the Dead icons project
It all started when…
the pandemic of 2020 forced me to stop tattooing and prevented me from earning an income - so i resorted to what i know best; making art.
my daughter was born the day the world shut down so we went home and i got to work. i started drawing and painting a lot, while sharing my process on social media.
that’s when the requests for commissioned art began. several of the inquiries were for deceased celebrities and rockstars. it dawned on me that this unique situation had organically inspired a crowd-inspired art series that would eventually become a prolific collection of works… “Dead icons” was born.
I created and sold over 80 pieces of original art and shipped them to people all over the world, that year. this gave me the ability to stay creative, stay inspired, stay sane and feed my family during a tough time for a lot of tattooers; and i am forever grateful for all of the support from fans and collectors. when i got back to work, tattooing at my studio, i knew i had to bring this unique series to skin.
The Dead icons project was born out of a dark time but i closed this chapter of life with an immense feeling of gratitude. i paid tribute to this experience and to these iconic and inspiring individuals by way of ritualistic sacrifice.
I hope you Enjoy.
c/s
London Reese
The Destruction of “Burn Out // Fade Away” and the final stage of The Dead Icons Project by London Reese
