SKETCHY

Scott Dowdy recently released Vol. III of his sketches. Drop in or holler at us through our e-mail if you're interested in purchasing a copy of your very own. Also available: a compilation of all three volumes — remarkably priced at $50.

We're super stoked about sponsoring Bryan-College Station Loudfest this year!

Join us in Downtown Bryan for some head-banging good times!

Super Soul Saturday

Part of a tattoo studio’s ambience (beyond the requisite smell & look of cleanliness, of course) is the music. It permeates the space and enfolds the occupants, maintaining the day’s mood. Today is Super Soul Saturday (first time designation for that particular alliteration, but perhaps today marks the start of a weekly tradition (hope! hope!)) Thus far I’ve recognized Norah Jones, Ronnie Milsap, Rod Stewart, Melissa Etheridge, Justin Timberlake. Any minute now, I’ve no doubt that Frank Sinatra will filter through — and then again — and again and again and again — again, again …. If you’re thinking fetish, then know that’s exactly what I’m suspecting, too.

Other than this moment in time, any other day could be filled with show tunes or country-and-western ditties. Some days are nothing but head-banger ballads and whatnot (i.e., scottyshitty); some are all jazz and blues or R&B, and every now and again there might be some contemporary rock and pop or even reggae. Oftentimes, new and obscure talent radiates through the rafters. Bruno Mars and Alabama Shakes, for example, were standards at the Arsenal long before either group made radio waves or debuted on late night. And then there’s the new-age-ska-punk-emo-deathmetal-whathaveyou music. Pretty much everything except a day’s dose of rap, which I’ll reveal is, indeed, my all-time favorite. I absolutely love moving to the beat and mouthing dirty words without penalty. But I’ve digressed.

Whatever the genre, this anecdotalist and fellow Arsenal inhabitants are subjected to the all-encompassing beats and rhythms that pervade the studio. Our physiological affects reflect the subtle manipulation of the music’s timbre, aligning our mood with that of the artists in residence; that is, those who selected the music in the first place.

A synergy is established and the day soulfully plays itself out.

A Sucker for Kids

Arsenal owner and operator, Cliff Collard, LOVES little people. Granted, "little people" is the vernacular of this anecdotalist, but the enthusiastic passion denoted in the underlined and bold capital letters is all Cliff. Emphasis his. In fact, Cliff's adoration for children knows no bounds.

And I reckon that's as it should be.

So for Historic Downtown Bryan's First Friday Part II, Cliff painted faces on the young — whiskers, musical instruments, and animals of all species extant and otherwise. "Now this might be a little cold," he'd say sitting poised with colored brush. "Are you ready?"

Once done, Cliff would pass a hand-held mirror to his most recent favorite customer of all time. Oohs and aaahs followed and then, "Now how about a piece of candy? Would you like something sweet for sitting so well?"

After work, Cliff talked the whole night long about how much he enjoyed the endeavor, recalling names and activities the kiddos talked about ... even laughing about all the lil' sticky hands running around our gallery.

We can hardly wait until February's First Friday — decorating sugar cookies and enjoying a live musical performance from local high schoolers. Plan to join us!

He Looks Hostile — but He Drives a Minivan

Thanks to everyone who came out to Insite Magazine’s September Art979 launch party at the Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History. It was good fun and fellowship, and I’m so very thankful to have been included in the project.

Art is my passion, at work and during leisure hours; and I count myself incredibly lucky to be able to tattoo for a living. And I’m really blown away to have been featured in this month’s Insite Magazine! The photo shoot was a blast. Igor Kraguljac, professional cinematographer and photographer, was wonderfully patient with me. His talents are installed around the nation, and he’s earned a number of awards for music videos and short feature films. You can see Igor’s work at https://www.facebook.com/IgorKraguljacPhotography or http://www.igorkraguljac.com.

Within the coming month, Arsenal Tattoo & Design will start its relocation to Downtown Bryan. We’re excited about being closer to the hub of Brazos Valley arts & culture — for our customers and artists alike, and we look forward to seeing you at the corner of 26^th & Sims.

