Andrew J. Steel x LSKD Good Times Mug

Andrew J. Steel is a New Zealand artist with 15–20 years behind the brush. He came to art through skateboarding, and has since built a career across public art, interiors and some of the largest-scale murals in New Zealand.

"My whole thing is storytelling—I learn about people, then I turn their stories and their values into artwork.

This is the first time I’ve ever done anything with a clothing brand, which I’m pretty excited about. As a solo artist, teaming up with LSKD meant we could do something bigger together than I could ever do alone. That’s really what this collab is about: Better Together.

I spent time with the LSKD team, learned the brand values, and turned them into hand-drawn characters. Two of my favourites:

Fail Forward: A figure who keeps pushing through the mess of problem-solving, falling forward, and still smiling. Progress is never smooth or straight—you just have to keep making.

Pressure is a Privilege: The value I connected with most as an artist. Every day brings a new creative challenge and boundary to navigate. The best work is always made under pressure."