Once upon a time in the not so distant past, a young boy spent his days drawing, creating cartoons and comics. One day this young man found his way into a local office supply store and purchased a graphic design software application.
He was bit. A creative bug sunk its venomous fangs in deep, altering his DNA.
No, this story is not about Spiderman. Much like Peter Parker, however, Shreveport native and creator of Toomasooba, Jeremy Johnson, is on the verge of great things.
Pelican Parish Supply Company, an idea conceived in a workshop in Ruston, was born just weeks ago. With deep Gulf Coast roots, Pelican Parish Supply Co. offers unique apparel and art that celebrates Louisiana pride.
“I want it to be a representation of a progressive Louisiana and people who are trying to make a difference,” Johnson said.
The flagship design is based off the 1944 Louisiana license plate which depicts a cartoonish silhouette of a pelican.
“In 2013 I was checking out a workshop and there was an old Louisiana license plate on the wall, and I was like hey this is pretty cool, so I went home and redrew it.” Johnson says it’s about paying homage and preserving Louisiana culture. Part of Pelican Parish Supply Company’s initiative is to support like minded “dreamers, makers, creators, and climate-changers” of Louisiana who are featured on the company’s website.
Pelican Parish Supply Co. launched during the last week in March. Events were held at Gearhead Outfitters, Great Raft Brewing, and Kings Hardware. In addition to door prizes and giveaways at each event, Fleur De Crème and Fayettechill Clothing Company joined at the Gearhead Outfitters event.
Apparel and various custom art pieces will be available at Gearhead Outfitters, King’s Hardware, and the Agora Borealis, all in Shreveport, as well as online. Currently all appareal is being produced locally by Definition Industries who focuses heavily on brand building. Plans to expand into south Louisiana and possibly neighboring gulf states are anticipated in Spring 2016 with a new design.
Toomasooba fans do not fret. Johnson’s series of “curious creations and illustrations inspired by Saturday morning cartoons, late-night sitcom reruns, science fiction, comics, rock n’ roll, and coffee…lots and lots of coffee” are still available.
“Toomasooba is not going anywhere. It’s just getting put on the back burner for right now.”