I recently completed a three month internship for screen printing at an awesome local print shop called Mindzai Creative. I cleaned screens, coated screens, took out the trash and helped at the monthly art parties. I also learned about the whole process of screen printing t-shirts and something of the day to day operations at a print shop. It was a great experience and opportunity to meet an awesome community of artists and hustlers putting in the teamwork to make their dreams work. I didn’t know what to expect or where I thought learning about screen printing might take me, but I met some awesome people and learned some new things and also gave me something to do instead of worrying about getting a job.
I had a great time learning how to make something and even had the chance to take an idea for a t-shirt from concept in my mind to physical object in the real world.
Here’s number one from the pun line.
Fresh Off the Press
Did I mention the art parties?
Rockin’ art party with live music, live light show, live screen printing
The first Friday of every month the print shop space is converted into a gallery space where the Pabst flows like rum on a pirate ship and the art is mind blowing and local. Every month Zuzu Perkal curates the gallery and brings a diversity of art and people together. Each show has it’s own vibe and eclectic resonance.Every show has music, sometimes live, but the screen printing is always live.
Cody running the press
Bring a shirt, choose a design, watch as a blank t-shirt gets a face lift. Sean Amor, the in-house designer, creates most of the art for the live screen printing. Whether he created the design himself, or translated another artists work into screens, the finished product is always stellar.
Live painting coming together nicely
Here is a glimpse at some of the awesome art from the second party I attended.
If you happen to be in Austin on the first Friday of any month, swing by Mindzai Creative between 8-11pm and check out awesome art, free beer and great people. Say hi to Scott Weatherwax, the owner, and if you forget to bring a blank shirt for the free live prints, Vanessa can hook you up with Mindzai Merch!
Vanessa keeps people shirted and stickered
Because of July 4th, the ArTXeplosion party will be held on July 11th. It will be a digital showcase. I’ve crossed the line from intern to artist and will have art in the show, come check out one of the best pARTies in Austin.
Here’s a sneak peak of one of my pieces
Work In Progress
Pete Smith 