People Whose work I admire: 3 Tattoo Glass by Tom Spencer

Tom Spencer. "Ooo the Farks 'e then?"

For those of you not familiar with the modern Hounslow parlance, the above question put forward by my friend Kay roughly translates as 'I have never heard of this artist, please tell me more about him'. Which is exactly what I'm going to do in this post.

I first saw Tom's work in the B&B Project Space when his lovely Mrs left some fliers after doing a Club Shepway event or a Lady Lucie photo shoot. I can't remember which.

I think the image on the postcard was this one:

 

It pretty much blew me away how beautifully a traditional technique could be used with much more modern imagery to create such a fantastic piece of work, and it kind of struck a chord with me (I'm a sucker for traditional workmanship done to a high standard) and inspired me to put into practise an idea that had been swilling round my head for some time; Embroidery techniques plus tattoo imagery = Tattoo Tapestry:

 

 

Unfortunately the Emily Peacock Tapestry company beat me to it when it came to getting tattoo imagery tapestry kits out on to the market (grrr!) and then every f***er started doing it. But I'd like to churlishly point out that I thought of it first! Anyhow to cut a long story short, the Tattoo Tapestry episode was part of what made me decide that life was just too short to be stuck in an office job and I should just do what I want. So Thank You Tom.

 

Tattoo Glass can be seen everywhere from The Crobar in London, Tattoo Shops up and down the country to private houses and everywhere in between.

 

 

This giant glass window is in The Crobar, Soho.

 

I believe this piece was part of a Libertys window display, and is now in The Intrepid Fox pub.

 

This gorgeous panel was made for Feline Tattoo Studio, Sheffield. I want it.

 

It would be really, really hard to pick a favourite Tattoo Glass piece, so I'll post a few images and let you decide which ones you like best.

 

 

One day I'll get a panel made for me and Herman the cat just like this.

 

It's the little details that make all the difference - my favourite bit of this sugarskull is the Newky Brown eyes.

 

 

Everybody needs a Pirate Ship & bottle of Rum.

 

 

A Mermaid Panel done for the R.A.R.E. (Rock & Roll Expressionists) show at Resistance Gallery, which I went to. Each artist was also a gigging musician, we got to see people such as Vince Ray, Gaye Advert and Tyla play as well as look at their artwork (although I think my brother was more interested in the charms of 'Bonette' Miss Miranda than the artwork or bands).

 

Hand painting panels before insertion.

 

Some very lucky person's front door.

 

 

Tom's website for Tattoo Glass is here. He takes commissions for any size and budget, and exhibits regularly in the UK. See the site for more pictures of his work & news on events & shows.

 

When he's not cutting his fingers on sharp bits of glass, inventing cocktails or trying to board Thames Houseboats Pirate style at 3am (a story for another day) Tom is also a pretty shit-hot musician. A (small) selection of his current & previous bands are below:

 

The Yo-Yo's video for Sunshine Girl from about 2000 - also starring a gorgeous Black Cat:

 

 

My Loyalties favourite, Sofa Surfin' UK live and very noisy!

 

 

And the awesome Banjoey Ramone - who me, Malicious Opera & Sweary Seagull have vowed to see but, um, somehow haven't quite got round to yet.... We're busy OK?!?

 

 

 So Kay, I hope that answers your question, and before you ask, No he's not one of the Lostprophets, and yes, at 14,592 he has has more hits on youtube than you (Public Health Warning - you may need earplugs to watch the last link!).

Have a good weekend Folks, and don't forget to Rock N' Roll! I'm off to the Windfarm Christmas Annual launch, and to find out why half the Kent Police force are parked on my street. See ya!

___________________________________________________________________

As a footnote I'd like to point out that the Koi Carp panel (below) was stolen from The Old Cinema in Chiswick two weeks ago. It wasn't insured so is a massive loss to Tom. If anyone sees it doing the rounds in the art world please contact Tom (his website is here)