Creative Process - Designing a Unique Badass Tattoo

There’s a certain kind of excitement that comes with a client’s request of “do what you want. I trust you”. As an artist, freedom is all you’re ever searching for; in the wet paint on the canvas, in the deep hours of the flow state, scratching at the paper just to see what comes out.

My client “K” wanted a floral piece, but not just your basic combo. She was strong, fierce, edgy and a little crass. That’s what I liked about her. A wild woman molded by life and she wanted a bad ass bouquet. Profiling her and together with my freedom, creativity took charge. I scoured the internet for flowers that were unique. I always try to draw things I haven’t seen before; which in tattooing is sometimes quite the endeavour.

I always had an affinity for Cala lillies and came across an artisan grower’s pride and joy: swirling in etheric coils, absolutely beautiful. As I continued to work a bouquet out of these beauties I felt the bad ass vibe return. And the word sharp, sharp means edgy in my head. Yes, the solution: pointy flowers. I drew what would have resembled a sunflower, just extra spicy and realized that it gave off a throwing star appearance.

There it was, the money shot.

I swapped out this haphazard flower and ‘threw in’ a couple ninja stars - mind the pun. Leaves, spiky vines and some elegant spider webs *BOOM* 4 hours later, I had a beautiful bouquet prepped for a rock star client.