Finding PEACE Through No Expectations: Inside MASTERPEACE Creative's First Month

*In a modest studio space tucked away in Lafayette, Indiana, artist Isaac "IKEY" Reeves is quietly building something revolutionary—not just for himself, but potentially for the entire creative landscape of a city celebrating its bicentennial.*

When you first step into MASTERPEACE Creative, the intentionality is immediately apparent. A desk occupies the center of the room—the command center from which all creative efforts emanate. An easel stands ready in one corner, while a clothing production area fills another. Bookshelves line the walls, housing artifacts and archives that tell the story of Reeves' artistic journey.

But what makes this space truly unique isn't just its thoughtful layout or the bold Lafayette-themed designs taking shape within its walls. It's the philosophy behind it, captured in a simple acronym: NEPO.

## The Freedom of No Expectations

"NEPO stands for 'No Expectations, Play Only,'" Reeves explains, seated comfortably in his month-old creative haven. "Sometimes I say 'No Expectations, Peace Only.' It's really a philosophy where I can create freely."

The concept emerged as a counterpoint to the creative constraints Reeves experienced following his successful Reebok sneaker collaboration, which sold out almost immediately after launch. "Once you reach some level of success or notoriety for something specific, there's a lot of pressure that we as artists put on ourselves—and sometimes what the public puts on us too," he reflects.

After his shoe design success, Reeves found himself fielding constant questions about when he'd design another shoe, why he was exploring different mediums, and why he wasn't doubling down on footwear design.

"People didn't realize that I didn't get my start in art customizing shoes. I'm not really tied down to one specific medium," he says. "In creating this space, I wanted it to be a safe space for me to create with nothing held back—no expectations about what I should or shouldn't do."

The NEPO philosophy is Reeves' reclamation of creative freedom—a deliberate subversion of the term "nepo baby," typically used to describe people who achieve success through nepotism. "Usually there's a stigma against people who've gotten to where they are because of their parents' success. They typically have more freedom to do what they want compared to the average person," Reeves explains. "I wanted to create that same freedom for myself."

## Early Mornings and Sacred Time

Despite the "no expectations" mantra, Reeves' approach to his studio practice is anything but casual. He arrives at MASTERPEACE Creative in the predawn hours, carving out time between 5:00 and 8:30 AM to create before heading to his day job.

"I haven't really had an opportunity to stay in the space for an extended period because my responsibilities don't allow for it," he says, mentioning his wife and daughter. "But I take the time when they're asleep and don't actively need me. That golden time between 5 AM and 8:30 AM is dedicated to going to the studio and putting in the work."

It's a commitment that speaks to the seriousness with which Reeves approaches his craft, even as he liberates himself from outcome-based expectations. "Even though it may seem like a small amount of time, it's perfect for getting things done," he notes.

## Returning to Lafayette, Reimagined

Among the first projects to emerge from MASTERPEACE Creative are a series of Lafayette-focused clothing designs—a deliberate choice for Reeves, who was born in Lafayette before spending his formative years in New York City.

"I want to focus on building here, as opposed to just referring back to the fact that I grew up in New York," he explains. "I want to focus on the beauty and uniqueness of Lafayette, yes, by being inspired by the education I had growing up in New York, but bringing that here in a genuine and authentic way."

The designs—featuring bold, stylized "LAFAYETTE" text, a globe icon with "PEACE," and the phrase "STATE OF LAFAYETTE INDIANA 1825"—capture this duality. They're accompanied by Reeves' MASTERPEACE mantra: "Once you understand you are a MASTERPEACE, you can truly master peace."

This local focus represents a significant evolution for an artist who previously ran the New York-inspired brand NYKRZ (New York Kids Real Zealous) during his college years. "I'm not tied to New York this, New York that," he asserts. "I'm coming with something simple but bold, straightforward to the point, provocative but familiar, daring but desirable. It's definitely going to bring a new energy to the city."

Then, with a smile, he adds: "And I'm coming whether they're ready or not."

## A Creative Sanctuary Takes Shape

The physical setup of MASTERPEACE Creative has been Reeves' primary focus during its first month. "One of the main accomplishments was just getting the space to begin with, and getting things from my house and my storage unit physically into the studio," he says.

The process of organizing the space—positioning his desk, setting up his easel, arranging his clothing production area, organizing his bookshelf—has been more than mere logistics. It's been about creating the right environment for creative growth.

"I realized how important it is to carve out space as an artist," Reeves reflects. "Having my desk space in the middle, my easel off to one corner, my clothing off to another—setting up my bookshelf to keep some of my items and books—that's been the biggest joy of getting the space organized for myself."

It's this attention to environment that Reeves believes will facilitate his ambitious goal: increasing his creative output tenfold in the next two years.

## The Path Forward: Creating Without a Roadmap

When asked about MASTERPEACE Creative's plans for community engagement, Reeves embraces the uncertainty—a natural extension of his NEPO philosophy.

"I'm not 100% sure, to be honest. And I think that's really the joy of creating with no expectations," he says. "There are definitely local art fairs and times in Lafayette where you can be exposed to the local community that I'm looking forward to hopefully being a part of this year."

While specific collaborations and initiatives remain undefined, Reeves envisions eventually hosting workshops about his experiences as an artist and designer, sharing insights from his journey creating the Reebok shoe, and "bringing a level of hope and inspiration to the city that hasn't been seen before."

He observes that "Lafayette has been very plain and not too exciting. In a lot of ways, Lafayette plays things very, very safe. I want to bring some sort of daring audacity to the city."

For now, success looks like creative abundance: "an absurd amount of items and artifacts created in the space over the next year or two." Reeves currently produces about ten new pieces annually—whether designs, art pieces, or sneaker concepts—but aims to grow that output exponentially "to where I outgrow my space, build up my portfolio until it's bursting at the seams, and run out of space in my studio."

His one concrete milestone: a first solo show, ideally by the end of 2025, representing his vision for creativity and marking his artistic journey over the last five years.

As the morning light streams into MASTERPEACE Creative, Reeves seems fully at peace with the undefined path ahead. "I'm focusing on creating, sticking to my flow, sticking to what I know and what's familiar to me," he says. "I believe that everything else will follow."

*Photography: Courtesy of MASTERPEACE Creative*