Now on Display at Goodvibe Tattoo Company

I love a good paradigm shift.  In fact, I’m always grateful when the Universe provides me with the opportunity to see my own fear-based judgments and even more so when it then provides me with a follow-up opportunity to replace them with a much more accepting and loving perception of life and the living. Do you know what I mean?  I’m sure you do – there’s a reason this image is the most viewed/liked in my Inspirational Quotes for the Creative Soul project.

Tattoos: The Old Perspective

I grew up thinking that tattoos were plain ugly – and scary.  The word itself conjured up memories of elderly overweight men with stretched tattoos of naked women on their arms or bellies, partially concealed in thick body hair.  Or what about those dangerous Hells Angels bikers and sloppy ink jobs done behind prison walls? Hollywood probably had an influence there…

I’m ashamed to say that I used every ounce of persuasion I had to convince my ex not to get a tattoo in the late 90s.  When I think back, I see how silly, controlling, and unloving that was.  I was basically afraid of all that I believed tattoos represented.  I’m glad to report I’ve come a long way since then on my mission to explore and express my love of beauty and the beauty of love.

Tattoos – The New Perspective:

Although I don’t imagine ever getting a tattoo myself (if only because I’m averse to pain), my opinion about them has changed quite a bit.  Over the past decade, I’ve seen some really nice ones on all sorts of folks that certainly didn’t fit the murderer profile 🙂 . In fact, I’ve had the opportunity to witness the empowering effects of meaningful sayings and images on their wearers. I’ve also heard moving stories by survivors or those who wore mementos of loved ones on their skin. I probably wouldn’t have connected with these people on the same level if I hadn’t asked about their tattoos. They provided an opening for some truly inspirational conversations.  That’s a good thing since I’m really not into small talk.

Truth be told, I’ve also been stunned at the beauty that some tattoo artists have been able to create on their living canvases.  For example, I really like the tribal, Celtic, and watercolour styles.

So when I hear the word “tattoo” today, it no longer conjures up thoughts of botched up black & blue scrawls.  Instead, I see art, skill, and courage combined to create breathtaking visions of love and beauty that people choose to carry with them every day of their lives.  How’s that for a paradigm shift?

Now I’m not saying I like all the tattoos out there. Far from it.  For instance, I’ve never been attracted to skulls, monsters, and nightmarish imagery – no matter the art form. I do, however,  have a much deeper appreciation of the artistic mastery needed for anyone to draw what appeals to them- after all, that’s what I went to Vienna to work on. I am also saying that I have a much deeper respect for how people choose to express themselves.  After all, that’s all part of unconditional love.

Now Showing at Goodvibe Tattoo Company:

Did you get through that long introduction to today’s news?  I’m not known for brief posts…

Well, one or two days after I mentally sent out the message into the Universe that I was ready to find other spaces to display my paintings in St. John’s, my hairdresser Tara told me that a new tattoo studio was looking for local artists to display on their walls.  After I recognized that my initial hesitation was due to remnants of my old perspective, I decided to look into it.  I’m so glad I did.

That’s when I found out that this brand new tattoo studio / gallery at 199 New Gower St. (kiddy corner to the Delta Hotel and next to the new Fortis building in downtown St. John’s) was called Goodvibe Tattoo Company. That in itself was appealing.  And seconds after entering on Friday morning to meet with Charisse and Matt, I knew I would enjoy displaying my art there.

Charisse and Matt opened Goodvibe Tattoo Company as a free way to express their particular styles of tattoo art and fill a niche through a more artistic neo traditional style.  They offer an inviting atmosphere and promise complete custom designs and a professional environment.  From our chat, I learned that they also have philanthropic projects up their sleeves (ha ha… I confess to accidental cleverness on that choice of expression).

Here’s what they say:

As a shop, we essentially hope to build a clientèle of people who are like-minded.  We hope to change people’s perceptions of this industry through charitable donations and spreading kindness along the way. As we grow, we trust that we’ll also find other ways to contribute to the art community in our city.

Well, they already have – through opening their space for local artists to display without taking a commission on sales.  Thanks Goodvibe Tattoo Company!

Note: Goodvibe has expanded and the gallery space no longer exists.