Favor The Brave

Busy as Usual, Travel Season

2012-01-22T20:33:00.000-08:00

Some photos from the DC Convention, and a couple of new illustrations I have completed. Holla!

Favor The Brave - Preorders Closed!

2012-01-04T18:23:00.000-08:00

Preorders have reached their maximum faster than expected. The preordering process is now closed. Thanks to everyone who has purchased a book they will start shipping this week. Thank you!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2012-01-02T23:36:00.001-08:00

Working hard! New video from Seanie G!

2011-12-15T13:04:00.000-08:00

David Tevenal: Tattoo Flash (video by Seanie G)

2011-12-15T13:03:00.000-08:00

David Tevenal: Tattoo Flash from Seanie G Productions on Vimeo.

Say word?!

2011-11-19T07:51:00.000-08:00

New stuff.

2011-10-22T21:01:00.000-07:00

Why?

2011-10-21T21:48:00.000-07:00

I was asked why I became a tattooer recently.

I thought up all the typical rhetorical answers. "The art, man" - "It speaks to me" - "The history, dude". I even delved into the whole lifestyle aspect of it. All were applicable answers, but they just didn't cut it for me. I answered with "I don't really know." - knowing full well I was playing my damn self. The question became the splinter in my mind. And the answer was the motherfucker of all truths.

It got down to one reason that ate away at my humility. The reason that I've kept suppressed for quite some time. I wrestled with it. I was scared that it could be an ideology that would bite back at me if I chose to accept it. But over time I realized I can't fucking argue with myself. There was no escaping it, it's just how it is. Resistance to it was futile. Acceptance is inevitable.

I (really) want to be good at what I do, and then get better at it, every time. Plain and simple.

And many other tattooers, especially the hard working, have either come to accept it or wrestle with it like I have. Having this driving force is not a burden. It does not make you some pompous fuck-ass. It's a motivational force.

There are hundreds of tattooers and artists I look up to who melt my brain with how awesome their work is. It inspires me. I spend countless hours obsessing over their work. I want my work to resonate with others like theirs did with me. It just doesn't stop with the art. Those with good work ethic, drive, and a balance of commitments are sources of great inspiration. The company kept, the volume and the range of work, are all key factors. People like that just have that aura. One that I strive to emulate my own way because I feel people truly see that shit.

I'm not one of those "Man, I don't look at other people's tattoos. I just focus on my own shit" sort of assholes. That's total bullshit. COMPLETE bullshit. Progression's catalyst is seeing the crazy jaw-dropping work of your peers and predecessors. That fire being lit under your ass. To pass on what I'm left with after witnessing amazing work by amazing people. Being stoked on what others are creating, and not being a jaded fuck about things.

This is why I illustrate as much as I do. This is why I come to work early, leave late, and work on my days off. This is why I drive 10+ hours every month or so to sit in a ballroom with 200 other practitioners and do what I do. Never burn out.

NEW FLASH SET!

2011-10-21T00:14:00.001-07:00

To purchase - visit here - http://www.davetattoos.com/store.html

On a spree of sorts.

2011-10-21T00:11:00.000-07:00

Still more stuff...

2011-10-11T23:17:00.000-07:00

Been a while!

2011-10-11T23:11:00.000-07:00

Here's a fuck ton of new shit.

Engineered To Destroy

2011-09-21T18:55:00.000-07:00

2011-09-19T17:00:00.000-07:00

2011-09-14T21:01:00.000-07:00

2011-09-12T22:52:00.000-07:00

Some more updates.

2011-09-10T21:44:00.000-07:00

Tatty Picture Dump

2011-09-04T21:36:00.000-07:00

Needles and Sins

2011-09-01T20:16:00.000-07:00

I got a little featurette on the Needles and Sins blog. It's a pretty rad tattoo blog and being featured on it is awesome and I'm very grateful. Click the link to go check it out.

Green Bay = WIN

2011-08-30T19:37:00.000-07:00

So this past Rick's 14th International Tattoo Convention in Green Bay, Wisconsin was a blast. I got to meet some awesome people and got to do really fun tattoos. I took home a "Tattoo of the Day" award, and artist choice awards for Best Oriental, Best Patriotic, and Best Sleeve. I also won 1st place in the "Cash for Flash" charity contest. All in all = BIG success. Thanks again to everyone I got to encounter there and I look forward to seeing them again down the line.

