Philip Harris, a 27-year-old freelance illustrator from Devon UK, illustrated a surf board at the recent Boardmasters Festival in Cornwall. Phil normally uses finer liners, dip pens and inks to create intricate illustrations primarily inspired by the Victorian and Edwardian era. His work also usually incorporates animals and patterning elements, which he combines to create engaging pictorial narratives.
I was invited to join a clothing company that I frequently work with called RSI apparel down on their stall at Boardmasters festival. Rob the owner of RSI suggested it could be cool for me to do some live drawing on the stall while he was running the shop, so I thought going with the Boardmaster theme why not draw onto a surfboard.
I think in total it took me about 20 hours working with permanent markers to finish the drawing. It was mostly done for fun and to engage with the visitors who came by the shop at the festival. It was so awesome to chat to people who popped into the shop to watch the drawing and see what there thoughts were on the design. I would love to do more events like that.
Atomica Gallery and Things&Ink magazine are delighted to announce Miniature Ink, an exhibition featuring miniature original artwork from over 100 of the world’s leading tattoo artists, opening 24th September 2014.
Celebrating both the second anniversary of Things&Ink and launch of ‘The Illustration Issue’, the exhibition is also being held to raise awareness for Sarcoma UK, with profits from sales being donated to the charity.
Opening on the eve of London Tattoo Convention 2014 and with tattoo culture very much in the zeitgeist, for Miniature Ink Things&Ink Editor Alice Snape has invited a huge variety of tattooers to contribute a postcard-sized artwork of a subject matter of their choice. Small but perfectly formed, each work is the same affordable price, providing an opportunity for all art lovers to own an original by some of the industry’s most sought-after names. Featuring a diverse array of styles, techniques and subject matter, Miniature Ink is a dynamic exhibition that showcases the very best in contemporary tattoo artistry.
LIST OF EXHIBITING ARTISTS:
Adam Sage // Ael Lim // Alessandro Jako // Alex Binnie // Alexandra Skarsgård // Alexandra Wilkey//Alexis Camburn // Amanda Abbott // Angelique Houtkamp // Anna Garvey // Antony Flemming // Araceli 4Ever//Aron John Dubois // Axa Shireen // Betty Rose // Bob Done // Brenden Jones // Brian Thomas Wilson//Bugs // Caleb Kilby // Cally-Jo // Cass Bramley // Charlotte Timmons // Cris Cleen // Curly Moore // Danielle Rose//Dominique Holmes // Drew Linden // Duncan X // Ebony Mellowship // Eddy-Lou // El Nigro // Emily Wood//Eva Huber // Fidjit // Flo Nuttall // Georgina Liliane // Gergely Kun // Gia Rose // Giovanni (Black Heart)//Grace Neutral // Hannah Keuls // Hannah Mosley // Harriet Hapgood // Abbie Williams // Iris Lys//Isobel Stevenson // Jack Thomas Newton // Jake Danielson // Jesse (Scratchline) // Jessica Mach // Jules Wenzel //Jody Dawber // Judd Ripley // Juliette Mousseau // Keely Rutherford // Kelly McGrath // Kodie Smith//Lina Stigsson // Lorena Morato // Lucy O’Connel // Malvina (Scratchline) // Marija Ripley // Matt Black//Matthew Gordon // Matty D’Arienzo // Missy Rhysing // Mister Paterson // Naepier Tattoo // Nerida Nicolson//Nikole Lowe // Paul Davies // Pedro Santos // Peter Aurisch // Phil Kyle // Polly Sands // Rachel Baldwin//Rebecca Vincent // Robert William Ashby // Sadee Johnston // Sanya Youalli // Scott Move // Shannon Meow// Stephen Hutchison // Susanna Widmann // Tamara Lee // Tiny Miss Becca // Toby Gawler//Tom ‘Wookie’ Devine // Toni Moore // Tracy D // Uncle Allan // Virginia Elwood // Wendy Pham // Woody (James Woodford) // Zoe Binnie
How did you get into being an Ambassador and what exactly does it entail? Are tattoos a part of this?
I guess it was all down to being at the right place at the time and maybe a little luck. I went from managing bars in Hastings to setting up my own Tiki Bar, Huny Lu Lu’s. One day, completely on the off chance, someone from Sailor Jerry came into the bar and said that they were looking for an Ambassador and thought it would be worth me applying. I thought I’d be brave and give it a go as there was nothing to lose, so sent in my CV, got an interview and to cut a long story short, got the job. They wanted someone who was into rum and tattoos, which sums me up as I’ve always been genuinely passionate about both. My time is split between talking to bartenders, organising events and trying to educate people about Sailor Jerry.
