Lee Dandy Tattoos

2024 Art vs the Artist 💖✨

✨ That’s a wrap on 2024 and I’m proud of my commitment to my resolution to get back to traditional media. I haven’t completely abandoned the tech, but at least 90% of my tattoos this year were completed without using the iPad at all and that’s still an A in my books.

✨ More still, I think my work reflects this effort in a big way. I continue to learn and grow every year but something about finding solutions to designs without the help of programs and tech really fosters my critical thinking. It can be frustrating and intimidating, but sticking with it has really benefitted my process.

✨ I’ve done so many great tattoos this year that it felt almost impossible to pick my favorites, but I tried! I also still have a few more to post because I’ve taken a big step back from social media.

✨Speaking of, my distance from these apps may continue for awhile longer. I’ve needed it, and I need to assess my priorities as far as what apps I actually need to be focusing on and the content that I actually WANT to create, rather than burning myself out chasing algorithms that don’t even give back to me despite even being at my most consistent. So I want to reevaluate. If any other professionals out there have experienced the same impact and have found better ways forward, I would be ever grateful for your insight. If I find the way myself, I will definitely be talking about it at the end of this coming year.

✨ Lastly, the world is a bit terrifying out there right now and I know I’m not the only one. I’m going to try and focus more on my offline community as I find my way forward into an uncertain future. If I can offer any advice to others currently it amounts to two things 1) Your authentic presence in your local community is worth more than your presence online and we all benefit more from being better connected to our neighbors and meeting those involved in mutual aid. 2) Art is more than drawings and pictures and poetry, it is the ongoing and unending conversation of humanity through the ages and we all deserve to write a chapter in whatever way we can. Make art even if it isn’t perfect. 🤘

CRYSTALS 🫴🔮✨

Idk is this how you charge crystals? 👀 Anyway, this piece has been in my flash for so long and finally it’s found a home. I’m so glad my strange drawings resonate with the right people like this 💖