R.I.P. President Woodrow "No Pants" Wilson

We love and miss you so much!

new tatty tat tat (I hate that word)

Some other bastard thought it would be "more convenient for the customer" to color it in when I left the other shop, lame.

Lumberjacks are interesting

saw

i've been busy

it's been a while..

I'm back at Brass Monkey, and I'm happy to say that this is my family. I fit here, and everyone at my last shop can eat it. You've settled, and in this industry you might as well work a 9-5 if you think you can't do better.

my bro's next tattoo

Here you go CJ :)

ughh

One person who can't give enough information, and another that gives too much, equals a particularly shitty day all around.

Fulton Cotton Mill

I'm pretty happy with this one :)

Apocalyptic Skittles

ya know, i bet all that gold foil makes the chocolate taste bad..

for my sis

oops..

It's Bubonic Plague, not Consumption :/
AND, I'm sooooo proud to be a Monkey, a Brass Monkey that is :)

friends are hard to come by in these parts

Florida is full of transient flakes, never thought I'd say it but I want Atlanta back.

This could be anywhere in the world

I'm getting the urge to move again, unfortunately I think we should hold out till we've accomplished some goals. When will I ever get to tattoo? This is so frustrating when it's about politics instead of talent.

see? i HAVE been working on stuff :D

no rest.

ugh.. scanner

I hate my scanner, I can't upload any new work. I'm not slacking..
I realize that I miss Atlanta and all the creative work it had to offer, and exactly how stupid I was being while I was there.. I miss it.

Also, Jennie McCarthy should be gagged.

my scanner hates me

It decided to work today.

domo arigato, mr. roboto

I find it interesting, even if it is with the best of intentions, that people would rather repeatedly confide in social networking sites over real friends. Sounds like a serious trust issue. Could it be because this industry warrants little trust between fellow artists? It leaves a bit of a bad taste in my mouth- and that in this industry, their are no real friends.

I suppose I should just keep my head down and keep working, drama won't make one's art better..

The guy sure looks like plant food to me!

I found an oldie but goody in a sketchbook I neglected after the move. I've cleaned it up and started reworking it, hopefully this will be a kick in the ass to get moving again.

What is up with this industry, that people can't help dragging out the crap? Art, people.. isn't what what we're here for? I sure hope so..

Try not. Do or do not, there is no try.

Today I put in my best effort, against odds and squeezed a tattoo into the day. I am learning that in order not to be a burden on your mentor, you have to not be a burden on your mentor! Find your own practice skin, get a part-time job to make up for convention travel and supplies, and just be independent. He's only there to show me what or what not to do.. he's not my father. I feel better knowing I'm going to take things into my own hands and off his shoulders.


Sometimes it's nice to look back at old work I've done when I studied abroad. I miss it, I would love to get back to traveling. Therefore, I really need to find a part-time job.

"I cannot teach him. The boy has no patience."

I suppose trust issues are part of this- I hate relying on one person for anything.. but 5 achievements later on Left 4 Dead and i'm starting to worry i've made the wrong decision.. ugh.

The thought police would get him just the same..

Just trying to get some work going this week. I haven't been feeling very well(i have a cold) and my mentor has been out of town till this evening.

I hope we find a shop soon, I think I need an area that feels like an actual workspace in order to get shit done. As you can see, my text is crap- I think i may be an understatement if I say "I need to practice more".

Also, our government is getting a bit jumpy. Dusty, I hope you will fight this> Censorship hub-bub.
A simple artistic critique on American culture is in no way a cult act. If anything, the only "cult"is (almost ridiculously ironic) a culture so hyper sensitive that it needs a "freedom officer" to hush those who speak out, it's disgusting. If you take Ovverkvill Kvlt as a serious organization of harmful thought that you're going to blindly follow,there is something wrong with you, not its creator.

Emporer's new clothes.

Sooo.. I revamped the ole' b-l-o-g.. You like it? looks like snow in the background, or "snow". I'm trying to make it less barren, while not distracting from the artwork..

Any-who, it's nice to get stuff off your chest when you feel a lot of pent-upedness towards a fellow artist or owner. I followed my mentor, and am happy with my decision. I am off to see a new shop and the world of tattoo conventions, and lack of sleep with their drunken craziness and such. More importantly, be creative, bounce ideas around different artists. I have LOTS of ideas right now and it's nice to be a sponge o' information.

Now I just need a part-time job again. :D

Also, thought this was pretty cool. Gnight, folks!

My course has been set

Full sail, I'm on my new path, with my mentor, Aaron Is. I'm very excited to get going, lots of new work will be up soon.

"I find your lack of faith disturbing."

This is a new series I've been holding onto, I call it "Smighty Skulls".

Meanwhile- still a fork in the road, still don't know what the hell I'm doing..

Left 4 Dead 2.. now I know.

The. Effin. Bridge.

It's a lot harder to do what you feel is right than it is to just sit and watch shit happen.