No words, just work.

2011-08-21T17:28:00.000-07:00

She wants your soul.

2011-08-16T22:59:00.001-07:00

Crush, Kill, Destroy

2011-08-13T22:35:00.001-07:00

Neptune's Revenge

2011-08-09T15:05:00.001-07:00

2011-08-06T16:58:00.001-07:00

David Tevenal: Tattooer from Seanie G Productions on Vimeo.

East Coast Tattoo Fun!

2011-07-30T21:41:00.000-07:00

So I re-visited D.C. and Baltimore and got to hang out with some awesome friends and colleagues and got to do some really fun tattoos. Here's a photo dump of the pieces. Much thanks to all of you who let me tattoo you, and to Low Tide Tattoos and British Ink for having me. Until next time!

May the force be with you!

2011-07-30T21:35:00.001-07:00

A couple of Star Wars tattoos I got to do recently.

Busy, Busy, Busy

2011-07-18T17:12:00.001-07:00

NEW FLASH SET!

2011-07-06T19:20:00.001-07:00

This is what I have been so busy with, aside from a full tattooing schedule.

My set of flash is now available! 8 sheets and a bonus print (not shown). $80 - Free shipping in the continental U.S. and $5 to anywhere else in the world. This is the largest set I've released, and a lot of work was put into it. To order - email davetattoos@gmail.com - Thanks to everyone who has shown support. Orders will start shipping out July 13th.

Tattoo Artist of the Day - Inked Magazine!

2011-06-27T21:17:00.000-07:00

I had the honor of being selected as Inked Magazine's "Tattooer of the Day" for June 27th. I am pretty honored.

Oh and here's a new sheet of flash I've completed, and a namakubi/oni leg jammer.

Busy Days

2011-06-18T17:53:00.000-07:00

New Flash, New Zaps

2011-06-12T23:14:00.001-07:00

Lovey Dovey

2011-06-09T21:08:00.000-07:00

This couple got (sorta) matching tattoos. Fun shin jammers.

Get your shine on...

2011-06-09T18:15:00.000-07:00

Flash-making Sundays

2011-06-05T20:29:00.000-07:00

Upon the 300 other things I had to do today, I managed to get this sheet finished. I had a blast.

Robie Sayan - Tattoo Machine Wizard

2011-06-04T19:36:00.000-07:00

This past Baltimore convention, I had the privilege to meet a very talented fellow by the name of Mr. Robie Sayan. I was introduced to him by Josh Payne, who was using a couple of his machines on an amazing tattoo on Robie himself. My intrigue was instantly sparked and I had to see more about what his machines were about. After inspecting the craftsmanship, and operation - it was on.

Low and behold - in my arsenal I now have an all-purpose, color, black and grey, and bangin' little liner. These machines are great tools that have been helping me crank out the recent tattoos I've been posting. If you're in the industry and are seeking new tools... give Robie a shout. You won't be disappointed.

Sayan Manufacturing - Handmade Tattoo Machines by Robie Sayan

(Available to professional tattoo artists only)

Photo Dump

2011-06-03T20:08:00.000-07:00

At first I was like...

But then...

Let me draw on you. Then let me make it permanent.

Here's a snippet of some progress on my engineered to destroy sleeve.

Hello June...

2011-06-02T22:07:00.000-07:00

Will you pass as quickly as May did?

Bunch of zappers

2011-05-26T23:01:00.000-07:00

No explanations. Just visuals. Enjoy.

Back to the drawing board.

2011-05-23T20:42:00.000-07:00

So I've been drawing, a lot. Trying to gear up and start cranking out cool custom jams again. This influx of large scale stuff has been making me miss start-to-finish tattoos so I've drawn up another dozen doodles for people to come pick and get zapped. If you're interested you can either swing by the shop or drop a line to davetattoos@gmail.com - Here's a preview of some of the pieces.

I'm still here!

2011-05-16T20:40:00.000-07:00

So I've been busy, really busy. Working on many larger pieces but I can't complain! I sometimes miss the fun start-to-finish tattoo, and luckily today I was able to do one. Thanks John!

Happy Mother's Day!

