TATTOO ATELIER

MICRO REALISM

REALISM

BLACKWORK

MANCHESTER, UK

ELEVATING YOUR SELF-EXPRESSION & PERSONAL AESTHETICS

Join me in my private tattoo studio where we’ll collaborate together to create your one of a kind tattoo artwork. Combining my drive for perfection and keen focus on quality, we will enhance your style and sophistication through tattoo artworks that are timeless, elegant and meaningful to you.

EVERY LIFE IS A STORY WAITING TO BE TATTOOED

THE BEAUTY OF TATTOO ARTWORKS

WHERE YOU CAN LOOK IN THE MIRROR AND SEE A WORK OF ART BEING REALIZED. FROM THE VALUES THAT DEFINE YOU OR THE IDEAS AND CONNECTIONS THAT INSPIRE YOU, TO THE MEMORIES YOU HOLD DEAR THAT WILL LAST A LIFETIME! YOUR PERSONAL STORY THAT MAKES YOU UNIQUE AND ONE OF A KIND.

ELEVATING SELF-ACTUALIZATION THROUGH CREATIVE & BESPOKE TATTOOS

In a private studio space where Stardog23 harnesses his perfectionism and artistry to help transform you into a better version of yourself.

From small-scale detailed Micro Realism to large and bold Realism to the graphic and illustrative nature of Blackwork, I got you covered. Whether it be a selection of one of my flash designs or a bespoke tattoo artwork based on your vision, it’s my goal to give you a tattoo that you can love and appreciate for the rest of your life.

A QUALITY TATTOO IS FOR LIFE

MICRO REALISM

THE WINDOW INTO YOUR WORLD

DETAILS AND PRECISION

The thinnest needles are used to create your work of art. It’s a delicate affair where your tattoo comes to life like a lotus, gradually and with time. With these fine needles, a delicate hand is best. And it’s this delicate hand which amplifies the time needed to complete your artwork, as a light touch allows for multiple layers of tone to be applied to the skin.

LIMITLESS SCOPE

With micro-realism, its size is its strength, which magnifies the breadth of subject matter that can be tattooed. We can also infuse Fine Line and blackwork motifs to enhance your designs creativity and aesthetic appeal. And because we’re working on a small scale, you are free to build a personal collection over time, organized in an artistic composition that combines your story and Stardog23’s artistry.

ART WORKS

With details done at such a small scale, skin health and protection will be important to increasing the longevity of your tattoo. As such, micro-realism tattoos are best suited for individuals who can take on a collector of fine artworks mindset, one where consistent care and consideration are given. From protecting your tattoo from direct sunlight to daily moisturizing, being mindful will go a long way to keeping your Micro Realism artwork looking its best.

REALISM

MAKE A STATEMENT. STAND ON BUSINESS!

STANDING OUT

Large-scale realism is impactful and striking, where the subject stands front and centre, commanding attention. With emphasis on contrast and flow, this style carries an air of swagger befitting those who know what they want and aren’t afraid to show it.

WORKING IN PANELS

Because large-scale realism needs space to breath, each body part can be regarded as a panel, reserved for one subject and it’s decorative framework which serves to enhance the flow of the artwork.

FLOW

My aim will be to infuse your design to your form to enhance your aesthetics. With flow, how your design sits on your body is vitally important as each muscle leads the eye in a specific direction. When flow is achieved, you become one with your tattoo artwork as it becomes a part of you, a symbiotic relationship between ink and skin.

BLACKWORK

DELICATE AND BEAUTIFUL

THE POWER OF LINEWORK

Hand drawn peonies, snakes and figures in a Blackwork style offers a lot of freedom to me as an artist. It’s all about understanding the subject drawn, a skill honed through a lot of practice. The beauty of this style is that it can effortlessly transition between small scale and large scale designs, from intimate and personal to bold and striking. I like to keep specialized with my Blackwork designs and focus on floral, snake and figure designs where I hand draw your artwork. To add variety to the subject, I like to draw them in different ways, playing with the shape of petals and leaves to give a unique emotive energy or changing the snake’s scale pattern to give them a distinctive character.

Q &A

Questions about Micro Realism tattoos

  • This depends on the artists skill level, where the realism design is tattooed and the client’s dedication to taking care of their tattoo. From an artist skill perspective, the key lies in the artist’s ability to work the skin where the dermis has minimal damage. When the dermis is not damaged the wound healing process doesn’t fully activate as there is no dead tissue to heal. It’s mainly the epidermis which suffers the most. When tattooed correctly, the needles stain the dermis resulting in clear and transparent flaking in the healing process.

