TattooSnob.com

I’ve been sitting here for ten minutes writing out an intro for Nick Baxter’s new twenty page booklet. Once I have a full sentence written out, I read it before immediately erasing it. Instead of wasting any more time, I’m just going to copy/paste Nick’s explanation that he posted on his blog:

I’m making available to all, free of charge, a 20-page booklet I wrote explaining the principles of how to evaluate art for artistic growth, as well as how to foster a positive critique environment with your peers and colleagues.  This text will almost certainly see further development sometime in the future, into something even more comprehensive. But in the anti-copyright, anarchist spirit of community and sharing, the current version is free to all who are willing to read and learn.  Thanks to Teresa Sharpe for invaluable help in writing it, and to my other friends who gave feedback and suggestions.  Download it here.

Instead of going to IKEA to buy lame “artwork” for your apartment, why don’t you support a tattoo artist? For $60, Kyle Crowell will ship this 16″x24″ giclee print to your doorstep!

Quantities are limited. Interested parties can send payment via Paypal to stayhopeless@gmail.com.

Artwork by Kyle Crowell

I’m always on the lookout for a good way to support artists while adorning my home in an affordable fashion–which is part of why I’m so psyched on Rebel Reprints. But don’t let me be the one to sell you on it! Here’s what Scott Lukacs, owner of the company & a tattoo artist himself, had this to say:

Making my own prints over the years, and seeing the quality going down and the expense going up I decided to offer my printing skills to other artists and do everything in house.  So there is no big business or huge copy centers making a dime off of this.  The artists involved get top quality printing, and services with knowing they are supporting a fellow artist.  All of our prints are printed using Museum quality archival inks that are also known as the highest ranked giclee prints.  They are printed on 100 percent cotton fine art Hahnemuhle papers.  This all means that the print you get will far out live you, and you will never see fading in your lifetime. We are offering printing services to anyone that is interested in cutting out the big printing companies and want to deal with a real person that is going to be personally handling your entire order.

All prints come with a signed and numbered certificate of authenticity from the artist–and it looks like most of the pieces are limited to 50 print run. Right now they’re offering exclusive prints from Horsebites (!!!) and Russ Abbott in addition to work from Robert Ryan and Jason June… someone cut up my credit card before I get myself into trouble!

“The Kingdom of Heaven is within you” print by Robert Ryan

Anyone else love the imagery of traditional signs as much as I do? If so, you need to check out the work of Side Show Signs.

This sign below is one of the many featured at the San Francisco convention this past year.

I’m totally digging this Gypsy Girl with Skullerflies’ print ($50) from David Bruehl. Only 20 were made–I can hardly think of a better way to tell the lady in your life that you think she’s really great.

Know any Sanrio junkies?

If so, this limited edition Sanrio-inspired flash sheet by Grant Cobb ($75) might be right up their alley. Send him an email for details on purchase.

… if you don’t find this drawing by Dennis M Del Prete at least a little bit funny.

Art by: Dennis M. Del Prete at Providence Tattoo in Providence, RI

Without Twitter I wouldn’t hear about a lot of really cool stuff tattooers do with their art. All sorts of causes have received donations via the tattoo industry; breast and AIDS awareness projects, Haiti, New Orleans…

Now Scapegoat Tattoo has put together the “Gulf Ghost” Disaster benefit with a limited edition series of prints (signed and numbered!) for $40. All money made will go toward aiding in animal rescue and clean up efforts. Email scapegoattattoo@gmail.com with the subject: GULF GHOST to score your print. If  you have some money burning a hole in your pocket, the original is also available at Optic Nerve Arts for $600.

I’m really excited about the newly released Jime Litwalk sketchbooks. You would be too if you were sitting here, flipping through each themed book–new school pin-ups, monsters, and creatures, in case you were wondering. Inside the book, you get to see the drawing process as the images are in various stages of being sketched, colored, and finalized.

We bumped into Jime at Hell City Columbus, and asked if he’d be willing to sign both sets we were sent by his publisher. Imagine my surprise that he took the time not only to sign each book, but to do a quick sketch on the inside cover of each one.

You can purchase the set for yourself by on  PrestoArt… OR you could just comment on this entry (using a valid email, please) with your name and why you’re stoked on the books. We’ll randomly select one commenter to receive the full set on Friday, June 4th! Good luck Snobs!

I’ve spent the past week staring at eBay auctions trying to figure out which piece from The Sugar Project I should try to make my own.

I was turned on to the auctions by Skin Deep Magazine via their Twitter account. From there, I found an article in the recent edition of Total Tattoo Magazine, and contacted Lisa Bolton to ask a few more questions about the project.

Tattoo Snob: Can you tell us what exactly the Sugar Skull project is?

Lisa Bolton: Essentially, The Sugar Project is an annual tattoo-art auction raising money for charity. 70 leading tattoo artists from around the world have been hand painting and crafting skulls to sell at auction to raise money for The Woking Hospice. 10 were given away in the raffle at The Brighton Tattoo Convention, the remaining 60 are currently being auctioned on eBay. All the proceeds from the sale of the skulls will be donated to The Woking Hospice which urgently needs funds to prevent it’s closure; a charity close to my heart as I lost my father there last year… but inadvertently, The Sugar Project is very much more than that. It is a celebration of tattooing as an art-form, recognising the extensive skills of these artists. It is a completely unique chance for people to own an exclusive piece of art by some incredible artists. It is also an opportunity to show the non-tattooed folk what a generous and caring bunch we really are.