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Art Boutique, Gallery, and T-shirt Shop Rolled Into One

Thursday 01st of March 2007 10:59:16 PM

Opening a store that sells T-Shirts is not that unusual in Oakland, California, USA, but when the store also sells artwork made by the store’s owner, then it becomes unique. Cinder Bischoff and Mike Avilez, who own Designs in Ink, and who also play in a band together, got the idea after seeing all of the canvases Bischoff had made over the years. As a photographer, Bischoff would often screen print her work the same way she makes her T-Shirts. The art could not longer stay hidden, so it became a feature in the store.

It’s a ‘photographic process’. So my photography led to silk-screening in a natural way. Then later I started doing art pieces rather than shirts. I put the canvases on the ground and smoosh several colours around with a t-shirt squeegee, sometimes forming blended stripes. Then I print the photographic images on top. I actually stand on the screens when I print,” said Bischoff.

Silk-screening is something that Bischoff has been doing for almost twenty years. In addition to fronting bands such as Tilt and Retching Red, Bischoff also co-owns Cinder Block, Inc. which manufactures T-Shirts and other merchandise for bands like Green Day, Bob Dylan, and sports teams like the Oakland A’s. Divorced from her husband, who oversees the day to day operations of Cinder Block, Bischoff decided to open her own shop.

Even though most people who come into her shop cannot afford her artwork, it does make a great backdrop for the store. Bischoff and Avilez plan on sticking to making T-Shirts and artwork at least for the next three years because of a lease they have signed. In the meantime, they are busy with their bands, other hobbies, and making the store the best it can be.

(c)Jimena Allasia, www.sxc.hu

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