My Dad, sister, and I took daniel(ink.) on a three-week USA tour in late September/October to promote my t-shirts and designs. We started in LA, spending 11 days working and sightseeing. Highlights included setting up at Melrose Trading Post, a private tour at Fox Studios, stand-up comedy, a jazz club visit, and exploring Venice Beach and Santa Monica. We saw Kings of Leon live at the Hollywood Bowl and visited Disneyland, ticking off a bucket list item. The next stop was New York.
I am a huge fan of the TV show Neighbours and visited the set while in Melbourne for the Finders Keepers market. I met four cast members, which made my day, and watched a scene being filmed. Before leaving, I gifted two t-shirts to my favourite actors, Travis Burns and Olympia Valance, and I hope to see my designs featured on the show or around Melbourne.
From the outset, I established my business, daniel(ink.), with a commitment to giving back. Drawing from my personal experience with cerebral palsy and the support I received from organisations like the Ability Centre, I decided to donate 10% of t-shirt profits to them. This initiative has been a source of pride for me since starting daniel(ink.) two years ago. Additionally, I'm excited to announce a new collaboration with SIDS & KIDS, designing two Red Nose Day t-shirts. 50% of profits from these sales will support their efforts in saving children's lives and aiding bereaved families. The designs are available on daniel(ink.)'s website, sidsandkids.org, and rednoseday.com.au, as well as at our market stalls throughout June to August 2015.
Dan, under the mentorship of Antony Muia, has been supported by DADAA funding this year to advance his art practice. Ant visits Dan at home, they collaborate in Ant's studio, or attend exhibitions together. Their relationship goes beyond traditional teaching; Ant guides Dan while allowing him freedom to explore various art practices independently. They discuss art techniques, styles, and Dan's paintings, along with everyday topics. Ant values their time together, fostering Dan's growth and encouraging him to push artistic boundaries, evident in Dan's recent work on small canvases.
I recently saw Bill Bailey perform, fulfilling my long-time love for stand-up comedy. He was hilarious and lifted my mood. We gave him daniel(ink.) t-shirts, which he signed, adding him to our collection of comedians who support us.
Curious about how comedy affects well-being, I found out that laughter relaxes the body, boosts the immune system, releases endorphins, and protects the heart. While daniel(ink.) t-shirts make you feel good on the outside, comedy can truly uplift you from the inside.
