Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniel Natural.
Daniel Natural
Hi Daniel, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My current home in Minnesota is far from Seoul, South Korea, where I was born. My childhood, mainly spent alone, allowed me to balance my love of nature with my vivid imagination. As I would lay in the grass looking towards the sky, my mind envisioned distinct images of animals and creative scenes among the outlines of the clouds. That experience evolved into adulthood and translates into my current ability to create intricate designs with the flowing colors of my watercolor tattoos. After settling in Minnesota, over ten years ago, I opened my business Ocean Blue Tattoo Studio near the Mall of America. Instead of using the traditional tattoo parlor decor of a wall full of skulls and sparrows, I’ve carved out my own path of recognition and respect in the tattoo world, focusing instead on both my fine art and my tattoos. Clients come from all over the country for the opportunity to have my unique tattoo style inked onto their skin. Today, tattoos have become more mainstream than in the past. Improved regulations and hygiene regimens have brought tattoos out of the shadows and turned them into everyday examples of taste and meaning. People from all walks of life have inked their skin for commemoration, self-expression, or to celebrate something important to them. Tattoos, for me, provide a unique opportunity for me to explore and share my artistic style.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My journey to success in today’s tattoo world did not come merely from a vivid imagination and a steady hand. After graduating from Kaywon Arts High School, I entered Seoul National University of Science and Technology and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts. From a young age I knew that wherever I went my life would take an artistic direction. I started working in graphic design for a fashion company, but my interest in the creativity and exploration that had characterized my childhood remained. After taking the bold leap to move to New York, I entered the art world, where I rubbed shoulders with and supported various artists. My subsequent education included studying English at Hunter College and Art at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. It was also where I discovered the art of tattooing and developed an interest in this new art form. The spark for my current exploration of watercolor tattoo ideas and methods can be traced back to my childhood, back when I was imagining those many shapes in the clouds. However, the driving force behind my success with Ocean Blue Tattoo was my naturally artistic mind, which strives to see beauty in everything. Watercolor tattoos, which allow the ink to penetrate the skin without restrictions, allowed me to do what I always wanted to: express my creativity through art. Ultimately, I wanted to see beauty blossom on the skin of the people who passed through my studio doors. This new and unexpected art form energized me and gave me new ideas. The world of watercolor is as much my home today as the beautiful state of Minnesota.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might need to become more familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I point to the inherent freedom of expression when asked about my interest in watercolor tattoos. Artists yearn to express their interests, feelings, and skills in their chosen artistic medium. Working with watercolor tattoos erases the need for strict lines and outlines that tend to limit the range of color in the design of more traditional tattoo styles. Watercolor tattoos flow freely over the skin in ways that maximize the artistic and emotional impact. They allow for new types of beauty that combine the edgy canvas of skin with the fine art abilities I have always sought to cultivate. Watercolors flow directly from the imagination. Clients come to Ocean Blue Tattoo with ideas of what they want permanently inked onto their bodies, and it is my mission to turn that vision into a stunning work of art. Such a unique and colorful style benefits both simple and playful designs as well as those that are deeply personal and meaningful in ways that deserve the best artistic expression. Lines cannot constrain these feelings. Watercolor tattoo makes new and exciting things possible in the world of tattooing. Clients get pure beauty, and I get to explore the freedom of expression that comes with being an artist. My watercolor tattoos mimic the fluidity and spontaneity of watercolor paintings on paper. They do not ignore the structural importance of black ink, however. Instead of thick confining lines, many use black as a sketch-like accent that adds a touch of depth to the images. Over time I have developed my own proprietary techniques and unique style to create works of art that blend the watercolor and traditional tattoo styles. Black lines scrape across an upper arm with a brilliant red flower and Monarch butterfly against a backdrop of blue and green, and the vibrant and dynamic beauty of nature is displayed in a way that excites the imagination. Rainbow-hued seeds flutter in an unseen wind from the top of a fluffy dandelion blossom in ways that invite wish-making. Phoenixes burst into flame. Whales dive deep under mystical ocean waves. There is no end to the images that combine client interests and my unique creative skills.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
When asked what I love most about Minneapolis, Minnesota, I speak of the beauty of this part of the country. I hearken back to the early days of lying in the grass and staring at clouds while my imagination filled the sky with wonder. The changing colors of the Minnesota sky spark ideas for new watercolor tattoo designs. Outdoor recreation puts me in constant contact with new images and feelings I can recreate in tattoo ink. We all know that the long winter in Minnesota is notorious. But after all these long winters, everyone is grateful for the brighter and more beautiful summer sunshine. Without the chill of winter, we can never appreciate the warm breeze of a summer’s day. The negatives always accentuate the positives, so even the cold weather is meaningful.
Contact Info:
Suggest a Story: VoyageMinnesota is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know
here.
