Tattoos » Page 95 » Skulls and Roses Tattoo
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Skulls and Roses Tattoo
By Conan Lea - Voluta Tattoo
This client is a friend of mine who is enormous in heart, spirit, character, and body. Everything about this man is large.
He knew I have a strong affection for Georgia O'Keeffe’s work and was seeking something in her style but in black and grey ink. He wanted skulls and roses but with the classic flow and feel of something from her portfolio. His idea intrigued me with its depth and universal application: to incorporate the simplicity and beauty of life with the realities of death, which is ever present, just behind the veil. The piece needed to stay light, open, and on the high end of the value scale. He gave me complete control, telling me I could do whatever I wanted, which was especially exciting.
The piece was designed on the spot, approaching it from a fresh perspective with every session. I took the opportunity to test my freehand ability by drawing each part on as we went with little or no preparation and almost no reference.
I tried to maintain a transparent sensibility about most parts of the design while giving thematic priority to the joints and parts of the leg that he could see. I wanted the knee and ankle bones to be interesting and his own view of the piece to be exciting, considering that it is impossible to see the entirety of your own leg at one time. For the viewer, I wanted new and exciting focal points around every turn of his leg. I also worked to weave in the obscure interplay of life and death, with some elements functioning conjunctly and others working apart, like a piece of music with many layers.
This is one of the more fun pieces I achieved in 2012. It’s open, freestyle, and challenging. I would love to do more of this sort of work.
Keyword Galleries: Black and Gray Tattoos , Body Part Leg Sleeve Tattoos , Custom Tattoos , Flower Rose Tattoos , Skull Tattoos
Three days of becoming a better artists, tattooers, and people! The Rock River Tattoo Art Expo will combine aspects of artist-focused professional development events with the style of a larger tattoo convention, open to the public. The two convention floors will be filled with artist and vendor booths, with the artists showcasing not only tattooing but work in other mediums as well. Some booths will feature live painting alongside the tattoo booths. There will be additional vendor booths in some of the hallways and auxiliary spaces along with a museum exhibit showcasing some important tattoo artifacts including some of local significance. Throughout the weekend there will be activity on the main stage including interviews, talks by high-profile speakers, a historical discussion, tattoo art critiques, and a daily showcase of work that was completed on the convention floor.
