My books are now open for appointments through the end of July! FINALLY. Go to THIS link to get in. I’ll be reopening books again near the end of July to fill up August and September. If you’ve been waiting, it’s time! Let’s go. Portfolio HERE.
Hello from quarantine!
since my partner had a bone marrow transplant, we are in isolation at home.
I’m going to post the last few tattoos I did before the state shut down businesses, then I’ll make a separate post of the art I’ve done while at home.
I miss you, clients. I miss you so much right now. This feels endless. We will get through it
I’m currently doing three-card reading tarot tattoos. I pull cards and use related symbolism to do a spontaneous image tattoo on whoever signs up for it. these tattoos can’t be planned in advance, but can be booked ahead as a time slot.
images are based on symbols/reminders/ideas that the deck suggests; are drawn by both of us together, on the spot; I want to make it a collaborative process. the colors and symbolic images that call to you and the design elements that carry a positive message to you- that’s what we’re reading for.
I did tarot readings before I was a tattoo artist. I’ve always worked with the Thoth deck, and I consider tarot to be a way to access our subconscious mind and find ideas and solutions, rather than any kind of outside or spiritual communication. I am not theistic and I think that connecting to our inner selves is valuable, in its own right.
I’ve worked with tarot in this way for 25 years or more.
I see tarot as a way to access our inner selves through symbolism. the tattoo tarot work I’m doing, I’m reading the cards to see what imagery will best fit you in the present and give you a positive feeling into the future.
with your input, I’ll pull three cards and we will examine them for their connection to you and your life, your goals. then we will use symbolism and color choices from those cards to create an image for the tattoo. these readings are to find the right tattoo, not for further life guidance. (they’re readings for a specific purpose instead of a general reading).
The reading we do is only about the tattoo you will get, and is to guide us to choose the right combination of items and symbols to give your subconscious self a boost, or reminder.
As I said I approach it as a way to access the inner, higher self- a kind of Jungian approach. Spiritual content in these readings is fully your decision and what you bring with you to the cards, and isn’t my work. that is the content of your contribution- it’s your decision, your choice. I’m simply a conduit for this.
it’s up to you to decide what to take from it. for me, it’s a way to clarify and condense into an image, the things your full being wants or needs to see. I would not presume to call it “healing” work at all, I am not a therapist. I’m simply there to explain the cards, help you find symbols that resonate with you, and make a good tattoo from them. if there is healing, it has come from within you, because inside you is a whole, healthy being. this is not me, it is you, your own self. I’m honored if you let me be a tool you can use for this.
you can call the shop to book- simply decide the amount of time/money you’d like for a session, and we will draw to suit that. we’ll draw together after the reading, so the art is collaborative between us.
I’m leaving Sundays open for this through the winter, but any day is all right. they’ll note that it’s a tarot piece in the appointment notes when they take a deposit and set up the time. the shop is aware and ready to set up time for you, our counter staff is amazing and they handle all my scheduling for the shop. (509-426-4465) is the number here- you can also email me and I can have counter staff set up a time and date via email.
I know limited ASL but can likely find a fluent translator if text/writing isn’t enough. we are wheelchair accessible and I can put up screens if you need an enclosed space. you may bring a comfy pillow, headphones to wear during the tattoo itself, or a friend to talk to.
if you need anything else in the form of accommodation, let me know.
everyone here is amazing and helpful
I use proper and modern, clean and sanitary techniques to apply the tattoo. using a premium machine and a full setup, with all disposable, single use equipment.
if I’m going to ask the muse (in any form) to assist me I feel I should carry out the work in the best possible way I can, do the very best tattoo I’m capable of, with the best tools and equipment available.
I feel that to use less than the optimal equipment and setting would be an insult to the process used to find the design.
I will not be doing these at conventions, as there’s too much distraction from the crowd for us to focus properly. if I am visiting a shop near you I will offer these there.
xox
my current interest/deal.
the crew . i love these fine people.
i have the spice.
seattle tattoo convention.
with some of my heroes.
devil shin is nine years old, well healed and settled in.
i also saw the eclipse and retreated to the forest.
the world is on fire.
working with landscape in tattooing, getting a natural look to a landscape
also some extra things that have happened recently
I’m not going to include many photos in this post, to provide my clients with some privacy.
side note: this information applies to most any kind of scar, not just self injury.
I’ve got some scars from self harm. I know a lot of people do. it can be really embarrassing, or feel shameful to have them seen. if they’re in really visible areas, it’s even worse.
