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Kay

@kaywilltatts

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NJ | LA
Abstract linear + surrealism enthusiasts.
Subconscious + dream work themes.
An energetic exchange.
Private studio.📍Los Angeles.

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Third Phase of “Settling In”- The Reveal and Progress Shots.
*Long Caption*

Let’s talk color scheme. When thinking about color, I gravitate more towards fantasy & illusion. I very rarely use realistic skin tones in my work —which is intentional. Personally, i consider myself “alien” in nature & vibe— very otherworldly with that mindset, I work in color that reflects that. At the very least, the skin tone will be an exaggeration of the actual color of the muse.

I knew I wanted to go colorful but I also wanted the colors to complement the other elements in this painting— so I settled on an orangey yellow skin colors with vibrant blues, greens & magentas. At the time of painting, I still wasn’t sure how it would come out but I stayed in flow & intuitive.

Abstraction in my work is a given. Combining geometric elements, lines & surrealism has been my main focus as I redefine my painting style & blend my two style together. I have a thing for eyes so you’ll almost always see them somewhere in my work. With the background, I was going for a figurative under water vibe but really wanted to play with blues & greens. Because this peice is about a new me emerging in a new place, finding my footing & “settling in” on the west coast, I wanted to convey some unsettling elements as well as some celebratory elements describing a ray of feelings about it all.

You’ll see more paintings here, as well as tattoos as both are active practices of mine. While I am not commissioning any painting projects outside of my own interest, my books are always open for tattoos. Click the link in my bio if you feel called. Check out my Art- ifacts highlight for available flashes! Would love to collaborate on the perfect piece with you.
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#Kaywillpaints #painting #surrealismportrait #linework taken in Los Angeles, California by @kaywilltatts

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7 days ago

Second Phase of “Settling In”- The Underpainting.

With this being my first painting in 7 years, I wanted to approach this with as much intentionality as possible— as with anything I create, but this peice is special. My goal was to combine elements and style of my tattoo practice, with my painting practice while also, refining & experimenting with new painting styles & techniques. The under painting is just that- an underpainting & sometimes doesn’t really look like anything. I usually use different hues of one or two specific color ranging from light to deep. During this phase I am mapping out the style, colors & drama I want the piece to have. I am also thinking through depth, background & other elements that complement the theme.

As a surrealism enthusiast I am continuously experimenting with the different styles of surrealism & understanding my work through that lens. As an abstract linear tattoo artist working with dreamwork and some geometric themes, I feel that “Settling In” is a combination of veristic and automatic surrealism. Which was exactly my goal & intention for this introduction back into my painting practice. Working with some realism & abstract elements combined with geometric form was/is a continuous “nod” to my tattoo practice & acts as the driving influence for me to merge the two worlds.

In the next & last phase, I’ll talk about color scheme & added abstract elements. Enjoy

#underpainting #surrealismportrait #kaywillpaints #veristicsurrealism #automaticsurrealism by @kaywilltatts

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a month ago

First Phase of “Settling in”- The Bones.

In the spring of this year, April specifically, I began my first artist residency. It moved me to the west coast where I was fully able to immerse myself back to my roots as a fine artist.

As a fine artist first, I’ll be showcasing my paintings & BTS bits of the process along side my tattoo work. I owe it to myself to honor my foundation.

Here is the beginning stages/ sketch of “Settling In.” I’ve been my own muse for a while & it is a way for me to allow myself to be fully seen & witnessed by myself &..by you all. I am reimagining different versions of myself with the innerstanding that they are also not me —they are their own thing.

I’ll be posting this piece in stages. In the next phase I’ll talk more about inspiration, & my goal for this piece. Enjoy.

#paintingsketch #surrealismportrait #kaywillpaints #surrealportrait taken in Santa Monica, California by @kaywilltatts

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2 months ago

Indigenous/ pacific- Polynesian inspiration combined with intuitive abstract elements that flowed seamlessly. Using anatomical flow, & specifically designed for her hand.
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This was soo fun to design & tattoo. I welcome more abstract intuitive projects like this 🙂
Booking LA📍link in my bio.

