Painting a Vintage Graphic Tee from 1983

Painting a vintage graphic tee from 1983.

I purchased this tee shirt from an online store.

This garment had graphics regarding a championship tournament on the front and back.

According to the writing on the front of the shirt, the tournament took place in 1983.

I painted more on the front than I did the back.

I liked the style, and fit of this shirt.

I didn't like the original maroon color, so I looked forward to painting it.

The front of the tee shirt before being painted.

The back of the tee shirt before being painted.

Painting a Vintage Graphic Tee from 1983- The Paint

I painted an abstract design with orange, yellow, magenta, and white fabric paint.

As with the other tee shirts, I wanted to add paint to the original graphic, but also have it exposed enough to be legible.

I believe that the colors that I chose blended well together.

I am drawn to the combination of orange and magenta, as well as yellow, and magenta.

I added white to give the shirt a rustic look.

When I am painting, I am totally focusing on how the item looks to me.

There is no "right", or "wrong" way to paint.

The colors have to speak to the artist first, and if others like it, that's wonderful.

I tend to gravitate toward bright colors.

Every now, and then, I also add black because it creates a different shade in each color.

I started painting the tee shirt with magenta.

Orange was the second color that I added.

The third color that I added was yellow.

Last, I painted the tee shirt white.

The back of the tee shirt is painted with magenta, orange, and white.

Because this is an abstract design, I did not follow a specific pattern.

With abstract, I do sometimes use broad paint strokes.

Other times I splotch the paint, or spray it onto the fabric.

There are so many patterns, and color combinations in my head that I have yet to explore.

When I am not painting abstract, my favorite things to paint are people, flowers, trees, and the beach.

With abstract, I do try to balance the amount of paint on each side of the clothing item.

This is not a thought shared by all.

I recently came across painted tee shirts and jeans from another artist.

This artist intentionally had more paint on one side of each garment than the other.

I must say that the designs looked pretty cool, and they were definitely unique.

My style has changed many times over the years.

I am always learning and evolving.

I would not be surprised if my painted tee shirts look totally different a few years from now.

The front of the completed tee shirt.

The back of the completed tee shirt.

To see more of my work, visit Etsy, or Instagram.