Today we’d like to introduce you to Danny Elliott.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
Art has been my life since a very young age. It started with drawing the cartoons I watched, progressed to realistic images from life around me, and in eventually I began competing in both hometown and regional events. Throughout my time in school, the desire to create only grew, and I knew It needed to be channeled into something more, so my tattoo career began in Arlington in 2011.
Starting off was anything but easy. Clientele for a new artist is virtually non-existent, so I had a full-time warehouse job on top of being at the shop for 60+ hours every week. Oh! Did I mention I was also serving in the Marine Corps reserves as an aircraft mechanic and had just met my wife at that time? There was definitely a lot going on, but we made it work. If nothing else, the grueling hours definitely made me a stronger artist.
Since then, I’ve moved studios only a couple times, travelled all across the Country for tattooing, competed in more than a dozen expos and I did manage to bring a few awards back with me too. Now I call Rebel Muse Tattoos home in Lewisville, TX.
Please tell us about your art.
As a Tattoo artist, I draw on people’s skin with needles. It’s pretty intense. In all seriousness, I’m drawn to the realistic genre because it’s very unforgiving. A portrait either looks real, believable, or it doesn’t. Any flaws are easily seen, and I enjoy the challenge of striving for perfection.
I’m most often find inspiration in other things I’m passionate about: movies, music, video games, and nature – those are the things I try to replicate in my work. With this imagery it’s honestly less about designing around some hidden message, and more about creating a beautiful composition for my client.
Tattooing is very personal, so I want the client to walk away with a good experience, a better piece of art, and hopefully we both have fun in the process! Bring me your pop culture ideas! We will absolutely binge watch your favorite show and talk fan theories while I’m working on your new favorite tattoo.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing artists today?
The largest challenge facing artists overall is “how to stand out and stay relevant.” Even as little as 20 years ago, art was regarded as something special that would only be viewed in a museum, or you would have to pay high dollar to have in your home. Now you don’t need to commission that original painting because you can buy a mass-produced print at Hobby Lobby or Michaels. In addition, with the world becoming more connected via social media, there are thousands of artists competing for attention on a minute by minute basis. So, while one artist may have the most potential for exposure in all of history, so does everyone else. Then after finally get people to take notice, you still have to figure out how to hold that attention.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
Outside of coming by my home studio, Rebel Muse, you can catch me on the road at tattoo conventions throughout the year. Currently I have a few days in California this July, and I’ll be in France this October. Dates are constantly updated on my website, DannyElliott.Ink
To support my work come get tattooed, I’m always accepting new clients! Please follow me on Instagram as well @DannyElliott_ink and tell all your friends!
Contact Info:
- Address: 1565 West Main Ste. 419 Lewisville, TX 75067
- Website: DannyElliott.Ink
- Phone: 9724209666
- Email: DannyElliottLLC@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dannyelliott_ink/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DannyElliottTattoos
- Other: RebelMusetattoo.com
Image Credit:
The work itself and photos are my own.
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