Posts tagged beasts
This was done for an art exchange with one of my favourite artists Jesse Balmer. You can he his fantastical mind-musing here: http://jessebalmer.com/
We exchanged Goetic demons and the stately gent you see above is Great Marquis Marchosias, commander of 30 hellish legions.
When I got a job at a tattoo shop, I promised myself I’d wait 6 months before getting any large tattoos, to make sure they were well-thought out and not based on the excitement of a new adventure. It’s been almost a year now. The one tattoo I’ve thought and thought about, since before I had any tattoos at all, was a lion. C.S. Lewis is my favorite author, Narnia is my favorite series, and Aslan is my comfort when I’m feeling off. Having a lion on my body was something that I wanted as a reminder of hope, and protection, and love, and frisky behavior.
Problem was, I always felt like traditional style lions were too cartoon-y… not fierce enough to portray that feeling of protection. (aka I’ll rip your arms off your body if you hurt her) and realistic ones seemed too stoic. Not down to tumble around and be cuddly and loving when the time came. So I never got one.
A few months ago, I was at work and one of our artists came in carrying a sheet of flash he just completed. On it were these spotted, full of energy creatures that I just fell in love with. I asked Small Paul what they were. He says, “Oh, these? Shishis! Chinese Guardian Lions.” Immediately, I knew what I wanted.
Done by Small Paul at the Original True Tattoo in Hollywood, CA. Great artist, great shop.
303 notes (via fuckyeahtattoos)
Rejoice not against me, O mine ennemy! When I fall, I shall arise.
G. Woolliscroft Rhead, from The pilgrim’s progress from this world to that which is to come, by John Bunyan, New York, 1898.
(Source: archive.org)
Tove Jansson’s illustration (I love how cute she made that little moomin).
(Source: slylittlemy)
165 notes (via tir-ri & slylittlemy)
Some of the creatures from the carousel at House On The Rock, one of the most surreal places in the US. You become completely overstimulated within the first hour….the entire place took me two days to stroll through with any real sense of completion.
As an aside, this is the giant carousel mentioned in Neil Gaiman’s American Gods.
(photos c/o me)
180 notes (via poupon & jackdawandrook)
mr wolf !
Steveston Tattoo Company - Richmond BC
mcgoates.tumblr.com
310 notes (via fuckyeahtattoos)
Heptu Bidding Farewell to the City of Obb
John Duncan
488 notes (via theadoxography & artandopinion)
Bird Lady, by Kelly Doty from Off the Map Tattoo. The design is based on an image (from a manga called Alichino) I have kept on my computer for more than 7 years. I figure since I still love it so much after all these years, I should get it tattooed on me.
The original image is a black-and-white outline with minimal shading. I handed it to Kelly, and she modified it a bit (eg. roses were drawn bigger) and chose the colors.
I live 3+ hours away from her studio, and drove all the way there and back by myself (worth it but never again!). The tattoo was done in one 5.5 hour session, with a small break for a late lunch. I finished most of a novel during that time!
I am absolutely blown away by the colors and gradients that Kelly has done for Bird Lady. I love it (and her) to death and I think I couldn’t have chosen a better artist to do this tattoo.
951 notes (via fuckyeahtattoos)