2011-05-08T00:54:00.001-07:00

I'd like to give a shout out to my fiance Lisa and my mother(s) who've been there for me since day one. Here's a sheet of flash I finished tonight. Hope y'all dig.

Fun stuff all around

2011-05-05T23:53:00.001-07:00

I got to do this pseudo cover-up on Mr. Ross Lloyd, an awesome tattooer from Classic Tattoo in Cleveland, Ohio. I had a great time doing this, thanks Ross!

This was done on another friend who came in, picked out a sketch, and had me zap it up. Dead boars and fancy daggers.

Chick Zappers and Doodles

2011-05-03T22:06:00.000-07:00

Skiddy biddy bodda beedop boop. The zombie pinup chick is going across the pond to England to Mr. Martin Welsby. Holla!

Memento Grand Opening = Success

2011-05-01T17:05:00.000-07:00

Thanks for everyone that came out. Here's a shot of the crowd, and one of the new pieces I had on display.

Blood-puke

2011-04-29T19:39:00.000-07:00

It's a sure sign of a good time. Here's the piece all finished up. Thanks Jordan!

Keeping up and having fun.

2011-04-28T18:24:00.000-07:00

Here's a piece I made for this weekend's Grand Opening party for Memento Tattoo.

Here's a nerdalope I got to do today as well on Dane - I had a blast.

Holiday Grind

2011-04-24T20:56:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter to everyone who celebrates it. Happy Sunday to everyone else who doesn't. I spent the day zappin some tattage. Holler.

Alive!

2011-04-24T10:35:00.000-07:00

The Columbus Alive (local alternative newspaper) posted a full page photo of a tattoo I did on barber Mitch Geiser. Pretty stoked!

Photo courtesy of Kate Chapman

My Friday night...

2011-04-22T20:07:00.000-07:00

No boozin', no snoozin', just the same old grind. Thanks Matt!

Having a blast.

2011-04-21T21:49:00.001-07:00

Got to jam out on some more of my "Engineered to Destroy" sleeve project. Pardon some of the plasma goodness seeping in the photo.

I'm also finishing up several pieces for the Memento Grand Opening show on the 30th. Here's a peek at one of the new pieces.

And here's me, winning. Because that's what I'm trying to do every day. Stay hungry.

A wise man once said...

2011-04-17T21:33:00.000-07:00

"Plough deep while sluggards sleep."
-Benny Franklin

I've been busting my ass lately. I have a new creative push and I've been (joyously) exhausting the shit out of it. I've got over two dozen new things drawn up for people to hopefully snag as a shiny new tattoo. Here's a preview:

I've also gotten to work on larger scale stuff in progress. Here's a sneak at the start of color in a sleeve I'm working on that follows a sci-fi theme based around the phrase "Engineered to Destroy". Needless to say I'm having a fucking blast with it.

Baltimore = Success

2011-04-11T14:42:00.000-07:00

I had a great time in Baltimore, Maryland with the fellas from Lowtide Tattoos. I met some great people, and did a bunch of fun tattoos. I was also lucky enough to walk away with two first place trophies for Tattoo of the Day and Best Original Flash, along with a second place win for Best Small Color. Here's a couple of tattoos I did this weekend:

Industrious.

2011-04-04T19:34:00.000-07:00

Finished this giant squid attacking a ship sleeve. This was quite the party.

These are some new illustrations I made as well. Prints of these will be available soon.

Back on the ball, part 2.

2011-03-29T19:14:00.000-07:00

Getting some new illustrations done so I'll have new prints for my upcoming travels. Excited.

Been a while, Been busy.

2011-03-26T22:22:00.000-07:00

Louisville was a blast. Did some fun tattoos. Got to throw down on a few fun ones when I got back as well. Here's a mix of a little of both. I'm staying still for now, but not for long.

Calm before the storm.

2011-03-16T19:25:00.000-07:00

Managed to finish another painting, and a Fancy Fox tatty this week. I got to tie in some more session work on a few other larger pieces I have going on... and ultimately getting ready for my travels that will commence this weekend.

Here's a sneak peak at what I'll be bringing on the road with me this weekend. I opted to sell my original paintings only. This way I'm encouraged to put out more work, and each person who buys a piece gets something one of a kind. It just makes more sense to me that way. Take a look!

