TRADITIONAL WITH A TWIST

By Michelle Delio

Traditional tattooing is based on the use of heavy black shading, strong outlines, bright primary colors, and simple designs. When the tattoo renaissance began about twenty years ago, this style was snubbed, being considered unsubtle and limiting. But eventually artists began to take a second look at the tried - and - true basic forms of this art, and they're now utilizing this traditional style in conjunction with fresh ideas and images to create a new look that is both cutting-edge and classical.

At its best, modern "high energy" tattooing is a mixture of old and new. Today's artists refuse to be confined to repeating the same designs over and over. But the best of them also know that newfound artistic freedom must be grounded in those eternal rules of tattooing: "will it look good in the skin?" and "will it last?"

Dave Waugh is cranking out the stuff that succeeds on both the artistic and technical levels. Influenced by comix and all the other debris of pop culture, his designs contain humor and a strong punch. Traditional aesthetics can be seen in the heavy outlines and bold colors, all of which ensure that your tattoo will looks just as great when you're a toothless grandparent as it did on the day you got it.

Dave infuses his work with a unique blend of craftsmanship and character. His flash sets have won him first place awards at all of the major conventions. Wisely, he begins with a simple idea and perfects that before attempting to put his own spin onto a design. His final piece is never over-detailed or overworked; it's clean, crisp, innovative tattooing at its finest.

Dave's work can best be described as traditional with a twist. With the obsessive attention he devotes towards mastering his craft's technique, and with his innate gift for doing creative compositions and designs, Dave's constantly creating brand new classics that will inspire the next generation of tattoo fans and artists.