You were born an original - stay that way

Originality. It's a funny thing.

A quick google search brings up so many quotations:

"All good things that exist are the fruits of originality"

"Originality is a by-product of sincerity"

"It is better to fail at originality, than to succeed at imitation"

And it's that last one that sticks out to me most.

This blog started out life as a tattoo blog, and tattoos remain to this day, one of my biggest passions. The art as a whole took a bit of a sideline last year due to being pregnant for half the year, and being a new mum for the remainder, but I will be focusing more content to tattooing this year, starting with a bit of a rant. 

I've previously talked about tattoos and originality in this post about copying tattoos back in 2015, but I want to do a little revisit. 

I recently saw yet another tattooist having to call out another on stolen artwork just a day into 2017! To be honest, it makes my blood boil. Imitation is NOT a form of flattery. Whether it's written word, a photograph, an oil painting or a tattoo.

TATTOOS: Inked Palette Art Exhibition

You'll remember a few weeks back I blogged a little preview of a new tattoo inspired art exhibition coming soon! (See post here) Well at the weekend myself, Dann and my best friend Grace had the pleasure of attending the opening night in Leamington Spa.

Back to the art exhibition... I've worked with the lovely Beccy at Inkluded before ( you cam see my interview with her on her blog here, and her interview for Illustrated Teacup here) so I was very excited when she invited me and a couple of guests along. I mean, it combines two of my favourite things, art and tattoos! What's not to love? Plus I finally got to meet the lovely Beccy!

We had a lovely, albeit fast, visit to the Deasil Art Gallery to see the exhibitiom, but it was thoroughly worth the trip to see the amazing talent that collaborated for this project. 16 tattoooists showing casing their work in alternative mediums in a gallery. 

^^super cool tattooed rubber hand! Thanks for the photo Beccy^^

The Inked Palette art exhibition at the Deasil Art Gallery in Leamington Spa runs from the 3rd October to the 20th October. Admission is free. See Inkluded for full details of all artists and opening times.

TATTOOS: Interview with Dani Green

I have developed a slight obsession with instagram and to be honest, I am thankful for it. Without it, I would never have discovered and met the super talented and ultra lovely Dani Green. You can read more about my first meeting with Dani here.

So after my first tattoo from, her, it only felt right to even out my legs and get another in the same place, but on the other leg from her two. I'm all about symmetry! Unfortunately due to some badly timed insect bites,  we had to move the design to my thigh, but that just means I will have to get that spot filled too!

Anyway, about the design; I've been a huge Disney fan from as young as I can remember. My first ever trip to the cinema was to see the Lion King. But my favourite Disney girl has to be Belle from Beauty and the Beast. She's the smart one, who loves books, who in the end falls in love, not with looks but with the personality,  and saves the fate of many... heart warming right?! Yes I'm a sucker for a fairytale happy ending. 

So I asked Dani to draw me up one of her iconic girls, with a Beauty and the Beast theme. 

Just the sketch, and then the sneak peek on her Instagram had me buzzing with excitement.

Needless to say I am totally over the moon with her. She was a tough one to sit through, but Dani was extremely understanding and lovely  and really took the pressure off. Plus her numbing spray really helped for the shading (it can only be used on an open tattoo so the lines were done with no extra help).

So I decided to find out a bit more about this talented young tattooist, and share it with you.

 

When did you start tattooing?

Not counting a handful of willing guinea pigs prior, I started tattooing in Febuary 2013; this is when I started taking custom as an apprentice.

What got you into tattooing in the first place?

I wanted to be a tattoo artist since I turned 19 and got my first tattoo. I had always admired the art of it but it was finally being in a studio that I realised it was a way I could get to be creative every day and make a living from it; there is no bigger want for an artist.  To please my folks I went to university and didn't begin until I was 25.

Best tattoo lesson you've learnt?

It's about the art and the process, don't work for people who want it to be about money.

A hard one, what's your favourite tattoo that you have done?

Every time I do a tattoo I am happy with it is my new favourite!  I love loads of my tattoos for different reasons.

What tattoos do you have personally?

Quite a few now, I only made the step onto visible places once I had tattooed long enough to know I was in it for life.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

Inspiration comes from all sorts of places, subliminal and interest based.  Mostly for me I would say comics, anime, Disney, fine artists, Japan, and all sorts of different cultures. 

Who are your favourite tattooists?

Sooo many it's near impossible to narrow down enough for this interview.  I have really appreciated people that I do admire actually taking the time to talk to me and turning into friendships.  Jason Minauro and Fabian Langes are two in particular, go check them out!

And favourite artists?

I love Junko Mizuno, Mark Ryden, Aya Takano, Jason Limon, Francisco Goya, and many more!

What's your advice to others wanting to start a career in tattooing?

Know your drawing capabilities back to front!  Don't directly copy people; take inspiration but have your own ideas and own world, it's the only way you will stand out.

Now for some random questions:

Favourite food?

Sushi 

Favourite drink?

Tea

Favourite film?

I have to name a few, there is no 1 favourite - Into The Wild, Princess Monoke, Muppets Treasure Island.

What did you have for breakfast this morning?

Brie baguette

Dream holiday destination?

Japan

Dead or alive, who would you most like to meet for dinner?

Betty Page

Go check out Dani on her Facebook or Instagram page

*watermarked photos courtesy of Dani Green - last photo by me

*please do not copy - use for inspiration only, it's not cool to steal! - illustrations copyright of Dani Green

TATTOOS: Dani Green guesting at Dragstrip Tattoo - and more new ink

I'm a little bit in love with Instagram for introducing and educating me on some new and amazing tattoo artists, especially after discovering the beautiful work and lovely lady that is Dani Green.

This lovely lass creates some of the most beautiful girls in her signature style and I love every single one of them. And she's only been tattooing for a year! This girl is a name for the future.