I finally have a solid start to my tattoo design down. The core idea has shifted many times from where I started. In the beginning, my idea was to use text and cool typefaces to create a visual work (see ink flow - pt 1). I still really like that idea, but I couldn’t transfer the molten idea from my mind to a static idea on paper; maybe later. The idea shifted to a more graphically oriented piece that would integrate a whole bunch of floral, organic, and geometric abstract shapes, and meld simpler one word text pieces into it. This idea stuck. Then I had an idea of using simple geometric lines and shapes (along with the previous idea) to mimic the skeletal structure of my back, didn’t do anything with that. I was having a hard time figuring out how to create an interesting “center” of the piece, as I want the overall design to be centered high on my back. Enter the longhorn skull (I also had an idea of using a handprint, but it didn’t work out). The image of a longhorn skull, with the big horns, has always been a favorite of mine since I was a kid. Perhaps it’s a reflection of my love of the “wild” West. Perhaps it’s the power and beauty of those big horns contrasting against the stark image of mortality.
What you see above is a huge compilation of dozens of illustrations, sketches, and photographs stacked in like 100 photoshop layers. It’s about 28″x28″ and will cover the majority of my upper back, with the spire at the bottom reaching all the way down my spine. The horns will wrap to my arms. It’s still very much a work in progress. For one, some of the areas have too much detail and fine lines to translate well to ink on skin. I still want to integrate some text, and I need to figure out how I want to wrap the horns around my arms without interfering with the ink I already have on both arms.
Jess and I met with an artist at Millennium Tattoo last night to discuss my idea. He was less than impressive. He wasn’t really interested in me or the design. Bye Millennium. Anyone have any artist recommendations in the area?
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This design is so much stronger than the others that you had. I think it’s a great representation of you. I just hope that you’re able to find the tattoo artist who can get excited about branding you with it. Finding the right person will pay off. What does everyone else think of the design?
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I asked Steve Hogan (Did you know him at MHS?) about your tattoo artist woes. He said this:
Hello friend!!!! The BEST tattoo shop in Colorado would be Th’ink Tank in Denver. The guy who did my back works there. His name is William Thidemann. His myspace is on the 2nd page of my friends list. Another excellent shop is Bolder Ink in Boulder. That’s where William worked when I lived out there. Either one, tell your friend to drop the name Hogie. It probably won’t get him much, except a kick ass tattoo.
Hogie is on my Myspace, on the home page. He’s got a picture of his back in his gallery if you want to see it.
Hope this helps! (And any of you other Colorado peeps looking for ink…hope this helps you too!)
(e)
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Something happened to the comment I left. Please delete this if it ends up on here twice. Weird!
Anyway. I asked my friend Steve Hogan (Hogie, from MHS…do you remember him?) about your tattoo artist woes. He said this:
Hello friend!!!! The BEST tattoo shop in Colorado would be Th’ink Tank in Denver. The guy who did my back works there. His name is William Thidemann. His myspace is on the 2nd page of my friends list. Another excellent shop is Bolder Ink in Boulder. That’s where William worked when I lived out there. Either one, tell your friend to drop the name Hogie. It probably won’t get him much, except a kick ass tattoo.
He’s on my Myspace too, on the top 8 part. He’s got a picture of his back on there if you’d like to see it.
Hope this helps! (And to all you other Colorado peeps looking for Ink, hope this helps you too!
(e)