New HOPE tee in support of Suicide Prevention.

If only you knew
how much your life mattered
how much we would miss you
you were never alone.

If only you knew
how awesome you were
how life was worth fighting for
that with help there was hope.

If only you knew
in the heat of that moment
all the pain you’d leave behind would be
in shattered hearts all over the floor.

If only we knew
we'd have reached out to help
we'd have picked up the phone
we'd have told you we love you.

You were never alone.

If only...

In Loving Memory of Yassy.

50% of every Hope tee sold will benefit the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention.
Please support this cause and get yours here: www.kctees.com

Wise Latina Tee

Commemorate the catch phrase coined by New Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, with this vintage soft, short sleeve tee!
www.kclosangeles.com

KC Tees

KC Los Angeles was recently featured in the August Issues of both Latina and Girl's Life magazines!

WW2 Propaganda Ads!

I recently came across this Ad*Access Project from Duke University Libraries that has archived a treasure trove of really cool retro ads from the 40's and 50's. Their image database houses over 7,000 U.S. and Canadian ads dated between 1911 and 1955. The ones I have pictured here are from their WW2 Propaganda collection and focuses on the sale of War Loans and Bonds.
The ads are powerful and provocative, with haunting imagery and hardhitting copy encapsulating the emotional fear and intensity of war.
To check out their impressive collection of ads log onto to:
http://library.duke.edu/digitalcollections

Seriously Cool Band Posters!

This site is a massive online art gallery that is home to thousands of designers around the world and features the coolest, most comprehensive collection of "GIG" posters around. Contrary to movie advertising, band posters are truly artistic and cutting edge. If you are looking for creative inspiration, definitely check out the TOP LISTS section of the site.
Visitors can browse, comment, chat, participate in the forums, and buy posters in the classified ads section.
They also have a book of Gig Posters that can be purchased on their site.
www.gigposters.com

New York in the 70's!

I just got this book, New York in the 70's and it is an amazing collection of photographs by award winning photo journalist Allan Tannenbaum.
As a product of the 70's in NYC, his photography hits close to home, and chronicles an era that was tumultuous, dangerous, exciting, decadent and glamorous.
The book is a really great social document of an extraordinary time and place.
With a reminiscence by Yoko Ono and a foreword by P.J. O'Rourke.
Available at Amazon.com

Happy Fathers Day

Dear Dad,

How many times have you heard the phrase
"You can choose your friends but you can't choose your family."
That saying never really resonated with me, because if I had to
choose, I'd choose you.

Our Family isn't perfect.
We are the twisted limbs and knotted branches of a family tree
whose roots have splintered into many, different directions.
We are fractured, we are crazy, we are dramatic and we are full of Love.

But the Love isn't perfect.
Its complicated, filled with anger and disappointment, pride and envy,
compassion and forgiveness.
It's dysfunctional. Yet we are loyal, we are unconditional and we are full of Life.

But Life isn't perfect.
Its a long or sometimes short winding road, filled with so many detours
we can't even see them coming.
They blind us. They paralyze us. They pull us together and they pull us apart.

Yet we are still Family.
Friends may come and friends may go, but family whether you "choose"
to choose them or not, are forever.
I am proud to call you my family and blessed to call you my friend.

Happy Fathers Day with Love.

Brazilian Visual Artist: Alexandre Orion

I first became familiar with his work a few years ago when I was researching graffiti artists and immediately became a fan! I love, love, love his simple and bold style of uniting photography and art conveying social messages.
I read that Orion strategically creates these graffiti paintings and then hides himself, waiting to photograph the precise moment when an unknowing subject walks by his image. His subjects are usually the homeless or poor and these spontaneously captured moments turn dilapidated city streets into compelling works of art that tell a story.

To see more of his art visit:
http://www.alexandreorion.com

KC Tees in the NY Post!

KC Los Angeles was recently featured in the Tempo section of the NY Post!
The Puerto Rican Day Parade special pullout section highlighted the ten most influential Nuyoricans with Sonia Sotomayor as number one! Following Sonia were congresswoman Nydia Velasquez, philanthropist Yaz Hernandez, writer/actor/composer Lin Manuel Miranda, community activist Luis Ubinas, health and hospital corporation chief Alan D Aviles, curator Carlos Picon, Yankee player and musician Bernie Williams, businessman Phil Suarez and fashion director Candy Pratts Price.

Capture the rhythm of Latin New York by checking out their blog: Tempo Espresso
http://blogs.nypost.com/tempo/

Sonia Sotomayor tee $15 at www.kclosangeles.com

Historic Times! Political Cartoons.

I came across this site a few weeks ago called This is Historic Times.
An editorial cartoon blog featuring the amazing work of Terrence Nowicki, Jr.
I 've pictured two of them, the first one is titled 1.2 BILLION'S A CROWD.
A cartoon critique on the Catholic Church and overpopulation that brilliantly captures the political influence of the use of contraceptives.
The second one is called PRESIDENTIAL EVOLUTION. No explanation needed here!
If you are into political cartoons, definitely check out his work.
http://thisishistorictimes.com

Propaganda! Poster Art.

I have been fascinated with political posters, slogans and imagery ever since I can remember. (Probably due to the fact that I grew up in NYC's Spanish Harlem
during the 70's). Needless to say, I was always determined to do a propaganda
style movie poster. I got my chance when I worked at Artisan Entertainment. A
now defunct Indie studio that released a small John Waters film in the 1990's
called “Cecil B. Demented”. My ode to the wonderfully iconic Che Guevara posters!
I got another chance at Fox Atomic for “28 Weeks Later”. The sequel to “28 Days
Later” from Spanish director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo. Designed by Intralink
this one-sheet was inspired by the propaganda posters from WW's 1 and 2!
www.intralinkfilm.com

Design Inspiration. Revolucion!

A good friend of mine gave me this book a few years ago, knowing my obsession
with Che Guevara posters. It is a GREAT collection of Cuban Poster Art!
Revolucion! Cuban Poster Art by Lincoln Cushing (Paperback - April 1, 2003)
Available at Amazon

New at KC!

This is my very first post, so please... go easy on me!
The design concept of the month: PROPAGANDA.
For starters I'm gonna plug, what's new at KC Tees - my line of T-Shirts that are
near and dear to my heart. Behind the message UNITY it says "Fuerza en la
Unidad" English translation: "Strength in Unity". The typographic style is very
propaganda-esque. A somewhat fitting combination in today's climate.
www.kctees.com