Today I...

... bought this Sesame Seed Ball because my friend told me it was good. And it t was good... although I have no idea what was in there,

... hung my "coolnew" cargo-pockets-shower-curtain (all this pockety goodness can be yours for just $9.99),

...painted with white on this well-used blotting sheet to make a cover for my little book of tattoo flash. It's a shout-out to a sign that Stoney St. Clair had on his shop, "ancient as time, modern as tomorrow."

... and a bunch of other stuff that is too boring or too personal to mention here.

G'night!

More Stoney Stones

I drew and painted these characters from a little picture in the "Stoney Knows How" book you can see here. They were really fun and quick. I gave them all names that end in "y" but my writing leaves something to be desired so I just messed around with it.

These two are my favourites.

Thanks!

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Stoney Certainly Did Know How

I finished painting this mermaid today. She is repainted from Leonard (Stoney) St. Clair flash.

I'm currently reading "Stoney Knows How" by Alan Govenar and finding it very inspiring. Stoney had rheumatoid arthritis (which is also what Maud Lewis had - another art hero of mine) and I'm amazed at the technical caliber of his work despite the physical hardships he faced. He also seems to have had a wonderful sense of humour and a good philosophy towards his work.

A sign he had hanging in his shop read: "I, Leonard Stoney St. Clair, am in the business of rendering a service to this community for the small group of people who choose to have their bodies decorated in some way or another... I choose to pursue my profession with intelligence and skill, wishing not to offend anyone, but instead with my love of mankind, do what good I can do before I die."

I love that... it embodies how I want to be.

So anyway, I repainted one of his mermaids. I think I might also get a tattoo of this gal eventually. I've long thought of a mermaid tattoo but had never really found the "right one".

I'm pleased with her. I feel like my painting and spit-shading skills are improving.

Here's the original from the book.

Here's one of the sketches I made to get to know her better before bedding her down in the ink.

There is also an awesome video of Stoney you can watch here.

baby steps

Actually, I don't think these are even steps yet. I'm just crawling right now...

...but that's one way to get where you're going right?

I've started practicing some tattoo flash, trying to learn from the masters and all that. It's really different from the way I'm used to drawing - I've never really used ink or watercolour. I'm enjoying it but I know this stuff doesn't look very clean...

This stuff isn't great compared to some of the awesome flash I see on the internet however I don't think it's total shit either. I'm challenging myself to get better (faster) by posting my progress on the internet. Right now I'm just trying to figure out how to work with these new tools. I'll get better.

I'm pretty old compared to most people who dream of becoming a tattooist but this dream is well over a decade old now and if I don't go for it, I know I'll always regret it (in fact, I regret it already, not doing it earlier). It has taken me a long time to get wise to the fact that I'm not shackled to my conservative upbringing and can do what I want...

Anyway, as the old saying goes, "you're never too old..."

So finally, after asserting it quietly amongst my friends for a couple of years, I'm telling the world that I hope to become a tattoo artist. I want to do it the "proper" way with an apprenticeship and I've been saving my pennies to accommodate this... but I'm shy and I don't know any tattoo artists in this town yet.

But I'm willing to do the dirty work and the homework and the heavy-lifting for the chance to learn.

I'm responsible. I'm used to working with clients and deadlines. I'm shy and nervous about new things so I might seem "uncool" but I'm also earnest, likable, and fun. I'm loyal and helpful.

So... if you are someone or know someone who can help me with my quest, please get in touch. I'll help you in return.

*****

- Repaints of small Sailor Jerry flash.

- Merkaba based on part of a Chad Koeplinger tattoo (this was strictly for practice, I'm not trying to rip off any current tattoo artists...)

- Little Boxer from Stoney St. Clair.

- Roses from Tattoo Peter of Amsterdam.

- Horse head based loosely on Sailor Jerry.

- Horseshoe in Heart is a tattoo that my friend has on his leg, done by Bailey Hunter Robinson. It is based on very old military flash.

(FYI. I don't trace from the originals. I'm trying to train my eyes in terms of proportion... but I do trace from my own drawings when going from sketch to drawing.)

(Does anyone know if spit-shading is bad for your health?)

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