Only skin deep.

Here's the result of our birthday trip to 252 tattoo. I don't know why they like them but I've hosted this first tattoo ritual for all four of my sons now. Maybe it's a lesson in the consequences of personal decision. Maybe it's just cool and we're all gonna die anyways, so... I welcome my youngest son aged 16 to the realms of the brotherhood. Hi Mike. I had fun working on this with you.

Here's some studio notes from the past few days. (I'm in training again)

May 4: I started some small step by step lighthouse paintings, shooting pics as I went. The paper is some old Whatman #200 CP that had some damage done to it's sizing by some invisible bug or spore from lying around unprotected. The paint will not stay on the surface. The paper sops it up like a blotter. The liquid frisket I used lifted the top fibers when I removed it from the paper. I burnished the areas smooth for later painting. They look rather bad but are learning experiences none-the-less. I learned I don't care or know enough for pulling off convincing marine paintings. These two may be lessons in saving a painting from the clutches of bad materials.

May 5: I realize I'm not painting what I like. That's why it is going so hard. I think I have to change my style or approach. Where is it? I have to think about this one.

May 6: I decide to plod ahead in spite of having a lack of experience in the subject matter...and update the blog.

I'll post the results later.