Vanitas

This sleeve is an interpretation of classical vanitas paintings, depicting the fleeting nature of life and beauty. The rose on the front of the shoulder was done previously by Jeff Ensminger, so I matched it with another rose and incorporated the simpler traditional style, as well as some Art Nouveau ornamental shapes, into the rest of the subject matter. The client Alison makes some amazing tattoo aftercare products, in small batches with only the finest ingredients under the label Stay True Organics, and as you might expect she healed perfectly after each of her grueling 2-day sessions.

By Nick Baxter