Art Fail but its ok

I suck at keeping up with the internet. August was amazing here at the tattoo shop, but I didnt get much artwork done. My inlaws came out to visit and I tattooed my mother in law and that was a f*&%in trip.



Husband was not pleased.

I havent been to figure drawing since June, that sucks because it really makes my life so much easier when I have the sharp eye and confidence that I get from doing that every week. I did go to Dr Sketchey's last month though and that was fun, I got a couple ok drawings out of that one.

The on illustration I have been working on was supposed to be hanging up at the 'Dia De Los Muertos' group show at The Screaming Sky Gallery' here on Alberta st in Portland, but alas I missed the deadline due to this sweeeet Alice in Wonderland sleeve I started working on. I figured everyone would be doing sugar skulls and Catrinas with skull faces so I did a little research ( very little) into the pre-Spanish aspect of it. Its actually a really cool holiday and I can definitely see myself coming back to the ideas I came up with. Maybe next year though.

Here is a progress shot. Its pretty much finished, except I forgot her face paint when I was rendering her face, so now Ive got to go back and add that in.

Watercolor and colored pencil. Ill 'prolly add the face paint in colored pencil or acrylic.



More soon.

Figure Drawing Stuff

Ive been putting off posting new stuff for a while, Ive just been really busy at the tattoo shop. I figured Id put up some figure drawing stuff that I hadnt posted yet.

I havent been to a real figure drawing session since June, so from the Dr Sketchey's August thing. Most of them are on facebook I think, but I havent had a chance to scan some of the shit in my sketchbook either.








Ill try to post something more interesting tomorrow.

Tough Week

I disappeared last week rather suddenly and I wanted to apologize to anyone I was supposed to be working or planning something with.

I got a call last Monday morning from one of my (many) aunts letting me know that my mother had just been rushed to the ICU.

With the help of my amazing aunts and uncles who chipped in whatever they could to get me on a plane, as well as the support of my incredible husband, I arrived not 12 hours later in Boston Ma.

So thats where Ive been for the last week, trying to do family stuff that I really dont think I am qualified to be doing, but I am the oldest so I have to give it my best shot.

I am back in Portland Or now, just got in tonight, so I'm going to take the next couple of days to try and catch up on projects that Ive fallen behind on and clear my head before I start booking tattoo appointments for this weekend.

The trip wasnt all bad times though, it was also an amazing week long family reunion of sorts and I got a chance to see some people I really truly missed.

I will make sure to post some of those stories and photos when I can, but Ive been up for almost 30 hours at this point so I should probably go to bed.



Me n' my mum

Cover for Arctic Flowers Finished

Despite a few hiccups on both sides the new cover for 'Arctic Flowers' Reveries album is done and posted. Ive been bugging the poor guys all day trying to find out when I get my copy, but Ill post more once I figure out when they'll be available.




order it through Inimical Records in Seattle, email: mike@inimical.com

They are only pressing 500 copies so be sure to grab one!

Inimical Records

You can hear them here as well as on facebook

Arctic Flowers

Slow Progress and Shows

This summer is going to be busy for me. I'm excited and nervous.

This Thursday, June 30th is the "Beauty and the Beast" art show at Optic Nerve on NE Alberta St which should be amazing! There are some really incredible artists hanging work in this small space, it will totally be worth elbowing your way through the 'Last Thursday' bullshit to get there.



Im waiting to hear back as to weather I can sneak in a piece or two before the start hanging work up, Its my own fault for waiting so long to submit work. I was going to then chickened out earlier in the spring, I then suddenly grew a pair after being encouraged by a fellow tattooer.

Friday, July 1st 8:00pm - 11:30pm There is a benefit art show for 'Carlos the dog' at 'Side Door' in SE Portland. I haven't had the heart to ask for the details of the story, but something awful happened to this little guy and his people need help with the vet bills. Im going to have a few really small, affordable pieces hanging there so go buy them, Its a benefit after all.



Sunday July 3rd, 4-7pm is some drawing thing at 'The Lovecraft' down in SE Portland. Its the first event there of its kind so I'm going to go down and check it out if I can, its right in the middle of my workday though, so I dunno if I'm really going to make it.

Friday July 8th is the Closing reception for the Dennis Dread's 'Cut & Pasted, Burned & Wasted' show and Im stoked on that! I want to go back in and get a few good photos before they break it down, its way wicked awesome.



Friday, July 29th is the opening for my 2nd annual solo show at 'The Know' on NE Alberta. I'm waiting on final confirmation on the three bands playing the reception then Ill have fliers out for that. It should be a really good time, most of the artwork is band or music related and everything is brand new - never been displayed anywhere before. If I can get my finances figured out in time, Ill have prints available for sale at the opening and throughout the show.

Ill leave it at that for now.

Figuring some shit out...

K. so my big dilemma lately (more for the last two years) has been not being able to figure out what the f%#* I want to do... Not like, this thing or that thing, more like; coming to the point in my life where decisions have to be made and directions have to be taken. If Im going to be a killer custom tattoo artist I have to make a reputation in something or Im doomed to remain floating around in ambiguity for the rest of my career.

This is terrifying. I love drawing things! Everything!

Well, funny story...

I had the good fortune to run into someone last month who is far more established than I in their creative endeavors. She and her husband have been successfully running a fine art studio here in Portland OR for about 5 years or so now and over a few Miller highlife's I finally broke down and asked her;

"HOW THE HELL DID YOU FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU WANTED TO DO?"

She basically said "if something awful happened, and you could no longer do the things you loved anymore, what would hurt the most? What is the one thing you cant live without?"

...So in about two seconds this stranger (albeit a very nice and generous one) held up a mirror and let me know Ive had the answer all along.

Im a fucking idiot.

So, I think Im going back to the beginning. When I was a little kid I drew bugs and monsters. When other artists used to ask me what I 'did' I always say (with no hesitation) 'I draw bugs and monsters'.

So, thats what Im going to be doing more of. I love LOVE tattooing, why the hell am I so worried about learning to paint in oil? If I aim to do solid, awesome art and tattoos that Im interested in (and better at) and show that work off, then (in theory) people begin to recognize me as someone who is good at the things I like to do. Right?

Yeah, I can do other things too, but only when they're too awesome to refuse, but in the mean time...

Cut & Pasted, Burned & Wasted, Show Opening June 2nd!!!

HEY! I've got work hanging in Dennis Dread's Show! Opening is June 2nd, With Bi-Marks and Weregoat.



Curated by Dennis Dread, featuring a whole bunch or INCREDIBLE artists, both local and international. Im wicked wicked excited for the show, not to mention super flattered to have three pieces hanging along side some of the most amazing underground artists around! I almost feel like a grownup.