Putting up (PaleoJohn)

A Few Machines Ive built

Hope this didnt bore any of you. Post enough???? lol

Sorry about the size! I thought the resizing would be auto here.

We walk in the garden of your turpulance!

Might show my age, but. This painting was done in 1972. For all you beginners. I tried to get an apprentiship using all this as a portfolio for 3 years. Only made it into a couple sleezy shops and never got a chance with any real artists. Turned down at most. At anyrate...my point is REALLY hone your art skills before expecting a break. Its all about the art first.

Three years with that and not one decent shop... well I guess things haven't changed as much as I've been lead to believe in the last 20 years.

John I don't think the problem was that you were not good enough...its that you were TOO good and they were intimidated....I only wish ya lived closer pal!!! And I still want that ship painting dammitt!!!!! And the copper machine!! Been waitin for 6 months ya old fart!!

I want the machine that you have posted on your myspace (taz)... That's a nifty machine...
7

John C, I looked at your website a few months ago. Your artwork,in my opinion, speaks for itself. I'm glad you posted more of it!

can i just say i LOVE that tree frog *dies*

Hey John...how bout this ...you come on down here and we will just change the shop name to "Two Old Farts Tattoos and Cookies" ...bet we make a mint!!!

every time i see great artists like you guys it makes me pissed off that i need to lose weight cuz i want my tattoo :(

Its not intimidation, its a matter of being in the right place at the right time... That is, John came up to Off the Map a few months ago and while the possibility for an apprenticeship may exist, its just not now. Of course it didnt help the first words out of Johns mouth were "Wow, thats too far of a drive to do everyday"! But johns work is great and I cant wait to see more paintings! Im a big nature fan myself...

Gabe...Yours was not one of the sleezy shops mentioned. FAR from it! I wish I DID live closer...I would have persued an apprentiship there aggressively. I also would have loved to work with Kristoff and many of the other fine artist who regularly guest at your place. I was talking about a great many other shops closer to my area. As it is I have been working on opening a print shop for a product we are experimenting with and its taking all of my current time. Back to tattooing soon I hope. Thanks for the kind words John

Taz. I didnt even know I still had a site on myspace? Can you send me a link? or a pic of that machine? If I have it Ill send it to you.

No John...The pic of that machine is on MY myspace www.myspace.com/bullangel!Silly old guy!!

Im confussed Taz..(nothing new) I went to your site and dont see any machines?

TAz, A mint cookie? TCE

Paleo You REALLY should think about moving. With art of your quality, no quality shop would have a reason to turn you down. They should be beating down your door. My only advice would be to look for a shop with the highest caliber artwork you can find. Pay them a visit and bring your portfolio. I'm sure if you didn't mind the move to MO, TAZ would definitely hook you up. Maybe Gabe needs an apprentice at Off The Map.

This would be a good place to point people who ask "Is my art good enough?" It would give them something to strive for.

We have two people already learning at Off the Map so I dont foresee taking on too many more people for better or worse... Aly has worked the front desk since we opened on top of her real job, and Ryan Jacque has been working on friends and family. John, I hope I wasnt one of the scummy studios! Have you been getting tattooed since we spoke last? whats this printing project all about?

Granby is only 25 miles away... if is getting tattooed maybe he should stop by your shop. You can learn a lot by watching. From what I've seen you have great artists Gabe.

Ryan's graphite work is almost photographic, but with a beatiful style. Amazing... It's the first graphite work I've seen surpass my wife's.... (please, don't tell her I said that) P.S. PaleoJohn... I loved the one with the people on the boat and the frog. My mom is a big fan of "The Duke". That rendering would make even her proud.

One thought just occurred... maybe the open house at Off The Map would be a good networking opportunity just as TAZfest might be.

Ummmm...just so ya know John seeking an apprenticeship is like I dunno ...John Wayne bein taught to be a tough guy...the mans been tattooing for many years and involved in for many too...its kind of a joke if ya didn't get it!

Sorry, one more comment. Seeing beautiful artwork always gets my creative juices as a problem solver going. Maybe you should produce flash and custom tattoo designs... It could earn you a pretty penny with the right publisher and get a foot in the door.

