There’s a certain intentionality in the way Jesse Gouveia approaches both photography, a craft imbued with introspection, and his daily life — one that’s not caught up in constant motion, but guided by knowing when to pause. Living in NYC, where work can easily bleed into every hour of the day and sometimes seep into early morning, the New York-based artist has come to value small moments outdoors, something Merrell has championed for the past 45 years. Usually at Columbus Park, Gouveia finds balance through brief resets that allow him to return to the darkroom with a clearer perspective. "I need light, I need water, I need air," he expresses. "The park is a nice balance for that."
A story that began in Seattle, he grew up surrounded by the landscapes of the Pacific Northwest, where time spent outdoors was second nature. Though his surroundings have shifted from forests and waterways to city streets and crowded sidewalks, that instinct remains unchanged. He still moves through the world with an innate curiosity, pausing to bask in the sun or seeking out moments that might otherwise go unnoticed before returning to the darkness and sulfite-fumed confines of his workspace. In this way, a walk through the park has become a daily ritual, a grounding practice and a source of inspiration, informing the work while serving as a connective thread between process and his personal history.
That creative calm builds upon the foundation of Merrell's legacy and their latest offering, It Starts Outside. Rather than positioning the outdoors as a faraway destination requiring a journey, the campaign focuses on the everyday act of stepping beyond the confines of work, recognizing that inspiration can often be found in the negative space. A few minutes in the sun. Fresh air after long hours. A moment of quiet amid the urban buzz provides the perfect moment to zoom out and just be.
A true embodiment of this concept of balance, Gouveia’s daily approach and intention appear central to his image-making practice, where his mindfulness reveals itself in a glimpse of refracted light or in his ability to adapt to a sudden breeze or change of weather. Impermanence acts as a filter over otherwise ornately constructed scenes, each executed with precise vision. “I grew up in a place where there's a lot of fog and it's dark most of the year. So I'm used to taking whatever amount of light and opportunity I have and seize it,” the image-maker and artist explains. That intention informs every step he takes in his Gunsmoke Jungle Mocs, a tool that’s been a benefit to his creative process.
Arriving in New York nearly nine years ago, Gouveia relied on his then Jungle Mocs and their lightweight EVA foam midsole to get him to point A, B, and C, usually trekking miles. “I love the durability,” he shares. That same sense of ease and adaptability he wields today extends to the beloved style he’s been sporting for years. Originally designed as a recovery shoe for life after the trail, the Jungle Moc has endured because it occupies a space between performance and everyday wear. A standout feature being the Air Cushion in the heel for absorption and a double stretch gore for easy wear. It isn't designed solely for the outdoors, nor is it confined to city life. Instead, it moves fluidly between the two, reflecting a way of living that doesn't separate adventure from routine.
For the inspired creative, that versatility feels particularly relevant. His weeks rarely unfold according to a set schedule. “Every month looks different,” he explains. “I'm always doing different things, whether it’s exhibition work”— including Plaid, which he exhibited last fall at Anonymous Gallery in New York City. The work connected the adolescent wonder of building forts with an adult exploration of those same memories through similar forms of construction. “Throughout the year I'm on a calendar that is setting me up for some sort of release day.” That’s why, amid an ever-evolving schedule, the Jungle Moc fits naturally into his rhythm — accompanying him through a process that values the destination just as much as the movement itself.
More than anything, It Starts Outside is ultimately a recognition that a meaningful reset doesn't have to be dramatic or time-consuming to be effective. Sometimes it really is simply a matter of stepping outside long enough to feel the sun, clear your mind, and return with a renewed sense of purpose.
In a culture that often celebrates constant motion, rewarding the busiest body, Gouveia's perspective offers something quieter. The next photograph, the next idea, the next creative breakthrough may not come from pushing harder. It may arrive during a walk through Columbus Park, in the warmth of the afternoon sun, when there is finally enough space to notice it.
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