Say It on a T-Shirt

T-shirts have been a part of our culture for over 50 years. They are a means of expression, a way for artists to get their images into the public eye, and, generally, a festival of color, patterns and logos. Some are irreverent and poke fun at cultural icons; others are time-dependent and appear in the blink of an eye as news hits the air.

You can design and produce an individual T-shirt, create them in your own cottage industry or order them by the thousands from a clothing manufacturer. This versatility has transformed a simple article of clothing into an art form, and a popular way to express yourself.

Buy some boxes of Rit dye, rubber bands and a few inexpensive paint brushes, and you can produce the tie-dyed shirts that were so popular in the 1960s, and which are now mainstreamed into today's fashions. From the classic swirled patterns to ornate designs, anything is possible with tie-dying, and you can start at home with a couple of white Tees and a few plastic buckets.

The tribal art seen on many tattoos is another great at-home art project for T-shirts. The bold curves and markings are carved on wooden blocks, which are then inked for transferring the images. Tribal art shirts are usually designed for printing with one color, but variations can spice things up. It's all in the creativity and vision of the artist.

Aspiring fine artists can use the T-shirt as a medium to get their work before the public eye. T-shirts that are directly painted by artists can be modern or classic in design, though you'll rarely see any extremely intricate work as painting on T-shirt material is challenging. The artist uses a specially modified easel or painting station, where the material is kept at the proper tension for the application of the paint. Hand-painting works well for cartoons and anime, abstract and cave art designs.

Puffy paint sets are favorite arts and crafts supplies to teach kids how to make their own T-shirt designs. With a few star, moon and other simple stencils, young children can experience the act of creating art and then wear their work. The paints puff up as they dry and come in popular colors designed for use on fabrics. This simple-to-set-up project can really boost a child's self-esteem and confidence.

Photographers can offer their work for use on a T-shirt through online sites that take care of the order, printing and delivery of the shirt. The companies take a percentage of the selling price to cover their expenses. Whether you're an amateur or a professional, these sites can generate a steady stream of income while leaving you free to pursue your photography.

If you need to vent about something, you can use a T-shirt to express your rage or promote understanding for your cause. A T-shirt can be wearable art, but it is also often this culture's means of expression for everything, from comments about the latest political blunder to a celebration of spring break.