di.a.logue

Early fall of 2016 I had the extraordinary opportunity to collaborate on a full back tattoo with a good friend and an incredibly talented and clever tattooer, Markus Lenhard, from Germany. We’ve worked side by side on occasion for years. We’ve also taught seminars side by side, but this time we got to literally work together on one tattoo for two days. I can’t speak for our client William Jones, a fellow tattooer from Wales, or for Markus, but it was an amazing experience for me. A learning experience and an opportunity to contribute what I have to something bigger than me and with more scope of vision than I’m capable of by myself. That’s what the true gift of collaborating contains. We spent two days designing, drawing on, stenciling, and tattooing, in various order. My friends at Heartisan films were on site to capture the progress and process to put into this mini documentary for you to watch. 

We then spent a day teaching our seminars on tattooing the next day. We also filmed them and will have the full double seminar available on flash drives very soon. Since it was two people discussing one subject, (tattooing) we decided to title the project "Di.a.logue". It was incredible to present and hear each other's perspective and thoughts on the subject of tattooing.  I look forward to working more on this project and also more projects like this. I hope it inspires you to expand your expression to include others in your life. 

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COLLABORATION VIDEO

Collaboration Video

Décoratif 2017

It's often my goal to bring people together with likeminded intentions. I believe as individuals we all have strengths of course, and likewise, we all have weaknesses. As much as people like to focus on their weaknesses, I've made it a practice to work on my strengths instead, and find others who's strengths are my weaknesses. There's a saying, "A chord of many strands is not easily broken." I love that, and believe it.

I also love decorative tattooing. It was my first draw to the craft. I was inclined that way, I suppose by having a pacific islander heritage. Polynesian tribal tattoos were my first love. I have since explored a wide range of genres in tattooing but ornamental, designs still hold my heart and soul.

My idea was to gather some people, some I know, and some I haven't met yet. These people all exhibit a high skill set and understanding of what I consider to be a pivotal and integral genre of tattooing. It's the basis of so much of what we do. The flow, balance, movement, and mood of any tattoo, especially large scale work have their roots deep in ornamental design. May 11, Russ Abbott and Laura Jade will both present their seminars to the group and guests. Russ' presentation is titled, "Hammer & Chisel" (The Intersection of Brute Force and Refined Intent) and Laura Jade will present her's, "The Jade Effect". I'm confident that these two seminars together will be an incredible platform to launch our time together off with creativity, inspiration, and an equipping that will catalyze the rest of the people into a high state of mind. we will spend the evening organizing, planning and exploring the possibilities of the next day's efforts.

May 12, our plan is to collaborate in pairs and small groups on tattoos and other art i.e. paintings, designs, concepts, sketches, perhaps larger projects like books, art exhibits, who knows what else? I have some specific people in mind that I'd like to see work together like Laura jade/Savannah Colleen, but we will have to see how things develop naturally. The last day (optional) will be spent reflecting and enjoying the local Applegate Valley's wine tasting, and each other's company, further planning and exploring possibilities and projects.

The plan is to capture all of this as well by the film company I've been working with for the past few months (Heartisan Films) to produce a great relic and memory for those who attend, and also to inspire, equip, and ignite others to move in a similar direction in their own lives. This will have a limited attendance because of the space available, (Approximately 30 people). I hope to have you join us.

           Jeff Gogué

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