When Solid Ground was looking for a new name for our annual gala, “Groundswell” felt like an obvious choice.

It’s a play on our name, for one, and it captures perfectly the ever-building energy of our movement toward a future beyond poverty. But how to represent that energy – that feeling – in an image? For that, we turned to Seattle artist Damon Brown, also known as Creative Lou. Damon saw our vision and translated it into a vibrant image that communicates momentum, belonging, and hope.

Here’s his artist statement:

“Born and raised in Seattle’s Central District, I found my creative spark early through comic books, bold imagery, and heroic stories that shaped how I saw storytelling through art. My practice now blends classical visual traditions with urban expression, exploring themes of transition, resilience, and collective memory. Drawing from personal experience, cultural history, and community, my work reflects both challenge and joy while considering how art preservers memory and connection.”

Find more of Damon’s work on Instagram and his website.