ASH CAN

(I’d like to just mention that “Simplicity and...

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 16:36:00 -0600

(I’d like to just mention that “Simplicity and clarity should be your theme in dress” is more “incredibly dry life advice” than “mystic fortune”. If this whole art thing never pans out, I know that I would have some talent as a fortune cookie writer.)

At any rate, the more hectic my job gets, the more hectic my sketchbook work becomes. Sometimes the only way I can unwind after work is grabbing a drink at a bar and frenetically doodling, while enduring the socialite wildlife and overhearing terrible first dates. Although I do most of my art-work at home, sometimes the couch sucks me in an Netflix (or more recently, a modded Wii, thx MW) takes over and I’m checked out for the night - so taking a rest stop with my sketchbook can be a good way to unwind from how stressful my job-work can get.

Working through some designs and some half-assed ideas for bigger paintings. Constantly wishing I had a better hand for script & calligraphy (have you seen this guy’s work? Impeccable!) , although I’m getting much better at it. So on and so forth.

I think I hinted at the fact that the warm weather brings in...

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 13:21:00 -0600

I think I hinted at the fact that the warm weather brings in more work, and I have not been disappointed so far. Pieces like this give me a hint into how I like to design, tattoo, and do work that I love that the client also loves. It’s true of any client-based work, learning how to balance your work as something you truly love, versus something that is paying your rent, while keeping your soul intact by any means possible.

Regardless, I’m looking forward to more projects like this. Linework as texture and contour is something I’m always working with.

*Sorry for the duplicate post, I’m busy wrestling with CSS on this rainy day!

More from the everyday. Instagram: feralcatbox

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 10:09:44 -0600

Still life with snake.

Lucky find.

Still life with Haribo.

Workin'

More from the everyday. Instagram: feralcatbox

Very rarely in the tattooing business do I get to revisit any of...

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:36:00 -0600

Very rarely in the tattooing business do I get to revisit any of my pieces since most of my work walks out the door, never to be seen again. I don’t know where these one-shot tattoos go, how they heal, or who they see - so they must be done efficiently and thoroughly since usually there’s no second chance. And who knows? It’s out there in the world with your name on it.

Multiple sessions are a blessing. Granted wrap around pieces like this have to be done in steps, but as someone who is pretty green to tattooing, having the experience of learning from your piece every time it comes back to see you is totally invaluable. It gives you the opportunity to see how your work heals
(incredibly important!), and gives you the chance to layer color and revisit areas that may have reached their limit before. That’s the thing with tattooing, there are limits to how much work you can put into skin - much like watercolor paper, with too much work your surface will start to deteriorate.

It doesn’t hurt that my client Heidi is nothing short of wonderful, so spending a few hours on with her is no chore (also doesn’t hurt that she’s a chef, and brings me snacks…). She essentially gave me her calf and let me do my thing, which it would seem that following my instincts is serving me well. It’s completely my drawing, with the same figures and duality that would serve me in my artwork, and doesn’t ignore the 3rd dimension. I couldn’t be happier with how it came together, but I can enjoy this for a minute and take what I learned and move on. Being trusted some no-strings-attached skin doesn’t happen often! But hopefully I can get some more projects like this in the future. Things have been picking up at the shop after the seasonal winter slump and things are moving & happening. Hopefully this momentum will be an indication of the coming spring…

Process shots: one, two.

Even if an unfortunate construction mishap put my tattoo shop...

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:19:00 -0600

Even if an unfortunate construction mishap put my tattoo shop out of operation for a couple of days, at least I got to spend it doing some sketchbook therapy. I go through these phases of colors - very rarely do I pull more than three tubes of gouache for a painting, but this new coral red is totally electric!

It’s also been quite a while since I did a self portrait, too bad this one looks so damn smug.

For all other things, follow me on instagram: feralcatbox I...

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 20:04:00 -0600

For all other things, follow me on instagram: feralcatbox

I think that’s a pretty good sampling: food, Godzilla, painting, natural oddities (also a subcatagory of food).

hi there! i really love your style and was just wondering two little questions. 1: how did you get the apprenticeship that led you into this career? 2: do you take any personal tattoo requests?

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 23:41:00 -0600

Thanks!

At The Art Institute of Chicago I had taken a couple of painting classes with Caroline Moody, who had been tattooing for a year or two at the time. I was interested in her tattoos and her work, and quickly befriended her (in that way where all my closest friends think I hated them at first, I think it might be my permanent bitch-face, but I’m working on it…). The studio she started at had an apprenticeship opening and she encouraged me to apply, which I did, after a lot of thinking and a spontaneous, but very persuasive tarot reading (seriously). It was a huge commitment, risk, and a great divergence from everything that the Art Institute had directed me toward, but I’m very thankful I took the opportunity, and couldn’t have done it without her guidance and tough love. I had gone after an apprenticeship my first year in college when I was still in Arizona, but I was far too young to even understand what I was getting into, or what it takes to truly do this work. I’m very lucky to get to do it now.

All tattoo requests are personal in one way or another, I do mostly work that I draw myself, or at least put my own hand in. I think what I post gives a good idea of what I love to do, as does my other art work. If you have ideas, I always love to hear them! Throw me an email at stephanie@blueskycomplex.com

Last tattoo of the week before state hopping, once again. Off...

Sun, 08 Jan 2012 01:49:00 -0600

Last tattoo of the week before state hopping, once again. Off to New York for the week!

Made it back from Arizona. Got a little lost, took a vision...

Sun, 08 Jan 2012 01:26:26 -0600

Made it back from Arizona. Got a little lost, took a vision quest, ended up in a town made famous by an Eagles song. Subsequently took it easy.

Third session on this leg piece, some parts of this are still...

