Something a little different from me this time…
In the past I’ve had a wide variety of requests for use of my images, including such disparate projects as prints, magazine and book publications, non-profit scientific and educational organizations (which I nearly always allow without a fee), fancy rubber stamps, uses by painters and other artists as subjects for their work, an image to be lacquered into the top of the communal dining table of a new fire station in Temecula, California and several of my Northern Harrier (a type of hawk) images have been used in the AV8B Harrier (jump-jet) pilot training software at the Naval Air Weapons Station at China Lake, California.
But a few weeks ago I got something new for me – a request to use one of my avian images for a very large, “photo – realistic” tattoo.
Jenna, from New Zealand, contacted me and requested to use this image of a female Short-eared Owl in flight (with brood patch visible on the belly) as the basis for the tattoo. Her tattoo artist, Matt Jordan of Ship Shape Tattoo, Orewa, New Zealand, needed a high-resolution version of the image in order to get enough detail to make the very large tattoo photo-realistic. Even though this shot was taken in extremely low light and doesn’t have quite as much detail as most of my photos, in the end there was enough.
Matt Jordan is apparently very talented and in high demand so it took Jenna several months to get the project started. It’s a long, drawn out and painful process.
Jenna’s first session with Matt lasted for 6 hours and she has another 12 hours to go “under the needle”. Yesterday she sent me this photo (used here with permission) of the results from the first session (only 33% completed). Here’s Jenna’s brief description of the process:
“The tattoo is started by placing a stencil on the body. It is then faintly
outlined in full to make the stencil permanent. The artist then shades in
sections of black and greys and finishes with white highlights (the white hurts
the most as a bigger needle is used).”
You can see the stencil tracing where the owl’s vertically extended left wing will be going up the side of Jenna’s upper back.
I don’t know a lot about tattoos but I’ve looked at Matt’s work on Facebook and it is impressive (much more so than at the preliminary stage represented by this photo). Jenna has promised me a quality photograph of the tattoo when it’s finished in July (possibly earlier if someone cancels an appointment). When that happens I’ll post it here.
I’m anxious to see how it will look…
Ron
So many great Ron Dudley photos; so few willing bodies (for tatoos).
Is that a tentative offer to volunteer, Dave?
Beautiful! It will be stunning when finished. I’ve seen several raptor tattoos online that are just gorgeous.
Thanks, Leisa.
It’s great to see that your photos are international! Admittedly, the tattoo looks amazing. Can’t wait to see what it looks like when it’s completed. But for me, tattoos rank right up there with snakes. And you know how much I enjoyed them!!
Yes, I well remember your reaction to snakes in class, Lisa. Wish I’d known back then that you had similar feelings about tattoos – I’d have suggested that you get a snake tattoo to help you get over both aversions!
Congratulations on yet more well-deserved recognition for your work! And kudos to Jenna for having such excellent taste in fine art!
Thanks, Wally. I’m betting that Jenna will appreciate the compliment also.
Fabulous!! What a wonderful idea!!!
I’m thinking there are more folks getting bird tattoos than I was ever aware of, Nicole.
Several of our volunteers have had excellent work done with tattooed images of our birds on them … they really are gorgeous but I’m a bit long in the tooth, too, not to mention pain-averse, to consider it for myself … But it is definitely one way to honor the birds!
That’s wonderful, Louise. It shows the absolute dedication of your staff for the birds they work with.
Well now, this is classy (if you want a tattoo!)
I am NOT a fan of tattoos, but if you have to have one, this is wonderful. At least it’s something that will always be beautiful to look at (although one has to wonder what wrinkles will do when she’s old…) Jenna has excellent taste in tattoo subjects!
Then that’s a compliment to both Jenna and I, Susan. Thank you.
Beautiful photo Ron. And though I’m not a huge fan of tattoos, Matt’s doing an excellent job !
I’ve always been ambivalent about them too, John – but this one intrigues me. I’m sure it’s largely because of the subject and my connection to it. A good birder/photographer friend of mine (Hi Shyloh) has several smaller bird tattoos and I like them a lot on him.
Wow– love the flight shot with brood patch bonus. The sweep of that left wing!…! I checked out Matt’s FB page; it’s going to be stunning when finished. All I know about tattooing is that you have to keep the thing slathered in Vaseline for weeks after– I’m glad I’m not Jenna LOL ! Congratulations on your “new career”, Ron!
Thanks, Chris – but it won’t be a new career for me. I just thought this was an interesting tangent to explore…
Congratulations Ron, I wouldn’t mind having one of these on my body either!
Thank you, Maria. I’m thinking this is going to look good.
Talk about non judgmental diversity, you are the king Ron!
Thanks, Charlotte. I may be a little “long in the tooth” as I grow older but I try to maintain some flexibility in my outlook…