Looking back at each piece I can reflect and break apart areas where I can push the ideas further, and raise the standards that have pushed me to this point with tattooing. I’ve  made it a ritual in the way I work to acknowledge every single client as important as the next, and today that fact is even more important to sustain the level of quality that best represents Black n’ Grey, especially in an industry that is growing at an abnormal rate. The key is working toward totality,  aiming for the long term.

I share an equal passion for tattooing to painting, illustration and art in general, but whenever ‘tattooing talk’ comes up  I’ve ingrained the habit of mentioning the people that have influenced me and have spent alot of time into making opportunities a reality for people like myself to benefit. And in complete truth, the ability to learn-or the rate you learn isn’t the same as grounded experience. The success of work that I’ve been able to experience in the past short 4 years has alot to do with the 17 years, 20 years, and with some who’ve spent their entire lives working to sustain.

With that being said, regardless in what form, all successes is temporary and toxic. Series of actions that lead to an ideal result that have happened in the past may not be the same steps needed for the future. They are what they are-the past. Today brings new sets of challenges that need new solutions to make it work according to this moment. And because this anchors you here, the real ’success’ or the real juice comes from the process that’s needed–The hunt.

The terrain is always changing, like people’s skin-every surface varies from person to person, change is constant, so the way you hunt has to change with it. I point this out to you because all the support you’ve been giving is the drive, and the even more important doubts, is the fire that obligates us to work at the standard in which the art of tattooing belongs-right beside fine art, right beside design, right beside any other category of visual art. And this isn’t about a regional situation, or little shop drama fighting over scraps that really don’t matter-this is about breaking traditions into leading the culture to hold it’s respected weight in history–and maintain it.

So once again, burn it all. They got fat while we starved, it’s our turn, and it’s time to get real honest with ourselves on what the intentions are, and where this is going.

To all my fellow young tattooers, time to raise the bar above it all.

www.lowridertattoostudios.com

The piece begins with the classic Laocoön piece to set the foundation for the outer chest.

Still a long road to go with Don–stay sharp.

Turner’s experience in painting goes beyond the years of the basic portraiture traditions. In his series Population, he focuses in depth about surface, texture, movement, the relationship they all have with color, and the subjects. Strokes are direct, loose and consistent….

9

Definitely a strong guide for the references. Invest in the best, get yours HERE.

The big homey Geordie came through to begin his lower right sleeve.

Geordie’s background in business comes from real-estate, and over the years he’s transitioned into working as a rep for some of the top street wear distributions around. He wanted to focus on his process and the true values he’s adopted from out in the field. Even after running domains like all of North America and beyond, he’s convinced that money means nothing.

The piece focuses on the bill burning to transition into the maple leaf symbol to pay tribute to his Canadian background.

Don’t blame Canada……..in case you haven’t been watching, Canada’s financial economic system has been bullet proof lately.

Final sessions to come….

In a few weeks I will be participating in a group show, SEE NO EVIL, with fellow artists benefiting the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society in Riverside. Please join us.