It's a bit of a drive to get to his shop but I suggest checking out Cat Spencer at www.catbones.com. I e-mailed him and sent pictures of what I wanted. We worked out the idea that way and he was able to show me drawings of what he'd come up with. At least two other local LJ folk have used Cat before. megiloth and thanis_bloodsto can attest to the quality of Cat's work. I've not heard anything bad about Exile, BTW. In fact, all I've ever heard was good news...
I concur with yaqui. Cat is a bit of a drive (outside the gate of Ft Leonardwood in the Ozarks), but well worth it. He's not just a "tracer" like some "artists" are. He'll go over multiple designs with you. Make changes until you are satisfied. He's a true artist in the sense. Here are my tattoos, most of them done or fixed by him since 1993. Due to the distance, we have worked out designs over email and worked out the details in his studio.
I'm not too impressed with local artists that I've looked at, but if it's going on my skin permenantly, it better be fucking good...and Cat is one of the best. You get what you pay for. You want cheap, you'll get a cheap quality design you'll want fixed later.
There is a local artist who apprenticed at Cat's shop. I wish I could remember her name because Cat said she kicked ass. I think she may have worked at Freaks on Broadway at on time...
As I always offer, here's my plug for Kevin at Titanium Ink in Raymore (www.titaniumink.com). For whatever reason, he has basic Flash-art tattoos shown under his profile on the site, but he's worth a visit to talk things over at least, because the guy is AMAZING.
I went to him with an armload of books that contained various elements of a concept I wanted, and he worked it out, doing it and redoing it on paper until I was happy with it. My boyfriend went in to have an old tattoo covered/redone, and Kevin did a biomechanical/reptilian piece completely freehand (initially on skin with a sharpie) that is unlike anything I've ever seen before or since. I really need to post photos of our tats so I can refer people to them.
**Editing to add: You mentioned a desire for someone really friendly...Kevin is somewhat gruff and a huge smartass, but ultra-talented, so if you can ride out the attitude and not take things personally, you won't be sorry. ;)
Essentially, my back piece (it covers most of the right side of my back) is a variation of those blue chicory flowers that grow along the side of the road in the summertime, coupled with some architectural style elements (think swirls found on the Taj Mahal), and some thorns thrown in to surround an existing coiled dragon I'd had done on my shoulder one year in Sturgis (yeah, that was a Flash piece I picked out on the spur of the moment that I'd grown tired of and wanted customized in some way, heh
( ... )
Irezumi has only been super friendy to me. the one on i think holmes is my favorite. wait its too early i cant remember what street it is. haha i think its 87th I'm so bad with street names..haha
Comments 11
At least two other local LJ folk have used Cat before. megiloth and thanis_bloodsto can attest to the quality of Cat's work.
I've not heard anything bad about Exile, BTW. In fact, all I've ever heard was good news...
Reply
http://www.megiloth.com/tattoo/mytattoos/mytattoos.htm
I'm not too impressed with local artists that I've looked at, but if it's going on my skin permenantly, it better be fucking good...and Cat is one of the best. You get what you pay for. You want cheap, you'll get a cheap quality design you'll want fixed later.
Reply
Reply
I went to him with an armload of books that contained various elements of a concept I wanted, and he worked it out, doing it and redoing it on paper until I was happy with it. My boyfriend went in to have an old tattoo covered/redone, and Kevin did a biomechanical/reptilian piece completely freehand (initially on skin with a sharpie) that is unlike anything I've ever seen before or since. I really need to post photos of our tats so I can refer people to them.
**Editing to add: You mentioned a desire for someone really friendly...Kevin is somewhat gruff and a huge smartass, but ultra-talented, so if you can ride out the attitude and not take things personally, you won't be sorry. ;)
Reply
(The comment has been removed)
Reply
wait its too early i cant remember what street it is. haha
i think its 87th
I'm so bad with street names..haha
Reply
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment