My Desire, Through Someone Else’s Eyes
Ξ September 2nd, 2008 | → | ∇ me |
I am not artistic. Never have been able to take a brush or pen to canvas or paper and create a pleasing rendition of what my mind’s image was. No amount of time in arts classes will change that. And, surprisingly, I am ok with that.
It must be my lack of artistic talent that has led me to appreciate the skill that others possess. Recently I was quite literally moved to tears by the kindness of a man I have never met. Turns out Michael, known to many of us as UMB (Uncle Monkey Boy), is working towards a career in tattooing. When he read about a piece that I have dreamed about since I was about 16, UMB took the initiative to draw my mermaid and dolphin. What a gift!
Even his first rough draft, which UMB himself will admit was was rough, brought tears to my eyes. I had wanted this design for so long (about 20 years!) and finally seeing her come to life gave me chills. The second version was much, much better, and thrilled me to no end, but Michael had really paid attention to what I truly wanted and went back to the drawing board.
See, I didn’t think my concept would work, yet somehow he made it be even better than I had imagined. In my head the dolphin was jumping out of the water, over a yin yang symbol. It seemed so disjointed that it wouldn’t work. Leave it to the artist to pull it all together. He removed the seaweed and managed to get the yin yang in there. I love it.
Saying “I love it” doesn’t even begin to express what Michael has gifted me with. He is so talented and I can’t get over him taking the time to create my mermaid and dolphin. Awesome!
For now she is black and white, but he might attempt a color image as well. Hope you like her even half as much as I do:
The large version of my magnificent mermaid may be found HERE.
You may see more of Micheal’s artwork HERE.
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On a completely different note, please click the button for more information on Ovarian Cancer symptoms.
on September 2nd, 2008 at 12:22 AM
don’t know who’s idea it was to replace the angel fish with clown fish but it’s perfect. they keep the lighthearted feel of the picture much better.
perfect example of the beautiful work i’ve come to expect from umb after seeing the pieces he’s posted at his place. fantastic idea and execution.
on September 2nd, 2008 at 12:42 AM
That is both beautiful and whimsical - it really captures your spirit. Now will he be the one to put it on you, or will someone local put his art on you?
Way to go, UMB!
on September 2nd, 2008 at 12:55 AM
That is gonna make a fantastic tattoo.
Are you getting it? and where?
on September 2nd, 2008 at 1:13 AM
OMG I am totally in love with that picture.
It’s so wonderfully done I…Dude it’s SO good.
That UMB has some mucho talent, he does.
on September 2nd, 2008 at 6:53 AM
That is just awesome! Wow!!!
on September 2nd, 2008 at 7:23 AM
Now the next question is - where?
on September 2nd, 2008 at 12:08 PM
Gorgeous! I love it. And yes, where?
on September 2nd, 2008 at 4:22 PM
That dolphin’s hot.
on September 2nd, 2008 at 5:20 PM
It’s beautiful!
on September 2nd, 2008 at 6:09 PM
heather -
well, jester of course wanted a clown fish in there. hehe
gwen -
oh my…decisions, decisions! it took me 20 years to even see her and now you want answers? sheesh!
b.e. earl -
problem is she is going to have to be so big in order to do her face justice that i just don’t know where to put her.
sarah -
umb really is talented, which i knew, but i guess i didn’t expect to actually see her and have her so phenomenal. i mean, 20+ years of wanting is a long time and then BAM, there she is all gorgeous and wonderful!
lisa -
glad you like! she makes me so happy.
britt -
ount know! help me! (maybe low, low back on the left side? like her waist where my waistline is?)
finn -
ok, you help too! where do you think? keep in mind, she is gonna have to be rather large.
adam -
that is it, i ain’t getting the tattoo! not if you will be all thinking dolphin porn when i talk about her or if you see her. dammit, how could i have forgotten about your dolphin porn? (tequila and brain bleach, that is how a girl forgets!)
topchamp -
why thank you! thanks for taking the time to comment.
on September 2nd, 2008 at 8:55 PM
That is amazing!!!!
