Artist turns everyday t-shirts into billboards

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania -- When it came time for West Philadelphia designer Marc Murphy to choose the name of his printing business, he chose Bombardment Co.

He says it's a reference from an episode of The Simpsons. Pop culture is just one example of many of the themes he utilizes in his colorful and eye-popping screen-printing business.

"If I could put into a bag, everything that it takes to be a designer, there wouldn't be a bag big enough," says Marc.

He uses a heat transfer machine and layers upon layers of colors, paint, passes, and pulls to transform his art into walkable canvasses.

He started designing shirts 15 years ago and would be approached when wearing them outside.

Marc explains, "I went to the store with the shirt on and some guy said, 'Where did you get that from? I said, I made it. He said, let me screen-print it for you."

After getting introduced to the fine art and science of screen-printing, he immediately took to the artform. He eventually acquired a heat press machine from his Aunt and the rest is history.

Working in his studio on American Street, he creates and designs shirts with themes of pop culture, history, inspiration from museums and whatever else pops in his head.

"It's one of those things where I get to challenge my eye. Challenge myself at it."

The popular artist-run South Street Art Mart discovered him, and they've been proudly selling his designs ever since.

The owners say he's a big hit. "I feel like everything can be so unpersonal," says co-owner Nicole Krecicki. "So, it's really nice to be able to say this shirt represents this store. Marc made it."

For more on Marc's designs, you can check him out on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/bombardmentco

You can also find his shirts and much more on display at the South Street Art Mart at 530 S. 4th Street Philadelphia.