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 10:01:47 -0600

Third session on this leg piece, some parts of this are still healing, but the wolf is all fresh! It’s a good note to end on, since I’m going home for the holidays for a very very welcome break. Christmas is always stressful in it’s own way but I’m happy to get my feet on some desert ground and my head out of the city.

Until then…

Drawing the crap out of a bald eagle today at work - doing...

Sat, 17 Dec 2011 15:05:00 -0600

Drawing the crap out of a bald eagle today at work - doing tricolor sketches is super satisfying. Tombow brush markers have been getting a lot of mileage recently and this particular color combination really vibrates. I want to use them for something other than sketching but my snotty art school conscience keeps telling me that markers are non-archival. The Prismacolors I used in my highschool sketchbooks have since bled into the paper, if anyone has any experience with this, please chime in! Special appearance by a bottom-heavy pin up girl, and my field notes book that is filled with doodles of pies. Seriously.

It seems as if that drawing bug is persistent…painting...

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 14:50:00 -0600

It seems as if that drawing bug is persistent…painting like this gets me so worked up that I want to throw out my phone, and lock myself in my house for a week or two. I would love to, but I think my work, friends, and roommate might protest. I can’t wait to clear my head over the holiday!

This also marks the first appearance of my alter ego (or Adventure Time character), the Ice Cream Witch. The limit to her powers is still unknown but she gains energy from McFlurries, and sucks all the fun out of a room instantaneously.

I’m finally feeling like I’ve got my drawin’...

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 17:37:00 -0600

I’m finally feeling like I’ve got my drawin’ bug back, where sketching flows and relaxes me - but every time I try to draw a saucy pin up girl, she ends up looking like Megan Fox. I must put a stop to this, for all our sakes. Expect more from the drafting table, and since I’ve finally joined the future with a fancy new iphone it’s so much easier to share! I like it just a little too much but this is the first time I have the newest, fanciest electronic device since maybe getting a Tamagotchi in 5th grade. Ironically the iPhone, much like the Tamagotchi, needs constant attention, never leaves my sight, and makes all sorts of maddening noises. I will let you know when I start feeding it digital cakes to keep its mood happy.

Trying to not get too ambitious, but damn this is exciting....

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 15:00:00 -0600

Trying to not get too ambitious, but damn this is exciting. Another piece that’s in it for the long run - first session.

Sunday afternoon sepia-toned barn swallows.

Sun, 20 Nov 2011 18:26:00 -0600

Sunday afternoon sepia-toned barn swallows.

If you give me enough time, I will roll an idea around in my...

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 13:17:00 -0600

If you give me enough time, I will roll an idea around in my head for weeks, kneading out lumps and smoothing rough edges until I’m absolutely confident in it’s execution. I’m used to work that’s built with watercolor, with just as much construction as there is excavating - tattoos require planning and deliberation - there’s no going back once it’s committed to skin and a decisions you make early in the process can completely derail you.

I have been bouncing this idea back and forth for some time now, and good ole Matthew Woodson graciously donated a large swath of skin for the cause. For such a large piece, it’s such a relief to have someone who is willing to work with you, and is willing to commit to finishing it, which can be several sessions and many many hours of work. The photos don’t really illustrate how huge this is, almost hip to knee. So far, it’s only line work and to me, just feels like a wire frame for what this tattoo will turn into. I can’t wait to get lost in the textures and whiskers and dust and details of this - five hours in, many more to come.

Your work is such an inspiration. I was wondering what materials you work with most of the times, at least on your moleskines.

Sat, 12 Nov 2011 10:14:00 -0600

Moleskines are at mercy to whatever I have available when I’m on the move - usually a mechanical pencil or a Sakura Micron or Staedler pen. When I’m at home, I use watercolor and gouache. Truthfully, this type of moleskine that I use doesn’t take watercolor well, it’s smooth like bristol board and any heavy water (or ink) use ripples the pages. I prefer gouache, specifically Holbein Acryla which is densely pigmented and steadfast. It doesn’t reactivate with water like many other gouaches. After at they’re topped off with a smattering of paper scraps, chinese food fortunes, loose tobacco and what have you.

Water media is my power animal! Watercolor paint is one thing that makes a huge difference in quality and brand. Most cases, the most expensive is not necessarily the best, but skimping on watercolors will not do you any favors. Synthetic pigments act differently than true pigments, both mixing strength, brilliance and opacity - and it takes a lot of time and experience to learn all their specific behaviors. I’ve tried a ton of brands, but I stick with Winsor and Newton’s Artist line of colors.

Thanks for the message! I hope that helps.

Chinese take out fortunes know too much! When in doubt, self...

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 13:18:00 -0600

Chinese take out fortunes know too much! When in doubt, self medicate with food.

Drew this at a restaurant while waiting for a friend, which is a great way to keep yourself occupied when sitting alone in a crowded place and indulges my strong instinct to avoid eye contact when surrounded by strangers. Come to think of it, this was the first night out after I quit smoking, which would explain my determination to finish something in my sketchbook, instead of waiting outside aloofly, cigarette in hand. Ugh. That’s another story!

Another ubiquitous to-do list. They’re tucked into all my...

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 13:57:00 -0600

Another ubiquitous to-do list. They’re tucked into all my notebooks, my desk, crumpled in the bottom of my purse - compulsive listmaking is a good way to parse your day into manageable, tolerable, bite sized events - while feeling like you’re a responsible adult for getting things done. Or something like that.

Agkistrodon contortix You know you’ve done something right...

Sun, 06 Nov 2011 22:12:00 -0600

Agkistrodon contortix

You know you’ve done something right when the photos you take of a tattoo do it no justice to the way it moves on the body. Snakes have been coming up a lot lately in my life, so it’s oddly appropriate that I finish this piece now. 2 sessions, almost 6 hours.