T Shirts NZ: Stylish Selections
Welcome to the vibrant world of doodlewear's T-Shirts NZ "Feels Like Summer Collection," where art comes alive on 25 stunning tees created by 17 talented New Zealand-based artists. In this blog, we'll delve into the inspirations, mediums, and stories behind each unique piece, celebrating the diversity and creativity of Kiwi artists.
Chip Drunk Tee by Matt Coates Art
T Shirts NZ: The Cheeky Seagull's Indulgence
Dive into the "Chip Drunk" tee by Auckland artist Matt Coates Art, where a seagull, adorned with a paper hat, dozes off from indulging in hot chips at a Kiwi beach. It was created using watercolour and ink pen. Matt Coates, reflecting on the artwork, shares, "Chester the seagull, who had been craving chips all day, swoops in for the chew and passes out from the sheer excitement of his salty snack. I suspect Chester will have a mighty chip hangover in a few hours."
Bloom Where You Are Planted Tee by Jane Crisp
Embracing Growth: The Hare and Peonies
Waikato artist Jane Crisp's "Bloom Where You Are Planted" tee features a hare surrounded by peonies, portraying the beauty of growth in unexpected places. It was painted in watercolour. "Like a flower that grows through a crack in the concrete, sometimes we have to make the best of our situations and bloom where we have been planted," Jane explains, capturing the essence of resilience.
Kea's Lace and Coromandel Striped Gecko's Lace Tees by Anna Mollekin
Symmetry in Nature: Kea and Gecko Tales
Auckland Artist, Anna Mollekin, the doodlewear owner, presents "Kea's Lace" and "Coromandel Striped Gecko's Lace." The original T Shirts NZ artwork was first sketched in pen and later recreated digitally by hand. Anna aims to depict the delicate connection between nature and the New Zealand Kea, expressing movement and balance. She shares, "It's about the threads of lace that tie our world together."
Ruru + Puriri Tee and Te Mata Bay Tee by Lesh Creates
Nature's Beauty Unleashed: Owls, Beaches, and Memories
Wellington artist Lesh McNicholl of Lesh Creates introduces "Ruru + Puriri," a playful owl amidst Puriri flowers, and "Te Mata Bay," capturing the essence of a Kiwi holiday. This t shirts NZ artwork was created using acrylic paint and an Indian ink pen. Lesh shares, "Even though this artwork depicts a specific bay, it somehow feels very familiar and is reminiscent of a Kiwi summer holiday. I aimed to evoke the feeling of looking through a telescope and highlight what were important memories for my customers. It's something I believe many Kiwis would connect with and feel nostalgia for, even if they haven't been to this particular location." These artworks celebrate the beauty of nature and evoke memories of New Zealand summers, connecting us to our roots.
Call Of The Kārearea Tee by Maria Elizabeth Artist
The Majestic Falcon: A Family Favourite
Wellington artist Maria Benison of Maria Elizabeth Artist's "Call Of The Kārearea" tee showcases the native New Zealand Falcon. This t shirts NZ artwork was hand-drawn in ink pen black-and-white. Inspired by local requests, Maria says, "This portrait was inspired by numerous requests made at local markets in the Wellington region. I found creating this piece enjoyable, as the Kārearea/Falcon is one of my family's favourite birds."
Tropical Summer Flower Tee by Clouds of Colour
Vibrancy in Design: Summer Elements Collide
Tasman artist Bec Brown of Clouds of Colour's "Tropical Summer Flower" tee is a vibrant blend of flowers, beach, sunshine, and birds. It was originally hand-drawn using an ink pen, with digital colour added once scanned. The artist expresses, "I wanted to bring together all the magical elements I love into one design: flowers, beach, sunshine, nature, birds, stars, with bold vibrant colors for summer!"
Mademoiselle Coco and Sun Goddess Tees by One Thousand Blooms
Elegance in Bloom: Chrysanthemums and Gerberas
Auckland photographer Natalie Pearce of One Thousand Blooms presents "Mademoiselle Coco" and "Sun Goddess," featuring chrysanthemum and gerbera blooms photographs. The artist shares, "Simple but oh-so-stylish." These designs capture the timeless beauty of nature.
Mana Motuhake and Purple Kōrero Ake Tees by Arohanoa Artistry
Contemporary Maori Art: Women EmpowermentTauranga Contemporary Maori Artist Arohanoa Mathews of Arohanoa Artistry, with "Mana Motuhake" and "Purple Kōrero," aims to empower women through art. This artwork was originally acrylic paint on canvas then digitised. "My images of the ‘mokokauae’ (Maori women’s chin tattoo) for me, symbolise a woman’s identity, pride, integrity and voice. My art aims to empower women from all ages and cultures to use their voice in all aspects of their life," she passionately explains.
Native NZ Tee by Kirsty McMahon Artist
T Shirts NZ Kiwiana Pride: A Celebration Of New Zealand
Pukekohe artist Kirsty McMahon Artist's "Native NZ" tee proudly displays Kiwiana in negative space, surrounded by native flora. This T-Shirts NZ artwork was originally fine-line ink pen and watercolour. She states, "I wanted to create a t-shirt design that Kiwis could wear proudly."
doodlewear 'Native NZ' Staple Black tshirt by Pukekohe based Artist Kirsty McMahon (pictured).
