About Pickle-Tee

Pickle-Tee is a Costa Rica-based apparel and art brand created by artist and illustrator Jim Nienhuis. Jim was born in Costa Rica and studied Printmedia and Fine Art at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), graduating in 2012. He went on to work as a full-time artist in Chicago, creating paintings, murals, screen-printed art prints including gig posters for artists such as Black Flag, The Walkmen, Method Man & Inspectah Deck, among others.

After years in Chicago’s painting, printing & public art scene, Jim moved back to the Tamarindo area in 2019. Pickle-Tee grew from that collision of worlds: Costa Rican wildlife, local slang, beach-town absurdity, expat weirdness, and hand-drawn illustration. Every design starts as original artwork, not souvenir sludge. The result is wearable art inspired by Costa Rica, made for people who like their shirts with personality, humor, and a little sunburned attitude.

Meet the Mascots!

Pickle-Tee is occasionally supervised by Pickles the Expat Cat and Jasper the Rescue Dog.

Pickles is the unofficial ambassador of tropical overconfidence. Jasper is the rescue dog with street smarts, soft eyes, and the energy of someone who has seen every back road in Playa Brasilito. Together, they represent the true spirit of Pickle-Tee: funny, scrappy, Costa Rica-inspired, and just a little too specific to be normal.

Designed in Costa Rica. Printed to order. Shipped worldwide.