how to apply

The placement and scale are the most important factors. 

Subject matter is the next highest factor.

Review the next tabs to see the highest priorities for this round of booking.

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Stick with specific or unusual details:

Instead of simply writing “flowers” specify species type, geographic region, or theme.

Ie: Dandelions, Pacific Northwest florals, or medicinal wildflowers.

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You may be as brief or as detailed as you like in your proposal. 

Reference imagery may be added now or later. It is not required at this stage.

Scale and placement is a very big factor in determining which pieces I want to work on!

I prefer pieces that are symmetrically designed on the body. 

I’m especially interested in the center of the torso (spine, full back, chest, sternum, stomach, throat) as well as matching/related pieces (both calves, both hands, both feet, both forearms, etc).

HIGHEST PRIORITIES :
(strongest chance of approval)

In order of preference:

bodysuit projects
full torso with wraparound
full chest piece
full back piece
hands/feet
neck/throat
head or face
xl full body unique

HIGH PRIORITY :
Both legs
both sleeves
upper chest
sternum
stomach
spine
upper back centered
both calves
both forearms
extra long leg (foot, calf, and thigh together)

LOWER PRIORITY :
single calf
single forearm
single thigh
upper arm half-sleeve

LOWEST PRIORITY :
small singular pieces
asymmetrical smaller torso
shoulders

Themes:

• scientific themes : ecology, biology, astronomy, earth sciences, quantum physics

• occult themes : metaphysics, macabre medieval engravings, alchemical spells

• mystical nature themes : creatures and beasts, creepy crawlies, consciousness

Subject matter:

• For primary subject matter I love including: animals, anatomical elements, skeletal creatures, scientific themes, or creatures from folklore/cryptozoology/mythology. 

• Inanimate objects, relics, tools and landscapes and places can be interesting primary or secondary elements as well.

• Plants - botanicals and florals are excellent secondary subject matter

Limitations:

• Text: I may accept minimal text elements as accents to the main subject matter this round - but they will be handled in an integrated graphic treatment (ie. scientific illustration labels or graphic design elements).

• Humans: anatomical features ONLY - bones, organs, hands etc.
  (no human figures or portraits)

• No cover-ups or integrating work by other artists - sorry!

I think of the tattoos as a spell - there are three parts: ingredients, intention, and ritual.

The ritual is what we do on the day of your appointment.  

The intention is something you may choose to share or keep inside - it may even be completely subconscious.  

And then there's the ingredients.

My favorite way to design your piece is with a list of specific subject matter, especially when paired with an overarching concept or story.  

Then I have the freedom to assemble the parts and the root of the story to add details if needed.  I love cosmologies, folklore, and interesting stories rooted in history or science.

Scheduling: All proposals will receive an e-mail response about 2-3 months after they are received. Typically around March-April.

If your proposal is accepted, you will receive instructions on how to schedule, including a date to expect a calendar link. 

This internal calendar goes live to approved clients 4-6 months before the appointment year begins.

If your piece will take more than 6 hours: please prepare to book two or more sessions.

These can be booked in the same week, or spaced apart.

After booking your first session, reach out via e-mail if you need help scheduling any future appointments, and we can manually assist with the additional dates.

Changing your accepted proposal: Placement, scale, and primary subject matter should remain the same as the approved proposal. Secondary details, and similar substitutions permitted (ie. elk > deer, not elk > rocket)

If, after booking, you change the primary elements, placement, or scale: the new proposal must be re-evaluated against the rest of the original proposals for fairness.  

Please really consider the placement and the elements you are interested in prior to sending the proposal in!

There are extremely limited available slots compared to the proposals received. Almost every one of you has a great idea that I’d love to work on, even if it didn’t get chosen for this round.

I encourage you to take a second look at your proposal and resubmit in the next booking round.

Certain placements, scales, and content may be higher on the priority list each round and it does change with time.

The most common reason projects get declined is scale.

The absolute smallest work I accept is typically about the size of a full sheet of printer paper.

“Preferred placements” (above) lists the sizes and placements that are more likely to be accepted.