My inspirations...

I have already said that tattoos are my obsession/passion, and behind every tattooist there is an artist, whose work tends pretty suburb and some cases beautifully dark and wonderfully weird. The tattoos they do inspire their other works and visa versa, and it is exactly the same for me.
So who are these artist that works inspire me;
One of my favourite books displays some of favourite artist that never fail to inspire no matter how many time I have looked at this book. This book is one of my inspirations: Waterhouse, J. 2009. Art by Tattooist, Beyond Flash.

Mandie Barber - Barber works out of her own studio in Kiddiminster, Uk. She has been a tattooist for twenty years, and has built up a great reputation and a full diary. Her works are inspired by classical art, love, beauty and religion, she does a lot of pencil drawings and paint in acrylics. "Tattooing influences my artwork almost entirely because I've been tattooing for so long now." (Art behind tattooist beyond flash.)

Chris Bourke - trained as tattooist in Worcester, Uk where he his still based. Chris hung up his machines for a while to concentrate on his other works, as well as running his own independent skate shop, Spine. His works are inspired by his passion for music - especially reggae, as well as nature, politics, struggle and truth.  He uses many mediums to create his artwork and as recently rediscovered his love for lino printing, his prints have appeared on t-shirts and skateboards for UK companies. "I think it's important to keep drawing and working on art outside of tattooing. To me it's important as tattooing itself. I strive to be original in all areas of my work. I work hard on my artwork and I hope it shows. Tattooing as become such a large part of popular culture these days. It wasnt like that when I started getting tattooed, and I feel that in many ways it's a good thing. Of course, you get a lot of bandwagon jumpers when something is popular, but hopefully the upside is more people getting tattooed and developing an appreciation for the art that surrounds it. Art is for everyone; it's not the preserve of the highbrow and university educated. It's for anyone who wants to pick up a pencil and work hard, which is what art should always be: a way of liberating yourself through creation." - I could not have put it better myself! (Art by Tattooist, Beyond Flash.)

Anģelique Houtkamp - Anģelique's works as inspired by classic, old school tattoo designs. She likes to give her work humorous, vintage feel with deliberate hint of melancholy. "My work is very tattoo influenced for sure. The past year or two I feel I've also been drawn to other styles, like early-last-century advertisment ans illustrations and I've been mixing it with the tattoo style. - I am very drawn to a sort of mystery, cynicism and melancholy and I'll put that in my paintings. I don't want to make just a pretty girl's face; I want people to slightly wonder if her expression is a good or bad thing." (Art by Tattooist, Beyond Flash.)

Carnie Marnie - Carnie as been on the road for serveral years exploring the opportuniteies that tattooing as presented her with. She as worked at many tattoo studios, as a guest studio throughout North America and Europe. There always seems to be two recurring themes throughout her work; the female form ad carnivals, and then there are the two bearded ladies that crop up on a regular basis. Carnie was also awarded a scholarship to study a degree in visual art, but it wasn't long before she dropped out: "When at the tender age of nineteen I mentioned to my drawing professor that I was interested in tattooing. I was met with raised eyebrows about this 'lowbrow' business (as if the world of 'high art' is any less of an industry). It seemed incredible that I should pay an institution to have a subjective opinion."  - (I have felt this way so many times and still do, but I am fair to stubborn and come way to far to walk away now - plus walking away is the easy option and nothing worth having ever come easy.)

Cody Meyer - Cody as been tattooing for just over six and did not have a formal apprenticeship.  After many failed attempts and very long stories, Cody finally took out a loan against his car to by a kit online. After his ten-hour day job he would come home to his spare room which he turned into a beginners studio. His legs, stomach and one arm tell the tale of his apprenticeship. "Since becoming a professional tattooist, it has, of course, directly influenced my own personal work and style. But it goes the other way also; I paint, liek so many of us, in watercolours, which in my opinion very closely simulates the process of a tattoo. So doing it often and beoming better at it directly influences your tattooing style too. There is no doubt that I've become a much better tattooer because of painting. I have always been inspired by Japanese culture in general - past and present. They intrigue the hell out of me. It's just such a unique, beautiful and rich place; I'd love to go there someday. I am inspired by all the great Japanese tattooers, from Horioshi to Shige. There are too many to list. To put it simply - I admire the ones that know what they love ad what they do best and just do it." (Art by Tattooist, Beyond Flash.)

Lina Stiģsson  - Orginially form Sweden but moved to Asterdam where she still lives to study art at Rietveld Academy, and got her first tattoo at the famous hanky panky tattoo studio. Tattooing is a big inspiration to her other works along with old-fashioned circus sideshow ladies. She also gets a lot inspiration from her friends and the people she works with. "The difference when I make a painting is that I don't have to worry how it's going to look in twenty years. A good tattoo has to be done so that it still looks good over time. When I work on my paintings, it's just me and the canvas. i think that's the biggest difference from tattooing, when your are actually designing soething specifically for someone. I'm really happy to be able to pursue both tattooing and painting since I like to have variety in my work." (Art by Tattooist, Beyond Flash.)

Michele Wortman  - Michele works along side her husband Guy Aitchison in their private, invitation-only Hyperspace Studios. Michele was a fineparts painter and a hairdresser before becoming a tattooist. She decided to become a tattooist because she found that the designs she wanted for her tattoos were not available to her and that she had to draw up her own. Her artwork is very much in line with her tattoo style, which is visionary and colourful with a sense of magic, wonder and celebration.She works with many different medias including oil paints, photography, computer design and writing electronic music. "I enjoy the exchange that each medium offers one another. It is all an act of creativity that expresses the same energy regardless of the medium I use." (Art by Tattooist, Beyond Flash.)





I have never really had any favourite illustrators who have inspired me and my work, I have always been more inspired by general artist especially art inspired by ink, I love looking at a piece of art and seeing into the artist mind even if its just a little glimpse into their mind. Sure I look through magazines etc and may comment on an image, but all I see is an advertisement, not the person who create it, but I guess that's what makes it illustration.

When I feel that I need some illustration inspiration I tend to visit, illustration web and escape from illustration island websites.