The ritual of getting a tattoo inhabits the realm of the unknown.  For www.cuetoimages.com it is associated with the dark.   It is a moment in time, human expression.  It can be a mark, a meaning.  

It is permanent.

Is it ugly.   For special people it isn’t ugly at all.

I met some of these people and photographed them.  

I met Amy Patterson and Shanon Restoule at an art display at the University.   We had the opportunity to show each other our work,  I was drawn to their art.  I was drawn to its meaning,  its method, but primarily I was drawn to the people behind it.  The Canvas and the Painter.  

Shanon pierces people, Amy paints people, they adorn humanity,  I wanted to photograph it.  They introduced me to Dan Bisaillon another artist, later when I dropped by the parlour for a visit.

For the photo shoot I showed up like a hunter, one has to recognize that light does not escape me.  I set up my small portable studio, I brought some lights, background to control shadows and sometimes envelope my subject in the darkness...... show it........illuminate it......control it.

I set my trap...............take the bait.

I want to show that people make tattoos a way of life.  A statement, a message to the world.  A message to their spirit.   It is permanent.....with them now, until the end.