Something for the weekend 15

This week has really had me thinking about how I share my work on the internet and how others treat the images.
You will all be aware that I use instagram and facebook amongst others as sharing platforms. Over the last few months all free to use services have slowly changed their terms of use. Whilst I'm ok with them using an image for advertising I'm not so happy with them selling an image to a third party. As it turns out this was the result of a badly written paragraph in the tos, but it could happen so I'm future proofing somewhat.

After considering my position on how best to move forward I've decided to mark my images.
Watermarking photos is something I've avoided, because I prefer the honour system of life, and except that although some people will rip you off, most are genuine and can be trusted.
I find myself adding them in an attempt to protect my work from misuse by individuals re-posting the work without any credit to myself, which I'd say is at least as bad (if not worse) as the free sites changing the terms so they can sell an image to a third party.
I hope that this wont detract too much from the enjoyment of looking at my artwork, but I'm getting really fed up with seeing my images on different sites without getting any credit for the hours of effort I put into my tattoos, drawings etc.

Whilst thinking about all the discussion/hype around the issue on instagram's new terms of service it dawned on me that I and others have become lazy and far too relient on free services for promoting our work. I suspect alongside the ease of use the allure of hits, likes and positive comments help fuel the ego and the whole thing becomes slightly addictive.
Although it's a pleasurable experience I've found that updating several social networks eats into my time and the subsequent follow up further adds to the time 'needed'. All this means less focus on projects that could be done quicker, or having actual free time for sitting around thinking or writing for this blog.

In the short term I'm going to carry on posting on Instagram, Facebook etc. However over time I would love this blog/website to be the only source for my images online. Weather that will become the case largely depends on feedback from customers and how the other sites intend on using the images I post on their services.

On to the last seven days work. Only a couple are watermarked this time and I'd be interested in hearing any feedback about the watermarks.

Cheers and Happy Christmas to those of you that celebrate it.

Something for the weekend 14

Christmas is just around the corner and I'm looking forward to time off with my family and hopefully catching up on and finishing a few projects (my online store for one) This weeks post is going to be a short one, I'm working on the Fudo image and spending time at the computer is keeping me away from it. So apologies for the brevity of this weeks ramble.

I also had a few days off this past week so the amount of tattooing I've done is somewhat limited. I did however manage to finish of the psychedelic space tattoo. I'm very pleased with it, although we may return to it and add in a few details of darker areas in the new year.

Pushed the Shishi sleeve along today, we will be finishing it in a week or so. Really looking forward to seeing todays work healed.

Something for the weekend 13

So Christmas looms ever nearer and I'm reminded how quickly this year has flown by!! At least I've achieved some of the things I set out to do and failed at others (generally less important goals) you win some and lose some I guess?

This week has seen me finish two tattoos, do more an a backpiece, start a new cover up and the left arm on the Fudo body suit. On top of trying to organise myself in some way to prepare for the onslaught of next years projects :) The beginning of the year promises to be a hectic one on both a work and personal front.

Hopefully this coming week my online store will be going live and I can make some progress on the Fudo print. I'm also waiting for better light so I can get good photos of the skateboard.

Here is the weeks work, hope you enjoy it and thanks for looking.

The carp below was completed over two session and was a total of between 7.5/8 hours work.

This snake was 100% freehand adding to the half sleeve (also freehand and a snake design) again it was over two session and of a similar time to the carp above.

Something for the weekend 12

Well that week went by super fast!!

The past seven days have seen the usual drawing and tattooing (images below). I have however been thinking about travel and how it broadens not only our 'world view' but how in my case it's reinvigorated my love of craft and art in general.
Working in Brighton is great, however for myself I don't really have other people around me that shares my passion for Japanese artwork and in particular Irezumi. Whilst planning out my work travels for next year it struck me how much I'm looking forward to spending time with people on the same 'path' as me. I'm really keen to learn a few tricks and discover new references to broaden my horizons.
With that in mind I'm trying out some new techniques on the Fudo Myo image. The final picture will be monochrome with gold details. I'm making prints which will be limited, signed, numbered and come with a certificate (stop any bloody unofficial copies surfacing)
The original will be up for sale at the Brighton Tattoo Convention (if it's still available) alongside other prints and original artwork.

If anyone is coming to the convention please stop by and say hello, it often looks like I'm busy but I'm always happy to have a quick chat and can be easily bribed with junk food :D

This is something a little different for me and it was lots of fun to do.

This sleeve is fully healed and we will be doing the other arm next year :)

Got a good session on this, should be close to finished on the next one.

Something for the weekend 11

With the family away this week, I've had the chance to spend time thinking about my work and not really doing much. Whilst it's always fun I've found that I haven't really achieved much outside of expanding my waistline :)

I think I must be getting old? in fact I'm now middle aged, 40 is looming on the horizon (next spring) plus I'm in my thirteenth year as a tattooist. Instead of thinking it's time to relax, the thought of turning 40 is spurring me on to new challenges and has given me new focus in my work. Maybe life does begin now? it's certainly looking good from were I'm sat :)


I made a start on a new cover up, this is at the end of session one.

I finished work early one day and thought the view from the window was worth taking. The shorter days are beginning to make me feel like hibernating, or moving to a part of the world where sunshine is 'guaranteed'. I really hope we get some decent snow this year, if it's wet all winter I'm going to be pretty pissed off.

I'm getting closer to finishing the skateboard. It will be up for sale soon and the aceo's will be going up on my new shop asap (hopefully next week) Anyway here are a few shots of the progress so far.

Something for the weekend 10

After having a break for my holiday I'm finding it tricky to find anything to share (other than this weeks tattooing)
Having a break did allow me space to think about next year and plan out a couple of biggish, and for now top secret projects. I'm also making plans to travel to a couple of countries in Europe and work some guest spots. Germany is all but sorted and I'm trying to arrange one in a Scandinavian country or possibly Spain/Italy for later next year.

My new website is nearing completion and the blog will be included into it. I'm really pleased with the way it looks and can't wait for you guys to see it. I hope it makes visiting the page a more visually pleasing experience.

Here are this weeks tattoos, the Goldfish and snake addition to the half sleeve are freehand. The koi were stenciled on to save time, but the waves etc are drawn on, the Shishi is the second session.

Something for the weekend 9

This week has seen me mostly getting ready for a well deserved break.
On the subject of holiday I wont be doing another post for a couple of weeks as I need time to recharge the batteries, but expect normal service to return mid November.

Whilst on instagram I did come across some videos that I think are a great representation of how a tattoo program can be made, when done with respect for the tradition.
http://gypsygentleman.com/#/episode5


I tried to share the videos here (but failed) I strongly urge everyone to give them a shot as they show great tattoosit's doing what they do best, without all the bloody drama, etc etc.

I also managed to get some drawing and tattooing done this last week. I did this chest plate in one sitting (about three and a half hours tattooing)

I also moved this along, one more session will see this finished.

Something for the weekend 8

Sometimes I really find it hard to believe how quickly the weeks pass by, and this one felt especially quick!
Keeping on top of work and other projects has left me struggling slightly to find anything to share this week. With that in mind I'm posting some pictures from my instagram account, it's worth checking it out if you have never given it a look. I find it a pretty nice way of searching for inspiration.

I was also 'digging' around in my photos and found a few more pictures from Japan, hope you like them.