Author: Melis Fusco

My first contribution to the TamBlog I thought to share…. www.tattooartistmagazineblog.com    http://ow.ly/gWxul

“Welcome Artists, Collectors, and spectators! I would like to first say thank you to Tattoo Artist Magazine for inviting me to do a monthly contribution to their new TAM Blog. I am honored to be apart of this project and hope to help shed some new light on this dynamic industry from my perspective.  I am writing to you in-flight from Denver Colorado, where I was visiting one of my resident studio’s, Godspeed Ink Tattoo located in Breckenridge Colorado.  

   Breckenridge is a skiing/snowboarding resort located in the heart of the Rockies. This town is full of rich mining history since gold was discovered there in 1859. The gold rush brought in all sorts of transient people, digging to be rich by day, too drinking, gambling, and brothal hopping by night.  To me now a days, not much has changed. Digging for gold in the form of snow, Breckenridge now in its 51st year of ski resort opporation. Snoboarding is my primary reason for being in Colorado, as well as my fellow artists at Godspeed. 

     This winter of 2013 will be my 20th year on a snowboard and my 10th anniversary tattooing.  I have worked in a few different studios in a few different states, and I have to say that I have never worked in a studio like Godspeed. I first visited there as a guest artist in February 2009 and moved the following June. Though I have deep roots in Colorado since I went to college outside of Crested Butte starting in 1995… my love for the Rockies goes further then anything else in my life and those that know me are use to seeing me come and go. The best thing in the world is to be able to share that love with others.  

     It is important to share other life experiences and hang out with your shop mates outside of just a work schedule.  I have worked in studios where artists never hang out and don’t find a common bond. I have worked at some studios that the only hang out time is a drink after work, which is better then nothing, however, getting outside, exploring nature, going to a show or museum, having meals together and loving life is so important for any relationship especially in a creative environment. In turn when a shop mate is dealing with an unfortunate life experience it is easier for us to give a helping hand, companionship and understanding.  Every artist at the shop snowboards, and it is one of the top priorities in our lives.  The Shred & The Art! That is normally the order of our daily routine. Being that much closer to your shop mates is such a unique feeling, enevitablily spiraling into the shared creative atmosphere. 

 

 

 

      Every environment has its ups and downs, that is the dynamics with multiple humans consistently sharing space. The least amount of troubles the better creative environment for everyone. Step aside and bring in awareness,  down to the core level of why you are where you are.  Ask yourself, how does your environment help fulfill your life, and does that reflect positively in your work?  If a change is needed, take the leap, if not, then take the initiative and ask your mates to share a meal, go to a museum exhibit, a live show, a hike or whatever you think could help create a more positive, creative, open environment so that you can transcend as an artist. Respect needs to exist no matter what level it can be given and or received.   Being mindful is nessacary.

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Tattooing is greater then itself, as a tattooer we are actively participating in a craft greater then ourselves. As allies and spectators of tattooing, we are connected with the art, act, and end result; that is greater then ourselves.

* Check your ego, dont allow it to expand ahead of your capabilities or contribution. We all have an ego, it is necessary, be sure to keep it parallel.  

*Reach out to others, especially those near you in your creative environment. 

*Build a foundation to grow from to keep your environment motivating, and free of negative energy. 

*Watch out for emotional vampires, they tend to suck you of your energy. You can not alter their perspective and may need to keep them respectfully at a distance.
*Encourage a common bond.

 

 

 

 

      I would like to conclude with mentioning the Paradise Tattoo Gathering that was held in Keystone Colorado just around the corner, it was so amazing to have so many creative, talented, friendly artists and spectators share in the experience and the energy that the mountains had to offer. Everyone was so stoked on the environment, and I am so happy that the Paradise Gathering will be returning to Keystone in 2013. Don’t miss it! Bring your mates too! lots of love and positive vibes! Melis   

Hey everyone! I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving! I was up in Colorado, as usual… I am sure you noticed that I travel there often if I am not residing in Colorado. Which will change by the way come June 2013!! I will be moving back… closer to Denver so stay tuned to that future news!  It was an awesome trip! Reconnecting with friends on the slopes and doing some great tattooing, as well as healing my body from prolonged sitting abuse… getting out and getting moving is what my body needs to feel balanced and strong. Tattooing may look effortless, however it does have its side effects as an artist. More to come talking about that in the future. Tattoo Artist Magazine invited me to be a monthly contributor to their new TAM Blog. It is a honor to be asked for my voice to be heard, and I hope that you have a read from time to time as I post thoughts, trial and error stories, cause and consequence etc. I am just finishing up my first contribution and wanted to share a few words for my up coming post:

 

 

 

Tattooing is greater then itself, as a tattooer we are actively participating in a craft greater then ourselves. As allies and spectators of tattooing, we are connected with the art, act, and end result; that is greater then ourselves. Check your ego, dont allow it to expand ahead of your capabilities or contribution. We all have an ego, it is necessary, be sure to keep it parellel.  Reach out to others, especially those near you in your creative environment. Build a foundation to grow from to keep your environment motivating, and free of negative energy. Watch out for emotional vampires, they tend to suck you of your energy. You can not alter their perspective and may need to keep them respectfully at a distance.

Encourage a common bond.

 

 

I will be posting my whole article soon, and as always thank you for all your support!! I am booking appointments for 2013, be sure to fill out the contact form!! Be well!

 

Hey there! I just wanted to let you all know I will be working the BTSOE at the Mirage in Las Vegas October 26, 27 & 28 2012. If you are interested in booking please fill out the contact page! This will be my last time visit Las Vegas for a while! 

