So recently I have been hit with multiple requests from friends and co-workers to draw them tattoos. I have to say, I fucking love drawing tattoos. And I realized something: money is not enough of an incentive for me to draw them. In fact, if money is involved at all then it actually destroys my inspiration and I lose all interest in creating the design. Probably because if I do charge people it's a piddly small amount, but I know how expensive getting tattoos done can get so I'd rather they save their money for the tat artists themselves; the small amount I have charged before is just so the person I'm drawing for doesn't feel as if they are in my debt. Also, I feel if I charge people money then that is like saying that I will draw tat designs for anyone who can pay. I won't. Tattoo designs are so personal that it's necessary for me to know and like the person I'm creating for in order to feel motivated enough to stick with the design process, which can be rather lengthy as I go through multiple revisions of a design. I've tried sitting down and coming up with some generic tattoo designs for no one in particular and I just can't seem to do it.

I take a lot of pride in tailoring a design to someone else's vision, and I also love how people tend not to bullshit me about how effective the design is when they are planning on wearing it on their skin for the rest of their lives. Honesty is all-important; I do not draw tattoos for recognition or approval. I know my capabilities as an artist and I accept my weaknesses. My goal is to create a design that my client/friend will be proud to wear, that accurately reflects their personality and personal tastes. I think it's a huge fucking deal when someone else is eager to wear my drawing permanently. It's like I am literally leaving a mark on various people I meet throughout my life. That is why tattoo designing is probably the most serious type of artwork I do right now. I don't post tattoo designs I create in my online galleries because they are created for specific people and I really want to avoid having them stolen and used by others.

Other people I know continue to insist I charge for this. But I despise money! Yes, it is useful and necessary, but god money just fucks up people's minds and lives, both the lack of it and the need/desire for more. I will happily charge for my artistic services once I have finished school and hopefully have entered the animation industry, but when it comes to art as personal and permanent as a tattoo design, please leave money and its negative connotations out of the deal. Give me some sweet-ass music to listen too, or some kick-ass anime action figures, or just sit down and split a six-pack of Pabst with me and I'll be content. I'll take friendship and camaraderie over money any day.