Vice: Injection

So now we dive a little deeper into the world of drug abuse with "Injection", a snake I designed to comment on abuse of steroid and heroine usage.

This was a tricky one, I must admit. I would have gone with a thinner snake and made more of an allusion to the heroine aspect of needles but I decided to touch on the steroid issue for two reasons.

1) Steroid use is still a large issue in the U.S. and is still not touched on as much as heroine issues, thereby exacerbating the dilemma

2) To show heroine use I would need a very emaciated snake to convey it's affect, but as you'll see I saved that tool of aesthetics for the next installment

So, back to steroid abuse. Those who use steroids tend to have a large flux in testosterone and become very aggresive.

The face shows that intensity but the real challenge was somehow making the body of a snake look hulking and muscular. Snakes in nature have muscle tissue surrounding there skeletal structure but it isn't anything that can be toned or defined as in human muscle tissue. I had to find common things found in weight lifters.

So what is something that a lot of heavy weight lifters have in common? One of my siblings (I don't know if he would want to be named but those who know my family can guess who) is a body builder. I know he doesn't use steroids, I'm very proud of him for that.But being a body builder he shares two things I noticed is common in a lot of weight lifters who do and don't use drugs: Tattoos and insane veins! Now his veins aren't ridiculous like you would see on world strongest man, nor is he heavily tattooed. But it's these two things that stick out most to me as a common attribute gained over years in that sort of lifestyle.

As you can see the snakes body is covered in these veins. His body is literally exploding with strength and the holes in his body cement this notion as the liquid seems to burst from his body. The tattoo on his body is Kanji for strength, a very common theme in body builders who tend to get random kanji tattoos and/or tribal themed tattoos. The snake also holds the needle himself and if plunging it directly into his mouth, a very painful area for any sort of injection (those of you familiar with novacaine understand).

The composition as a whole conveys pain while using a complimentary color scheme for the body color. I chose blue for no particular reason but it works well with the orange and green. The green I did choose purposely to resemble poison. Reinforcing the thought that any drugs are a poison in your system. On another and final note this is the first snake not in a side profile head shot but rather a three-quarter shot.

Until next time...

"This town needs an enema!"

-Jack Nicholson as "The Joker", 1989

Inspiration

Due to some advice from a dear friend I decided to do a small posting on where inspiration came from to create my own style of snakes. to the sides are two photos from T.C. Williams, an amazing tattoo artist and the dude who has done most of the ink on my left and right arms. I don't think I need to explain how he inspired me. He is a great tattoo artist, he does phenominal work and if you ever catch yourself in New Jersey look for his shop. He's definitely a man who knows japanese artwork as you can see by the gorgeous Hanya mask up top.

His style of snakes is unlike others especially at the head of the snake. I remember last session we had discussing how styles sort of develop themselves. It was his advice and his art that inspired me to first create a style of art in my work. You can see in former images how I have derived inspiration from him as well as other artists but how I was able to be unique and really craft something iconic and memorable while at the same time remaining true to me.

Next time, Vice snakes and more! and perhaps some poetry? :P

"...the skyline was beautiful on fire, all twisted metal..."