The Tattoo Machine

[The Justified Sinner]

 

Finally finished the tattoo machine for the "Beneath the Skin" exhibition in Sheffield next month! I'm so relieved at getting this main part completed and I can now concentrate on the supplementary pieces which are also going to the show.

 

The missing ring from my previous post turned up - at the bottom of the ultrasonic tank. It had slipped off the hook and while I didn't remember taking it out of the tank, assumed that I had when it wasn't there. That'll teach me! Two rings for the collection are now also complete:

 

I've a few more pieces in the same style to work on:

 

I'm not really sure that I've enjoyed this process: it has been very constrained - no found objects, no corroded iron, only one type and shape of gemstone - and has taxed my ingenuity. What I have learned from it is that when I am working on one of my more usual pieces, I have a tendency to improvise on the sketches and probably rely on that improvisation to create what most people would see as my "style", even when the finished piece looks a lot like the drawings in the sketch-book.

[The Justified Sinner]

Stevie, it has been a superb learning process and you are right. People like it; it speaks to them; therefore "style be damned"!

Natalie, many thanks for your kind words. This project is part of a research project by my colleague, Cóilín Ó Dubhghaill: this is part of his PhD thesis exhibition. He provided the irogane alloys, the patination chemicals and some information. His thesis is available online here. I also found some information on Ganoksin (not very much) and on James Binnion's website.

[Stevie B.]

"what most people would see as my "style""

 

LOL!

 

LOL!

 

So funny how everyone else see's it BUT THE ARTIST!

 

Happens to me all the time! "Style? What style? I'm still looking for THAT!"

 

Anyway it all looks GREAT! Style be damned!