Check out Michael Rourke’s Artwork

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Rourke.

Michael, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
Met my mentor after getting a tattoo that healed poorly. At the beginning of my sobriety. Tattooing became my new addiction basically. Getting tattooed as much as possible from her. An apprenticeship was offered. A bond was formed. Other people wanted an apprenticeship with her as well. She was a shop owner herself after only two years tattooing. Based on how my drawings had progressed and my general demeanor… she chose me. Tattooing found me in a way I would say. Rules and a foundation was meticulously followed. I owe so much to my mentor. She was taught by someone that taught much differently. Instead of love and compassion. She was taught with fear and aggression. I always would draw as a kid growing up. Won a couple contests as a kid. The universe surprises me at one of the lowest points in my life. With a creative outlet to use my hands for a living. I guess that’s an artist’s dream. To earn a living drawing picture. In this case people pay me to draw on their bodies. This is the abridged version of course 🙂

We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I am a tattoo practitioner at Stained Purity Tattoo. A brand-new shop in Marana, Arizona. I am from Portland; Maine and I’ve lived in the Sonoran Desert for just over 3 years. I meet with clients and listen to their ideas and try to create one of a kind custom tattoo designs. By drawing in layers using a light box. I would like to say that most of my work is detailed tedious line driven imagery. Often try to convey people’s thoughts and ideas in a creative way. My artwork can take many hours to produce. My process is slow being mostly self-taught. I try to have my tattoos be bold and bright with normally two different line weights. But I work methodically and systematically and take my time creating each project for my clients. Then tattooing it takes a completely different set of skills.

Have things improved for artists? What should cities do to empower artists?
I think it’s a hard career choice. To make a living for most artists. I think with tattooing it gives to you as much as you give to it. If you’re not committed you won’t grow or hone those skills necessary to get to the point where people seek your work out. I’ve had clients fly from different states. Or across country to get tattooed. That’s a gift. That’s precious. But I’d say there’s a lot of artists out there that don’t get recognized for various reasons. Tattooing will always have those social stigmas, but they are for sure getting better. I mean tattooed people are normal people too.

Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
People can see my work on social media. Or in a portfolio at the shop. People contact me via email and other social media platforms. Specifically, Instagram and Facebook. 

Contact Info:

• Address: Stained Purity Tattoo
  6781 N Thornydale Rd Suite 229 Marana, Arizona 85741
• Email: mrourke@live.com
• Instagram: mikerourketattoos

Image Credit:
Michael Rourke
Tattoo Practitioner
Stained Purity Tattoo

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