  • All tattoo sessions start at 11 am and can take between 5-10 hours. The time will depend on the size, complexity and location of your tattoo.

  • Getting a tattoo will be painful for some individuals while not so much for others as each person has a different pain threshold. The pain level is also dependent on the area being tattooed as some areas are more sensitive than others (ribs, knee, shin). As well, the more black and bold lines in your tattoo, the more you will feel it due to increased hand pressure on the skin.

Questions about the studio

  • Lotus in the Pond is located just outside Manchester City Centre in Ancoats. Full address details will be provided to clients once an appointment has been confirmed.

  • Deposits can be paid via Paypal or bank transfer. Stardog23 requests that you pay the remaining balance in cash when you arrive for your tattoo session but bank transfer or Paypal will also be accepted. Card payments are accepted but a transaction fee will be included.

  • Guests are allowed but Stardog23 asks that they wait in the lounge area during the tattooing process as 100% focus is needed.

  • Yes. It is a legal requirement that all premises and individuals providing tattooist services are regularly inspected and licensed with their local authority.

  • The Tattooing Of Minors Act 1969 makes clear that it is a criminal offence to tattoo anyone under the age of 18 in the UK. Valid ID (must belong to the person getting tattooed) is required.

Questions about the tattooing process

  • It is highly advised not to get tattooed when :

    Pregnant

    Under the influence of drugs or alcohol

    In pre-surgery

    In post-surgery

    Suffering from diabetes that is not under control

    Have heart problems

    Use certain medications

    Prone to Keloid scarring

  • Stardog23 is open to tattoo make-overs but not cover-ups.

  • Make sure you eat something at least 2 hours before your appointment and bring a snack if your booking is more than a few hours long.

    Drink plenty of fluids before, during and after your tattoo but avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours before your appointment. I won't be able to tattoo you if you're drunk (or on drugs).

    It's important that you don't take aspirin based pain relief products near to or after the time you get your tattoo. Aspirin thins your blood so you might bleed more than usual making it difficult to tattoo you.

  • The inks used in your tattoo are from industry leading brands, Dynamic Ink from USA and Panthera Ink from Italy both of which are Vegan safe and animal cruelty free.

  • You can not get tattooed if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, suffer from seizures or have any conditions which impair your immune system.

    You should consult your doctor and provide a doctors note if you suffer from diabetes, haemophilia, a heart condition or take any blood thinning medication.

    You are obliged to inform me if you have any bloodborne infection or virus. Due to the increased personal risk the decision to proceed will be at my discretion.

  • The gloves used in the tattooing process are commercial grade powder free nitrile gloves which are latex free.

Questions about Stardog23

  • My artist name is a homage to a tragic experience in my childhood. When I was 8 years old and playing in the front yard with my dog before school I threw a ball for him to catch. A car came up behind me, passed me and ran over him. I ran up to him, held him in my arms and watched the car stop and then drive off. I never reconciled that event and that moment until I came across the name Stardog. My artist name is a way for me to turn that tragic even into something positive. Stardog23 also represents the underdog resilience mentality, where no matter the obstacle or challenge, where there is a will there is a way! The number 23 represents my two hands and the 3 art mediums I aspire to create beautiful artworks in; tattooing, painting and sculpting. 23 is also the number of my art studio and the number of Michael Jordan, a person who I admire greatly for his relentless drive, competitiveness and professionalism.

  • To put it simply, anonymity. I’m a very private person but also understand the need to be visible as an artist. Wearing my mask also helps me compartmentalize my artistic side from my analytical side where I take on a performance mindset. It helps me get into a mental framework similar to when a doctor puts on a lab coat or an athlete puts on a uniform. Philosophically speaking, the mask represents the human condition. Every person wears a figurative mask, psychologically designed to protect the ego and to achieve one’s aims. We are all performers on this stage called life. Lastly, it’s my aim to create works of art that are awe inspiring which if achieved will open up the probability of gaining recognition which while I would appreciate, I personally don’t care much for. I operate more from an internal locus of control where I find little motivation through external validation. By keeping the recognition attached to my artist self I create a boundary around my personal self as my sole focus as an artist is to exceed my clients expectations and create artworks that they love and appreciate.

  • I don’t have a formal art education. Art has always been something that came naturally to me. In fact, this ease of learning art turned me off from pursuing it as a vocation as I thrive on challenge. But I’ve come to understand the importance of harnessing one’s strengths and that I can also find ways to make art challenging (like drawing from imagination or becoming proficient in a number of mediums). I don’t consider myself as self taught though as I am constantly looking for guidance and insight from other artists so that I can improve.