Amy Ravenelle’s Tattoos were done by:

Foot: Doug Forcier, Renaissance Tattoo Studio, Woonsocket, RI.
Chest: Mike Johnston, Blackstone Tattoo Co., Pawtucket, RI.
Hip: Nick Clattenburg, Famous Tattoos, Dartmouth, MA.

Amy is a professional in tattoo supplies and shop management. She was down with doing a three tattoo session, which was an embarrassment of riches. During our photo shoot at Providence Power Yoga, where Amy also works and practices yoga, I ventured to ask her, “So, you must have a lot of stories about a lot of people.” To which she replied…

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Musician Joe Sabourin’s tattoo was done by Craig Prentiss at Visions Tattoo, Medway, MA. Joe is an honest-to-goodness working musician, so there’s some likelihood that, if you’re into local music, you’ve seen him anywhere from the Fatt Squirrel to your cousin’s wedding. He has a Facebook page, “My Mother’s Moustache,” where you can find out where, what and with whom he’s playing. For his gallery, he provided a quote from Victor L. Wooten because “It says so much more than I can.”

Wooten begins:  “Musicians do not have to be believed in.

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Kaitlyn Vicente’s tattoos gracing her shoulders were done by Jay Blanchette, owner of Leviticus Tattoo, Cumberland, RI. Kaitlyn practices yoga at Providence Power Yoga and is a Social Media and Marketing professional. On her new blog, Life ‘N Lemons, Kaitlyn shares her insights and experiences, like the one she’s provided for us here:

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Wendy Cardoza’s pair of tattoos were done by Andy Robinson of Art Machine Productions, Fishtown, Philadelphia. As you may notice with the featured photo, one of the mahjong tiles is ready for a game. Wendy has written her own piece about the meaning of her tattoos.

She begins:
What will be with me for the rest of my life?

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Rachel Sholly, A.K.A. RedDawn PVD

Rachel’s tattoo was done by Mike Lussier at Art Freek Tattoo, Providence, RI.

Rachel’s tatmacs have been printed on a large scale, check out a trial installation:

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Video 1: In which  I answer the question: What do tattoo macro photos enlarged to pretty big sizes look like? And ruminate on skin…

This is the first video I’ve made for the project. It kind of shows. For those of legal drinking age, you can play a Drinking Game using the word “interesting.”  I had to choose between re-shooting the whole thing or losing out on the cats. You can’t not have the cats once you’ve got them.

38″ x 46″ TatMac shot
Tattoo Artist: Dennis M Del Prete, Providence Tattoo

Portrait and human figure photography is probably one of the constants in my work. Some of my most recent work in this area involves selfies — sort of Cindy Sherman, except for me and my purposes. It’s kind of required, seeing as I continually “confront” other people with a camera lens. My own self-perception should be as much at stake when seeking this interaction from other people.

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Another huge shout out to Providence Power Yoga for having Tattoo Macros in the new Annex space, which is right down the street from the main studio (51 Bassett St.)  The Annex used to be a tattoo studio, so it’s lovely to keep something of the history of the space alive.

Providence Power Yoga Annex
16 Bassett St.
Providence, RI 02903

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Ashley Nunez, an environmental activist, had her tattoo done by Craig Prentiss at Visions Tattoo, Medway, MA. Her tattoo is behind her ear. I’ve got to speak plainly about the human ear. It’s just one of those bodily organs that, under a macro lens, can kind of send you if that’s kind of your thing. The photos after the jump are not NSFW but, you know, could be in some way. But please, don’t get too caught-up in the ear (like me). Ashley has provided her own discussion of her tattoo concerning freedom and the written word. Ashley’s writing can be found on her blog on Facebook, Gathering Weeds and her photography can be found on Instagram @gatheringweeds.

Ashley begins:  I guess you could say in part it was impulsive- a flight of fancy based on a strong desire for something to change.

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