sketchbook to shirt gallery

Original sketch for Seeker.  This shirt went through many transformations. It started out designed to look like a license plate, complete with a state slogan. From there to a reverse image. It went through color shifts and even reproportioning.

It wasn't until I asked myself what I was trying to say, did it become clear how to present the idea. The "Miracle State" was what I wanted to convey...you know...when you've climbed whatever mountain you've been facing and you find yourself  in that space where you feel most like who you were created to be...and then the dawning realization that the seeking is just as wonderful as the finding...that is what this shirt is about.

I like to do custom work when I can.  It exercises my brain and my creativity.  I also always learn a lot about the screenprinting process when working with the designs I've created. My takeaway: design first, worry about how you will execute later.

The outcome is this vibrant shirt, printed with discharge inks on a super soft cotton blank.  It took me a long time to prep the artwork to get this beauty printed. And, I'll admit, more than one try at getting the colors adjusted just right.  But the outcome was worth it: stunning shirt, happy customer, satisfied screenprinter.

I studied many photos of birch forests before I started this sketch. I had this one in my head for awhile and most of it was formed in my brain before I got it down on paper. The big change that you can see here was the word "peace".  I didn't know at first it worked better in lowercase.  Sometimes I have to see things to know things.

   Because you have to search for Inner Peace, I knew I wanted to hide the word "inner" in the branches.  Because there is joy to be found in every journey,  I knew I wanted a path toward the light on top of the hill. The happy accident in this artwork is that when you wear this shirt,  the sunlight rests over your heart.

It took me quite a while to figure out how to bring this idea "surrounding people with love is how we live" to a shirt.  Then I thought of this ribbon.  But first, I had to learn to draw a ribbon.  After a few tries, here is what I came up with.

I added the rose and change the handwriting to a font that I liked.  I am certain there is a metaphor here...something like...even thorny folks are beautiful and deserve to be enfolded in beauty.

This is just a partial view.  But the girl in the moonlight with the lantern required a special sentiment.  I poured through quotes about life and light and finally found one that I feel suits the image.