On EmmaLi’s legs by Alexis Camburn-Cox
How different was being a bartender that to what you do now?
I travel a lot more now and am rarely at home – my days are completely varied. One day I could be at a tattoo convention or throwing a party, and the next I’m in the office planning the next event or doing a training session at a bar. The variety means I’ve had the chance to meet some amazing people and travel about a lot. I do love bartending and I still miss it loads, so it is nice to still be involved in the industry without having to be on the front line, which, trust me, can be really hard. I don’t think we really appreciate how hard bartenders work or what we have to put up with – anyone who’s ever worked in a bar will know what I’m talking about. Saying that, I still get the chance to stay pretty close to the bartending side of things, as Sailor Jerry is always keen to find a way to support bartenders. For example, we’re currently running a campaign to get “Bartender Appreciation Day” recognised as a national holiday within the UK. It’s nice to have the opportunity to reward those hardworking guys and gals who make our good nights out possible whilst dealing with all the bad and the ugly!
By Madame Butterfly
Can you give us a bit of a rundown of your tattoo collection?
I was 18 when I got my first tattoo at Madame Butterfly’s in Hastings. I started with my ankles, and then moved onto the “True Love” roses on my feet. I worked my way up to the backs of my legs and hips, then my ribs and stomach. I accidentally got most of my painful bits out of the way early, which I’m now pretty glad about. I wanted to save space for the places that would be more on show until I found the right pieces. I’m slowly but surely adding to my collection, and now that I’m 29 I know what I like, and I’m confident my mind won’t change too drastically. I’ve recently started getting serious on my arms and adding to my back.
I’ve always loved traditional tattoos and was probably influenced by Sailor Jerry before I even knew who Norman Collins was. I love the romanticism and hope that his tattoos portray. The messaging behind them evokes a strong sense of telling a story and holding on to a memory which I love. For me, Sailor Jerry tattoos are as timeless and relevant today as they were back in the day.
Love it or leave it by Alexis Camburn-Cox
Ladies and lower butterflies by Rebecca Butterfly – Neck by Alexis Camburn-Cox
What are your favourite pieces and why?
My arms are definitely my favourite pieces at the moment because I’m still excited about adding to them. The peacock is one I particularly love and is done by Caleb Kilby at Shangri-La, someone who I have known for a long time and despite it not being my usual style, means a lot to me. I love his style. Some of my other arm was done by Alex Bage, whose style I adore so I was lucky enough to catch him twice. Other pieces I’ll always love are probably my feet and my ribs, which I love as much now as when they were new, in fact I don’t regret any of my tattoos. I’m really lucky to have the opportunity to meet a lot of amazing artists doing what I do, so I’m trying to build up my collection on my travels.
Peacock by Caleb Kilby
Fat Panda by Alex Bage
What do you think your tattoos say about you?
I dread to think! Personally, I think they bring out the hopeless romantic in me. I love tattoos on women, but for me, keeping them classic and feminine softens the edginess of having quite a lot of tattoos.
By Alex Bage
What else is in the pipeline for you this year? Work and tattoo wise.
I will be busy running the campaign for Bartender Appreciation Day, so get voting! We’ve got a few big events coming up which are definitely keeping me busy, and I’ll no doubt be hanging around in bars across the city! With regards to tattoos, I’ll definitely be getting some more work done on my arms and I’m planning on getting to work on my shoulders next.
By Aracelli 4Eva
Last but not least, a quick cocktail our readers can make at home?
Heavy Punch – it’s a great summer cocktail which is refreshingly fruity and easy to mix at home.
HEAVY PUNCH RECIPE
Ingredients: 1 ½ parts Sailor Jerry Spiced 1 part pineapple juice ½ part port ½ part simple syrup ½ part fresh lime juice 4 dashes of bitters
Method: Combine ingredients, shake and strain over crushed ice. Garnish with fresh grated nutmeg.
For one night only Digimem Studio in Coventry showcased The Heartwork Exhibition. Curated by Jessica Gough, the exhibition showed art work from female tattooists and artists, accompanied by wine and home-made cupcakes.
