5/22/11

Sew Nice! A Lisa Engelbrecht Design

I have been wanting to get inked for a long time, but finding the right design was the kicker. Who wants to get the same old tattoo as everyone else? A spool of thread is my signature and I knew that this MUST be incorporated into anything I'd want to wear on my skin. Enter the talented and fabulous Lisa Engelbrecht!

Lisa has long been an artist friend. She is a calligrapher extraordinaire and author of Modern Calligraphy and Hand Lettering: A Mark-Making Workbook for Crafters, Cardmakers, and Journal Artists . Recently Lisa has turned her talents to tattoo design and she has a line of tattoo-themed rubber stamps coming out as well.

Lisa took my general idea and whipped up the PERFECT tattoo design for me! Scarcely have I been so excited about anything as the I was when she revealed the final artwork. 
The next step was to find a SPECTACULAR tattoo artist to render Lisa's artwork on my personal canvas. I popped by Pincushns Custom Tattoo & Body Piercing in Holland, Michigan and looked at portfolios. All the guys are amazing there, but I was impressed with Matt Maldonado's work. He's new to tattooing, but comes with a fantastic background as an artist.


I was a tattoo virgin, but got to watch Matt tattoo my daughter the week before, so I knew what to expect. He traced Lisa's design to make a transfer, and applied it to my forearm.

The colors were applied one at a time, with gorgeous shading inside the design. I loved the way Matt added his own flair to the interior work--giving it a classic tattoo feel.

I'm so grateful to both artists who made my first tattoo experience outstanding. I LOVE what my tattoo says about my life and my art. Now go forth and SEW NICE!

14 comments:

  1. Beautiful tattoo! I designed my own on my ankle and all of my late husbands tattoos too. Lisa does awesome work and the tat artist did a fab job on you! Love the design! Jessi

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  2. I love your tattoo. It looks like a watercolor painting on your arm. The design is wonderful and the tattoo artist did an amazing piece of art on your arm. Sew (very) nice!

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  3. Beautiful! I love Lisa's work.

    jojo

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  4. HOLY CRAP!!!! That is one of the nicest tattoos I've ever seen. Your team did a great job. (Also I love that you have a team) : )

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  5. woohoo!! you got a serious tat! perfect for you Kelli dear!

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  6. Anonymous5/24/2011

    Cool! So fun, Kelli!

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  7. I love it!!! I've been wanting to get a tattoo for 4 years now (since turing 40)! I guess I'm just waiting for the right image. Thanks for sharing!

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  8. I'm in the process (I'm 55) of getting a tattoo now too. Mine has a tree with flowers. all my pals think I'm somewhat crazy.
    I love yours!

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  9. What a wonderful tattoo and story, you are brave! Do you think you will catch the bug? I hear tats are addictive.

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  10. How cool is that?! I love the colors, the originality, the good design. My adult son is sleeved and has been trying to convince me to go under the needle. Your tattoo actually has me considering one...

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  11. you brave but cool woman. I would love one but my husband is very against them. he is not difficult about anything else l do..so...in this l let him have his way!x Like your design..suits you. Lyndax

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  12. Wow! Now that's a tattoo!
    ♥Sharon

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  13. miss you dear Kelli--how about a post soon?

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  14. Kelli, your tat is so awesome, I LOVE it, how wonderful to have a beautiful image with such a great theme, designed by a talented and loved friend. It doesn't get any better!

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