OHM…. Greetings
This post I speak on what I know INK - coming from a client perspective, artist perspective and taking the time to really respect the inkstarr artist who will DO MY BODY GOOD. THE ARTIST AT THAT TIME IS MY LOVER/FRIEND PLAIN AND SIMPLE – Gotta trust you and respect you cause it’s vulnerability time. You THE TATTOO ARTIST will be with me forever – the work that is, my vision in the hands of another. So we collaborate to make it work. That is how I see it. Tomato, Tomatto - whatev’s. Differences of Opinions is what makes the world go around.
I love conversations like this as well as the mindset -reality. I may not be on your team and you not on my team but we get what each other is saying. The goal for me is to keep it on common ground and respect.
Conversations recently happened with Tattoo Artist Miya Bailey MiyaBailey.com CityOfInk via social networking. It was the conversation about Tattooist vs Tattoo Artist, Likes vs Disklikes, Clients vs Artist, etc. Grandiose moments happened IMO ( In my opinion ), not just from him but from every ‘Tattoo Artist’ I’ve encountered and yes myself too. Everyone can GRANDIOSE. I’m a Piscean Woman most of us are perfectionist to a degree and artist in the real sense of the word not posers. Respect and Agree are two different things when it comes to a conversation.
In this conversation I am sure we both were clear about that. I totally get when an artist doesn’t want to do what they deem mediocre ink sessions. Anyone who pushes for a ‘Tattoo Artist’ to do such work well… if they do you most likely will not be happy with the whole experience. As for me and mines I only let someone do the INK on me who is really feeling what I am bringing to the table.
MY VISION… MY BODY, MY VISION AND I WELCOME THE VISION OF THE INKSTARR TO CONNECT WITH MINES.
The conversation was initiated by me. Bailey doesn’t like the ‘Rose’ Request or doing a ‘Coverup’ which I get that too – the whole disrespecting someone else work. Bailey doesn’t like the whole CLEAR Points Of View Signature Pieces coming from a potential client or regular. Clarity. What I brought to the conversation was my point of view.
If you have someone who seeks you out and really are a fan admirer of your work as an artist but they want a piece you abhor will you do it or just ‘dream kill’ the whole experience from them? Damn if I didn’t say ‘Take an L’ ( maybe wrong choice of words ) but Bailey said No, not happening.
Take An L: For Me Is Not About Money, Pride Off, People On –> their wants the client wants specifically requesting your service, that life long dream type of thing. YA DIGG?
Again… nothing to do with money.
The client wants in my opinion comes first with artist input… that’s what I feel when it comes to being inked. I try to keep up with the ink industry as best I can – new techniques, equipment, trends, movements, whatev’s. I am a believer that knowledge is power and it gives you a well rounded point of view and genuine respect for what the Tattoo Artist does.
His point of views are:
( Quotes Not Taken Out Of Context )
BAILEY
if you want a “tattoo” you can go to a “tattoo shop” or even a “COI” if you want a MB Original then you want MY art & idea
if I don’t want to do a flower tattoo that’s the whole reason I opened COI to serve those people…they take all request
ME
Again, the conversation started out from me to him because I was thinking about the people who really admire an artist and they may want something not as dynamic, or a signature piece but they want it by a specific artist. Do any of us put in that situation KILL THAT MOMENT for the person? That is the basis of the whole conversation.
BAILEY
I only turned down TWO ideas in 17 years… That’s pretty damn good lol… I make the ideas I don’t like CLEAR before hand
This would not be ideal for me because I ONLY HAVE SIGNATURE PIECES ON ME THAT ARE WELL EXECUTED FROM ME. I am not that chica who goes in and look at the art in the shop and say, oh yeah, let me get this. For BEBE, I am not coming to be a canvas for someone else’s thoughts. For real.
As for me and mine -my last ink session three weeks ago was done by Matt Terry Co-Owner of Fus Tattoo in Charlotte NC : Grateful Dead/Sugar Skull Piece with the skull outline of myself/fleshless, hair, lashes, detailed with ode to the various cancers that took some of loved one’s lives, also representing my face to face moment and triumph with death that happened June 2009 – yet knowing Mortality is inevitable and I am okay with that -LIFE – when it is your time, it is your time, you will answer that call.
I wanted that skull to be signature and I got what I wanted. Matt also put in what worked for him, what would make the signature piece pop. We went over my signature piece for an hour before I sat and I highly respected Matt for that. I had my vision and he didn’t take away from that but enhanced what would make the entire piece insane - whereas he enjoyed doing it. I trusted him to come back with a KICK ASS SKETCH and he did.
