Osgood Custom Design Tee Available tonight at Deli in Pioneer Square

Yesterday, I was in my Cultural Communications class (since I'm still trapped in high school and all) and we were discussing "nonverbal communication". My professor brought up the topic of clothing, asking which ones of us woke up in the morning and thought "How do I want to dress? What do I want my clothing to communicate?" Nobody raised their hand...except me. But really, it's no suprise considering they all wake up and change from their pajamas to sweats and throw on whatever t-shirt they find.

Defiantly, I told the professor that, "Yes, I definitely think about what I want my clothing to portray that day." But really, I guess my classmates' lack of style wouldn't bother me so much depending on which t-shirt they threw on. Some mornings I really couldn't care less and get dressed purposelessly...besides to avoid arrest or public embarassment. I would be more than satisfied if their chosen shirts spoke a message or point of view...much like Deli's new artist series does.

Deli, in Pioneer Square, is launching its line of artist designed t-shirts. Local artists such as Brad Strain, Adrien Miller, Michelle Anderst, and John Osgood have designed clothing that will be unveiled tonight at the Deli Clothing store. Located at 87 Yesler Way, this hybrid clothing boutique-art gallery is holding a kick-off event from 5:30 to 9:30 tonight, November 5th.

There are a few special things about John's shirt design. He says this design is one he drew in Alaska while visiting family...which I guess is special. But what's really special is that, I want this shirt! And I'm the kind of person who tries my hardest not to buy "just t-shirts". So if its one that even I want to own, its definitely got to be something great.

Check it out tonight!

Deli
87 Yesler Way
5:30 to 9:30 PM
November 5th, 2009

Andy Wong, Intern
Bherd Studios

Screen-printing by hand at Bherd Studios

When you buy that t-shirt in the store--whether it shows your favorite sports team or some other mass manufactured name brand--you must wonder how that image got on that shirt. While I don't know how a big company might do it, today I learned how John does it - and how anyone could do it right out of their own house.

Today began with plastic transfers of some images that are ultimately going to be used as a wheatpasting project for a piece of artwork for "urban constructions" in January. With three lamps fastened to chairs, John showed me how to expose the images onto the screen. Atop this "OSGOOD" sweatshirt, we exposed the screen to the light of the bulbs, exposing everything not covered by the black lines of the plastic transfer.

After that we finished the printing process by running paint over our exposed screen. With smooth black fabric paint, a health insurance card, and a long screen squeegee, we spread layer upon layer of black paint through the screen and onto our paper. The end product, after some practice and some mistakes, yielded these printed images.

Above are pieces that Kevin "Sensei23" Sullivan, Zachary Bohnenkamp, and Cash donated to the project.

Andy Wong, Intern
Bherd Studios