Hey there. I’m Ryan.

I’m a curiosity-seeker, foodie cartographer, coastline-admirer, graphic designer, writer, dad, husband, etc.

“Flags Candy Wine” is the publication where I express the inspiration that I find all around. Food/drink. Art/design. Travel/local. High/Low.

For better or worse, I’m going to do my thing and hope there are some like-minded souls who want to jump on board. A few notes about me…

I love exploring near and far, sharing discoveries, and making maps, prints, books, apparel, brands, and other less easily categorized things.

My interests are wide ranging and I love learning about a place, person, or phenomenon that I have never before encountered—particularly if such thing has a lyrical ring to it…Veiholmen, Francis Mallman, bombogenesis, etc.

I love a good dive bar every bit as much as I love a ten course meal. Beach huts and five star hotels. Corduroy shorts and double breasted trench coats. Each has equal appeal as long as there is some unique aspect to admire.

I tend to enjoy professional sports as much for their intangible aspects as much as the sports themselves. The vibe in/around the stadium. The uniform designs. The rituals. The radio announcer’s voice. The in-game graphics. The nicknames. The crazy plays. The records. The history. Nolan Ryan is one of my favorite players, but so is Mark “The Bird” Fydrich.

I’m constantly squeezing in stops at multiple bars and restaurants into a single evening rather than settling into just one.

Much to my vine-savvy friends’ dismay, I tend to allow the label design to be the deciding factor on which wine I buy.

I’m a sucker for all things nautical, Mediterranean, tug-boat-ish, etc. If I fall out of contact, there’s a good chance you can find me at a seaside tavern somewhere in the Cyclades.

I like reading actual newspapers. On a porch. With coffee.

I take every chance I can go to the southwest corner of Michigan which I affectionately refer to as “Red Arrow.”

My day job involves leading creative efforts at a marketing agency I co-founded called D/CAL.

I’m a fan of all things light blue.

I love a good map.

I make lots of lists.

My wife hates that I have a Jazz station pre-set on the radio in our car. But I’ll listen to and enjoy just about anything.

If I could redesign Mt. Rushmore, I’d include Spike Jonze, Wes Anderson, Stephen Malkmus, and Bill Murray. And I would put it in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula rather than South Dakota.

I find endless inspiration in my family. Jenaki. Ava Mari. Gus Fox. Illy. Dutch. Nonna. Mick. Mars. Big Jim. Aunt Kath. Mary-Land. Towel. Mitch. Rach. Tru. Mac. Win. The Doc.

You can buy some of the stuff I write, design, or create in my online shop. I can also be found on Instagram or at www.starrm.com.

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Photo by Anthony La Penna.