Inkjunkys: Mel D and the daring art of tattooing
Why on earth am I writing about a tattoo artist when I don’t even have a tattoo? I’ll tell you why:
Reason 1. Tattoos are awesome
Reason 2. It takes real talent to be a good tattoo artist
Reason 3. I really want a tattoo
Reason 4. Brace yourself. It is a long one! 12-year-old me moved to Cleveland, America or Cleveland, Oklahoma for all you city folks!. One fine day—actually one random day I don’t recall, I befriended Tera Bryant. Tera was witty, sassy, mischievous and fun. Why she was friends with my boring, insecure self, I’ll never know.
Tera moved a couple of years later, we lost contact and found each other once again on…wait for it…wait for it…Facebook! Looking at Tera’s Facebook photos, something had changed about Tera. Her skin. She was splattered with the needle induced art of tattooing. Rock on girl, rock on.
Through Facebook, I saw she was dating tattoo artist Mel D and they were opening up Injunkies Tattoo Studio. Scrolling through his portfolio, I was impressed. Actually, I was beyond impressed and wanted people to see how rad this tattoo artist is. What really motivated me to want to share Mel D’s talent with readers was one particular tattoo:
I love this Sweeny Todd tattoo not because I love Johnny Depp (who doesn’t) or quirky movies like The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, but because I was taken aback by the detail, the contrast and the shading.
I love drawing charcoal portraits. If I mess up, I just screw myself out of time. To draw on someone’s skin with a needle— takes serious balls. You not only need talent, you need years of practice and a heaping amount of confidence. If a tattoo artists messes up, he can lose a lot of business. Anyone who thinks tattooing is not an art, must be living in the dark ages of WWII navy tats.
For almost 25 years Mel has been tattooing and has won 87 national and international awards for his tattoos. Before tattooing, Mel had received over 100 awards for his artwork. His tattoos have been credited in 4 magazine covers and over 100 publications.
Mel’s preferred style is freehand, opposed to stencils,etc. (Much like Corey Miller-my favorite reality tattoo star!). If you need a little help rendering your idea, Mel is the guy to turn to. Mel D is in demand and his schedule fills up quickly. You can try to walk-in, but there are no guarantees.
His brand new studio, Injunkys, has just opened in the Woodland Hills area. 7123 Suite A. South 92nd East Avenue. Basically, it is behind Quik Trip gas station off of 71st Street between Memorial and Mingo. Now, go make your appointment!
Contact info:
http://www.injunkys.com/ 918-272-9955Some of Mel D’s other tattoos and artwork:
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