Not interested in producing flash at the moment....When I do I GIVE it away such as my free flash on Tatooz.net. This was NEVER about the money for me (although eating would be a nice change:) ) I really enjoy the industry as much as the living canvas I get to work on. Gabe.....Your shop was one of the ones I would have been honored to work at. There are several down my way also which are a lot closer that I would have loved to work at and were preferable to me for distance. Not trying to sound like a have a swelled head, but I was trying for shops that had artists I could FEED off. The couple shops I DID work at (wont dare mention any names on here) I wouldn't have taken my enemies to for a tattoo...........Drugs maybe. In all fairness....another problem is a shop taking on someone new at a slow time of the year when its own artists are having a hard time of it. Now fair to them. Also...Im a vagabond...Id rather spend a week or two with diff. artists whos techniques I admire. Thats not the best for the owners. I may end up openning a shop and borrow artists from the pool so to speak. I started tattooing way back in 72....after a great many years I started again maybe 5 years ago. Everything is abouve board and sterile here, Just wasnt legal. I was trying to take care of that. I never felt very good about the word scratcher, but I guess thats just what I was......as well as MOST of the artists in Massachusetts till just a couple years ago. As for what Im doing/???? Im COUNTERFIETING! Talk about MAKING money! Seriously. We reproduce the entire Confederate currency issues as well as other obsolete old time currency. Heading for Book store chains near you.lol

PaleoJohn; Keep on practicing on fake skin although is not the same it will get your hand used to the weight of the machine and how to handle lines and shading (which you are getting there). Read as much as you can from different artists. Some guys such as Guy Aitchison, Danny Fowler, have some nice technical information on their site. We all are against scratcher but I have to admit that I've learned a lot by hanging out with my artist friends and getting inked. I never got a chance to get an apprenticeship due to other priorities in life and have inked myself a lot. I've been tattooing since 96' but I wish I could have done an apprenticeship and save skin for art and not trial. Bottom line keep on presenting stuffs to shop. Email people a link with your work wouldn't be a bad idea neither as long as you are willing to relocate while you are apprenticing. I hate tattoo schools I don't believe you come out in two weeks ready to open your shop but in your case it may be a choice. My 2 Cents.

John, I've got nothing to say. This is beautiful stuff dude. You've got nothing to prove.

Cravink you obviously don't get it...this man has been a tattoo artist for many years....he is already an expert at tattooing, painting and machine building....JEEESH!!

Taz, there is no need to get irritated bud. I apologize for the mistake, reading scattered post seems that he was trying to proof skills.

Here is one of Johns machines...a piece of art!!...Maybe one day if ya work real hard John you can know all about tattooing like these guys!!!...ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I understand Cravink!!...Not tryin to slam ya man!!...just thought I'd let ya in on the secret!!...John is a master...but you will never hear him say that!!...T

John, Awesome. That doesn't even begin to sum it up, but wow. Your skills are amazing. Your use of color is fantastic. I love that sailboat one, and I usually am not drawn to anything nautical at all. I would hang that one in my house, honestly. Your portraits make me want to practice my ass off. I am completely inspired. Seriously. Thanks for posting your work. It is beautiful.

Theval...that one is my favorite too and he promised me a copy oh I dunno about a YEAR ago!!!...John...that was a hint!!! But yeah he is a master!!..he can do ANYTHING...its just funny cause he hasn't been posting on here for a while now and some of the newer people don't know him...and were giving him advice!!!! It was funny...and its not their fault ...they had no way of knowing!! A good laugh for everyone huh?

And I assure you that John is sittin in a rockin chair on the porch of the old farts home laughin HIS ass off too!!

Taz, there is no need to get irritated bud. I apologize for the mistake, reading scattered post seems that he was trying to proof skills.

Crap.... I forgot to mention the chipmunk. I love that one too. We don't have any of them down here, and I kinda miss seeing the little fuckers. The winter scene with the red building makes me long for snow... Dammit....too many wonderful pieces on here... You posted a damn good mix. You've got seasons, activities, animals... You freaking rock. for an old guy. :o)

Cravink...I already read this post ...why twice?...I replied that it wasn't your fault...now let it go...ya just got hornswaggled...laugh it off pal!!

Hoodwinked, even

I feel Honored at some of the comments, But truth is I still need to apprentice! Thats a fact. There are many Id love to spend time with and steal a bit from all... Hopefully I could share a bit also. Truth is....the older I get the more I realize I dont know. Do you EVER stop apprenticing?

Not Only a great artist...a WISE man!!

Doh.... Had a Homer moment.... Nice work John.

Taz: I posted once, this message board is acting up, I just realized the post was doubled even after a few other posts. Fuck it TGIF!!!!!!

PaleoJohn, Your painting of the sailboat is awesome! Would you please post its dimensions?

Thanks. This piece is 11 x 20 inches. Bet you thought it was bigger? lol John

Yes, I did think it was larger than that. All the more amazing work! Thanks a lot for your response.

John, excuse me for being lazy here, for i am sure that this has been asked somewhere on here at some time, but did you go to school or are you self taught?

Correspondence course from 14 to 15 which was a joke. Then all Self taught, I've taught water color and general art on several occasions.