Featured Artist : Nick RaabCoachella Dyes

My name is Nick Raab and I am located in the Coachella Valley, near Palm Springs, California. I create tie dye art in the form of wearable pieces and accessories. I have been a lover of tie dye for a long time, but finally started to create my own pieces in 2020.

I am self taught, but have leaned on the knowledge of the tie dye community online and I continue to be involved there in a way to grow as an artist and give back by showing support and sharing my experience. I was first exposed to tie dye in my youth by my uncle who is a longtime fan of the Grateful Dead when he brought shirts back from the shows. Later on as an adult, I was inspired to start creating because of the complexity of designs I was seeing, especially the “kenney style” and geodes. When the pandemic hit, we had a lot of extra time around the home and that is when I began my tie dye journey.

Through the online community I learned about Dharma Trading company and made my first purchase of procion dyes. At first I was doing HWI and later evolved to different methods, like using liquid dyes and ice dyeing.

After more than 25 years in the retail industry, I found myself looking to start a new chapter and started my business Coachella Dyes. I made partnerships with local businesses and was able to build my brand in brick and mortar before opening my online store.
I have a huge passion for the arts and have had my work featured in the Secret 7” exhibition at the NOW Gallery in London where my piece was turned into a unique album cover for The Chemical Brothers single “Skipping Like a Stone” and was put up for auction to benefit The WarChild UK and raise funds for children affected by war. It was a huge honor to be selected among 700 artists and one of my proudest moments as an artist.

Creativity has been a big part of my life and I also enjoy photography, music production and writing. I continue to support the arts in my local community and beyond.