Compete-tee-tion

The world of 24-hour, limited edition shirts has been exploding this year, and even more companies are slated to give the business model a try in the year to come. TeeMagnet is a great site (if I do say so myself, and I do) to use to keep abreast of currently selling tees in that genre. I don’t typically cover these sites at Compete-tee-tion because they are not contests, but they do see prints by many of the same artists who populate the tee contest community. For that reason, I’d like to take a quick look at some of the best and most interesting of each site in 2010- a top three of the designs you most need to see.

This list has nothing to do with sales charts or popular opinion- it’s purely a selection of the stuff I like and the designs that stand out from the crowd. I’d love to see what others think, so I encourage other people to come up with their own lists for their favorite sites!

TeeFury

Mmmerica by zom-bot labs (June 21st, 2010)

The artist’s impeccable retro style made this tribute to America and huge breakfasts totally irresistible.

Owlnaut by valorandvellum (February 16th, 2010)

Color, imagination, and some amazing lines all in the same package!

Hello Lion-O by Captain RibMan (October 3rd, 2010)

Two icons of childhood, perfectly merged into one awesome creature.

Shirt.Woot

Hoot or Die! by Andy Gonsalves (November 15th, 2010)

Textures, expressions, and color are all expertly chosen here.

Black and White and Red All Over by Omnitarian (October 11th, 2010)

This excellent depiction of communist animals makes knock-knock jokes funny again!

The Owl is Watching You by eruditebaboon (February 22nd, 2010)

With simple and uncomplicated art, this concept is infectious and appealing.

RIPT Apparel

Pets Are Us by Esther Aarts (January 17th, 2010)

Texture and line really make these creatures come alive!

Abstraction by Beadler (December 25th, 2010)

It’s rare to see an abstract piece with this much appeal- geometry and nature merge beautifully.

Hail to the King by AJ Paglia (September 2nd, 2010)

I love a good Evil Dead reference, and the styling of Ash is a lot of fun.

Tilteed

History of Space by Demented (December 16th, 2010)

It’s like a space zombie rising up out of the ocean, so original and interesting.

Animal Planet by Raid71 (May 17th, 2010)

I want to go there.

The Butthole Surfers by Edgar R Mcherly (June 25th, 2010)

I’m fascinated by this guy’s face, and it’s great how the eyes connect.

Stupid Hurts Us

Guitar Bear Visits the Avant Garden by Matt Cipov

This drawing almost feels like a collage, but somehow it all comes together beautifully.

Save Rock! by Didier Gerardin

An excellent use of one ink color, perfectly in tune with the site’s specialty.

Turtle Bus by Ramsey Sibaja

I’m really impressed by how much detail is packed into this piece.