I’ve had mine covered with tattoos (I stopped cutting years ago, when I was still fairly young). I’ve gotten images that remind me of what I’ve been through and of what I’d like my future to look like. I want you to know you’re not alone with this, first of all. I also want you to know that not only are you not alone, I have seen and tattooed worse scars than yours- burn wounds, surgical scars, all of it. yes, you may have done serious damage to yourself, but no- it’s not impossible to tattoo over it.
If you want to do this, here’s a few things to keep in mind.
me getting my upper arms worked on.
if you need further information, email me, or, preferably, comment below. I’ll try to answer any comments I get here as quickly as I can.
“don’t cover them”
it goes without saying that SH/SI is dangerous and you shouldn’t do it. we all know that. but I know, and you know, that sometimes it’s a thing we do to cope, and we can’t just stop until you find better ways to cope with all the bullshit life throws at us. I hope we all find better ways to cope, I hope everyone reading this is able to find things that help. I did-and if I can do a thing I am damn sure that you can do the thing.
I understand that it takes time and work so again-don’t feel ashamed. It’s just a thing some of us do. Be as safe as you can be.
(sterile saline wound wash, steri-strips, and clean hands help a lot)
xox
using a scar as a design element
after. the indentation and raised areas become an asset to the design
I had an interview in the inlander, which was great. They were very easy to talk with and they quoted me correctly!
also, a reminder; I’d like to do more works like the following images.
painterly flowers, solid black heavy rough edges, and high contrast works. winter is a good time to get a tattoo, mainly because it’s easy to heal this time of year. I’ll be at mom’s in Spokane (and in Eugene for the evergreen convention in March)
Seminar: Passive income and social media use for tattooers.
Even though we all make our daily bread tattooing, we all are also human beings, living inside bodies that can get broken or worn. When you’ve got slow times or an injury or illness, passive income is a good backup, and if done properly it will complement and improve your work on skin.
If you’re using social media at all- to share your tattoo work – or if you would like to start selling your other artwork online to reach a wider audience- this class is for you.
If you see the internet ad social media as a chore, hate pinterest, and fear theft- this class is for you.
Learn to use social media properly — without compromising your copyright.
This class relates to the sale of secondary mediums beyond tattooing, and will go over the relationship between your existing client base and the collectors who will buy your work on paper rather than skin.
We’ll cover print-on-demand services, pros and cons of social media use, networking as a strategy to find collectors, consolidating your media management, and getting more reach with your work online.
Seminar text and cheatsheet handout packet, aftercare instructions, and legal consent form templates included.
ONLINE AVAILABILITY OF WRITTEN MATERIALS HERE
On Sunday, September 11, I’ll be teaching my seminar on the use of social media and the internet for passive income, for tattooers. This seminar includes a huge packet of resources and information as well as access to a private group on which you can ask follow up questions, get recent information on changes, and talk and network with anyone else who’s taken the course. Location: Electric Eye Candy Tattoo Extravaganza
you do not have to be working at the convention to come to this seminar.
It’s a two-hour seminar- usually runs a bit longer for questions. I cover “branding”, username and site selection, basics of building a site, consolidating media, passive income streams, how to leverage your client base and word-of-mouth to reach further online, how to protect your copyright, and go over free or cheap tools you can use to share your work.
Even though we all make our daily bread tattooing, we all are also human beings, living inside bodies that can get broken or worn. When you’ve got slow times or an injury or illness, passive income is a good backup, and if done properly it will complement and improve your work on skin.
If you’re using social media at all- to share your tattoo work – or if you would like to start selling your other artwork online to reach a wider audience- this class is for you.
the course does count as continuing education credit for two hours. (I know a lot of you may not need that accreditation, but in some states your license requires this and yes, this seminar counts)
at this convention the seminar will cost $100 per person. tattoo artists at any level AND apprentices, are welcome. if you are an artist in another medium you may attend as well, although a lot of the information may be things you cannot utilize the same way.
to pre-register, email me at re*********@gm***.com. I accept paypal and Square. you can also show up on Sunday and pay at the door with cash or credit.
Bring pen or pencil, a piece of art you’ve made (or an image of one) and your smartphone, tablet, or laptop. there will be a wifi hotspot in the room for everyone to use as you follow along with the class.
If you’d like to speak to people who have taken this seminar to find out more, you can ask Curby Dickens, Bonnie Gillson, or Joanne Martian. All three have put a lot of the information to good use.
I can’t wait to meet you guys, I hope we have a good turnout, and good questions asked at the end! xox
Eugene, Seattle, and Auburn WA.
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