Bunch of unposted stuff! A breakdown:
1 & 2 - Handpoked whirlpool/portal for Ruth, done yesterday at @lemonhead_tattoo in Norwich. Gorgeous lovely grainy texture that I just can’t get enough of
3, 4 & 5 - Long dog flash for Alfie. This one was so incredibly special because it was a homage to Alfie’s greyhound, and coincidentally my darling Mouse who passed away just after I drew these designs based on her. Tattoos don’t have to have meaning, but when they do it hits
6 - Second and final repeat of this shell marking flash! Forever a favourite
7 - Crazy shell motif from Hirase’s book for Melissa
8 & 9 - Handpoked shoulder sun for Ross
10 & 11 - Wouldn’t be a tattoo dump without some birds 💋🦅 (‘free now’ not by me)
Thank you everyone 💖 Lots of upcoming space in Norwich, enquire via my website
Fun fact: before I decided to study art at uni, I was prepping to do science. My A levels were maths, chemistry, biology, and art. I’ve always approached creating with a kind of mathematical precision, which is often a hindrance, but with motifs like these it seems to work in my favour. They require a methodical attention to detail: measuring out each angle, adhering to the guidelines, making sure the shell meets the fabric at the same point of rotation each time. My brain thrives on it, and I find I enter flow state so much faster when creating within such limitations.
Experimenting with new shell unit layouts and discovering the patterns that emerge feels like a beautiful equation. Sometimes they line up in such a way that seems too perfect to be accidental, like these forms were waiting to be discovered. This work is joyful, uplifting, and expansive. There are so many places I want to take it, so many mediums I want to express it through.
These motifs came out a little lighter than usual, so I worked back into a few with pen. I really love the resulting gradients (albeit subtle), particularly the ones with darker centres. I’d like to explore this in the tattooed versions, amping up the gradient further to emphasise their psychedelic illusion.
It goes without saying all of these are all available to be tattooed. I’ve got lots of availability over March and April at my Norwich studio, and a few slots left for Manchester and London guest spots.
If you’ve been following me since the beginning and have stuck around as my work has evolved, thank you!
Lots of love and appreciative hugs Xxx
Flash for Emily, inspired by a cymbidium orchid I saw in Indonesia a few years ago. This will soften as it heals and become closer to the original drawing :-) Done in Norwich at @motherofpearl_studio
Last availability for May:
Norwich:
14th, 20th
London:
22nd - 11:30
Enquiry form in bio 💌
Two little shell prints from my time in Manchester for @_willkeating , traded for some of his gorgeous ceramic pieces (last slide). Always open to trades, particularly for things like ceramics and jewellery!
Check out Will’s creations, I use my mugs every morning and love them a lot 😇
First sketches of a new a project documenting the most interesting and knobbly shells in my collection! Angular Tritons (Cymatium femorale) get their name from their extra prominent varices (the thickened ridge on the outer surface of a shell), which also makes them really interesting to draw. They’re carnivorous and can be found in sandy tropical waters 🌀
Both sketches are available to be tattooed. I’d love to do them big on the leg or back, or even as a mirrored pair?
Booking May, June, and July in Norwich and London 🤍
Been working on some larger shell print compositions and thinking about reproducing them using other printing techniques. Screen printing seems like the best way to capture the details and gradients, but I also think the boldness of Lino would look incred printed onto fabric. I’m also picturing them on clothes, a silk scarf maybe?! Suggestions welcome!
