daniel(ink.) Blog

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.

I went to see the Arctic Monkeys during their 2014 “AM” album world tour at Perth Arena!

I met Carl Barron after his show at Perth Convention Centre and he loved my shirts!

In March 2014, I embarked on my first trip to Sydney with my t-shirt business, spanning four eventful days. Here's a brief overview:

Day 1: Visited the set of Sunrise, met Kochie and Sam, and watched them interview One Direction. Explored Sydney Harbour Bridge and Museum of Contemporary Art. Later, gifted a t-shirt to Neil Finn at the Opera House, received positive feedback at Becker Minty, and visited the Ramos warehouse to meet Annie.

Day 2: Attended Paddington Markets, starting slow but gaining momentum. Interacted with customers who admired my artwork and took memorable photos. Sold a t-shirt on the street as we packed up.

Day 3: Enjoyed breakfast and explored Bondi Beach Markets, planning to return for future markets.

Overall, the trip was a success, filled with memorable encounters and positive feedback for my t-shirt business.

I was very excited when I heard that daniel(ink.) was accepted to be part of the September Perth Upmarket. This was our first time at this market and I was hoping to meet lots of new customers. I wasn’t disappointed!

I write a letter to Jim Parsons asking if I can send him one of my shirts. Later, we got word that he wore one of the shirts! How exciting is that!

Ever since I was 14, I've been a dedicated follower of Port Adelaide. I'm drawn to them, perhaps because they've long been the underdog and I love their blue and black colours. Players like Brett Ebertt and Justin Westhoff, who never give up, are among my favourites.

Adam Hills sent us a pic of him in a daniel(ink.) tee! Looking good!