The Most Precious Canvas

A woman in the United States, ca. 1907.

wikipedia

I’ve painted on canvas, masonite board, paper, wood, metal, plastic, vinyl and a few more surfaces.

But never have I been presumptuous enough to paint on the human skin as my canvas, indelibly marking with my art a permanent rendering on the body of a human being. What more priceless, precious surface is there than the skin of a human being? And yet there are millions who offer up their limbs, their bodies to a breed of artists who create on that surface, permanently engraving their art for the individual to carry for a lifetime. I have canvases which I’ve painted over two or three times, having tired of the image or realized it was no longer a work of art I was pleased with or that satisfactorily represented my capabilities. No, I don’t have the desire or the capacity to ever render my artistry on that, the most precious of all surfaces. More importantly, I would never offer up any part of my body as a canvas for anyone. There’s simply no work of art I can envision carrying on me day and night, each and every moment, for the rest of my life.  God’s gift to me is too precious to paint over.

With that said, let me clarify that my opinion is not meant to disparage the tattoo artist or question their talent or skill. Many are fine artists creating unique and exceptional works of art. My comments are directed to the supplier of their working surface.

The commentary excludes opinion in specialized areas such as cosmetic and medical tattoos.