OK so I am extremely introverted and usually don't put my self out there like this, but I'm working on breaking that cycle. Of course this being somewhat of an anonymous site it makes thing a little easier behind a keyboard than in person. I'm fighting my instinctual introverted anxiety and posting a small sample of my past work lol. That being said, I was a professional tattoo artist for close to 20 years. Although I've had a huge chip on my shoulder when it comes to what industry has become, and in the past have had disdain when discussing the topic of tattoos, I thought I would join this group to add my perspective where it might lead to education and clarification when needed. If anyone has any burning questions or curiosity on the general topic of tattoos or tattooing I would be happy to put my 2-cents in if wanted (I may not know everything but I know more than I don't).
5
Enjoy being online again!
Welcome to the community of good people who base their values on evidence and appreciate civil discourse - the social network you will enjoy.Create your free account
1 comment
Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.Your stuff is awesome! Looks a lot like Ed Hardy, right down to "Love Kills Slowly" and the tiger. =]
IAMGROOT
Level 7
Feb 23, 2018
0
@IAMGROOT Thank you. The "love kills" piece was definitely inspired directly by the Ed Hardy design. Hardy was and is a legend in the industry. His contributions and influence can not be disputed, although his work did get hijacked by countless douchebags through the clothing line stuff. Who could blame a guy for cashing in, I assume like everyone else in the industry no one ever could have foreseen the level of popularity that fad achieved. He still has a solid reputation in the business and no one can down play his place in the history of the art. The tiger tattoo I had drawn myself but I can't deny that I was heavily influenced by traditional designs from the past, and most tigers in this style have many similarities.
@Jackolope74 Yeah, Christian Audigier took Ed Hardy product licensing to the max. I even cashed in on it a little. I operate an online watch retail business. We sell watches, sunglasses, and some jewelry and misc items. Still have a few EH watches and pairs of sunglasses. For a while the watches & sunglasses were white-hot and we couldn't keep them in stock. Then the licensee lost control of their distribution and the product was discounted all over the place. Now it's not worth anything. Christian A. had great vision because his marketing of EH came at a time when tattooing was becoming mainstream. He rode a perfectly timed wave.
@IAMGROOT, I knew some retailers that rode that wave as well, but it did tank eventually. Personally as someone who put a lot of my heart and soul into the tattoo industry it was kinda frustrating to see it get so watered down and cheapened. Audigier might have been a marketing genius, but just in my own opinion he kinda raped a subculture. Of course this is not uncommon and this happens all the time when the counterculture becomes mainstream. On the bright side Hardy's tattoo designs are classic and will live on regardless. He is also a prolific painter as well.