DREIII

It's been a solid 9 months or so since I've been on here.

Over the last year, I have...

-Gotten engaged
-Traveled halfway around the world and back on a deployment with the marine corps
-Read about a dozen books
-Started tattooing at a new studio (Sparrows tattoo Company)
-Gotten one of my tattoos magazine published
-started panting

alot is going on and it's only going to get more hectic, but I should try to get more current on here.

"...Art brings man's concepts to the perceptual level of his consciousness and allows him to grasp them directly, as if they were precepts..." - Ayn Rand

Since tattooing the bio organic piece titled "Light", I've caught myself wondering what it is exactly that I love about it so much. My first reaction [to myself] was, "Because it's awesome." I wish I could leave it at that, but this is not the case. While it is a solid tattoo, it is, in fact, unfinished; therefore, as it obviously needs refinement, one cannot simply call it a great piece. As I thought about this more one conclusion was drawn, I love this piece of art because it's mine.

The reason I'm so fascinated by my latest work is that it wasn't just "custom," it's 100% mine. The image as a whole, the pieces of it, they aren't found aren't found on a search engine, it's not even a replication of something found in nature. From my mind to canvas this was pure, unadulterated creation. Don't mistake me. I don't mean pure as in "unconscious art", where the artist "creates" a randomized abstraction and claims that his work "cannot be explained" - that's called bullshit. Rather, I perceived this thought/ image and made it a reality - three weeks ago what I created did not exist anywhere. That's all I've been able to put into words thus far, and I'm satisfied.

"For those who understand, no explanation is necessary; for those who don't, none is possible."

Art is a selective recreation of reality according to an artist's metaphysical value judgements...Art brings man's concepts to the perceptual level of his consciousness and allows him to grasp them directly, as if they were precepts...Art is not the means to any didactic end...Art is not a means of literal transcription...The reason why art has such a profoundly personal significance for men is that art confirms or denies the efficacy of man's consciousness, according to whether artwork supports or negates his own fundamental view of reality.

A tattooers trade is one that requires close contact, and is about as "hands on" as it gets -sometimes even in areas that are considered "intimate" in normal social situations. While there are less than practical areas clients request, to the tattooer there is no preferred area of the body - it is all his canvas. He may not always select the area to work on, and he usually has little choice in his clientele. Because of these sensitive situations we maintain a professional approach at all times to keep our clients from becoming uncomfortable. However, While this is extremely effective for the artist/ client relationship, it does little to sooth the mind of an artists significant other.

I was lucky enough to meet the love of my life some time ago. She inspires me in every moment that we are together , and without her support I would be nowhere near the man or the artist I am today. Unfortunately, there are times where she becomes stressed, frustrated, and maybe even a little angry due to my work environment and the situation mentioned above.  I know this, and I feel terrible about the way my work has the ability to make her feel. While I would never do anything that would wrong her, and we have each others complete trust, I understand her frustration.

I'm madly in love with you Vanessa Taylor. There is not, and will never be anyone else for me. I wish there was something I could do to take your stress away, but I can only ask, hope, and pray that you continue to give me that same understanding. I'd love to spend the rest of my life with you if you'll have me.

So I've been away on military business, but I'm coming back to tattooing very shortly. Fortunately, during this time I've also been able to upgrade my power supply to the Eikon EMS400 (Fuckin A right?) and purchase a new machine. My new machine is A rotary - the "storm" from element tattoo supply, and since I've never used one before I'm kinda feeling it out before throwing down $600 for a high end one. I'm definitely optimistic about the equipment and what they should be able to do; rotary machines have a solid concept going for them, but I'm not letting go of my Kaplan coils just yet haha.

In addition to the new tools for work, I'm also using a new one at home. My lovely girlfriend surprised me with a drafting table, and I'll be damned if I'm not going to use the hell out of it!

Very excited for what the next few months will produce - all i need is time.