In progress on my pal Heather. Can’t wait to finish.
Testing 1, 2, 3.
This website has been getting pretty woefully neglected recently because I’ve been spending a lot of time on The Okey Doke’s facebook/tumblr/twitter/website. What you’re looking at here is my second attempt at making an update from my telephone.
Here goes nothing.
This Weekend
Check this art/photo/bike show in Parkdale this weekend. I’ll have a painting in it…at least Ive said I’m going to have a painting in it so many times that I’d better get off my ass and actually finish it. Either way, it’s worth checking out. click on the photo for a link.
The Okey Doke Tattoo Shop, now open.
I’m pleased to announce that the Okey Doke tattoo shop is opening its doors this week. Well, it’ll be mostly open…..I’ll be tattooing in there anyways, that’s all that matters. The lights are on and the sink and toilet are hooked up, thats I need for now. Signs, counters, phones and internet connections are for reality TV cry baby rock stars and I don’t need em. So come on by.
View Larger Map
We’re at 853 College street. It’s on the south side just west of Ossington. Call us at 416 538 0303 or add us on facebook, or email me directly at Hollingdrake@mac.com. I’ll post up some pictures of the new shop in all of its shiny new glory in the next few days.
Makin’ Moves.
After 4 busy years, I’m going to be leaving New Tribe for a new shop. My pal and colleague Eric has invited me to work with him at his new shop. The Okey Doke tattoo shop will be located at near the corner of College and Ossington, and open some time this September. I’ll be at New Tribe until Sept 10th and I’m still taking bookings for any time beyond that. Touch-ups will still be honored as promised by me at the new shop and on-going work will be completed at a slightly reduced rate. Please feel free to contact me regarding appointments or if you have any concerns. I’ll post information as it becomes available about the new studio.
That whole thing I was saying about flash….
What I was trying to say was this:
Flash, and why you should love it.
pre-reality televsion flash
Flash, for those of you who don’t know is what tattooers call the designs on the walls of a tattoo shop. Flash is cool. Its how you know you’re standing in a tattoo shop and its an important part of setting the stage for a proper tattoo experience. Flipping through the designs and imagining what they might look like on your arm or wondering who on earth might want such a thing is part of what getting a tattoo is all about, even if you aren’t actually considering a design from the wall for yourself. Every other day I have some one ask me if people actually still just walk in and pick designs from the wall, with condescending high-horse superiority in their voice. Yes, people still do. Although just barely, and honestly its a shame. In the last 10 years I have done tens of thousands of tattoos across dozens of different subjects. Hundreds of zodiac symbols, hundreds of fancy script names, hundreds of flowers, cherubs, crosses, koi fish, tribal do-dads, maple leaves, looney tunes characters and literally a thousand live-love-laughs. The art that the vast majority of the tattooed public wants is not unique to its owner, and that’s a fact…and there is nothing wrong with that. If anything it proves that certain things are classic and universal. A rose tattoo is every bit as essential and timeless as a pair of blue jeans. A well curated flash collection is peppered with designs that have real history, and choosing a design from it certainly doesn’t make you any less creative or individual than it would by printing off an image from the first page of Google image search.
Post reality television flash
I fully support the decision to bring in printed reference from the internet with you when you’re planning on getting tattooed, but please understand that eight out of ten times the images from the internet will not make suitable tattoos. Blurry images of photoshop illustrated designs rarely make good tattoos because they were never intended to be on skin in the first place. Where might you find such a collection of suitable-for-tattooing ready-to-go art? try the wall at your local tattoo shop.
Success!
Thanks to everyone who came out to see me in Halifax and get some sweet little tattoos.
What's so civil about war anyway?
...and the award for best banner at the show goes to:
“Handsome” Mike Bialek and I have finally collaborated on a flash set for your purchasing pleasure. $60 plus shipping buys you four sheets of classic designs inspired by (or stolen directly from) classic tattoo imagery from either the 1970′s or the 1930′s. We actually both sold a fair number of tattoos off these sheets at the convention, so chances are you will too. Email me if you’re interested, I got a paypal account.
The Art of Good Head
This is my contribution to the “Now that’s Losin’ your head” helmet art show in Red Deer Alberta. Airbrush+Gold leaf. It took 1000 hours to complete and I ruined 3 airbrushes in the process.
www.staybratty.com for details
