Phoenix Rising

Building onto an existing tattoo is a challenge I enjoy, particularly when the client I’m working with is game to relax in to the journey by trusting the creative process. While our first tattoos are each significant to us, often times they are unrelated to one another which can result in a patchwork appearance. When the desire to wear an extensive piece of art comes upon us, we are faced with a two fold design process: planning the new piece itself as well as strategizing about how to incorporate the existing art in a way that is consistent with the overall design. This requires creativity as well as an openness to allowing the process to unfold.

In this week’s photos you’ll see the first two steps in the creation of a half sleeve that is building onto an existing tattoo. “Before” shows the existing work that we needed to work in and work around. The “stencil” is the freehand sketching and stenciled outline of the custom Phoenix, smoke and flames that will become the focal point of this piece. And “in process” means this story is to be continued once the piece is completed. Stay tuned…