Deck, the Freakin Hall's!

I just got around to completing a new skate deck for Jime Litwalks "Deck The Halls". Theres a portion of the decks profits going to charity. So if ya find yerself in Vegas, and dig art on skate decks, check it out.


Now while I usually dig the long format of a skate deck. I will admit to being a bit stymied for this one. Rather than doing a jovial holiday piece. I went with a less than festive theme for this one. I started with a quick sketch of a skull. Planning on kind of working with some weird colors, and blending it into the background. I wasn't overtly concerned with it fitting proper.

I than had to run out, and pick up a new electric sander. As I seem to have misplaced my old one (never know when yer gonna need the damn thing). And for this deck I tried something a bit different. When out at the art supply store, I'd seen Spray Gesso. Yup Gesso in a can. Now if you've seen this before, good for you. But for me this was new. And always interested in trying something dumb, and new. I picked up a can. It sat around for a bit. But being how I was on a bit of a time constrain, what better time than to try it out on this here deck. I'M happy to report, it worked out great.
It left a really nice tooth to paint on. But I was a bit disappointed in the fact that it was a bit to soft to really do a ton of initial pencil work with. But no big deal. I was on a time constraint, and just pulled out the ole airbrush, and started to crank away.

Like Most of my work I was frustrated, and not incredibly happy at first. But after letting it sit for a day (completed), I went back, and was very satisfied with the end result.
I'm also sending Jime A deck I did many years ago for the "Abrasions" Skate deck book, from Presto Publishing. The book is out of print to my knowledge. So this could be the last time to see this art.
Regardless, if yer in Vegas. You should check out the show. Jime tells me that there are quite a few talented artists taking part in the show. And he's already received quite a few killer decks.

Well, now I gotta run out and mail this thing. Later...

I know it aint the tools, but the Artist, But...

Yeah, yeah, I know. It ain't what yer using, but how your using em. But Hell over he last several years i've made some big changes in my tattooing. And I must say that I find a bit of a difference. All of which IM quite happy with.
Firstly let me say that a little over 4 years ago, Jime Litwalk brought back these pigments from Brazil, and I was hooked. Less than a year later were both out in Brazil hanging with one Paulo Fernando of Electric Ink And Easy Glow was Born! Made in Brazil, and brough to the states, by Jime, and I, This stuff is By far, hands down the best damn stuff I've ever used!
But Hell enough shameless Promotion, and bragging. Heres a tattoo I started on a feller a little over 2 years ago. He came in yesterday, and I was finally able to snap some pictures of it. I know its not my normal fair, but...




Like I said, I realize its not equipment, but the artist that makes the difference. But Tell ya what... Good gear can really make all the difference.
Thanks for taking the time to come down again Ed, and let me finally get some nice picture of yer thigh.

Been a week

Wow, Been a little over a week, and too my knowledge, I've not had any artwork ripped off. Or tattoos redone on someone else's client!
Haha, well here's some more fodder for the hacks.
I started this piece quite a few months ago, and he came by to get his other side started. So I figured I'd take a healed photo of her. Healed up beautifully. Really dig er. Man, I love my "Easy Glow"

And heres what we started on the opposite rib. He was looking for another gal, with a bit of a devil gal theme, Holding a human heart.

Now this last piece was a bit of a cluster fuck on my part as it should have been done in a single day/session. But because IM an ass, I actually did it oer the course of two days, in 2-3 hour session. Yeah IM sorry Becky.

She's part of a leg sleeve of evil, villanouse woman.

Ripped, the FUCK off.

And I aint happy about it!
Over the last several years, I've published several books of my art, and tattoo work. Also over the many, many years of my tattoo career, i've had my work published in countless magazines, and art/tattoo publications. Now does all this advertisement, and self publication mean that everything I've done is up for grabs? That all the work that I've allowed to be published, wether it be in books, magazines, and on the web, is free far all those free loading, non thinking, unoriginal, Lazy, dumb ass artists, to just take, and do with what they want? I think not!
Now, for all of those individual tattooers (and the majority of this rant is directed at you all) out there who don't seem to know the rules (and there seems to be a shit ton of you out there), here they are. You "DO NOT, TAKE ANOTHER TATTOOISTS ORIGINAL TATTOOS. AND REPRODUCE THE WORK ON YOUR CLIENTS! This means, if a client of yours comes to you with a piece out of a magazine, or a print off of the internet, and says, "I really dig this, can you do it?" Your response should be "NO"!
This is a rule that I was taught, and have followed in my Near 19 years of tattooing! Its also a rule that as an artist, I find just makes sense! I wish to be the best at what I do! And that means working my ass off, every day, and for every tattoo, or painting that I do. Which means drawing, and creating my own style.
I do realize how difficult being an artist is. And I do realize that a lot of the tattooists out there, are young, and very influenced by the work they see on a daily basis. Hell, Even IM insanely interested in all of the work being tattooed today. IM blown away by the talent of some of these your guns coming out of the woodwork, of todays tattoo trade! But I've always strived to never let it sway what it is that I want to do. What it is that IM trying to create! And I would never cheapen another artists clients by ripping off an original idea. An original piece of artwork created just for them. Just so that I can say that I was able to do what another tattooist already did! Its ignorant, and lazy!
Being a great tattooist is not about doing what the status quo is able to pull off. Its about doing a great tattoo, and making your own freakin mark in this trade! But please also consider the lowly "Flash, Street shop" Artist. Hell this is a trade that seems to all but been forgotten. When I first started tattooing, all the other guys in the shop loved reproducing the art on the walls. There was a ton of it out there, and oh so many great artists that created it. And all of the flash was made to reproduce as much as you wanted. To me the biggest shame of todays young tattoo culture, is that the flash artist seems to be all but forgotten. No one wants to create flash, and God forbid there asked to do it on a client.
Trust me when I say this. That many of todays "younger" tattooists would greatly benefit form working in a street shop. And would, and SHOULD put there pencils down, and use tattoo flash for what it was meant for. To reproduce on your clients. Spend more time drawing in your sketch books, and less time trying to talk your clients into getting what you want to do, and what you've drawn. It aint always the best for you, or your clients.
I know that this sounds like a swift kick in the balls to all these young tattooists out there trying to make there marks. But trust me it is not my intention. IM just trying to make the point that getting to the top, and getting the recognition you want, is a journey. And you will only hurt your career by taking the low road.
There really is so much more that I want to say. And im certain that as the days go by, this is a subject that I will touch on more, and more. But for now, I think i've said quite enough.
Feel free to add your own thoughts, and by all means feel free to contact me with your thoughts. Just be prepared for the truth from me. IM not one who's found myself where I am today, by sugar coating and blowing smoke!