Shawn Barber: The Tattooed Portraits – An Outsider’s View of Another World
Story and photos by Mitch Gurowitz
My trip to the Joshua Liner Gallery for the opening of Shawn Barber’s Memoir: The Tattooed Portraits Series was yet another door opening into another world for me. I went there to view the work of a fine artist who specializes in painting tattooers and tattooed people. While I’m no stranger to art or to galleries, I’ve only recently joined the ranks of the tattooed a few months earlier as a celebration of my 50th birthday.
My mind skipped between the excitement of seeing Shawn’s artwork up close and meeting him and the subjects of some of his work, and also concern that the reception would be a gathering of a very exclusive and private group of professionals… A group that may not appreciate an outsider walking into their world… (more…)
Matt Amey: Self-Portrait Painting (VIDEO)
In 2008, I returned to college to study Fine Art at the University of Delaware. In December of 2009 I created this self portrait, in oil paint, over the span of 40-plus hours of painting. I constructed the stretcher bars out of one-by-three inch poplar and stretched the five-by-six foot canvas over the structure. Two coats of white gesso later and I was ready to paint. [Video on expanded page] (more…)
Jeff Gogue: Calvaria Book Preview (VIDEO)
Calvaria is the Latin word for skull. This book is a collection of skulls painted and tattooed by Jeff Gogué from 2006-2010. It is printed with the highest quality paper and ink available, and bound by hand. The cover is made of the finest Italian leatherette, and debossed with a custom die designed by Jeff… [Additional video and pictures on expanded page] (more…)
Artist Profile: Jeff Gogué (VIDEO)
Jeff Gogué started his career as a tattooer in 1999 after working in construction for eight years. He is self-taught, and never had an apprenticeship, although he credits Cory Norris and Kevin Cox for mentoring him along the way. [Video and pictures on expanded page] (more…)
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