Woodoo hoodoo

Woodoo Monkey by exitman
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This cartoon totemic character is the creation of Exitman, a French artist whose style is a powerful mixture of voodoo imagery, graffiti stylization, urban edge and ethnic elements. Mysticism and cool design combined in a monkey "voodoo child".

Little Black Magic Rabbit by exitman
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This one pictures a Black Magic Rabbit, in a colorful explosion in red that many apparel designers would envy. There are amazing t-shirts in this store and I'm sure I'll be coming back for more!

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• Haunting femininity (surrealitywatch.blogspot.com)

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Obama pops

Obama star glasses by Siegeworks
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In times of increased political hoopla it's very common to see countless designs featuring the faces and/or names of politicians. Most of these designs are rubbish but every now and then someone comes up with a true gem.

That's the case with this t-shirt that popifies President Barack Obama in a simple, striking manner. I've been waiting for a politically neutral time to present you with this one, and I think it captures the very mechanisms that transform a man into a cultural phenomenon. He may not prove to be as long-lasting as Che, but then again who is? (Except Elvis, Mickey Mouse and Lenin, of course!)

Kudos to Chris Jackson (you'll find this t-shirt on his Siegeworks store) for taking the spirit of the times and adding some glitter to it!

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Lucky Ray

This one has been circulating since summer but I couldn't resist the temptation of putting it here. You see, it concerns Ray Bradbury, one of my favorite writers of all times, the science fiction legend that created astounding books such as Fahrenheit 451, The Martian Chronicles (this one has a special place in my heart) and Something Wicked This Way Comes.
In this video clip, the actress and comedian Rachel Bloom dedicates a sexy teenage rocker (in the tradition of countless lolita-esque pop songs) to her lust for ole man Ray.




I do hope that Bradbury -who is 90 years old- appreciates the gesture!

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• 'F*ck Me, Ray Bradbury' Girl actually Meets Ray Bradbury!? (geektyrant.com)

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Sign of the Sacred Chao

Holy Chao ringer shirt by surrealitee

A new design where the Hollywood sign gets the discordian treatment! The famous lettering is used to spell Holy Chao, the Sacred Chao of Discordianism. What is the Chao?
In the words of Malaclypse the Younger:

The Sacred Chao symbolizes absolutely everything anyone need ever know about absolutely anything, and more! It even symbolizes everything not worth knowing, depicted by the empty space surrounding the Hodge-Podge.

Holy Chao black mousepad by surrealitee

You could say it's the symbol that depicts the balance between order and chaos. In this case, I used the Hollywood cultural reference as a pretext to convey the meaning of the Sacred Chao without showing the symbol itself. A simple, humorous mashup, really. You can see more at the Holy Chao section.

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Mods and Rude Boys

Mod Trilby by surrealitee
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Being interested in the '60s underground culture and music, I couldn't resist fiddling with the distinctive style, fashion and symbolism of the Mods. Blame it on The Who, The Yardbirds or the Small Faces, but there's something about that era I find irresistible.
So, I played around with Union Jack's colours, thought of the trilby hat (much loved by the Mods and the Rude Boys before them) and I came up with Mod Trilby, a design that encompasses the retro pop imagery of the time and captures the mod spirit.

Mod Trilby by surrealitee
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If you are interested in old-school London scene, one of these products may be right for you. Or you may fancy this classic RAF roundel, whose iconic glory lived on through Punk, the neo-Mods and Brit Pop and stands as a landmark in pop symbolism:

RetroMod dark t-shirt by surrealitee
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But design, clothes and fashion are just games. Here's what it's really all  about:

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Not grumpy at all

Grumpy Guy by vonster
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This gem of a grumpy face makes one of the best black and white t-shirts out there! Funny, expressive and really unique. It comes from Vonster,  a source for stunning design and illustration.

Thug Bunny by vonster
Many more tee designs available on zazzle.com

It's full of strong, innovative stuff that just begs to be worn and glorify your torso. Picking favorites is not an easy job here!

Last Daze by vonster
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Symbolism, pop culture gone wild, urban logos, all merge into awesomeness under Von Glitschka's talent. The artist also maintains a rocking website called Illustration Class, full of tutorials, ideas, guides and exercises about illustration and design. It's a url that will stay on my links forever!
Do yourself a favor and check both the store and the website. Treasures like these you don't find every day!

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Gioconda of the streets

Mona Lisa - La Gioconda Street Art Mousepad by Lamrockimages
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The colors on this mousepad are amazing. So is the concept behind this Mona Lisa graffiti, found in the streets of London by the photographer of Lamrock Images.A curator of urban landscape, handpicking street art shrapnel with a keen eye and unique sensitivity.

Jog On - London Street Art by Lamrockimages
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He captures graffiti and curiosities with a great sense of composition, giving us strange and poetic snapshots. Sometimes the art is already there to be spotted. Even then, it gets transformed into something more crucial and intense. In this store you won't find just apparel, prints and pretty gifts. You'll find the soul of a city.

