I am a museum of everything I’ve ever loved
the rings of stains left in a day old coffee cup
the warm spot under the covers that lingers after you’ve left the bed
little bits of thread left behind
the brambles and thorns that broke through skin
the twisted Iron rhythm beneath idle finger tips, steps along the pavement
Whats in your museum? What little bits of you could magnetize into art which lives on your vessel? Do any of these images resonate?
Books are re-opening for February appointments on Sunday January 18th in the morning time <3
Disclaimer: The bottom half of this post is fully me rambling on about frustrations with getting off social media and ideas for connecting with clients without the help of the internet ~ only move forward if you feel like engaging with those kinds of thoughts
My finger hovers and searches for a pulse. I finds it for a second and then it slips away. The pulse is presence. The pulse is quiet. I’m looking for the pulse on disconnecting from internet (in a healthy and realistic way) for the era we live in. The pulse is mental clarity. The pulse is freedom. Where is the perfect balance? How do we be just online enough to extract all the good parts of social media (inspiration, sharing, mutual aid, community, professional success, ect.) and leave behind all the bad parts (screen addiction, brain fog, declining impulse control, constant ads, AI slop, ect. ect.)
4 years ago I got my first dumb phone, I used it for a long time and it started my journey. I use an analog alarm clock and charge my phone in a different room. I keep only essential apps on my 100% greyscale iphone. My home screen is empty. I try to only use instagram on ipad for work. I have a brick. I started a substack and try to reach people that way. If you know me, you’ve definitely heard me and my ever developing woes with the online world.
Somehow despite all the mental effort and physical blocks I’ve put in place, I still manage to waste around two hours a day in the endless scroll trap. I don’t even remember what I watched. I don’t even feel rested. I want to delete it all so badly. I envy people whose work is not dependent on self marketing, but at the same time, its a worthwhile trade for the fulfillment I get from this work.
Lately it feels more and more talked about that so many people feel this way. The critical mass of false connection and endless algorithm is happening and people want out. So what do we do? No seriously, i’m asking for help in dreaming up other ways. Specifically for connecting tattoo artists to the right little souls looking for tattoos with aligned styles. Here’s some ideas I have - please comment any ideas you have!
Ways to connect with people my art that isn’t social media:
Snail Mail Club - getting mailed physical flash, little paper crafts, mini poems, ect.
Flyers with lil rip tabs (u know the ones I’m talking about?)
Being brave and actually talking to humans out in the world (bars, coffee shops, in line at the grocery store, asking to sit next to someone on a park bench)
Sidewalk chalk messages
Community events - let’s all hang out and talk about art!?
Conventions (i’m typically too over stimulated to go, but am seeing the increasing benefit in a post instagram age)
Leaving little branded souvenirs in bathrooms, bus stops, public spaces
How would YOU like to imagine finding and engaging with tattoos in a post internet era? What comes to mind? We’ve got to think outside the box!
Leave flash zines with booking info in little free libraries? And maybe other places?