The Beautiful Blur: Art,The Grind, and Fatherhood

PEOPLE USUALLY ONLY SEE THE FINISHED PRODUCT. THEY SEE THE FINAL TATTOO WALKING OUT THE DOOR, THE NICE WEBSITE, OR THE LAUNCH OF A NEW GHOSTLINE UPDATE. WHAT THEY DON’T SEE IS THE BEAUTIFULLY CHAOTIC REALITY OF HOW IT ALL ACTUALLY GETS DONE.

THERE’S THIS OLD, ROMANTICIZED MYTH OF THE “ISOLATED ARTIST”—THE CREATIVE WHO LOCKS THEMSELVES AWAY IN A DARK STUDIO, COMPLETELY DISCONNECTED FROM THE OUTSIDE WORLD TO FIND THEIR MUSE. BUT THE TRUTH IS, REAL INSPIRATION DOESN’T HAPPEN IN A VACUUM. IT HAPPENS RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF LIFE.

IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE DAY-TO-DAY REALLY LOOKS LIKE AROUND THE STUDIO, THIS VIDEO PRETTY MUCH SUMS IT UP. BETWEEN DESIGNING TOOLS FOR FELLOW ARTISTS AND PUTTING INK TO SKIN, THIS SPACE DOUBLES AS A SANCTUARY, A PLACE TO LEARN, AND A SECOND HOME.

LATELY, I’VE BEEN THINKING A LOT ABOUT THE CONCEPT OF “WORK-LIFE BALANCE.” HONESTLY, I THINK THE PHRASE IS A TRAP. IT IMPLIES THAT WORK AND LIFE ARE TWO OPPOSING FORCES FIGHTING FOR A SLICE OF THE PIE. FOR A CREATIVE ENTREPRENEUR, IT’S RARELY A BALANCE—IT’S A BLEND. YOU DON’T JUST SHUT OFF THE ARTIST BRAIN WHEN YOU WALK OUT THE DOOR, AND YOU CERTAINLY DON’T STOP BEING A DAD WHEN YOU WALK INTO THE STUDIO.

HAVING MY SON IN THE STUDIO WITH ME COMPLETELY SHIFTS THE ENERGY OF THE ROOM. IT FORCES ME OUT OF MY OWN HEAD. YOU CAN BE STRESSED OVER A MASSIVE UPCOMING PROJECT OR A COMPLEX DESIGN, AND THEN SUDDENLY YOU’RE ON THE FLOOR BUILDING THINGS, PICKING UP TOYS, AND REMEMBERING NOT TO TAKE YOURSELF QUITE SO SERIOUSLY. IT’S GROUNDING.

WE TALK A LOT ABOUT THE LEGACY WE LEAVE BEHIND IN OUR INDUSTRY—THE ART THAT OUTLIVES US, THE TECHNIQUES WE SHARE, THE THINGS WE BUILD, AND THE WORK TO PUSH THE CULTURE FORWARD. BUT THE REAL LEGACY IS THE ENVIRONMENT WE CREATE FOR THE NEXT GENERATION. I WANT MY SON TO GROW UP SEEING THAT YOU CAN BUILD A LIFE AROUND WHAT YOU LOVE, THAT HARD WORK CAN BE FUN, AND THAT A PROFESSIONAL STUDIO IS STILL A PLACE WHERE YOU CAN GET ON THE FLOOR AND PLAY.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT AND WE LOCK UP THE SHOP, IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT WHAT WE CREATED ON THE CANVAS OR THE SKIN. IT’S ABOUT WHO WAS IN THE ROOM WITH US WHILE WE DID IT AND WHO’S WAITING FOR US AT HOME.

London Reese

A Modern Renaissance

I think we are in an era where the current state of tattooing is a Modern Renaissance.

I have always been an artist and tattooing is absolutely my favorite medium of art. It is the most difficult form of media that I have tried and that it is one of the many reasons why I love it so much. I don't care how many hours you've put in because our "canvas" is living, breathing, speaking, sneezing, & emoting. Great tattooers are truly MASTERS of this art form and trade.

I love making tattoos AND I love studying the work of my peers. The artwork that some tattooists put in skin, nowadays, is something to really marvel over. It's incredible to see and even better to witness, in person.

Cheers to all of my peers, past & present, for elevating this sacred craft to the place that it is now. I am eternally grateful for this wild life and tattooing is one of the main reasons that I am a genuinely happy human.

The industry is constantly changing and a lot of these changes are rather interesting and maybe not ideal; but culture and technology ALWAYS moves forward and our species only thrives through progress. So I embrace what I want to and brush off the rest. I always try to keep an open mind and a positive outlook and remember to keep my head down, avoid the noise, and try to make art that I am proud of.

Tattooing has provided me with a life that I never dreamed was even possible. I have been able to travel the globe and see incredible art and meet some rad folks, along the way. I am forever grateful for tattooing and I promise I will continue to push myself and my art ’til the wheels come off.

I am rather excited to see where tattooing goes and I am honored to be a small part of this unique modern renaissance.

C/S

London Reese

The art of london Reese