My mom is the middle child of three girls. When they got married (fairly young I might add) my mom sayed here in Oklahoma, her older sister moved to Pennsylvania, and her younger sister moved to California. Everyone had lives and kids and whatnot, but they always managed to stay close and get together as often as possible. For a number of years now (13) they have gathered in Southern CA (where the youngest still lives) for a “Sisters” week.
This year my aunt (the youngest sister) emailed me and asked me to design a shirt for their trip. I said YES! When I was a young boy my aunt would visit and we would all gather at my grandparents. When it was time for her to leave she would put on extra of her bright red lipstick and kiss me on the cheek, leaving a red lips print. I would probably do anything she asked me too!
I ask her what she wanted to convey, and what theme or style she was looking for. Her response was:
Theme: the joy of being sisters and spending time together. . .having fun, laughing (at least your mom and I—she makes me laugh like no other!).
Style: creative, California-ish, but not too crazy. (As you know, one of us is VERY conservative.)
Then she added: “Thank you SO MUCH for your willingness to design the shirts. I have graphic people here, but you are the best!”
I started thinking about “sisters” and immediately thought of the “Sisters” act in “White Christmas”. Betty Haynes (played by Rosemary Clooney) and Judy Haynes (played by Vera-Ellen) sing: “All kinds of weather, We stick together, The same in the rain or sun.” PERFECT! (Though Rosemary Clooney did all the singing for both characters)
Next was the font. I always start with a font but then make several edits to the font forms. It took some looking but I eventually landed on “Angelos“.
The addition of some hibiscus flowers and leaves and I had a first design:
I wasn’t happy with the text waves and with the lyric being split. So several adjustments later and the addition of color:
As I always do, I lived with it for a little and found many other slight adjustments and my “Client” wanted a darker blue:
I worked with my aunt to find the right shirt (I like to use Custom Ink for small run or one off shirts) and we have a final product:
