I'll have one of those...

I remember the very first time I approached someone to be in my "INK" series. I was at a coffee shop and in walked 3 beautiful girls. One girl looked in my direction and I quickly looked away as I caught myself staring. She had tattoos strategically placed on her arms and legs as if to say "there will be more, I just need to fill in the blanks." Her friends from what I could see didn't seem to have the same obsession.

I quickly fumbled for a business card and started planning my approach. I had planned on staying at the coffee shop for an hour or so, but instead quickly packed up my computer, grabbed the coffee I had barely began to sip, and figured the most natural way to approach the girls was on my way out. Be cool, I kept reminding myself. Ha, cool is something I rarely feel, and I doubt that day anyone thought I was. I stopped at the table, introduced myself and told the girls about my "INK" series, focusing the entire time on the girl with the tattoos, obviously she had become my inspiration for making a fool of myself. I guess it wasn't all bad. They smiled politely, took my card and tried not to have a look in their eyes that said "who is this woman, and what does she want?" One girl even showed me the ladybug tattoo she had on her foot, her one and only tattoo, and asked if she could be in the series. I wasn't sure if she was being cute, or making fun of me, and at that point I made my very "cool" exit. This scene repeated itself over and over again for months. The approaching people became easier but the results typically stayed the same. Polite smiles, yes I'm interested, but never a commitment or phone call like they promised.

It's almost 3 years after that day in the coffee shop. I have 14 pieces in my "INK" series, and have shown the series in over 25 different venues. The latest which was The Green Room, in Fort Lauderdale. I loved the way my work looked there, hanging throughout the second floor of the club. As I approached the bar for a drink, Krysti appeared to take my order. The drink became about as important as my coffee was that day in the coffee shop. Krysti was a beautiful girl with gorgeous tattoos, and a great smile. Her energy was perfect for my series. I introduced myself as the artist who was showing that night. Enthusiastically she complimented my work and opened the door for me to ask her to be in the series. One month later her piece is done. It should always be that easy. I finished it at the South Florida Tattoo Expo where I worked on it as people passed my display. My 19 year old daughter helped out with the table as I painted. Later that day as my daughter and I walked through the expo she grabbed my arm, and said "Mom, this is the coolest thing you have ever done" I turned with a smile and said "the tattoo expo?" She said, "no, your INK series".

photo by Michele Guarino