One Of These Things Is Not Like The Other Tee by Trish Harding Art
Fantails and Kakas: A Contemporary Realism Masterpiece
Morrinsville Artist Trish Harding Art's "One Of These Things Is Not Like The Other" tee features fantails and a kaka on a wire, complementing her popular piece. It was originally painted in acrylic on plywood. Trish shares, "This t shirts NZ artwork was inspired by my popular piece 'What's Everyone Looking At?' and I wanted to create something to complement it."
Flying Fantail Bird & Puapua Flowers Tee by Ebozzastudio
Playful Flora and Fauna: A Cartoon-style Delight
Auckland-based artist Elaine Bozza of Ebozzastudio's "Flying Fantail Bird & Puapua Flowers" tee showcases a playful fantail in flight. It was originally created as a traditional mixed media piece, hand-drawn with colour pencil and watercolour. Elaine expresses her love for New Zealand's native birds, saying, "I love seeing the native birds of New Zealand in my garden, and this artwork represents my affection for the wonderful fauna and flora of New Zealand."
Intangible But With A Safety Net and Goldie & Tweetie Tees by Penny Royal Design
Surrealistic Wonders: Clouds, Eyes, Goldfish, and Canaries
Nelson artist Penny Royal Design's surrealistic tees, "Intangible But With A Safety Net" and "Goldie & Tweetie," play with whimsical and impossible elements. They were originally created in black pen and watercolour. Penny says, "Inspired by Surrealism, this artwork features whimsical and impossible elements meticulously hand-drawn and delicately water coloured."
doodlewear 'Goldie & Tweetie' Mali Black t shirts by New Zealand Artist Penny Royal (pictured).
Learning To Fly Tee by Bianca Laing
Butterfly Wings: Nature's Intricacies Unveiled
Wellington artist Bianca Laing's "Learning To Fly" tee features a closeup linework of butterfly wings. It was originally created in ink on paper. She shares, "I love to explore the intricacies of patterns and appreciate the often overlooked or taken-for-granted details. There is beauty in the smallest of things and magic in nature."
Kiwi Balancing Act Tee by Auntie Betty Illustration
Kiwi in Jenga: A Conservation Tale
Christchurch artist Betty Busby of Auntie Betty Illustration's T-Shirts NZ "Kiwi Balancing Act" humorously portrays a kiwi playing Jenga, shedding light on the conservation challenges these iconic birds face. This t shirts NZ artwork was beautifully painted in watercolour. The artist emphasises the importance of conservation efforts for kiwi survival. Betty shares, "This amusing illustration featuring a kiwi playing Jenga highlights the precarious existence of these birds in New Zealand"
Surfin Sea Lion and Snack Bandits Tees by Nester Prints
Sea Lion Summer: Surfing and Snacking
Nelson artist Esther Remnant of Nester Prints presents "Surfin Sea Lion" and "Snack Bandits," capturing the carefree spirit of a sea lion enjoying the surf and seagulls relishing hot chips. They were originally created using the Lino Print art medium. Esther playfully notes about her Snack Bandits artwork, "The inspiration for this artwork came from summer articles that appear in the news about people being harassed by seagulls while eating. Never mind that we have destroyed their natural habitat and stolen all their fish. We should celebrate their adaptability, just giggle, and enjoy the chaos."
Kickflip Kiwi and Good Morning Fantail! Tees by M_Illustrate
Skateboarding Kiwis and Morning Fantails: Breaking Boundaries
Nelson artist Melina van Wyk of M_Illustrate. "Kickflip Kiwi" challenges physical limitations, symbolising creative possibilities. The artist, Melina van Wyk, shares, about her digitally drawn t shirts NZ artworks "Let's break the boundaries of gravity, unlock our wings, and encourage our disabled community to soar creatively!" "Good Morning Fantail!" spreads cheer with an iconic New Zealand fantail during the special time between dusk and dawn.
Wisteria Dreams and Brush of Paradise Tees by Dani Hedges Art
Dreamy Silhouettes: Wisteria and Birds of Paradise
Motueka artist Danielle Hedges of Dani Hedges Art presents 'Wisteria Dreams' and 'Brush of Paradise.' These tees capture vibrant and exciting scenes, inviting wearers into a world of colour and dreamy imagination. Dani shares, "These pieces are vibrant and exciting; they draws you in, and I just love it."
Doodlewear's 'Feels Like Summer Collection': A Showcase of Artistry in T-Shirts NZ
In conclusion, doodlewear's T Shirts NZ "Feels Like Summer Collection" is a testament to the incredible artistry and creativity thriving in the heart of New Zealand. Each tee tells a unique story, capturing the essence of Kiwi culture, nature, and imagination. As you've journeyed through this T Shirts NZ blog, we hope you've been inspired by the diverse styles and narratives woven into each piece. Now, it's your turn to experience the magic first-hand. Dive into the collection, explore the art, and find a tee that resonates with your style and personality. Embrace the warmth of summer all year round with these wearable masterpieces. Visit our online store now and discover the perfect tee that speaks to you. Let your wardrobe become a canvas for New Zealand's vibrant artistic spirit!
