About Serpentijn
Our Purpose
Serpentijn was founded to make a positive impact through art and athletics, based on the belief that both play a vital role in learning and living life to its fullest.
We collaborate with students and professional artists to create beautiful, functional products in order to support our non-profits of choice.
Our goal is to serve these communities through a shared love of art and athletics.
Our Shop
10% of each purchase you make goes to a worthy non-profit organization, selected by you during checkout. For 2023, your choice of charities includes:
Islands of Brilliance
Islands of Brilliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that runs monthly art, design, and STEM-based workshops for students on the autism spectrum. Our neurodiverse students learn both valuable technical and critical social/emotional learning skills that improve the likelihood of employment and long-term independence. islandsofbrilliance.org
MKE MTB – KIDS MOUNTAIN BIKE TEAM
Children ages 12-18 can learn to ride and even compete in National Interscholastic Cycling Association-sanctioned events through this Milwaukee Recreation program. No experience needed; bikes and safety gear provided. Part of Milwaukee Recreation’s mission since 1911 is to promote healthy lifestyles and personal development for people of all ages and abilities through recreational and educational experiences. MKE MTB
The Artists
KEITH NEGLEY
Keith's work has appeared on book covers, children's books, t-shirts, album covers, posters, skateboard decks, and even a watch. He is a frequent contributor to The New York Times and New Yorker in addition to many other national publications. He received his BFA from the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design in 2000, and his MFA from The School of Visual Arts in New York City in 2013 and doesn’t regret the student debt one bit. Keith resides in downtown Bellingham Washington with his two boys surrounded by mountains and ocean and teaches illustration at Western Washington University. KeithNegley.com
Barbra Ignatiev
A Wisconsin native now based in Oakland, California, Barbra creates watercolor prints and patterns for her brand Barbarian. The spirit of Barbarian encompasses a deep desire for a brave and colorful life of freedom filled with nature, music and travel. Her intent is to inspire adventurousness and soul-searching in others. BarbraIgnatiev.com
Emily Balsley
Emily Balsley is an illustrator living in Madison, Wisconsin. Her work is bright and happy, with a touch of whimsy. Her clients include American Girl Magazine, Storey Publishing, Random House Books, Bowl of Heaven, Schwinn Bicycles and Mudpuppy. When she's not drawing she is biking around town with her family, paddle boarding or tackling her never-ending list of DIY house projects. (photo by Lexia Frank) EmilyBalsley.com
Paul Antonson
Paul is an illustrator and designer who’s created work with clients like Squid Bikes, The Village Voice, The Wall Street Journal, The Onion, Brooklyn Brewery, Motion Math, and Five Points Graphics among others. He enjoys creating patterns, snowboarding in the Sierra’s and spending time with his wife and twin daughters where they reside in Sacramento California. PaulAntonson.com
David Mark Zimmerman (Bigshot Robot)
As a young boy he was convinced his family found him under a rock. Eventually it was found that he was born of natural causes. As a young adult human he practiced painting, drawing and just fricken making things and changed his name to Bigshot Robot. Over the past 10 years Bigshot Robot has collaborated with the likes of Pandora Radio, Pabst, Royal Enfield, and the Milwaukee Bucks creating large scale paintings, installations, packaging and apparel. bigshot-robot.com
Jason Ludtke (Mild Tiger)
Jason draws a lot of things all of the time. With his one person design shop, Mild Tiger (name inspired by his cat, Clark R.I.P.) Jason has illustrated and hand-lettered an ever growing number of packaging, logo, art and design projects for a diverse array of brands, bands, events, and causes. If he’s not drawing something, he’s likely running or biking and thinking about drawing something. mildtiger.com
Friends
Some of the wonderful people who help and inspire:
DARREN HAUCK PHOTOGRAPHY
ELLUM BAG WORKS
The name "Serpentijn" [serpentēn] suggests both the snaking line of a cyclist and the path that connects personal creativity with beneficial productivity.
Serpentijn Art & Athletics™ is a 501c3 nonprofit organization.