#abstracttattoo #abstractlinear #indigenoustattoo
#kaywilltatts #blacklinetattoo by @kaywilltatts

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2 months ago

BTS of A Statement Piece.
Booking link in bio.
📍Los Angeles, hey babe.

#lowerback #kaywilltatts #blacklinework #trampstamp #abstractlinework by @kaywilltatts

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4 months ago

In lovvveeee with this tattoo. My homegirl wanted a cute lower back piece that was bold but also dainty in its design. From a reference she provided, we were able to recreate, reimagine, & design something new & uniquely for her— it’s perfect. I would love to tattoo another one of these in this placement. Thank you my friend for trusting me with this 🥹. This process is truly one of a kind & reminds me of the love that I have for tattooing as well as for the discovery & design process.

I have another design similar in style up for grabs 👀 1 more spot. If you have any questions feel free to DM me or check out my highlight for more info.

#kaywilltatts #santamonica #tribal #lowerbackpiece #trampstamp taken in Santa Monica, California by @kaywilltatts

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5 months ago

Minimalist ear piece for my girl Alyssa! Thank you for trusting me with your vision & booking this lil send off tattoo 🥹 This one was a lil more challenging than the ear piece prior but I love how simple yet sophisticated it looks.
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West coast, wassup? I’ll be tattooing in my private studio in Santa Monica, California from now until June 1st— come see me. I’m excited to bring my practice somewhere new & am looking forward to the new experiences. Booking link is in my bio for all your creative needs. I am open to flash work & customs! Please read my highlights for more information.
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#lines #kaywilltatts #eartattoo #lineartattoo #minimalisttattoo by @kaywilltatts

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6 months ago

Her first bigger tattoo 🥹 thank you Mrs. Annie for trusting me with this! Love when yall get my flash tattooed! This is the second half of a matching mother- daughter tattoo, the first one was done sometime last year & is on my page. Mom was finally ready to get her butterfly & sat so well.
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I have big news coming up that I’ll share with you all soon 🙈 until then booking flash, & customs for the rest of this month. Link is in my bio 🫶🏾 if you need inspo feel free to browse through my highlights to choose the right one for you— have a question? DM me.
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#kaywilltatts #butterflytattoos #lineworktattoos #abstract #abstracttattoo by @kaywilltatts

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8 months ago

Something different for me but essential in the journey. Who doesn’t love a good text tattoo?! Here’s my creative perspective of a font/text flash exploring the concept of Yin+Yang.
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Everything is about balance, too much or too little of anything isn’t essential to our well being—who we are at our core. I think it’s important for us to innerstand and tap in to the yin & yang, light & dark, feminine & masculine qualities in all of us— outside of the gender binary (this is not that conversation). These energies are complimentary & interdependent.
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Yin, is associated with receiving, divine feminine, darkness. Yin encourages introspection, nurturing, & healing. Yang is associated with the sacred masculine, light, outward energy. Yang energy is action, ambition, and assertiveness.
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#yinyang #yinyangflash #kaywilltatts #NJtattoo #fonttattoo by @kaywilltatts

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a year ago

Thank you love for trusting me with this & making that trip to Jersey! The placement was perfect! “Soldier of Love”—Sade’s sixth studio album.
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Booking the weekend of the 17th & all November. Prioritizing customs & flash :) check out my highlights for more info.
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#font #tattoolettering #boldline #tattoofont #soldieroflove by @kaywilltatts

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a year ago

Freehand lil abstract ear piece with my signature style. This was so fun to do! Check out my ear flash sheet if you’re interested in other renditions of ear tattoos.
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Booking all September, weekends only.
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#lines #swirls #kaywilltatts #eartattoo #abstracttattoo by @kaywilltatts

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a year ago

Cute little “Eros” tattoo for Alyssa! Thank you my friend for choosing me for this.
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Been experimenting with font this week, & would love to do more! Last day to pull up at @socatattoostudio_206 & snag a flash or font! I also have some new flash coming.
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#fonttattoo #font# #boldline #boldtattoo #njtattooartist #njtattoo #erostattoo by @kaywilltatts

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a year ago