During a total solar eclipse, the moon aligns perfectly with the sun, casting a dark shadow on Earth and temporarily blocking its light. This creates a stunning visual effect, plunging regions within the path of totality into darkness for a brief period. The sun's visible corona (outermost layer) during a total eclipse provides a unique opportunity to study this part of our star, which Jess incorporated into the design for our eclipse shirt.
On April 8, 2024, the world held its breath for a moment as a breathtaking astronomical phenomenon unfolded – the 2024 total solar eclipse. This year, Slow Loris' illustrator, Jess, along with her husband Carson and their daughter, embarked on a road trip from Guemes Island, Washington, all the way to Waco, Texas, to experience the eclipse firsthand and capture inspiration for future shirt designs. For Jess, the eclipse is a humbling and awe-inspiring experience, one that defies words. It forces her to confront the vastness of space and the delicate balance of nature.
The Slow Loris crew isn’t new to eclipse chasing. In 2017, our whole team traveled to Sun Valley, Idaho, to witness the moon completely cover the sun. That experience left Jess and Carson wanting more, and after a year of meticulous planning, they managed to secure a prime location for witnessing the magic: an Airbnb with RV hookups, no less!
While the eclipse itself wasn't a major source of inspiration for her nature-themed designs, the road trip absolutely was. There's a certain nostalgia to be found in those old roadside signs, weathered buildings, and the occasional abandoned town – all whispering stories of journeys past.
Unfortunately, their meticulously planned road trip hit a snag the day they left with a nasty sickness deciding to crash the family adventure. It started with their daughter, then their whole family – coughs, fevers, the whole nine yards. Being sick in a cramped camper van isn't exactly a recipe for fun. But despite the illness, they were about to witness a celestial dance millions of miles away as a reminder of the incredible world we inhabit. And that's something worth a little cough syrup for.