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Rhino loose in the city

There is a rhino loose in the city by slicktees
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A fictional action movie deserves a promotional poster, too. "There's a rhino loose in the city" is the greatest film you'll never watch, and the t-shirt is hilarious and absolutely awesome.Unfortunately, this orange beauty is not currently available, but there are many customizing options and many colours to choose from.

The idea behind the design comes from the legendary British sitcom, Only fools and horses, (you can watch the scene here) and is offered by Slicktees, a great place for film-related humour. Here's another one of my favorites:

They're filming Midgets! by slicktees
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The reference here is from the most memorable line on the "In Bruges"movie -a fine one to watch, indeed.

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Pianos and fish

untitled classic by RetroPunk
Many more t-shirts online at zazzle

Here is a cool juxtaposition of retro elements, conspiring to bring urban coolness to your upper body.The fish and the piano make for a crazy t-shirt, indeed! Found in Retro Punk, a store where retro garbage and punk trash reign supreme -and that's absolutely fine in my book, considering the many interesting designs they offer. If you take a pleasure at finding hidden treasures in the pop-culture environment of our collective unconscious, you'll be in the right place.

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Dogs in space

Space Dog by atomic50s
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The first animal to orbit the Earth was Laika -who died an untimely death several hours after the launch of Sputnik 2, way back in 1957. She was one of the soviet space dogs (Americans preferred monkeys and mice). During the early years of the space age, before manned space missions were attempted, these animals captured our collective imagination.
Science fiction had already paved the way for what came to be seen as obvious: if mankind was to reach the stars, our best friend would be wagging it's tail by our side. Such an optimistic innocence carries a distinct taste of the '50s. This is the zeitgeist explored in the Atomic50s shop, and that's where I found this tender design of a dog in space uniform. A cute little cartoon, that looks great in this hooded sweatshirt, simple and expressive.

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I put a Screamin' Jay on you

Here is a true master of the grotesque, the Pope of Weird Rock 'n' Roll , Screamin' Jay Hawkins, in a great performance of his classic I put a spell on you. Wild, crazy, surreal, the kind of showmanship that put dark theatrics, black humor and voodoo extravaganza in the map of modern music. His influence is crucial in artists as diverse as Alice Cooper, Marylin Manson, Black Sabbath, The Fuzztones and Dread Zeppelin.It so happens that all this comes to serve a strong backbone of great music and of songs that stood the test of time.

[Also, if you liked this you'd be more than happy to check a splendid cover version from Shane McGowan and his talented friends, recorded for Haiti's aid.]

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Black business

devilbusinessman by babydollboutique
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This creepy design takes us to dark territories again.A stylized demonic entity dressed like a businessman can be an otherworldly figure, the quintessential Man in Black (not the lovable movie characters). Then again, it could be just an ordinary corporate nightmare -and I can't decide what is worse!
What's more unsettling than the wings is the wide smile on this ominous fellow's face. Kudos to Babydoll Chic for this t-shirt, guaranteed to satisfy all the weird-minded people like me! This store's products stay focused on the strange, pulp and retro side of life, which is fine in my book, especially when there's lots of dark humor involved.

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Ice cream and cats

Luca Ionescu "Ice Cream" by lucaionescu
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The somehow hairy look makes this ice cream even more delicious! We may be in the middle of winter but such a great design cannot wait until summer to be properly appreciated. Made by the hands of Luca Ionescu (and found in his Zazzle store), designer, motion graphics director and overall creative man. His work is the ultimate proof that one color is enough to astonish people -provided you have Luca's talent, of course...

Luca Ionescu "Fat Cat" by lucaionescu
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His Fat Cat poster is a study in simplicity. It reminds me of both the "fat cat in a top hat / thinks he's an aristocrat" verse from The Doors's Break on through (the Absolutely Live! version) and the Scat Cat from Disney's The Aristocats. Clear, well-thought lines make this design almost emblematic.
Luca Ionescu runs Like Minded Studio and publishes Refill magazine.

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Nessie strikes back

Loch Ness Monster Shirt by craigbehrin
design your own tshirt on zazzle.com

If you are sick and tired of all the design-y, ultra cute and shiny monster shirts and looking for something more  traditional to express your monstery sensitivities, here is a shirt with a back to the roots approach.Classic and classy, in this green mint color that only real men can handle!
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, Nessie (the beloved Loch-Ness monster) is alive and kicking. If this is a statement you would care to make -as I sure would- go grab this retro gem in Bomb Threads store and revel in your pop nuttiness.

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Same as the old boss

Meet Your New Boss by grouchogandhi
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Where would this world be without our favorite conspiracy theory? Grouchogandhi makes sure that we'll stay up to date with his surreal impropaganda designs. It's time to show that we know who is the new "Capo di tutti Capi" -yes, you guessed it, it's Greys alright!
I just love the bold lettering and the cheap newspaper feel and I prefer seeing it in this deep yellow shirt. It somehow compliments the pulpish sensationalism that pertains to every alien domination statement.
I believe I share many of Grouchogandhi's interests (including Discordianism) and I strongly suggest you take a trip down to his store to admire the splendid weirdness therein.

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