Things That Go Bump in the Night

Well, it's been a hot minute since I've had any creative news to spew onto the masses but I just got wind that my final submission to be selected for production over at Dottinghill.com went into print a week or so ago. I had assumed they would wait until this moment (Fall/Halloween season) to release it. They look great in the pictures (I'm ordering a few sets for myself as I write this). If you're not familiar with Dottinghill.com it's a site that sells designer temporary water-based tattoos, or "skin-accessories" as they dub them. They are open to art submissions from anyone that wants to join the horde of an already growing number of designs. I suggest you check them out if you haven't already. Also, be sure to look at my two previous designs up for sale on the site.

In more exciting news, I got a piece selected to be in an upcoming exhibit at Black Orchid Tattoo. The exhibit is entitled "Things That Go Bump in the Night" and will feature all Halloween inspired artwork. I'm sure I'll fit right in. The show will run from October 1st until November 30th so there is plenty of time to stop by get yourself inked and gaze at spooky art. The reception dates for the show are October 7th and November 5th which are both the first Fridays of each month. I hope to see some familiar faces out there on those dates.

Tattooing without ever picking up a needle.

While I know I just recently posted about someone getting one of my older designs tattooed on their body, it seems that someone else has taken the plunge! This time it happens to be a fellow deviantart user, Ian aka theGHOSTofCHE. Way back in 2007 he became infatuated with my "Octo" design, so much so that he drew it on his arm in sharpie and posted pictures for me to see.

That was then, now he has finally gone ahead with it and the design is forever on his forearm. I'm  sincerely flattered that anyone would want to permanently alter their skin with one of my designs. The tattoo was done by Cliff at Oshkosh Tattoo and Good Girl Piercing. Good, clean work!

Speaking of tattoos, if you like the design Ian got but don't want it for all eternity then I have some good news for you! As of today, you can now purchase the above design (as well as others) in temporary tattoo format.

 

Last summer I sold three designs to a website called Dottinghill. Dottinghill is an online community for designers who are looking to apply their craft in a unique medium called "skin accessories" (aka temporary tattoos). Much like the many t-shirt voting sites such as Threadless and Design by Humans, Dottinghill welcomes you with open arms to submit your work to be rated by it's "residents" and your peers.

 

The beta version of the site launched today after a handful of delays and I hope you all take some time to head over there and check it out! I was the first (according to the lovely write up about me on the front page...daaaw <3 ) to become apart of this amazingly talented community and I hope you'll join me.

dottinghill.com
Dottinghill on Facebook
Dottinghill on Twitter 

Tattoos, Dogs, and Charity...but not tattooed dogs up for charity.

Late last year I was randomly contacted by a man named Brad Jones who had seen one of my older designs over on my deviantArt page and wanted it tattooed. Apparently the girl I had drawn greatly resembled his wife (minus a few color alterations and the original design had a pair of vampire fangs). So we agreed on some colors and I went ahead with the alterations. Well, about a week ago I awoke to an email from Brad showing me the final product! My artwork, permanently embedded into his flesh! The tattoo was done by artist Mike Roche at Hart and Huntington in the Hard Rock in Las Vegas, NV.

In other news, friends and family have been clambering to get an original portrait of their beloved pets from me. I haven't gotten a chance to get any good photos of some of my latest works but I got a spare moment to scan my MOST recent one in. This one was for a good friend of mine, Katie O., who wanted to immortalize her family dog. He is a sweet old half lab/half boxer mix. The scarf around his neck was added because she told me a story of how he used to drag her and her brother around by their scarves. Also, I thought it might make the whole piece that much more interesting.

And last, but certainly not least, if you live in the Savannah, GA area (and haven't been under a rock) then you've more than likely heard of the 'Statts Block Party'. A great benefit show to help raise money for a local artist/legend who was was shot in the neck back in '08 during a senseless crime and is now paralyzed from the neck down. Put on by all his friends and loved ones, the show's goal is to help raise money for his piling medical bills. In addition to a huge line-up of great local bands there will also be raffles and art auctions. I did a small owl piece specifically for the benefit.

One hundred percent of all proceeds will be going directly to Statts. So go out, have a good time, and bid!! For more info on the Block Party or Jason Statts, visit any of the following links.

Statts Block Party Facebook Event
Friends of Statts Facebook Page
Friends of Statts Official Website