I’m Always Right (Sided):Second Edition.
D.I.Y.
By Lo
Original Artwork By Joesph Baker
Talent is a gift that is useless unless it is nurtured and molded onto something great. It is like a child, it’s a beautiful creature that needs love, guidance, and support to reach those vital developmental stages of life. 
Talent is no different; it takes discipline, determination, and passion to create art and develop your true artistic style regardless of the area of expertise. If you are blessed with any talent at all, you’d be a fool to waste it.
The only way to ensure that your talent isn’t’ decaying away in a dark corner is to take it upon yourself to do anything and everything to better yourself as an artist. Write a poem, draw a cartoon, or create a little jiggle that passes the time at your lame desk job that you have to have to support your life as an artist. Every small step you take to ignite your creativity is a step towards advancing your talent. Talent doesn’t appear out of thin air, while some people have a head start over others, it still needs work.
If you are an artist, look back at the things you have done 10 years ago, 5years ago, even last year. Be honest with yourself. Are you proud to be the creator of that painting? Song? Or sculpture? If you are anything like me then you’ve locked those items away until we need a good laugh. Ten years ago I thought I was “talented,” but in reality my gift was just brought to the surface. In the past 10 years I have grown as a person and as an artist, it’s been a slow process but I don’t apply myself like I should.
On the other hand when I first met my boyfriend (Joe Baker) his art was a little less than to be desired (sorry Joe). His tattoos were good but his painting skills were a little lacking and he was too structured for his own good. He never let his imagination get the better of him and carry his talent to a new place. For being “right-sided” he had a very “left-sided” process. 
Then a great transformation happened over the past four years; He started sketching and drawing more. He started reading books on music, tattoos, painting, etc (I was shocked, I didn’t even know he could read). Little by little everything in his artist realm started improving. His drawings were more refined, his tattoos became these unbelievable works of art all because he was putting forth this effort to nurture his gift.
For Christmas this past year he received his first set of oil paints and he hit the ground running. For a month straight he painted one painting every day. I was amazed at how quickly he was progressing and that by refining his painting skills he was improving his tattooing skills. Also what’s intriguing is that Joe used to be slow as molasses to create anything because of his meticulous planning. This past weekend Joe was giving an opportunity on Friday afternoon to be in an art show the following day. After he got home from his 10 hour shift he started painting and completed it in an incredible time of 4 hours. Five months ago that same painting would’ve taken him 3 days. The following day Joe sold that painting (his first painting ever to be purchased from an art show) and I couldn’t be more proud of him. He has put forth so much effort into developing his artistic abilities that he is seeing some rewards, not just monetary rewards but just having another phenomenal artist appreciate his work was all he needed.
We can all take a page from Joe baker’s book (although it may be mostly pictures) to take it upon ourselves to make us better artists. No one is ever going to give you anything, they only way to get ahead is to do it yourself.
Lo is a Professional Artist and Professor of Art in Pittsburgh, PA.
Check out some of Joe’s Creative Influences:
Shawn Barber – THE ART OF SHAWN BARBER
Nick Baxter – Artist and Author of “Fundamentals of Realist Oil Painting” – Nick Baxter Official Website
The Art Of Guy Aitchison and Michele Wortman at Hyperspace Studios – Home “Reinventing the Tattoo” – If you are into Tattoos and haven’t seen this, you’re behind on the times.
Tattoo Education – Featuring books and DVDs by Guy Aitchison, Michele Wortman, Shawn Barber, Nikko Hurtado, Paul Booth, Nick Baxter, Mike Devries, Russ Abbott, and Health Educators.
Last but certainly not least, Check out Joe Baker and Lo’s Tattoo and Art Shop INDEPENDENT INK in Pittsburgh PA.
Related posts:
- I’m Always Right (Sided) 3rd Ed. – Product Placement
- I’m always Right (Sided): First Edition.
- Adam Potts Talks American Traditional Tattoos
- Revolver Magazine Does First Tattoo Issue
Tags: Guy Aitchison, I'm Always Right Sided, Independent Ink, Joseph Baker, Lo, Michele Wortman, Nick Baxter, Shawn Barber