The story so far...
Welcome to Mixed Results – A Tie-Dye Revival
Hey Now, I’m Steve—artist, creator, and mind behind Mixed Results.
I was born into a world of music, movement, and color, raised by parents who were part of the ‘60s and ‘70s counterculture. They believed in the power of art, music, and self-expression to challenge the status quo. Their journey took them across the U.S., immersed in a movement that celebrated freedom, creativity, and resistance to conformity. When I was born, they returned to Canada to live their American Dream, carrying those same ideals with them.
Some of my earliest memories? Road trips centered around the Grateful Dead’s touring schedule. Tie-dye was everywhere—vibrant, intricate, alive—a swirling representation of the energy and ideals they lived by.
A Lost Art Rediscovered
As I grew older, I noticed something: authentic tie-dye was disappearing. The few pieces I saw felt different—simpler, less vivid, lacking the depth and artistry I remembered. I never gave it much thought—until my wife volunteered for a tie-dye workshop in our son’s class.
After seeing their creations, I had a realization: I had never actually made a tie-dye myself. Their designs were fun, but they lacked the complexity of the tie-dyes from my childhood.
That curiosity led me to Google:
“What dye do hippies use for tie-dye?”
The answer? Dharma Trading Co.—a supplier that had been fueling the movement since the beginning. I ordered a starter kit, devoured every tutorial, and eagerly waited for my supplies.
The moment I folded my first shirt, mixed the dyes, and watched the colors bloom, I was hooked. Not just on the results, but on the process—the art, the chemistry, the limitless possibilities. What started as nostalgia quickly became an obsession, and that obsession became an artistic journey.
The Birth of Mixed Results
From that first batch of shirts, I knew I had found something special. I began experimenting, refining techniques, and pushing the limits of what tie-dye could be. Mixed Results was born out of that passion—a fusion of old-school craftsmanship and new artistic innovation.
Every piece I create is a tribute to authentic, handcrafted tie-dye—a reminder of an era where color symbolized freedom, self-expression, and rebellion. My goal is simple:
- To help bring back the magic of true, handcrafted tie-dye
- To create wearable art with depth, soul, and meaning
- To prove that color—like freedom—belongs everywhere
Because some things—great music, good vibes, and the fight for a more open, beautiful world— love is real, not fade away.