Just because my point of view is CLEAR doesn’t mean I don’t give the ARTIST the freedom to do what he does best – which will bring together something wonderful. I’ve been fortunate to have artist who have given me wonderful artwork. Enhancing my idea… yes I trust artist on this level. Rejection from my visions don’t happen because I am an artist so the thinking isn’t frowned upon. My imagination sometimes suprises myself.
I am speaking for those people who want their vision done by a certain artist no one else and it may not meet the level the artist is accustomed to. Posing the question: Will the artist move forward adding in their point of view or dimiss, which not only shatters the person on the rejection level but dashes their respect and admiration for what you do. Fair question, not just for Bailey but for anyone else I’ve encountered or have yet to.
Bailey and I had our moments on Tattooist vs Tattoo Artist. I made it clear that I was very CLEAR on the difference and for the record ALL MY ARTWORK has been done by some of the best ’Tattoo Artists’ not some random only in it for the money or popularity.
For me if what I WANT isn’t respected why would I let myself sit for anyone? Just saying as a Veteran not a Newbie. I wouldn’t be offended by a reject but I am talking for those who do, who will.
Common ground to a degree? To Agree To Disagree, I thought we did very well, respectfully and I dig that. I dig it from Miya Bailey, Tattoo Artist.
BAILEY
I believe in only sharing my soul with people who respect the mission i’m on.. To break ALL stereotypes and create NEW
ME
As an artist we all can get GRANDIOSE whereas we want everyone to see our mission and our view. When we had the convo I was making my points and he was making his. Truly enough I feel one should TRUST the person who is giving them ART on their body but I feel the receiver should be MORE a part of the process than the giver. In the end if you are a TRUE INK-HED like myself, you want on your body a well thought out SIGNATURE PIECE. I am not talking about those wandering aimlessly for just something, the fad purposes and what not.
I am speaking for those of us who really get into knowing what is represented on our bodies. Those of us like this, would only be open for enhancement ideas from the artist but not much detraction from our ‘mission’ being accomplished. I am ONE WITH MY SKIN.
Then as time goes on, there could be the moments whereas you just let an artist go with the flow. If you share a history they know that even going with the flow, they are keeping in mind your ebb, your inner, the WHO YOU ARE PERSONA. When the session is over, you have something that truly represents you well after giving the freedom to the INKSTARR to ROCK IT OUT. Doesn’t happen too often but it does happen.
UPDATE 1*11* I let my INKSTARR freeform my right hand… a quill- ODE TO ME BEING A WRITER. The WRITTEN WORD is the LOVE OF MY LIFE. I escape to places without booking - passport free baby. The free form session took place, the INKSTARR had complete control, no sketches, we just went for it. Knowing my EBB AND MY FLOW, the results ROCKED.
Everywhere I go, I get a RESPECT HERE, a HIGH FIVE THERE, a NOD OF ADMIRATION for my ink hand. Not that I need it but with this one being so open, it happens. It was placed there for my personal reasons and yea it’s cool to get the compliments. Case and Point, yes you can let your INKSTARR ROCK OUT ON YOU when they KNOW YOU well enough to give pleasing results that is insanely BEAUTIFUL.
Beautiful Me Up Baby…
YES I AM SUCH A GIRL…
( ahahahaha )
INK ART HED = FREE THINKER = FOLLOWER OF SELF
I just know for me and mines, I will NEVER ( NO RETRACTIONS ) NEVER do a coverup on anything I’ve gotten. Everything I sat for- the LOVE AND PAIN of it all, is exactly what I wanted, and the ‘Tattoo Artist’ points of view in the Signature Pieces are there.
MY ART ON MY BODY IS SACRED TO ME.
BAILEY
yeah my mind isn’t for everyone. My opinion only suppose 2 attract people who agree with what i’m trying to teach & share
ME
Respect That Statement Fully! I am not for everyone either. Who ever is – that is the LIFE LESSON. GRANDIOSE isn’t always a bad thing. Eh? Eh!
In Life, everyone is not going to get you, so yes you keep pushing.
So people there you have it! Just like my fashion, my wine –> WEAR THE DESIGNER, KNOW THE DESIGNER, BEFORE DRINKING THE WINE, KNOW THE MAKER AND BEFORE INKING YOURSELF UP, KNOW WHO IS GOING TO INK YOU AND HOW YOU VIBE. It was a really respectable conversation, differences of opinion but that is what’s so beautiful about relating. I’ve never met Mr. Miya Bailey but I am sure our paths will cross.
