octopus + mermaid

This coverup is pretty fun. His instructions were, "Big, and maybe an octopus". I'm covering a blobby caricature on the upper arm with the octopus' spots, but then I'm recycling the old bust of the sailor-girl, turning her into a mermaid. Part of that process involves layering some pale tones over the existing features that interfere (ex: mouth). After it heals I'll go back into it more thoroughly and finish her details. This is the second session so far. 

Thor vs Midgard Serpent

The past two weeks has been great in terms of completions. We started this Thor vs the Midgard Serpent maybe two months ago, so in terms of speed, Gaven got this finished pretty quick. It was a lot of work and a ton of fun, and this kid is a crazy trooper! The last session was 6 hours long, and his previous sessions were no short stories either. I'm impressed. That's dedication. I think it was worth it too.

Nick's Underwater Scuba Scientist

Nick and I started this sleeve 3 years ago - first to the length of a half-sleeve, then the inside of the arm, then down to the wrist, leaving the elbow for last... what a long wait! But it's finally over. It was weird. I was like, "I guess that's it, dude?" Haha.

It's an underwater/diver theme. Started off with a bunch of creatures, then took on more of a narrative with the treasure chest and diver/scientist.

The scientist is trying to capture the green-glowing-seahorse in a specimen jar, but the octopus, shark, and other sea-creatures are awfully protective of the little guy.

Objects of remembrance and the Quarter

Ok. Srrrry for the hiatus - we have a lot of catching up to do! Luckily, a lot of catching up was done the past few days.

Rather than go on with a bunch of writing, let's start with the photos!

Above are new pieces added to Ryan's collection. A tea cup with a sprig of mint for his grandmother, a hurricane lantern for his grandfather, and a medium format camera for his personal passion.

Katherine lives in New York now, and wanted a tattoo to commemorate her life in New Orleans. She requested a german expressionist/Tim Burton take on the French Quarter. On her most recent visit we extended the theme onto her forearm, but I'll get into that as it gets closer to completion.

shirts? + thor workings

Although I haven't been blogging, I've been working quite a bit. I have three art shows in August coming up, and some new drawings/paintings and of course, tattoos!

Oh, and maybe some shirts and merch? Just some of the things jostling around my head. Maybe a coffee mugs, maybe a hoodies... who knows! I would like your thoughts though, so if you think of anything you'd like to see just let me know! Here's two of the designs I've been playing around with. More than likely if it's a shirt or whatev it would have both, but like a coffee mug or pint glass would have one...

HHorW. Hell or High Water.

Don't know why, but I took this photo at an angle... but you can see the idea, yes?

Cats and Skulls, what's not to love? I am imagining it on a tan/brown hoodie or shirt.

Thor! Session 2.

Let me know what you guys think of the shirts/merch designs... and the tattoos too! Feedback is always appreciated. As far as the art shows go, I will have to debrief in another post. Very tired, but have a great weekend!

Pirates, hammers, snakes, burning people, clocks...

July has been chock full of new, larger work, but most of it is still in the beginnings (ie, outline/some rendering). I have a couple to post though. Some of the ones that made it a little further than the outline so you can kind of see what's going on a little better.

Derek's Pirate Theme in progress. We're covering up a very old tattoo in the upper middle. This is the second sitting. 4/5 hours total so far. Fun things going on all over this tattoo!! (and a couple surprises - I do like surprises)

Klackity-Klack! Thor Fighting the Midgard Serpent. No cover up here, just pale skin and a kid who can sit like a champ. Maybe 3 hours or so at this point. Again, sooo much fun.

Craig Boe, a man of myth. Sits for hours on end without a peep. How does he do it?? I think we did 4.5 hours of rendering here, with 3 hours of outline on a prior day. Something like that. One more sitting and then pumping some white in there for measure.

I do traditional stuff too, sometimes. If you ask nice. And Jill is really nice. This one is all done, I just trew it in here as a lil treat at the end.

There's more in the making so stay tuned! Maybe one of these days I'll remember to bring my real camera so you won't have to look at these phone pictures. 

Second Story Gallery - Inaugural Group Show

Everyone is welcome to my co/op's first exhibition. I have some drawings and floor installations and  share the space with 11 other artists.

Second Saturday / June 9th
6pm - 9pm
Healing Center / 2nd Floor Lower

As it would happen, 12 Artists came together guided by Andy Antippas of Barrister's Gallery, and formed this artist cooperative, The Second Story Gallery, located within the New Orleans Healing Center. We will be opening on June 9, 2012 (Second Saturday) with our inaugural exhibit. This is a group show that includes works by all the founding members and will run through the end of July. Exhibiting artists are: Adam Montegut, Cynthia Ramirez, Gina Laguna, Jason Christopher Childers, John Isiah Walton, J. Stirling Barrett, Justin Robinson Smith, Madeleine Faust, Ron Bennett, Summer Winston, Veronica Ali, and VonHoffacker.

The artists in this co/op are a unique mix of emerging artists, non-art professionals, and career artists. Presented artwork includes drawings, paintings, large steel free-standing sculptures and wall pieces, mixed-media installation works, photographic collages and documentary images.

Come see a thing!

Skull ~ Bandages

coffee, charcoal, left handed

19" x 22"