The story behind the “I Was Never Lonely” print

Summer is just around the corner.

When I began designing the print for Tetzu’s t-shirts for the coming summer, I paused to think about what message I wanted them to tell. I didn’t want to create just a visually beautiful image, but something with meaning — something that carries a feeling.

The first thing that came to mind was the summers of my childhood. Moments at the summer cottage, fishing at the edge of the pier or sitting quietly in a rowboat, watching the movement of the water. Those moments held a sense of peace, freedom, and space to simply be — and above all, space to imagine.

The world of the print was born from these memories. I wanted to capture them in a slightly childlike way, just as they felt back then: soft, timeless, and full of small details that held great meaning. I’ve drawn inspiration from my childhood drawings and, through them, brought my imaginative childhood world into the print.

The theme “I was never lonely” comes from my own childhood. I was always surrounded by people, but I also spent a lot of time alone. I don’t remember ever feeling lonely, because my imagination was so vivid that it filled the space around me — creating stories, characters, and moments that felt real.

This print is a way to return to that world. It’s a blend of imagination and memories of summers that have stayed with me. Moments I experienced both alone and together with others.

I hope that everyone who wears the T-shirt can step into that world — one filled with joy and imagination.