Memento promo video and more!

2011-03-08T22:33:00.000-08:00

Chester Phillip hooked us up on a video promo for the shop. Check it out!

Also, these two were completed the past week. And yes... one is a Charlie Sheen dedicated piece. I created it the day the infamous interview broke loose on the web. Since then I'm sure the novelty has gotten a little dull... but still hilarious none the less. Oh, and the other's a pissed off wolf... just in case you were blind or something.

The week ahead...

2011-02-28T00:34:00.001-08:00

Another hellaciously busy week will begin for me tomorrow. Equipped with back problems, fussy babies, and people adding and dropping tattoos to my schedule. It will all be worth it on Saturday when I'm in Detroit. Here's something I managed to put out amidst my chaotic day off.

My Friday Nights

2011-02-25T19:51:00.000-08:00

While so many are out boozing it up, I'm indoors working on some art... and I like it. Here's what got finished tonight.

Fish Sticks

2011-02-23T00:13:00.000-08:00

Fudos and EGA's

2011-02-21T20:44:00.000-08:00

So I really wanted to throw my time at a nice Fudo Myoo illustration. I went for it, and it was a pretty adventuresome task. I had fun with the process but I want to make another and see if I can't surprise myself.

I also got a chance to complete the EGA/Skull piece I've been working on for the last month. Here's a fresh shot of the finish product.

In Progress

2011-02-18T21:49:00.000-08:00

I seem to have a lot of in progress pieces floating around these days. Can't wait to start wrapping them up.

Stoked.

2011-02-15T20:23:00.000-08:00

So I had a good day off. Got two illustrations done in 24 hours. One is an 11" x 14" Kitsune, and the other is an 11" x 17" assortment of dead birds, a skull and such. I had a lot of fun and I got my creative stress (somewhat) relieved.

Also... my big-as-hell convention banner arrived. I'm so fucking stoked about this thing. It's 5' x 3' and I hope it gets all the attention it can while I'm out on the road this year!

Updatez on mah Tatturz

2011-02-14T00:30:00.000-08:00

So I'm starting a collaborative half sleeve with Cary Aldridge on our mutual client Jared. Here's my kickoff. It's gonna be a snake lady coming out of a Tiger's mouth. That may change though, knowing us. Check it out...

And I was going through my camera, saw this. Edited it and uploaded it. It's a fun fancy rooster zapper from a few weeks back. Fun, quick little tatter.

Lazy Friday? That doesn't sound right.

2011-02-11T19:18:00.000-08:00

So I've been sporadically busy. I took a few days off from making art to focus on tattoo related work and some life endeavors... like raising my daughter, haha. Here are some photos of a couple of notable things since the last update. I also have my new cards and stickers available at the shop. Come grab some if you like.

Oh, I almost forgot. Happy Birthday Thomas Edison. Without your "stencil-pen" many of us who call ourselves "tattooers" would not have this beautiful bullshit ridden career today. Thank you for your inventiveness.

I'M ALIVE - Just busy.

2011-02-08T23:43:00.000-08:00

Busy life. Busy things. All proactive. Hallelujah.

Traveling Man, Promo Updates.

2011-02-03T00:05:00.001-08:00

New stickers and cards coming soon. Stop by the shop and grab some!

I'll also be guesting at Good Life Tattoos in Akron, Ohio this Sunday - one day only! It's my bro Vic Savages birthday and I'm gonna get him drunk as a skunk! Holla!

ICE AGE

2011-02-01T19:02:00.000-08:00

So my city is shitting a brick right now. A cold, snowy, icey, wet brick. The city lost it's fucking mind. My internet is coming and going making the new maps on Black Ops very hard to play online. So I started a sheet of flash.

I was not designed for icey weather like this. Oh well.

Blizzards

2011-01-31T21:45:00.000-08:00

Gonna shut myself in and get some work done. Here is today's workload.

Better photos of older tattoos...

2011-01-28T17:17:00.001-08:00

I partied today...

2011-01-26T19:19:00.000-08:00

Nothing else to say really, other than I had a fun Wednesday.

