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Tattoo roundup
Yesterday, traci and I had the opportunity to attend our first-ever tattoo show. It was called the Tattoo Roundup and was a pretty big deal around here, at least as far as I could tell. There were a few big-name folks in the tattoo biz, and there were dozens of booths set up where artists were applying new creations to living canvas. The buzz of tattoo machines was pervasive, a droning reminder of how much I want some new ink myself. But seeing as how I haven’t planned out my next piece yet, nor do I have enough moolah saved up, my hunger for a new tattoo will have to wait until sometime next year.
I did try something new, though. I entered my half-sleeve in the tattoo contest. That was kinda nerve-wracking, which is weird because I didn’t actually have to do anything in order to compete – I simply had to show off the work that my artist has already created on my skin. For me, that meant having to take off my shirt in front of about 200 people. Kinda freaky. Yeah, I know, it’s not much different from being at the pool. Except for the fact that when you’re at the pool, everyone else is in a swimsuit as well. And everyone’s doing their own thing. Here, everyone else is clothed AND everyone is looking specifically at you. Anyway, traci was very supportive (not to mention more than a little excited at the prospect of me stripping to the waist in the restaurant of the hotel).
I got singled out by a photographer from Tattoo Magazine
An interesting sidenote: one of the competitors was in a Geico commercial, he was one of the cavemen who lost his appetite due to Geico’s ads being so condescending. Being in the ad biz myself, it’s funny to still get excited meeting someone who is simply talent in an commercial. But the fact that I liked the ad, coupled with the fact that this guy was nice and down-to-earth, just made it fun.
Seeing so much incredible work, not to mention being able to meet so many great artists and conoisseurs/collectors of tattoo art, it just stoked my desire to change careers and slink the ink myself. Financially, it’s just not feasible yet: I have creditors to pay off as well as alimony and child support which is quite a chunk. But on the bright side, I can take this time to get back to basics, work on my artistic skill so that when I’m financially able dive in, my ability will match my ambition.
Posted by FullMetalPatriot
12th gen. American, Constitutionalist, Harley-riding Texan, gun owner & NRA member, blogger, illustrator, Florida Gator alumnus. #TCOT
12th gen. American, Constitutionalist, Harley-riding Texan, gun owner & NRA member, blogger, illustrator, Florida Gator alumnus. #TCOT