on September 2nd, 2008 at 9:25 PM
amyd -
i love her. it is not even remotely normal how much i love the gift umb has given me.
on September 2nd, 2008 at 10:29 PM
I love it, too. I have dolphins on my butt/hip, and a sea turtle on my back right shoulder that a friend of mine and I designed. The turtle has the sign for Pices, the Earth, and triangles symbolizing woman. I love yours because it seems like mine, if that’s not too…god, vain or something. I’m just going to stop talking now, or writing, because I’ll just keep blathering on and never stop. Oh, but yay UMB, you rock.
xo!
b.
on September 2nd, 2008 at 11:15 PM
That is beautiful! I am always amazed at artists that can do things like that as if it’s nothing. Really good artwork!
on September 3rd, 2008 at 1:01 PM
That is awesome! And a really, really nice gesture. : )
on September 3rd, 2008 at 10:40 PM
That’s a gorgeous picture - and will make a great tattoo! (Just don’t put it near any orifices or Adam might get ideas!)
on September 4th, 2008 at 1:11 AM
Once you meet UMB, it really does come as no surprise what an incredibly sweet man he is. And talented… wooooo weeeee! He was the perfect person to bring your vision to life. I just adore him. That picture… is so very you.
on September 4th, 2008 at 6:15 PM
just beth -
i was considering a turtle! the strong woman is an ancient hawaiian rock drawing and i found a turtle design that i loved. considered somehow incorporating the two or maybe going for the turtle on the left, opposite of where strong woman is. still might happen. i am in no rush.
oh! i got to swim with dolphins while in cabo this past february…close to the happiest i have ever been in my life. amazing!
elisa -
you and me both. man, i can’t draw even a stick figure and umb whipped that drawing out like it was nothing. i love that there are folks like him in the world. sigh.
john -
yeah, umb is an incredible guy. can’t wait to meet him so that i can squeeze him!
sybil -
i’m going to have nightmares at that thought. thanks for that. uggggggggggh.
win -
speaking of squeezing…you say the nicest things and i wanna squeeze you also! thank you.
on September 8th, 2008 at 10:01 PM
I love her and had NO idea that UMB was an artist outside of music!
on September 8th, 2008 at 10:52 PM
ginamonster -
would knowing that umb could have drawn you a stunning tattoo have kept you awake on his couch any longer? hehe
on September 8th, 2008 at 11:09 PM
Hey, it was like, 2 am when I fell asleep on his couch AND I had been drinking. So, no, probably not. Although I do have something in mind…I don’t know where I would put it though, it would have to be kinda big…
on September 10th, 2008 at 11:28 PM
ginamonster -
that is my problem as well…this gorgeous mermaid and dolphin will have to be much bigger than i originally imagined. she’ll be worth it, but deciding on the right location is a big deal. so, what do you want??
on September 11th, 2008 at 2:59 PM
Hot blonde riding a broomstick, wearing rollerskates, with a spinning wheel tied on the back!
hehe.
on September 11th, 2008 at 9:56 PM
ginamonster -
love the hot blonde in rollerskates on a broomstick (way cool for you), but i think i have got to be missing something about the spinning wheel on the back. spinning wheel? splain, please…
on September 11th, 2008 at 10:17 PM
You must have missed the part of the story where I like to spin a fine yarn. Literally. And figuratively…Sometimes I spin yarns about yarn. But they aren’t really very exciting. Unless I have fucked up another knitting project…
on September 11th, 2008 at 10:23 PM
ginamonster -
i’m a dumbass. NOW i get it. “spinning wheel!!” way cool!
(sorry that you had to spoon feed me. sheesh.)
on September 11th, 2008 at 10:28 PM
Any time you need to be spoon fed, you just let me know.
on September 11th, 2008 at 10:31 PM
ginamonster -
le rowl! i’ll remember that!!
on March 23rd, 2009 at 9:06 AM
I really liked your blog with the Dolphins mention! A Super Bowl maybe this year?!?
on March 23rd, 2009 at 3:28 PM
dolphins autographed helmet owner -
are you fucking kidding me? here we go steelers, here we go!