KATHLEEN SCUDDER These are some of my flash pieces I use for hand poked tattoos. Kathleen is a graphic designer living in Brooklyn, NY. She runs Heavy Eyes, an object and visual design studio, with sculpture artist Matt Cavanaugh. Their work includes the design of 2D and 3D visuals and installations for window displays, interiors, and exhibitions.
LENA HAWKINS These are all my first flash drawings I started working on in 2015. I began experimenting tattooing ten years ago by giving sloppy little tattoos to a few friends. But I always really enjoyed it and wanted to keep trying it out. Years later I came back to this idea as a part of my art practice. I had developed a body of water color paintings of energies beyond our reality. A friend asked me to tattoo one of the spirits I was painting on his arm and that led me to making flash sheets and getting more opportunities to give tattoos. This past year I was preoccupied with a film project and other work, but I have so many ideas brewing for new sheets. My study of astrology, tarot, and other esoteric arts are seeping in more and more. I want flash sheets of all these symbols: zodiac, astrology symbols, tarot suits representing the four elements, magik, more yin and yangs, and lots of fountains and waterfalls. I’m looking forward to manifesting these ideas into new flash in the new year. The process of learning to tattoo has taught me a lot about permanence, focus, and energy exchange. I think of tattooing as a meditation for the person receiving the tattoo and myself as well as an intentional energy transfer. Eventually I would like to just tattoo patterns and single lines tracing subtle contours of bodies; harsh and gentle at the same time. If you would like a tattoo please email lenahawkins.studio@gmail.com Some of Lena’s art is on her website at lenahawkins.com
RITA SALT My flash never actually gets finished or curated. When someone comes to get a tattoo I always give them my unedited pile of sketchbooks. It’s like handing over my diary - there are a lot of drawings and writings that are deeply personal and even embarrassing. I am happy to be vulnerable in this way with my clients, because often people feel vulnerable before or while getting tattooed. The process of tattooing is very intimate - you are seeing their blood permanently changing their body… they may be in pain, they may tell you stories about their life. This is a very strange and intense and beautiful thing to repeat all day with strangers. This is why I hand over my secret diaries right away; it’s a sacrifice. Rita Salt is a self taught tattooer and professional printmaker living in Brooklyn, NY.
to see more: @blamo @freek_flag @ritasalt to contact Weird Babes: caroline.partamian@gmail.com www.carolinepartamian.com Caroline Partamian is a curator, visual artist, and musician living and working in Brooklyn, NY.