of the four gorgeous real flower leis that were delivered from Hawaii for the event. What an honor!
I am still delighted to have won the contest. TREAD has a mission that truly speaks to me, and Hellbent has been one of my favorite spots for nearly a decade now. I am proud to have my work featured as part of this project, and I look forward to future projects that align so closely with my values.