| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Wooglin
Enthusiast
Joined: 10 May 2010
Posts: 17
My Tattoos (0)
|
 Posted: Mon May 10, 2010 2:15 pm Post subject: Large B&W piece in Phx |
 |
|
So, I am finally ready get the piece that I have been wanting and working on for about 7 years now. The piece will be on my back and take up most of that space. I am 6'4", so its a large canvas. I am a cancer survivor of 12 years, and was 2 weeks from my death in 98, and lots of scares since then. I was also diagnose with Lupus about 5 years ago and that has proven to be the greatest struggle of my life. I want a guardian angle (Warrior type) grasping a sword in combat pose. I want a reversed bio hazard symbol behind him in 3D coming out of my back to symbolize my medical struggle that is always present. At the bottom in some type of script it will read "Fight For Life", and three symbols to represent the three people that saved my life, my wife, Mom, and Grandmother. I am not sure yet what those will be, maybe small stars, or smalle angles along the top. I would love to have Mike Roper here in Phx do this work, but I know he is very hard to get in touch with working only from his private studio. I also know he mainly does Asian/Japanese style pieces. Anyway, money is no object and will only allow the best to tell this story. I tried a few shops here in town and I just didn't get a good vibe from anyone. No one seemed to understand how important this is. Anyway, just wanted to share that as I am new to this forum and am excited to get this done. I do have some basic art work that have cobbled together over the years to start the process. I am not sure if I need to hire an artist to draw out my design, or just leave it up to the tattoo artist to do. Any suggestions on that?
Thanks! |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
flyangler
Enthusiast
Hardcore
Joined: 27 Jul 2009
Posts: 1084
My Tattoos (0)
|
| Posted: Mon May 10, 2010 2:59 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Definetly let the artist you finally decide on design it for you. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Wooglin
Enthusiast
Joined: 10 May 2010
Posts: 17
My Tattoos (0)
|
| Posted: Mon May 10, 2010 3:07 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Cool, thanks for the advice. I figured that would be the best method, but some people have suggested otherwise. This is the first time I have intentionally reached out for advice, guidance, and direction on this project. I have seen too many marginal pieces that people are not happy with. I just want to give myself the best chance to get the best work possible. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
magnumman
Enthusiast
Hardcore
Joined: 16 Nov 2007
Posts: 2422
My Tattoos (3)
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Wooglin
Enthusiast
Joined: 10 May 2010
Posts: 17
My Tattoos (0)
|
| Posted: Mon May 10, 2010 3:54 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| WOW! Wish they were here in AZ, but am willing to travel if need be. Thanks for the link. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Stubarber
Enthusiast
Hardcore
Joined: 12 Oct 2009
Posts: 2484
My Tattoos (0)
|
| Posted: Mon May 10, 2010 4:09 pm Post subject: |
|
|
If you haven't found an artist yet that seems at least a little exited about it, then you probably haven't found the right artist yet.
Let the artist do the design, and make sure you love it. If not, the artist should happily tweek it to meet your expectations. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Wooglin
Enthusiast
Joined: 10 May 2010
Posts: 17
My Tattoos (0)
|
| Posted: Mon May 10, 2010 4:22 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Stubarber wrote: | If you haven't found an artist yet that seems at least a little exited about it, then you probably haven't found the right artist yet.
Let the artist do the design, and make sure you love it. If not, the artist should happily tweek it to meet your expectations. |
That is exactly the issue I have encountered. I guess I can't expect them jump off the wall with excitement, but a little interest would be nice. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
cowakegirl
Enthusiast
Hardcore
Joined: 22 Dec 2009
Posts: 627
My Tattoos (0)
|
| Posted: Mon May 10, 2010 6:59 pm Post subject: |
|
|
it sounds like you have been through alot of obstacles in your life. commemorating that journey in ink is a beautiful way to remind yourself and everyone else you encounter the challenges you faced, the meandering path you walked, and the strength you discovered along the way.
finding the right artist is part of the process, just settling for someone quick and convinient wouldnt do the pieces of the puzzle justice. if the artist isnt excited about the material or you arent excited about the quality of their work keep looking. you will find someone who after discussing your ideas you feel like everything just clicks. it feels right...then go for it. if major medical challenges teach you anything its patience.
good luck and welcome to ET. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Wooglin
Enthusiast
Joined: 10 May 2010
Posts: 17
My Tattoos (0)
|
| Posted: Mon May 10, 2010 9:19 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Thanks! I was hoping to gather some good info here to find the right artist. Definitely excited to move on this after all these years. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
buttwheat
Enthusiast
Hardcore
Joined: 21 Oct 2007
Posts: 5337
My Tattoos (4)
|
| Posted: Mon May 10, 2010 9:29 pm Post subject: |
|
|
If you can wait Hell city tattoo convention will be there in Aug. http://www.hellcity.com/
You should be able to find an artist there.
