Thursday, November 15, 2012

Jimmy "Inkman" Coney: The Power of Positive Inking


http://www.inkmantattoos.com/aboutme.html







JIMMY “INKMAN”CONEY

By Zarah I. Rose

I met Jimmy “Inkman” Coney in September at a Tattoo/Libra party that my dear friend hosted at her home. He was surrounded by a wall of women of all shades, shapes and sizes and 8 hours deep on a one- man tattoo marathon of challenging proportions. Stunning in their glitter and glam, these ladies were taking names and all lined up, excited to be there. But, what hummed above the laughter and music was the sound of Inkman’s needle working, “Zzzzzz!” weaving color into patterns, composing their skin’s deepest wishes. These ladies, and also a few guys, waited patiently to get their tat on, and Inkman delivered, going all night and into morning hours leaving no willing skin un-inked. No slouch when it comes to his work, he has the talent and the skill to live up to being deemed, “The Hottest Tattoo Artist in Atlanta”.

Though his pretty boy swag and heavily tatted physique clearly aides his growing popularity, what speaks the most is his ever present conviction to his craft. Hailing from Moss Point, Mississippi, Inkman hit the A with a bang. After making his mark on Young Jeezy and Travis Porter, his reputable network of elite clientele has grown very quickly. He has even appeared in a music video for the song, “Tatted Up” by Travis Porter featuring his tattoos.

Making a name for himself in the posh- hip hop world of the young, sexy and rich, doesn’t mean he is inaccessible. Though he mainly shape-shifts in social circles that fuel Atlanta’s vibrant nightlife, as an independent tattoo artist, Inkman will travel. Attracting a word- of- mouth, underground following of diverse clientele, his pearly-white Camaro’s license plate reads, IDOINK2  and he is frequently flagged down by tattoo seeking bodies.

Inkman’s story is not so much a rags to riches, but more a testament of a loving single mother who instilled a strong work ethic. His ever-present enthused intention to make it big is what leads his success. Getting to know the real Inkman means stepping into a rich labyrinth of intense intellect and artistic brilliance, though his passionate Scorpio soul is softened with a quick, easy laugh. Possessing a quirky sense of humor helps his clients feel at ease and allows him to make his magic.

Though he travels around the state and country on demand, he currently works out of Salon Ramsey in Midtown and intends to open his own tattoo spot early 2012.  If Inkman stays true to his style, it is sure to push the boundaries of enigmatic and incorporate abstract with cutting edge in a way that will altogether satisfy.

Being lured in by his sublime Hollywood smile, we sat in his black and red, geometrically modern art-deco infused kitchen. He answered my questions while graciously tatting me.

When did you do your first tattoo?

I was 16, and it was for my sister, “I was so scared, but after it came out good I just kept going from there. The more tattoos I did the better I became, and once I charged my first person, I realized I could make a lot of money doing something that I love.”

 In 2007 you graduated from Jackson State University with a Fine Arts Degree, but you had already been growing your career as a tattoo artist, who were the people that supported you to do this?

” My brother started encouraging me to draw when I was really young, and he still is like a father figure to me, even though he is only a few years older. I started drawing just cars, cus I have always had a fascination with cool cars, and my brother taught me how to do more advanced artwork.”

What do you most enjoy about tattooing?

“I enjoy meeting all different types of people with different backgrounds and occupations. I meet some of the weirdest people and I also meet some of the corporate types, you can’t imagine the artwork under those suits. But what I enjoy the most is that people allow me to leave a piece of me on them forever, and trust me to do what I do best. “

Do you have a trademark or style?

“No, I feel that my talent is my versatility, I think my strength is in giving the client what the client wants, because no one wants their tattoo to look like the next person’s tattoo, that’s why I’ve chosen to learn all styles of tattooing, from the gray washing cartoon style to the realistic and the traditional art.”

How do you picture yourself as an artist in the future?

“I want to become one of the most well –known tattoo artists in Atlanta and worldwide. Tattooing in my opinion is the truest form of art, period.  There is no room for error, you can’t erase, you have to be precise and let every tattoo you do elevate your skill and teach you something new about the art, to become a master at your craft.”

Inkman speaks with a choppy, southern drawl, usually leaves the consonants off the ends of his words, and is always up for crazy antics, like getting his haircut while tattooing (see his Facebook pics!). But under the hardcore character there is synthesis at work. With an esoteric mind and steady hand, this man seems destined for reality TV stardom or celebrity fame by any means necessary. Inkman stays tatting on his competition, producing authentic artwork to respect.  So, when you hear the buzz, go ahead and get tatted by the hottest. For more info and to book an appointment you can reach Jimmy “Inkman” Coney at:  404-354-6987Twitter @inkman25.   Facebook: Jimmy Inkman Coney

Website: www.inkmantattoos.com

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Brazilian



Chief Raoni crying when he learned that the President of Brazil approved the Bel...o Monte dam project on the Xingu indigenous lands. Belo Monte will be bigger than the Panama Canal, flooding nearly a million acres of rainforest & indigenous lands. 40,000 indigenous and local people will be forced off their native lands (as well as millions of unknown species & plants) In the name of "progress"

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Educated and Poor

education can't cure poverty
if there is no one that will hire you