Part 4: Exercise - A Tattoo

Tattoo owl
[Accessed 13 August, www.desitattoos.com]

Samoan tattoos
[Accessed 13 August 2015 www.lotonuu.com]

Samoan tattoo, cultural
[Accessed 13 August, www.tattoostime.com}

Research
Tattoos go as far back as the Neolithic period, specifically, according to Wikipedia, to 10 000 BC in Japan.Chinese texts from before 300 AD described social differences among Japanese people indicated through tattooing and other bodily markings, (Lock, Margaret (1998)).
Tattoos have been used in all cultures to depict religious, social, spiritual and punitive events. In recent years, various lawsuits have arisen in the United States regarding the status of tattoos as a copyrightable art form. However, these cases have either been settled out of court or are currently being disputed, and therefore no legal precedent exists ( http://illinoislawreview.org/wp-content/ilr-content/articles/2013/1/Cummings.pdf)

Nurturing mother
[Accessed 12 August 2015, www.tattoosat.com]

My interpretation of the project for a tattoo that says MUM, is one that reflects nurturing and the childs needs from a mother, instead of a lusty blood red rose/dagger/banner that is often depicted. After doodling a little bit, I decided on the simplest possible item to convey the message. 

I tried some sketch ideas:

I drew an oval cameo frame and put a little girl into the middle with a heart displaying the word MUM.

I believe it will work in black and white when it is scaled down and it is mostly a line drawing.

My responses after my tutor's notes: I started some more research through a 'spider' diagram to check how to apply this particular design in the context of a tattoo and came across some excellent work that is very realistic. 

Words: child, care, nurturing, safety, passion, youth, baby, hugs, softness, bottles, warmth, blankets, cradle, sleeping, peaceful.

The religious symbology of the tattoo above got me thinking about the content of artwork of the Old Masters and mothering paintings such as below. So I searched for images of the 'mother'. It fits in with my word brainstorm. I chose this very clear replica of Il Sassoferrato's Madonna and Child:

Il Sassoferrato Madonna and Child Source: www.artimagesfrom.com [Accessed 28 June 2016]

I drew the above sketch in 5B pencil and wax crayon based on the painting by Il Sassoferrato. I wanted to keep my original idea of a cameo as I think this shape works and is conducive to a tattoo and a card. 

I think it would be especially helpful it the tattoo was applied to the round of a shoulder or somewhere on the body that is curved. 

The simplification that started with the above sketch and with my very first idea got me searching Religious Folkart which I came across when looking for the Madonna. The stylized lines and colour are visual statements that would work well for a tattoo.

This Mexican theme was originally inspired by illustrator Steve Simpson, as much of his work runs to these themes although his application is different. (menus, restaurants).

Decorative embellishments and pattern make it exciting and visually attractive. (ref. Folkart, Source: www.pinterest.com Accessed 28 June 2016)

Some of this work reminds me of Mary Fedden's and Lauren Child's (illustrators') work. There is a decorative, collaged and very playful element.

I decided to apply the above to my drawing and want to bring in the decorative patterned elements as a background and on the fabric of the mother and the child.

I still like the scalloped edges of my first tattoo and see it working on the right, above on the Virgin of Guadalupe.

I added a few Mexican elements to my illustration below:

Below is my black and white drawing, based on the above with Mexican folkart influence and the influence of the Old Masters portrayal of the Madonna and child. I copied this from my original above in pencil and went over it in black felt tip. 

I used watercolour pencils to colour the greeting card/tattoo. These colours are definitely in the range of a tattoo artist and the detail would work also. I think this works.