How To Support Your Tattoo Artist During COVID-19
As tattoo shops remain closed due to COVID-19 and appointments postponed for the foreseeable future, the economic impact is substantial and can be significantly challenging for an artist who requires in-person interactions to earn a living. Despite the mandatory closure of all non-essential businesses and the income it brings for tattoo artists around the world, some artists have found crafty ways using alternative mediums to get their artwork out while practicing social distancing. Here’s how some tattoo artists are adapting and how you can support them during COVID-19.
Purchasing artwork and merch
Aside from getting tattooed, buying artwork and merchandise is a great way to support your favourite artists. Many have prints and shirts available online but check out how some of these artists are going beyond the creative boundary and offering unconventional alternatives.
Custom Tattooed Lighters
Custom tattooed lighters from our very own resident artist, Vince Kogut. They may be unorthodox but they’re definitely unique. The design is done freehand and manually engraved with a tattoo machine with single needle technique. All lighters are original and feature fine line designs such as floral, macabre, and chicano inspired themes among many more.
To view more original lighters and how you can buy one, click the link to visit our online store or email us at info@widowtattoo.com for all other inquiries.
Digital Pet pORTRAITS
What better way to showcase your love for the most important member of the family than having their portrait done. Pawlly Pocket’s offers illustrative pet portraits, digitally painted by Alanna Mulé, owner and artist of Toronto’s Bellwoods Tattoo. Along with prints, artwork is also available on custom merchandise ranging from throw pillows to travel mugs. Check out Pawlly Pocket’s online store to see more.
For pricing and all other inquiries, you can contact Alanna directly through her Instagram handle @alannamule or you can email her at alanna.bellwoods@gmail.com.
Oil Paint on Canvas
Kevin Compuesto from Toronto’s Archive Tattoo is currently taking on commissions for original paintings. Primarily pet and person focused but not limited to, Kevin takes a time-honoured approach and features realistic subject matter using oil paint on canvas.
For more information on commissions, you can contact Kevin directly through his Instagram handle @kvntattoos or you can email him at kevin@archivetattoo.com.
Social Media Engagement: Share, Like, Comment
On a budget but you still want to support? That’s absolutely okay. There are more ways to support your tattoo artist and better yet it’s free. The power of social media is unmeasurable and liking, sharing, and commenting on an artist’s post can have a tremendous impact. Be sure to follow your artist on all social media platforms and share their work with your friends. The higher they’re engagement is with you, the broader their social media reach becomes with the general public. In turn, this will help generate potential clients and contribute to maintaining a sustainable future.
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