_________________
| EvilJay wrote: | | you need to get out of the trailer-park more often... |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Wooglin
Enthusiast
Joined: 10 May 2010
Posts: 17
My Tattoos (0)
|
| Posted: Mon May 10, 2010 10:49 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Hellcity, sounds interesting. No problem waiting, but I am beginning to feel pretty anxious about this now that I am finally deciding to do something after all these years. I am trying to track down a guy named Mike Roper who works here in Phx privately. Everything I have read about him, and the few pieces I have seen, have been phenominal. I am new to this, but something about his work just seems right. Hard to explain, but I just seem to be drawn to his work. Most likely I won't be able to reach him and will have to find someone else since he only works on referals and I don't know anyone that has his work that would hook me up with his contact info.
Wow, I just got done reading a bunch about the BBP and sterilization policies. I have to say that things have come a long since my first tattoo in 91. I think the guys shop was actually a beat up travel trailer with a wood porch. What are the chances that most parlors are compliant with the minimum standards? My profession is in the regulatory business and I can say that few meet minimum standards, for my industry at least. I have learned more in the last two days than I have in the last 7 years!! Great site! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
reefdiver
Enthusiast
Hardcore
Joined: 10 Feb 2007
Posts: 3849
My Tattoos (6)
|
| Posted: Tue May 11, 2010 9:25 am Post subject: |
|
|
| stick around and keep us posted as you progress....... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
EvilJay
Enthusiast
Hardcore
Joined: 20 Dec 2006
Posts: 8277
My Tattoos (0)
|
| Posted: Tue May 11, 2010 9:48 am Post subject: Re: Large B&W piece in Phx |
|
|
| Wooglin wrote: | | I want a guardian angle (Warrior type) grasping a sword in combat pose. I want a reversed bio hazard symbol behind him in 3D coming out of my back to symbolize my medical struggle that is always present. At the bottom in some type of script it will read "Fight For Life", and three symbols to represent the three people that saved my life, my wife, Mom, and Grandmother. |
I understand what you're trying to do, and I understand it's a large canvas, but you have too much going on, and none of it works together. Just conceptually, it's horrible. The worst thing you can do is force a bunch of shit together.
Gaurdian Angel and sword, OK. Add 3D reversed bio-mech symbol tearing out of your back, and script, and "symbols". It's all so unnatural.
If you're gonna go with an old school sleeve, and its a bunch of random shit random, that's cool. If your gonna go with a full backpeice in a realistic B&W, and your gonna have all this craziness, it's gonna be a mess.
It'd be like a bad 80's space fantasy movie where you have guys in space suits figting dragons with lazers and swords.
If you were going with like a new school graffiti style zombie gaudian angel with IV's hanging out with Bio hazard signs, and him weilding a swords all bright and bold and gnarly, that'd probably be pretty cool. What you have going on just doesnt make sense.
Go with the gaurdian angel and sword. If you cheese it up, good artists arent gonna want it. Find a great artist whose work you dig. Give him a real general idea. If you give him some freedom, and allot of canvas, he'll take your work. If you're gonna force him to pack a garage sale colage of random stuff into a peice, he's not gonna dig it, and not gonna do it.
Even cheezy shows like LA ink will say don't add so much crap, and they are the pinacle of cheesy "meaning" tattoos. Find a good artist and give some freedom. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Wooglin
Enthusiast
Joined: 10 May 2010
Posts: 17
My Tattoos (0)
|
| Posted: Tue May 11, 2010 10:03 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Thanks for the advice, EvilJay. Yeah, I am having a hard time picturing what it would look like since This is somewhat new to me, but I see your point. I definitely don't want color, but taking some of the "Crap" out might work, or make it smaller. I will think about that and consider some options. I really want the biohazard symbol in there somewhere since it was such a big part of my journey. Everywhere I went and every drug they gave me had the biohazard symbol on it. Maybe the artists can work it in somewhere? I will explaine my story and see what they come up with. Thanks again for the advice. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
EvilJay
Enthusiast
Hardcore
Joined: 20 Dec 2006
Posts: 8277
My Tattoos (0)
|
| Posted: Tue May 11, 2010 2:04 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Here's the thing. You have to figure that this artist knows going in that he's probably got 30-50 hours of upcoming close time with you if he takes that job. Not that you are, but if you come off as the sappy guy with the story that wants all these little nuiances for whatever reason, at some point you're gonna kill his enthusiasm and he's not gonna want to take it. Most tattoo artists arent Miami ink. They want to kick out an awesome peice, they dont really care about your story all that much. Plus, theyre the artist. I've always found the more freedom I give the artist, the better peice I end up with. You're trying for a Michalangelo peice with a biohazard symbol and stars for your grandma.. Stick with the art thats worked for 100's of years.. Just my $.02. Take it for what its worth.. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