THANK YOU

Many thanks to Bryan city leaders for tackling the issue of tattooing near to downtown — the undisputed hub for arts and culture in the Brazos Valley. The Arsenal Tattoo & Design has been serving connoisseurs of indelible art for 19 years, and we’re extremely grateful just to have had the opportunity to engage a public debate about the legitimacy of body art. Indeed, we are humbled by the time, effort, and energies expended by all who participated; and we vow to be a positive force in the neighborhood.

My wife, Stacy, and I are locals — born, bred, and educated in the Brazos Valley. We’ve been traveling to the twin cities as long as we can remember — back when downtown was thriving and also when it wasn’t. Stacy attended A&M, and I fled Sam Houston on the weekends to apprentice under Pat Beck, Aggie graduate and founder of Arsenal Tattoo. After getting married, Stacy and I opted to make Aggieland our permanent home, and soon thereafter I assumed ownership of the Arsenal. We’ve got an abiding respect for this area and our relocation to Bryan is designed to cater to our discriminating clients by offering a more spacious facility in an aesthetically rich environment and to better participate in local festivals through our finer arts.

We’re so very grateful for all the city staffers who’ve worked with us since last fall, for the councilmembers who had our issue on their plates for so many months, for the Planning and Zoning commissioners charged with investigating our request of a conditional use permit, and for all the residents who contributed their opinions. We sincerely appreciate this opportunity and look forward to brightening the corner of 26^th Street and Sims.

We invite everyone to our grand opening, set for First Friday in October.

Scotty D

Arsenal Tattoo & Design truly is a special place with exceptionalities at every turn, and our customers are for sure and certain why we’ve been in operation nearly two decades. They are fellow art aficionados who insist on quality tattooing of custom designs, and they’re willing to wait weeks and even months for the best ink available in the Brazos Valley (nay, one illustrious man once said “best in the world.”)

That’s why we’re so particular about the artists who work at The Arsenal. They’ve got to have monstrous talent and an even more monstrous work ethic; homework assignments (i.e., drawings) are relentless and working weekends is, obviously, non-negotiable. Just as important, our artists possess interpersonal skills to better communicate with our customers and put them at ease throughout the process. We are sincerely interested in the people we meet and take pride in keeping up with the goings-on in their lives.

Last week a fella dropped into the shop just before opening time. He’s from out of town and got his last tattoo somewhere near here years ago — so long ago that he can’t remember what shop, but the artist did great work and he thought he’d give the experience another go. About that time, our very own Scott Dowdy walked in and immediately identified the fella; couldn’t call him by name but remembered the tattoo and even recalled the man’s occupation and home base. It was a really cool moment to relish, and the customer himself remarked on Scott’s clarity of mind and dexterous recall of such details intangible to the tattoo itself. If you know Scott, then you’d likely not be surprised that he reddened a bit at all the adulations, dismissed any notions that he’d demonstrated something so wonderfully special, and insisted that it was all part of his workaday.

Whatever!

Without delineating all the paradoxes inherent to a globally connected world of fellow-but-lone Earth treaders, we shall agree that it’s a rare man (indeed!) who listens closely to the details of others’ lives and then retains such information for any length of time. But that’s part of what makes Scott and his colleagues exceptional; and it’s a necessary trait for artists at The Arsenal.

Scott recently out-classed us again, working a solid week with excruciating pain. Toward the end of a long day, he treated us all to supper then slyly slipped out in search of medical attention. By noon the next day, he’d been treated and was well on his way to recovering from something that we’ve since learned strikes 1 in 15 people (won’t tell, so don’t ask; already have recorded too much!) The point is, Scott’s a workhorse who loves tattooing and cares deeply about those he works with and for — namely, the customers.

We fully expect Scott will have a speedy recovery and are so very appreciative of folks who’ve graciously rescheduled their appointments. Scotty D surely will be back, better than ever.