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ABOUT RORY KEATING
I sometimes think of what I do as culturally-based tattooing. I try to study the many and various tattoo traditions, but it's also possible to create culturally specific tattoos that are based on designs taken from fabric, pottery, or what-have-you. In trying to deal with multiple traditions, I am unable to present myself as an authority on any one culture in particular.
I try always to put a contemporary slant on my designs, maintaining the look and feel of the original tradition, but out of respect, not taking the tradition too literally. I don't want to step on anybody's toes.
In addition to the culturally-based designs, the tattoo world uses the word Tribal to describe most designs that are black and abstract. The contemporary Tribal style pioneered by Leo Zulueta was a new creation, drawing from Borneo art, Art Nouveau, and American hot rod flames.
It was Leo's bold, clean work that first caught my eye years ago, looking like something that was sculpted perfectly for the human body, like perhaps the designs had simply grown on the person. In searching for an artist to tattoo me, I also found my teacher, and I apprenticed under Leo in 1997.
I try always to put a contemporary slant on my designs, maintaining the look and feel of the original tradition, but out of respect, not taking the tradition too literally. I don't want to step on anybody's toes.
In addition to the culturally-based designs, the tattoo world uses the word Tribal to describe most designs that are black and abstract. The contemporary Tribal style pioneered by Leo Zulueta was a new creation, drawing from Borneo art, Art Nouveau, and American hot rod flames.
It was Leo's bold, clean work that first caught my eye years ago, looking like something that was sculpted perfectly for the human body, like perhaps the designs had simply grown on the person. In searching for an artist to tattoo me, I also found my teacher, and I apprenticed under Leo in 1997.
TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT
You can phone or e-mail me any time with questions, but talking face to face is ultimately the best way to deal with visual ideas. To that end, I usually do two stages of consultation. The first consultation can be fairly quick and easy, just going over your basic ideas and making sure that they work as a tattoo. Then, I put you on my waiting list, and when we get close to an actual open tattoo date we sit down and have a real detailed meeting about your project, takes pictures, look at various design references, set up the actual appointment(s) and drop off a deposit.
The first consultation can happen almost any time that I'm at the shop. The best chances of catching me are on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursday between about 1:00 and 6:00, but please phone ahead to check my availability.
I'm currently booked up for about two months, so if you're visiting from out of town, be sure to set up an appointment well in advance.
Upcoming Conventions
I'll be working at the London Tattoo Convention, September 24, 25 & 26. A week later I'll be at the Tattoo Expo in Malmoe, Sweden, October 1, 2 & 3. After that, I'll be doing a guest spot for a few days at Skin & Bone in Copenhagen, Denmark. If you're interested in getting some tattoo work from me at those venues, try to contact me by e-mail beforehand.
Thanks.
619-519-4322 Direct
858-270-1070 Front Desk
E-mail: rory-AT-gurutattoo.com