Oh and this is weird: Zombie Tools

popular

This banana is so metal ;)
Is it always a good thing when you're the topic of conversation when you're not there?

I have to get my portfolio together, I will finally have my own space (sort of, sharing with another great apprentice). I was pretty happy today though, all that I printed out will fill my portfolio nicely. I'm glad to see that my time spent working and not gossiping pays off. You are all wasting your time being catty bitches!

lazy bastard.

Left 4 Dead 2, working on the car, and The Walking Dead sums up my "weekend", and when I look back I see not one tattoo, and only one piece of new artwork...ugh. Don't get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed my time with my wonderful boyfriend- but it's time to get back on the wagon.

An ode to the undead..

I really, really love me some zombies.. I mean, 3 generations of zombie- lovin' ladies. Right now, I cannot seem to stop thinking about Left 4 Dead 2, or The Walking Dead comic (my apprenticeship has slowed me significantly, on keeping up with the issues). So, to make sure I keep producing work I will have to give in and create the undead.

I also desperately need Volume 11 of The Walking Dead, looks like all hell breaks loose! No spoilers please!! ;)

I can't wait!! ahhh!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yg46DWI_fCE

To restrict the artist is a crime. It is to murder germinating life.

Two things:

1) My two favorite artists are Egon Schiele and Mary Blair.

2) Right now I'm staring at a computer screen when I should be looking for reference for more flash work.. I have more ideas- mainly dealing with suburbia(my all-time, most favorite subject), but I'm wondering if I should just refine the Miner Series.. I feel it was maybe a bit hasty and sloppy.

Also, if you know you will be accepting a "sell-out" type situation in this industry but it will be your first chance to prove yourself as a tattoo-artist, would you take it? Would you be okay with almost no control over content you're given to work with?
You have ideals, and sometimes you pick and chose your battles. Which one is this? I am aware that my course of action in this type of situation will directly effect my very sick, very tired support system..

ahhhhhhh

Some people are so defensive it's exhausting. It might not even be worth putting in the effort. Self-righteous attitudes need a reality check.

hair cut

I got a haircut today, and I'm quite happy about it. Florida weather is DISGUSTING right now and I just can't handle long hair..


Next topic, I think from here on I will start adding my influences for the work I'm doing, which almost always comes down to music.

So, my "Miner Series" has mostly been influenced by the album Old Crows, Young Cardinals by Alexisonfire.. which I listened to for six straight hours while painting walls in the new location. It took a while for me to actually enjoy it, but as a poverty-level apprentice it's definitely an easy thing to relate to. I carry the guilt of watching my significant other work his ass off to support me right now, and know how warehouse laborers are treated.

Against Me!'s Reinventing Axle Rose has also been a big influence,... With songs like "Those Anarcho Punks Are Mysterious..." and "Baby, I'm an Anarchist!" It also reminds me one of the many more profound reasons I wanted to be in this industry: screw your middle-class "nine-to-five" standards...

The Reaper

I don't have a lot to say, can't wait for Wiregrass..

Strange people.

Nothing is more irritating than people who pretend to hate people, who are all "up in their business". If you don't want people to know something, STOP TALKING ABOUT IT. It's pretty obvious that you love it, you should've moved to LA and been an actor.

No rest for the weary.

New ones..

Logos are particularly humbling..

I'm more metal than you!!!!

Sometimes shops can be more gossipy then a salon full of princesses. I can't even wrap my head around that.. Just a lot of bruised egos.
I would just like to point out that I DID NOT DESIGN THIS. It's a pre-existing drawing Spike pulled up. I just made something with more elements to fit Spike's tattoo idea.

fingers to the bone

You're gonna need a bigger boat..

I want a Jaws tattoo sooooo bad. Shark Week isn't helping.

working class

Still working.. Hopefully flash piece for behind Spike's ear tomorrow.

Quantum Pie For Douglas

When the day is done and I go home, all I care to ask myself is if I love my family and friends, and have I proved my worth as an artist that day. Because boredom and the sleep of reason produces monsters. Thanks Goya.

New Work

Flash Start

Oh well

More car troubles today, so I only got to think about my great flash ideas. Tomorrow I will work like crazy!

This picture is in line work above my left knee, it was my first tattoo (That I tattooed, that is). I think I will color it in soon. :)

brick by brick, you will have your day..

Painting walls today got me thinking about a couple of things:

1. Should a major cookie company be considered cruel and heartless if they reproduce the cherished (and more importantly, seasonal) Girl Scout cookies?

and 2. Work about the working class, the struggle to make ends meet, also focusing on the traveler, and the transience of being a nomad in America.

It's also a little disheartening when you reach out to those you greatly respect and they don't respond.. but I guess they didn't ask to be heroes..

cup o' joe

Fitter, Happier, more productive..

Unfortunately, this was cut off by the scanner. Someone please give me text for this..I don't know what to put. Um..something about wanderlust, and loving to travel for life!!