Hand made, with love
Every company has a story. This is ours.
Relish Ink was founded in 2008 by three friends — Jonathan Turner, Cullen Seward, and David Roddy.
The idea took shape during Jonathan’s second year playing football at Salisbury University, when he made a bold decision: he wanted to become an artist. As practical-minded business majors, Cullen and David initially advised against it. But if there’s one thing Jonathan has always been, it’s persistent.
Instead of letting the idea go, the three of them leaned in.
They realized that if Jonathan was going to pursue art seriously, he needed more than a sketchbook — he needed a platform. So together, they set out to build a brand. What started as a leap of faith between friends became the foundation of Relish Ink..
e knew where we wanted to go — now it was time to build it. The first round of shirts? Nothing to brag about. But they matter. They’re part of the story. In late 2008, David and Jonathan made their first real attempt. A quick run to Foot Locker for six blank tees, and they were on their way to the University of Miami’s School of Art studio. Jonathan happened to know the professor, who generously let us use the space. What he didn’t know? We showed up with a case of Budweiser and a lot more confidence than experience.
We took one of Jonathan’s original pieces and taught ourselves the screen-printing process from start to finish — stretching the screen, burning the artwork under the light table, rinsing the emulsion, and pulling ink across fabric for the very first time. It wasn’t perfect. But it was ours. And that first batch of shirts marked the moment Relish Ink became real.
While at work one day, David overheard his boss discussing an upcoming fashion show called Bourgeoisie & Proletariat — a concept inspired by Marx’s commentary on class, industry, and culture. The show featured several high-end brands but needed an urban, art-driven label to round out the lineup.
Without hesitation, David volunteered Relish Ink. There was just one catch: we had one week to deliver a full line of shirts, two 20-foot murals, and multiple framed pieces. Jonathan was thrilled — until he heard the deadline.
With $400 (generously overnighted by David’s mom, Lisa Roddy), Jonathan got to work. He painted two massive murals, finished skate decks and canvas pieces, printed shirts, and flew from Miami to D.C. the day of the event. We framed everything on-site and set up as the show’s “street” brand among established Georgetown boutiques. Then something unexpected happened.
A model — coincidentally someone we went to high school with — asked to wear our shirts on the runway. It wasn’t part of the plan, but it changed everything. When our hand-printed white tees hit the runway, the crowd’s reaction said it all.
That night was the turning point. We weren’t just experimenting anymore — we were building something real. From there, we leaned into our niche: blending fine art and streetwear. We hosted events up and down the East Coast, from Miami to New York, even selling over 100 tees at a single North Carolina coffee shop — no small feat.
People connected with Jonathan’s work immediately. His talent was undeniable, but what set him apart was his dedication. While studying art in Miami, nearly everything he created was for Relish Ink.
And that commitment is what carried us forward.
On December 3, 2010, Jonathan Henry Turner passed away suddenly due to a rare heart condition. There are no words that fully capture what that loss meant to his family, to his friends, or to us. Moving forward as people felt impossible — let alone continuing as a company. To us, Jonathan wasn’t just part of Relish Ink. He was Relish Ink. Many described him as a free spirit. But he wasn’t aimless. He was driven. Focused. Intentional. When Jonathan set his mind on something, he pursued it relentlessly. Building Relish Ink into something meaningful wasn’t a hobby — it was a mission. Providing for his mom was a mission. Creating art that reflected his love for the people around him was instinctive. And you could feel that honesty in every piece he made.
We tried to continue. We hosted events. We showed up. But without him, it wasn’t the same. Eventually, things slowed — and then stopped. The business paused. The momentum faded. The friendships changed. And that decision was mine. Not out of surrender — but out of grief. With time, one thing became clear: what Jonathan built cannot disappear. His impact was too real. The way he inspired people, the way he created, the way he lived — that spirit doesn’t fade. Relish Ink was never just clothing. It was emotion. It was expression. It was the reminder to relish the moment and create something meaningful. So we return to the foundation. By hand. With love. On a smaller scale. Carrying forward the mission — and always remembering Jonathan Turner, the artist.