Creative Calisthenics

2011-01-25T20:56:00.001-08:00

Done on a made-for-children's "big drawing pad". Nothing about this is supposed to be a serious take on anything. I just wanted to play with some form and color study. So I drew out some big shit and colored it up. Creative calisthenics.

Even when I ain't busy, I stay Busy.

2011-01-24T23:05:00.000-08:00

Days off? Nah son.

2011-01-23T21:34:00.000-08:00

Worked on a piece moreso for color theory, but ended up liking it so I'm trying to tattoo a more refined version of it. All in the name of having fun.

Also, a photo from yesterday's tatty sesh eluded me so it goes up in today's post because that's just what I do. Holla.

Audaces Fortuna Iuvat

2011-01-22T21:01:00.000-08:00

Today was fun. These were just a couple of the highlights.

Working hard = Keeping it real

2011-01-21T00:43:00.003-08:00

Started the second session of a rather unique E.G.A. today. The skull is going to allude to the continents as cracks once we're all done. Here's some progress.

I'm also drawing my ass off and I still have plenty of good tattoos that I want to do. I can only post a preview of this one because people have been ripping my line drawings off lately (you know who the fuck you are) and I can't have that. If anyone's interested in getting some work done - holler at me!

Say Word?

2011-01-18T23:03:00.000-08:00

So I'm working on this Baphomet. I'm having mad fun with this one. I also drew up a sleeve for shits and giggles. I'll probably never tattoo it but if someone were to entertain the notion... I'd tattoo it in a heartbeat. Getting it in work-wise for 2011. Don't sleep too much, now.

Sleep? Nah....

2011-01-18T00:13:00.000-08:00

Progress, among other things.

2011-01-17T17:32:00.000-08:00

Aside from being one of the most stressed out people on earth right now, I had a nice productive day.

What my 2:30 AM's look like...

2011-01-17T00:09:00.001-08:00

I got some fun stuff in the works. I'm just trying to cut loose and have more fun. Both with painting and my tattoos. Peel them eyes back kiddos.

Oh, and my favorite band made something new.

Glassjaw - Gold by agallego

Selling some art.

2011-01-13T18:25:00.000-08:00

So I'm selling off some art. I have convention booth fees to pay for, supplies to purchase, and diapers to buy. Holler at your boy! If you're local to Columbus, you can swing by the shop and pick one up, I will also gladly mail anywhere in the world for an additional 5 bucks domestic or 7 bucks international. All prices are in US dollars. Thank you very much!

100 bucks - 11 x 17 Mixed Media

80 bucks - 14 x 17 Mixed Media

100 bucks - 11 x 17 Mixed Media

4:36 am, Painting done.

2011-01-12T01:36:00.000-08:00

I'll be at the shop at noon. Tattooing till 8pm... and I'll still try to find some time to do something new somewhere in there tomorrow night. Stay thirsty my friends.

STAY BUSY!

2011-01-10T22:17:00.000-08:00

I work really fucking hard. I have well over 40 ready to zap jams at the shop waiting for all sorts of you weirdos to get them placed on you forever. Also... my homie Sham got me hip to Zoo Kid. I like. Here's a video of possibly the coolest Ginger ever.

Onward, Ho.

2011-01-09T18:46:00.001-08:00

The decision is made, and things are geared in the right direction. Onward.

"Progress is man's ability to complicate simplicity"

- Thor-Heyerdahl

This speaks to me.

2011-01-05T22:14:00.000-08:00

"Since the age of six I have had the habit of sketching forms of objects. Although from about fifty I have often published my pictorial works, before the seventieth year none is worthy.

At seventy-three I learned a little about the real structure of animals, plants, birds, fishes and insects. Consequently when I am eighty I'll have made more progress. At ninety I'll have penetrated the mystery of things. At a hundred I shall have reached something marvellous, but when I am a hundred and ten everything I do, the smallest dot, will be alive. I only beg those of you who will live long enough to verify the truth of my words."

-Katsushika Hokusai

Some will understand this. Some will think they understand this. Many will not. I thank Hokusai for doing something meaningful with his existence on Earth. I strive daily to be even a fraction of a fraction of what this man was. This is just one reason why I stay dedicated to my craft.

2011 Motto = Have fun.

2011-01-05T16:06:00.001-08:00

And I'm trying to do just that... all of the time.

2011 is off to an industrious start.