Just like Brandon Bond, the legend and others - Bailey tours.
I was thinking about hitting Asheville where he is coming but I just don’t know. Talking about schedules, I am so booked for stuff too. Wonderful news Charlotte The Queen City North Carolina! Plans for a City Of Ink comes our way. So yes, if it happens there will be even more choices for those who care to indulge on getting a INK SESSION.
I can’t say it enough, always be sure on what you want when it comes to being INKED and who does it for you. I know Legend Brandon Bond was like appointment set for a year when I called but I would wait that whole year to be INKED BY HIM ( truest words I ever spoke/2Pac RIP ) cause I am so serious with whom touches this body!
Matt has been booked out for months but I would WAIT. Honestly I would wait three years if I had to for someone I wanted to be INK BY -dedication. To get a BB INK SESSION, on me would be divine! OMG you just don’t know. Robert Hernandez OMG another great I dig his lines, how his art just leaps -becoming breathless – and more ( deep linking end of post ). I believe in the sacred-ness of it all.
A part of the ‘artist’ is with you forever, so you want that harmonic vibe. I understand how many artist are turned off about the whole GROUPTHINK when it comes to getting inked! I could feel Miya’s passion on this like so many others. I think people need to really go deep within and know what they want. It is not just ON ME, my signature pieces speaks volumes of who I am, it’s WITHIN ME.
NO FEAR, NO REGRETS. If more people thought it all out, there would be no coverups, seriously. You could just keep adding, letting your visions come to life on and within you. That’s how I see it anyway. The PASSIONATE PISCES… The Gift And The Gift.
Oh yea, yea and yea– I would wait for a ZULU SESSION… and have Roni Zulu’s art too! Yes, again I am breathless.
Zulu Rocks….
MY INNER CIRCLE INK HED FAMILY = NO GROUPTHINK.
We sit through, no big break takers ( my last medium piece I sat it through - I am SO feminine but I go hard for my sessions ahaha ), just get on with it, let’s have a conversation about art, music, our dreams, whatev’s. I either schedule up right afterwards like I did this last time or see you in a few years until I receive another vision breakthrough.
FOR ME AND MINES: I have quality artwork on me from quality artist but what made me make it a go, I WAS INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS MY VISION FOR MY BODY WAS RESPECTED. Bailey does some awesome work, very respected in the industry, making things happen – no doubt.
Just sharing a conversation, differences of opinions but don’t get UNCLEAR – his work has the honesty and passion there. Miya Bailey is doing big things, more than just the ink art so check it out. When you are talking about it and being about it –I can respect that. I am always on that ‘Damn It Feels Good To See People Up On It’ vibe. OHM chant … *fades out*
More Check It Outs Below*
LEGEND if you are a INK HED you know –> Brandon Bond
Trust your artist judgment, assuming you find the right artist is going to totally sit down with you and work with you on it. -COVERUP TALKING
How about them ribs? Bond 2 Rapper Legend NAS ( rib work )
I’m on fire, I feel real good! – Nas
That Malcolm X Rib Piece – Awesomeness!
Kelis ( in happier times ) It looks great! – The Brandon Bond Session
Majority of the clients I tattoo sit for 10 to 15 hours… -Brandon Bond
Fus Tattoo–> Matt Terry, free form is awesome, to the point, don’t think about getting into his head but he get’s into yours really well, much respect, his work speaks volumes, CO-OWNER Fus Tattoo Charlotte The Queen City.
Robert Hernandez –> Official! A beast at his work! Loves it!
Joe Capobianco –> A Tattoo is a Tattoo, it gots nothing to do with what you like or disklike the fact of the matter is that -that person wears the tattoo for the rest of their life and who the fuck and am I to say that they’re wrong in what they like.
You know and I think that’s what alot of people don’t consider, it’s not up to US it’s up to THE CLIENT. – Capobianco, another Legend
Roni Zulu – I encourage clients to get involved in the creation of their sacred markings as we work together to bring that which is within you to the surface. Zulu has inked Lisa Bonet, Janet Jackson, Christina Aguilera, Bruce Willis, Mariah Carey just to name a few.
Mario Barth –> Awesomeness
Bob Tyrell –> Love what I see, cool.
Aaron Cain –> Word
Jo Harrison –> She Rocks, Simply Put!
Kim Saigh –> Truth
Kat Von D –> Rocks!
