ireadlots blog: March 2011

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Elemental Tattoos officially opened for business!

Well, the time has finally come! I have been practicing for many months now, I recently graduated from grapefruits to human flesh, and I have completed a couple of very well executed tattoos, that you can look at here. I am now confident that I can do a very professional job for anyone wanting a tattoo, HOWEVER, I am going to be starting with much simpler designs, lettering, symbols, and smaller pieces. If you are looking for a very large or complex tattoo, please feel free to contact me with design ideas, and I will do top notch design work for you and keep you posted as my skill level increases and I eventually am ready for the larger more complex tattoos. This should be relatively soon at the rate I am learning and improving my skill as a tattooist. My promise to ALL my clients is that the work will be expertly executed, and with the utmost attention to sterile and healthy working techniques. I will not tackle anything that I do not feel 100% ready to do PERFECTLY. So if your tattoo idea is extremely ambitious, please be patient and I will get to it when my skill level and confidence is exactly where it needs to be.

My most recent work was the 'Damaged Goods' tattoo you see below, for my dear friend Wilson. The work flowed smoothly, and the precision and details are clean and as close to perfect as possible. This was the tattoo that made me realize I am ready to start working professionally. In the next few weeks I will be adding a great deal of equipment to my inventory, new tips, inks, needles, shaders, and autoclave etc. So the work will be getting more sophisticated very quickly. Drop me a line at directly if you want me to get to work on a tattoo design for you.

My pricing will be extremely fair, both for designs and final tattoo execution. I will price each individual job to suit the client, so you can expect to pay far less than you might at a typical tattoo shop. So let the creative fun begin! I look forward to hearing from you and working with you to create a tattoo that will live on you and in you, and be a great source of pride and inspiration for a lifetime!

THROWBACK THURSDAY

Here is a classic soul record by Weldon Irvine "Morning Sunrise" and a classic track off
Memphis Bleek's album 534 that was sampled from Mr. Irvine's original recording.
Produced by Just Blaze

Sunday, March 6, 2011

SOUL SUNDAY

"Ebony Eyes" is a 1983 hit R&B single recorded by American singers Rick James and Smokey Robinson for the Gordy (Motown) label. It was first featured on James' album Cold Blooded. The song was produced and arranged by Rick James.

Ebony Eyes was a collaborative effort by Smokey Robinson and Rick James. It was first released on the album Cold Blooded, the title song quickly became Rick James third number one R&B hit but Ebony Eyes also climbed the R&B/Hip Hop charts and peaked at number 26. Ebony Eyes remains one of Rick James most notable hits as it is one of the few to not use the style he labeled "punk-funk" but instead uses a more contemporary tempo and follows a more classic style of R&B. Smokey Robinson was credited for singing the introduction, bridge, and other more calm verses while James sang the chorus.

Ebony Eyes begins with a simple beat which leads into a more complex rhythm and the vocals of both Smokey Robinson and uncredited background vocalist who repeat falsetto vocals twice before Smokey Robinson begins the opening verse. The song chronicles the narrators affection for a certain woman. Lost in words and made weak by the mere presence of this lady Robinson requires Rick's vocals to show how he really feels about this woman, who James thinks is unaware of his affection and apparent need for her.