Devon Lynn is nono’s inspiration and Featured Artist for the current collection.
In April of 2008, when she was 22 months old, Devon was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. During her treatments, her love for painting blessed her with a creative outlet. The fabrics for nono’s debut collection have been created from Devon’s own collection of paintings on canvas and skateboard decks using acrylic paints and paint pens.
At just 8 years old, Devon’s love for art has taken her on some amazing journeys. She has been a featured artist in three major fundraising projects- Circus Couture, I Am Snowboarding and Milk & Cookies.
Circus Couture is a Nevada non-profit organization created in 2010 by Erica Linz, whose focus is raising money for pediatric cancer care and research. Funds are raised through their annual circus, fashion and art event then granted to The Children’s Specialty Center of Nevada. They are the only clinic in the state that treats kids with cancer regardless of their family’s ability to pay for services and home to our beloved Dr. B – the wonderful human that helped save Devon’s life. To date, Circus Couture and their sister fundraising team, Cirque du SoBald, have raised over a quarter of a million dollars for St. Baldrick’s Foundation & Children’s Specialty Center of Nevada to continue their programs and bring life saving treatments to Nevada’s children. Devon was the show’s featured artist in 2010 and donated one of her paintings to the art auction where it was sold to the highest bidder. On June 26th, 2011, Circus Couture brought their show, the “Revolution”, to the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas where nono’s “devon” one-piece fringe swimsuit also sold for charity at their live art auction held during the event.
Close to Devon’s family’s heart is I Am Snowboarding – a collaborative art project to benefit the JLA Project featuring top artists and photographers in the snowboarding community. The JLA Project was founded in memory of friend, artist and snowboarder Jeffrey Lin Anderson with the vision of opening art galleries and skate parks where artists and friends of all ages can share inspiration. I Am Snowboarding raised $40,000 for the JLA Project with an art show that traveled all over the US and Japan. In February 2010, Devon had the incredible opportunity to travel to Tokyo to support her art and the whole I Am Snowboarding family. And on Christmas Day 2010, the I Am show became part of ART PARK at Mammoth Mountain in California- the world’s first terrain park at a mountain resort to combine original art with jumps, rails, boxes and wall rides.
Devon’s third incredible art exhibit came in the form of Milk & Cookies. On Saturday, March 12th, 2011, Active Ride Shop hosted the Milk & Cookies Kids Art Show at the Irvine Spectrum along with the TOMS shoes Kids for Kids Collection launch and Style Your Sole Event. All art featured in the show was created by kids and showcased their brilliant creativity and imagination. The show also featured 10 collaborative pieces from world renowned artists and their kids. Proceeds from the artwork sold at this show benefited the JLA Project and SEEDS Arts and Education, Inc.
Devon completed her 2 1/2 year chemotherapy treatment for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on June 23, 2010. Since ending her treatment, her parents are beyond happy to say she is doing very, very well. She is a sweet, creative little girl with a beautiful and strong spirit and the driving force behind nono.