2011-01-03T19:38:00.000-08:00

Staying busy. First completed Illustration of 2011, I'm stoked to do more!

Happy New Year!

2010-12-31T16:05:00.001-08:00

2010 was an amazing year to say the least. 2009 was a dismal shithead of a year and was the turning point in my career to start taking Tattooing more serious than anything else in my life. 2010 was the reward of that dedication. I progressed, Lisa and I got engaged, I landed a great gig at an amazing new studio, we had our daughter, and I wasn't broke a single day of the year.

I did however lose a few friends friends this year. I experienced truly dispicable people who give no fucks about Tattooing, but choose to reap it's monetary gain by opening shops and shooting the craft in the foot. I experienced fair-weather friends and their shittyness. I was reminded how terrible human beings can be. But the silver lining was the knowledge gained from these situations. I turned the bad this year into an experience that NO university on the planet can provide you with.

I hope 2011 is great. I want to tattoo better, I want to travel more, I want to watch my family grow. I just want to have a good year in general. Have a good one everybody!

Finishing the year strong.

2010-12-27T17:57:00.000-08:00

Doing the best that I can.

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-24T20:25:00.000-08:00

So Chloe arrived just in time for Christmas! We're celebrating our first one and having a blast. Speaking of having a blast, I got to zap this fun one on Christmas Eve! Hope everyone has a good holiday! Finish 2010 strong!

Back To Work!

2010-12-21T19:13:00.000-08:00

Next week (Monday, December 27th) I'll be back to my normal schedule at Memento Tattoo & Gallery. Mondays: Noon - 8pm and Wednesday through Saturday: Noon - 8pm. If we need to schedule something, please call the shop or stop by. The address and contact information is on the shop's page linked within, and on the right hand side of the blog page. Thanks and Happy Holidays!

New Baby, New Video, New Work!

2010-12-20T07:04:00.000-08:00

I was given the opportunity to do Nick's first tattoo this past Friday. Sean was on hand to film the festivities. Thanks to both Nick and Sean for the fun we had that day!

Here's the photo of the tattoo all finished up. I drew it on with markers to help make it something that's form fitting and unique.

Later that evening, I had to leave the shop immediately. "Why?" you ask? Well I've been expecting a very special person. Her name is Chloe Elisabeth Tevenal, and she is the new little light of my world. Words can't express how happy she makes me. The future is gonna be a bright one. Bring it on 2011.

2010 = Winding Down

2010-12-15T20:45:00.000-08:00

The year's winding down. I've been working on some larger scale pieces, and manage to get the occasional jammer here and there. I'm fortunate to have had so many great people keep me busy with life-long pieces on them through out 2010. I'm happy with the progression I've made and to be where I am at today. I work with some of the best artists in town, and I couldn't be happier. I hope 2011 is gonna be bonkers!

HLA/Hoist Art Show, New Zapper

2010-12-10T20:50:00.000-08:00

The homies at Higher Level Art teamed up with Hoist and Columbus' own Milk Bar to put on an evening of art from some notable Midwest artists. I'm one of the honored and lucky artists to be featured at tommorrow's event. It's sure to be a fun event. My friend Rick rolled through before he heads out for Army Training and got a cool Hannya Mask today as well. All in all, a good day.

My artmaking soundtrack as of late.

2010-12-08T22:35:00.000-08:00

This music has been my artmaking soundtrack over the last week. I'm a sucker for breathy vocals and acoustic guitar. This, coffee, and a day with nothing to do but my artwork is zen-like.

And of course, an old favorite...

Rats get fat while brave men die.

2010-12-08T20:13:00.000-08:00

Back on the ball.

2010-12-07T17:10:00.000-08:00

And I couldn't feel better about it. Larger pieces are so much more satisfying. More to come!

I've been busy...

2010-12-06T13:17:00.000-08:00

I just haven't been as loud about it. Major updates coming soon - Stay tuned. If you'd like to be one of those big updates, contact Memento Tattoo and Gallery to set something up.

A new video from Sean!

2010-11-25T22:22:00.001-08:00

Sean Flaherty swang through and got that Tiger piece I posted in my last update. He filmed the occasion at the new shop, Memento, and we had a blast. Check it out! Thanks again Sean!