me? in the paper? how odd!

I see my tattoos as my own personal art, distinguishing features, kind of like scars. also i see myself as a canvas, therefore, being an artist, covered in art, its like my own little collection. Of the people who actually like tattoos, not many are brave enough to go through with the pain of tattoos, or can afford them, or want to put up with the whole 'taboo' subject of them. People still look down their noses at me because of them, someone blatantly did it in the restaurant tonight, i can put up with it, because i love my tattoos so much, maybe being a little bit of a bohemian artist helps with this way of thinking?? But some people arent prepared to put up with it. Or maybe their job doesn't allow them to have tattoos?? Thats why i'm offering mine to people, they don't have to hide them-i do, they don't have to watch as people scowl at them-i do, they don't have to be worried about keeping them a secret at job interviews-i do!! The way i would describe it is like adopting an animal at the zoo, or buying a bit of the moon or a star, its a little piece of my art and myself i want to share. My art is very personal and quite exhibitionist, the complete opposite of my nature. With the actual purchase of my tattoo they'll get photos, hand-written stories behind the art, updates if people ask about them or compliment me on them, its a really personal project i'm embarking on, and i just hope people can understand its conceptual art, and that there's so so so much more to art than just painting or sculpting.

The artists that inspired me were Jeff Gates who sold his demographics on eBay (http://www.outtacontext.com/ebay/ebay.html), Keith Obadike sold his blackness (http://obadike.tripod.com/ebay.html), and Michael Daines was a teenager who tried to sell his body at some point. Also that girl who sold her virginity to pay her tuition fees. Its just a little twist on that. Its very much inspired by the whole Dada 'laugh at and mock art' sort of movement.

I was interviewed today by the lovliest journalist, she's interested in my story about how i am trying to sell my tattoo's to go towards my tuition fees for next year.
It feels so peculiar that i actually tried to get publicity for this, it's so out of character for me. I feel like i have an alter-ego inside me, the 'me' that everyone knows, quite shy, reserved, sensible and quiet. Then there's the artist in me, the MeShell, who wants people to know things about her life, who tells people personal things through art, who actually goes out of her way to make contact with people. It's quite a kool thing.....i like it. I don't have to be shy all of the time, and by being loud through my art, it's still like a mask.

I'm not sure i'm prepared for this project to be made public, i'm worried people are going to crucify me and mock me. I suppose that only succeeds in putting me in good company though, Tracey Emin was mocked for her bed, Damien Hirst for his shark. It's contemporary art people, please try and understand this!!! Art has evolved so much, to be an artist you don't just have to know how to paint. You need ideas, concepts, balls, talent, skill, personality, empathy, intellect.
It's not just about painting a beautiful copy of the landscape near your house, there's more to it. Not that i'm scoffing at painters, i have such respect for people who paint amazingly, it's just not my skill or my thing.

I've decided to put my tattoo's on ebay, maybe at the weekend once all my projects are in and i've finished with uni. I'm going to start them at £0.00 and not put a reserve on them, they'll each need a story, when where why who, then we'll see how it goes.
I think i'll do one tattoo a day, maybe leave them up there for 2 days, then if they don't sell.....who knows? Maybe leave it open to offers?

We shall see anyway, much love folks x Meshell