Embarking on the quest to create my own line of art merchandise has been a dream come true. I wanted to use them for myself or give them as gifts to family and friends. Also, I have thought of sharing my art with a certain target market who would love to acquire copies of the original piece at a slightly inexpensive price range. 

But, what is Art Merchandising?

Art merchandise or merchandising art refers to the process of making new art products designed or made with original art. It can be transferred onto another material like paper, fabric, glass, ceramic, metal or any other chosen material. Many artists have successfully sustained their careers with the help of their numbered prints and art merchandise. 

Understanding Artist’s Copyright

For fellow artists, understanding the Philippine Intellectual Property Code is crucial. As the rightful owner of your original art, you retain the right to use its image in various ways even after selling the physical artwork. Dive into the details of the IPL through this link – a valuable resource that could be a game-changer for your artistic journey.

Playful Beginnings for Tey Sev

The desire to witness and use my art products ignited years ago in 1999 when I crafted personalized items for our giftshop Mix Match Funshoppe at Bacolod’s PlazaMart, one of the city’s oldest shopping malls. 

Back then, we adorned mugs, pillows, plates, and various canvases with our unique designs. Little did I realize that those creations were the seeds of what would later blossom into a captivating collection of art merchandise.

Although I failed to preserve photographic memories of those early works, I now recognize that every stroke and design was a piece of art. It wasn’t just about creating products; it was about continuing a creative journey that had begun in our gift shop.

Full Throttle to Art Merchandising 

Fast forward to 2015, when I took the leap to become a full-time artist. The persistent urge to bring my art to life through merchandise lingered, fueled by the passion to see my creations take on new forms. Fortunately, I had meticulously saved high-resolution photos of every piece I had ever painted.

My venture into art merchandise began with ceramic mugs, each adorned with prints of my earlier artworks.

During the lockdown of 2020 to 2022, I also made special face masks designed with my earlier artworks from watercolor paintings to mosaic art.

Fast forward to 2024, and I proudly boast a diverse collection of over 70 designs spanning ceramic and frosted glass mugs, canvas tote bags, tumblers, shirts, purses, and metal keychains – all brought to life through the sublimation process.

The evolution didn’t stop there.

Witness the birth of freehand fonts gracefully adorning the InarTEY shirts. A fusion of artistic expression and quirky emojis, these shirts capture the essence of Hiligaynon, one of the widely spoken languages in the Philippines.

According to an article by LinkedIn about The Philippine Language Report, more than 7 million Filipinos speak Hiligaynon hailing from these places from central and southern Philippines. People from Guimaras, Negros Occidental, Capiz, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and North Cotabato make up 8.4% of the population known to speak Hiligaynon, a member of the Visayan family of languages. 

Anyhooooooo….. dive into the richness of Ilonggo expressions with shirts like “Teh?!” – a versatile term that can mean anything from “How was it?” to “What?!” or “So???”. Consult your Ilonggo neighbour for a nuanced interpretation, and brace yourself for a delightful conversation.

“Teh?! Namit?!” translates to “So? Was it delicious?”. Yet, for Ilonggos, it can carry a smirk or a sarcastic undertone. As an artist, there’s no greater joy than witnessing people donning my InarTEY shirts or sipping from my Artfull mugs.

But this is just the beginning. Dive into the world of The FatGoddess and explore the myriad designs waiting to captivate your senses. Whether it’s an InarTEY shirt, a mug, or a tote bag, each piece tells a unique story. 

How to Order your InarTEY Art Merch

So, seize the opportunity to make these artful creations a part of your daily life. You can order through Tey Sev’s Artfull Gallery, and your order can be shipped wherever you are in the world!

If you are in Bacolod City, you can find Artfull Gallery near Starbucks Lacson. Message the Gallery so they can give you directions.

Tag me on Facebook at InarTeyPH and on my TeySev Instagram. Madamo nga salamat sa inyo pagsuporta! Padayon! Join me on this artistic journey, and enjoy these art products for yourself!