Travel Tips: DIY Wet Panel Box

 

For those of us who may have the chance of painting away from our home studio’s, you may find this box to be handy for carrying wet panels. The summer of 2011, I attended a week-long landscape painting workshop in the wet lands of New Jersey and built a more simple wet panel box for my everyday travel. I kept the box in my truck and was able to transport wet panels from the days location to my accommodations, where I continued working on each piece. Instead of the jenga like game of panel stacking while on the road, and the stress of limiting the fix ups that may need tending to due to all the movement, or worse ruining a piece all together; here’s an inexpensive, custom, and rewarding project that can be used for multiple trips. I just returned from the Paradise Artist Retreat in New Mexico, and this box really came in handy for all the art work that was created during the week. Other artists liked it so I thought to share how to make one yourself!!

All items can be found at your local art supplier  and depending on size, less the $25 dollars. Making a wet panel box yourself allows you to be able to customize it to the size of the panels you wish to use and how many you wish to bring. This box is not limited to panel use, you can surely build one for 1/4-1/2 inch stretched canvas, just depends on your preference. Obviously the size of the box is customized for your use. I will show you step by step how to build one for yourself, and what supplies are needed. It will take you a few hours if you don’t super glue your fingers together!

 

My dimensions for this box is going to be sized to fit linen panels 14 x 18″ and 11 x 14″ panels, with one canvas board in the back. Notice that in my size choices I picked 2 different sizes, allowing me to use one side at 14″  stacking the panels portrait and landscape  without compromising the fit. Before you head to the art supply store, make sure you know your dimensions of your panels/canvas’s in order to know how much supplies you are going to need.

 

STEP 1 ~ Supplies”

1/2 inch foam board.

1/4″ 3 foot SQUARE wooden dowel sticks,

yard stick,

Duck Tape (get fancy with it),

fresh razor blade/box cutter,

super glue large bottle,

Velcro,

pointy marker.

work table,

and your panels you wish to fill the box with for size reasons.

 

STEP 2 ~ Measuring the Width and Height.

First off this is really important, BEFORE YOU CUT YOUR FOAM BOARD make sure you measure the foam board front and back to fit your panels adding 1/4″ extra width for wiggle room (the 1/4 rods you’re going to put on either side will hold in the panels). MAKE the box taller by an inch, allowing room for the lid and wiggle room, but obviously not wider or else your panels wouldn’t stay behind the dowels. The foam board bottom, and sides must sit on the outside for better support and strength. In this photo you will see how I stacked all the goods so that I could measure how deep the sides and how long the bottom should be. I also added an extra inch or so for wiggle room on the sides, this allowed 2 panels to sit back to back comfortably if needed… (dang it, that’s smart!!) I would NOT have them fit tightly.

 

STEP 3 ~ Measure for the Slots.

Now that you have cut all your foam board, front and back should be the same, sides should also be the same, and the bottom just a hair longer to cover the side walls. Next, measure where the front and back are going to come into contact with each side wall, (1/2 inch on either side) I was able to cut my dowel rods exactly in half (they are soft so a razor cuts them smoothly) and I laid them out on the side wall, with how many I needed and adjusted them for wiggle room. My dowel rods ended up being 3/4″ apart from each other. This allowed One panel to sit really comfortably, but also 2 panels could go back to back if needed. Measure your Marks, draw your lines, center the dowel rods with super glue. The sides should mirror image themselves (remember to leave an inch space up top for the trap door)****

 

STEP 4 ~ Tape on Walls and Bottom

Now that all the dowels are super glues onto the side walls, (and not your fingers) its time to get some scissors and the fancy duck tape, and put everything together. Start one side at a time,(remember the sides go on the outside of the box) they should fit the front and back just perfectly!! Don’t go crazy with the duck tape just one strip on each joint to hold it together as you work all 4 corners.

 

STEP 5 ~Tape Base and Add More Tape for Strength.

Look at that, all the walls are together, time to put on the bottom. this step will make it extra secure. After you wrap 4 pieces of tape around all 4 joints of the base, NOOWWW you can add more duck tape, get crafty with it. Slice the corners like a stencil. Wrap one piece of duck tape all the way around each joint from top front to top back, etc. DON’T finish all the duck tape 😉

 

STEP 6~ Finish Box.

Finally time to put a lid on it. Measure the opening at the top, cut it out. Duck tape the edges nicely. Tape it to the box on the inside and the outside like a hinge. fold over a piece of duck tap on the lip of the lid, and add your Velcro!!!!! almost done!!!…….I put stickers on the front and the top to decipher the ends. And there ya go! Now you are ready to travel with as much wet paintings as you planned for, and don’t have to worry too much for their safety.

 

This box really is sturdy, light and should last a few trips. Obviously it is foam board, but the 1/2 inch foam board is pretty tough… though if not too careful it will get dinged or puncture if it falls over. Until then, have fun!!! Hope this comes in handy for all of the traveling painters out there. Feel free to share your wet panel box if you get around to building one!! I would love to see it!! Pull this blog and save it for your future use! You wont regret it 😉 ~melis

Paradise Tattoo Gathering is coming to Keystone Colorado this September 13-16 2012! I am so excited to have this event in one of my home towns, my favorite Summit County will be shared with so many of my artist friends most of which have never been to this area of the country before. It is going to be a weekend full of tattooing, education, and meeting of minds. It is also great from a spectator perspective so even if you are not getting tattooed it is worth a day or whole weekend trip.  I am booked for this event but still do stop by and say hello if you catch me at my booth with Jake and Brian from Breckenridge’s, Godspeed Tattoo. My next trip to Colorado will be in November for opening weekend of Breckenridge…. consults are always welcome for future bookings. see you soon!