Tribal Transformation
- Details
- Created: Thursday, 01 September 2016 08:00
Laura had an existing tattoo on her left flank that she wanted to push in a different direction. She says, "Before I saw Victoria, I got a tattoo I wasn't fully happy with and no one seemed able to help me. The tattoo artists I approached before her were not open to the ideas and sketches I presented. Some got upset when I didn't like their ideas, or said they couldn't do what I wanted--it 'wasn't their style.' I went to Victoria after looking at her website and exchanging emails about 'transforming' the tattoo. Initially she spent a few hours talking to me, looking at what I'd brought, and getting excited about a concept other tattoo artists rejected. When I came back a few weeks later, she had a sketch that was more than what I had described, incorporating aspects that I liked of my current tattoo and beautifully changing what I didn't. Victoria was all about my satisfaction before she tattooed the new ink on my body. She drew what she would tattoo and then asked if I'd like to make any changes to it. Once I confirmed it was great, she got to work and made me comfortable while she tattooed me. Now, a few hours later, the beginning changes have been made [fixing the old tat], and I'm unbelievably happy. The tattoo is truly being transformed!" We are going to stabilize her existing tattoo and cover up a small piece of it. Then we'll add tribal elements to turn it in the direction she prefers. (For more information on transforming or covering up an old tattoo, see my FAQ's page.) Click on the Read more link to see the before, drawings and fix photos.
Jennifer came in to see me about transforming an existing tattoo. She says, "I got a dragon tattoo on my back about eight years ago to represent my connection to my Chinese zodiac. At that time of my life I was really connected to that part of myself; I was learning a lot about who I was. I have no regrets about the tattoo but a recent trip to Nepal inspired me to make a change to it. While traveling in Nepal I became more deeply interested in Shambhala [Tibetan] Buddhism. This tradition introduces four animals that represent different elements of confidence. The dragon represents unwavering strength, a strength bolstered by grace. These teachings truly touched me and I knew it would be wonderful and inspiring to have this depiction on my body. The ink serves as a constant reminder of the amazing journey I had in Nepal and all that transpired for me there. Victoria really listened to my intention and worked with me patiently to create just the design I wanted. She understood the importance of getting just the right image. She was a great pleasure to work with." (For more information on transforming or covering up an old tattoo, see my FAQ's page.) Click on the Read more link to see the drawings, before, outline and final photos.
Hannah came in with her mom Sara, who is one of my best and favorite clients. It was Hannah's eighteenth birthday and she was ready for her first tattoo. It's a pretty special project and something of a rarity. Their idea was that they would each write in their own handwriting that they loved the other. Then I'd tattoo that on each of their arms. Hannah says, "What my tattoo means to me is that not only does it show case the mother/daughter bond me and my mom have, but it also is commemorative of our friendship that has grown over the past few years. It reminds me that no matter how far apart we might get or where our lives may lead, that I will always have this reminder of someone who loves me dearly. I am so happy that this is my first tattoo, and that I could share it with one of the most important people in my life. Thank you Victoria for making my first tattoo experience enjoyable and for the gorgeous way it turned out!" Click on the Read more link to see the drawings and final photos.
Lee already had some ink on his left forearm that was geometric in nature, before he came in to see me about a half sleeve. He wanted to continue on the same arm with something in the same flat, graphic style. The imagery was to be a sun and moon with mountains, waves with a cliff and the star constellation Casseopeia (luckily he has a long arm.) He says, "The main thing is to have some sort of pattern and repetition, with the waves being most prominent. I want to stay with just the outline right now but I may add color later, so that needs to be an option." Click on the Read more link to see the line drawing and outline photos.
Inspired by a piece of flash (drawing for a tattoo) I drew and hung on one of my studio walls, Ben decided on a koi fish tattoo for his lower left leg. Like all of his other tattoos, he wanted a realistic and colorful portrayal of the koi, and I thought it would be cool to have the fish swimming around his leg. Because we left the water gray, the colorful koi really pop off his leg. He's been a great client for several years now, articulate and informed and I enjoy working on his tattoo projects with him. This is the third large project we've completed. Click on the Read more link to see the drawing, outline, gray shading and final color photos.
From the east coast, Angie and her mom Cindy flew into Portland for a long weekend to celebrate her birthday. They each wanted some Portland ink on their lower legs but different designs. Angie wanted a tree to cover up an old tattoo. Cindy, a world traveler, wanted something to represent that-- I suggested a compass with a globe in the center. Angie says, "Victoria was amazing! She did a great job covering up my funky old tattoo. I'm in love with my new tattoo. Totally recommend going to her for some ink if you're in Portland!" Click on the Read more link to see the drawings, outline and the final photos.
Bella sent me an image (the white and brown original shown below) and came to see me about making it into a tattoo. She says, "I chose to get a sacred feminine mandala tattoo. I have always been interested in the natural world and how it entwines with sacred geometry. That interest stemmed research farther into the subject, which lead me to how it is actually sacred geometry that connects with everything else--including art. I got this tattoo as a spiritual guidance tool, for focusing attention and being mindful, and as an aid to meditation. I wanted it to remind me that even though it is mostly strong feminine energy that goes into what I do, there is still the balance between divine feminine and divine masculine (the small triangle with its strict solid lines in a mass of feminine curvy lines) and to embrace that in all that it is--plus, the design is pretty." Click on the Read More link to see the original, my drawing and the final photo.
Mary came to see me about covering up some scars. She says, "After having my damaged cosmetic implants removed, I was left with large scars on my breasts. For years, I tried all kinds of home remedies and esthetic treatments to diminish the scars or use products to cover them up. After they faded, I could still see them and I knew they were still there--a constant reminder of the surgery. Before meeting Victoria, I had considered and researched tattooing over the scars but I couldn't find an artist that would do the work-- or even more so, an artist I felt confident and comfortable with, as I did with Victoria. Victoria was open to my ideas about using various flowers and foliage from Scotland's landscapes, which means a lot to me because of my family's heritage. I now wake up every morning and don't make a point of looking for scars, because I've forgotten they ever existed. When I do look, I see a beautiful tattoo; a reminder of my heritage, no scars from the past." (For more info about covering up scars, see the FAQ's page.) Click on the Read More link to see the drawings, outline and color photos.
For his first tattoo, Henry brought in a beautiful watercolor painting of some roses. To create a tattoo from a watercolor original, I used a light gray outline instead of black and very little gray shading to simulate a watercolor look and feel. Henry says, "I went to Victoria because she was highly recommended by a friend for her skill with nature images, and I am very happy with everything about my experience! The image I had was painted by someone close to me who passed away, so I wanted the tattoo to be as faithful to the original painting as possible. Victoria did a great job at keeping the integrity of the image and gave great advice on the best placement for the tattoo. I would highly recommend Floating Lotus Tattoo!" Click on the Read More link to see the original painting, my drawing, outline and gray shading and color photos. (The final color looks dark because I took the photo right after tattooing it, but it will heal down much lighter.)