WWW.MACEANDCROWN.COM
wednesday 10/20/10 | MACE & CROWN | B4
Studio Evolve Transforming Tattooing in Hampton Roads by
Erika Schaubach Staff Writer
A steady buzz mingles with the murmur of multiple music artists, enticing potential customers to try and sneak a peek in two hidden, but active, rooms. In these rooms, three very talented artists work carefully to transfer their designs onto skin. Their canvases, three living breathing people, try not to squirm as a needle slides into their flesh, leaving a line of color with every stroke. Hidden next to Mount Trashmore Park, Studio EvoLve is an amazingly well kept secret in the Hampton Roads tattoo community. Although the place is only three months old, Studio EvoLve’s tattoo artists are always busy. What makes it the place to get inked? Unlike many shops in Hampton Roads that are owned by non-tattooers, EvoLve is owned and operated by local tattoo artist, Gabriel Cece. Cece clarifies the difference. “We do not wish to be a typical street shop with a big walk-in client base, looking for a quick tattoo they have chosen from a wall, but rather, we will strive to be an exclusively custom, by-appointment tattoo studio where everyone is welcome,” he said. No flash can be found on any walls in the studio, and clients are encouraged to give real thought to the ink that will be gracing their skin, rather than spontaneously choosing a design. Studio EvoLve’s artists are more than happy to create one of a kind tattoos for their customers, and when they are not tattooing they are often drawing in their sketch books. Cece said, “I kind of look at it like solving a problem sometimes; how to give people what it is that they are after, within the space and budget available, in the style of work that they want, next to, covering, or reworking what it is that they already have, and still have my own flavor in there as well.” At EvoLve, tattooing is not just the process of drawing on another,
Erika Schaubach Mace & Crown caption
but producing unique pieces of art that clients are proud to have and display. Gabriel Cece founded Studio Evolve after ten years of dreaming and planning. Cece said, “I had just gotten to the point that I was done working for others, not making any progress in my path, or reaching my goals, so, 2010 was the time to move forward.” Fittingly, he named his place, Studio EvoLve as a reflection of his hope of changing the tattoo scene in Hampton Roads and as a recognition that art is a continuos learning process. No one at EvoLve claims to know it all but, rather, are excited to admit that there’s always more to learn. Cece said that a good artist has, “a willingness to learn, and to further ourselves, with every tattoo that we do.” He is unafraid to experiment with tattoos and has even created a series of “sketchy tattoos” that appear to be plunked out of his sketch book and transferred to skin. His lines are smooth and his color echoes years of practice. When questioned as to his greatest accomplishment Cece said, “ The most amazing thing I have ever done, the greatest accomplishment of my entire life, has been to make two wonderful children. They’re like, the most kewlest thing ever.” The only way to describe Gabriel Cece is a down to earth rock star of the tattoo world. Tanane Whitfield is one of the comedians of the Studio EvoLve staff. He proudly boasts that his hopes for the studio includes global domination. When asked as to what makes a great tattoo artist, Whitfield said, “Sterility. Not meaning not making babies. I like babies. But sterile technique and preventative practices. People skills. You can’t be a successful tattooer and not be able to consult, plan and execute a good tattoo if you don’t know how to talk to your clients. Artistic ability comes in handy when you have to come up with something for a client that is 100% custom. Imagination. Who wants to see the same ‘ol same ‘ol?” It is easy to realize that Whitfield’s people skills include humoring his clients and trying to take their mind off the tattoo’s painful procedure. His comic style often includes unexpected details. Whitfield said, “In my tattoos, I like to incorporate things that people seem to overlook in life, like crayons. I put them in tattoos because every artist starts with crayons but never come back to them, so that is my way of going back. Water wings on a whale, power buttons; my view on technology taking over. It turns everything into a cyborg, and rich, balleristic animals.” His inspiration comes from random sources such as Jabbawockez, strange patterns on floor-tiles, Spider-man, old people and conversations with friends. Tanane Whitfield is a character; his sense of humor is sometimes dark, but always amusing. Emily Sue is the youngest tattoo artist at Studio EvoLve. Although she has been working for only three years, her work is amazingly skilled and breathtakingly detailed. Emily Sue is currently in the Navy and although it gives her a tough schedule, it also has its perks. She views her experiences as the best of two worlds. She said, “Its been very rewarding and difficult. It’s a matter of balancing two almost completely different life styles daily. There is a ton appreciate from both professions; in the military things are rigid and rules are easy to follow and that helps in
HTTP://STUDIOEVOLVETATTOO.COM
tattooing, however I am able to be creative and expressive with art.” She is an outdoorsy person and, when off, enjoys gathering inspiration from plants, koi fish and people watching. Emily Sue’s defines her style as “free flowing.” She said,“I like to make the pieces compliment the wearer. Most of my pieces also have a painterly feel with few black out lines.” Her greatest accomplishment is her client’s happiness when he or she first sees the new tattoo. While Emily Sue’s artistic, paint-like style doesn’t seem to fit with her military background, her honest, straight to the point attitude reflects her many experiences. Studio EvoLve is not only the best tattoo studio in Hampton Roads but an awesome place to just chill with amazing people. For a little taste of EvoLve visit the studio on Nov. 7 for the Charles Long art show. Visit http://studioevolvetattoo.com for further information about the studio or artists.
NBC’s New Thursday Night Comedy Receives Mixed Reviews “Outsourced” Tries to Prove Itself by
Jessica Piland Staff Writer
This year, NBC debuted its new addition to the Thursday night comedy lineup on Sept. 23. “Outsourced” follows an American business manager named Todd Dempsey, played by Ben Rappaport, who is transferred to a call center in India when his business is downsized. Dempsey has to adjust to Indian culture while trying to keep his business running and his employees happy. One of the things that stands out is Dempsey’s blatant ignorance. Anytime a difference of culture is brought up, he is completely shocked. He is supposedly very determined to live in India and make this new chapter in his life work, but cannot hide his stupidity when he faces anything different from the way he does things in America. Dempsey cannot help but snicker anytime certain Indian names are said, which is cringe-inducing. It’s uncomfortable to sit and watch one of the only American characters on the show be so comfortable with his ignorance. The other main American character, Charlie Davies, played by Diedrich Bader, is just as
COLLIDER.COM caption
bad. One of his first lines in the pilot episode is him complaining about how much Indian food gives him diarrhea. “Outsourced” has a chance to get rid of annoying stereotypes and assumptions about Indian culture, but instead it has fed into them, all while not being very funny. What is so dishearten-
ing is that NBC, while it isn’t the most diverse network on TV, actually has a few great examples of Indian characters in its other Thursday night shows. Mindy Kaling on “The Office,” Danny Pudi on “Community” and Aziz Ansari on “Parks and Recreation” are three examples of actors in the Thursday night comedy lineup
WWW.MACEANDCROWN.COM
whose personalities do not revolve around the fact that they are Indian. Being Indian is just a part of who they are. Unfortunately, this show pushes back the very funny “Parks and Recreation” until January. Hopefully NBC will realize that this show is full of cheap laughs at the expense of a culture that they used to seem to care about, and return to the original Thursday night lineup. Otherwise, “Outsourced” will have to work very hard to prove itself as a comedy this year. As nice as it is to see a cast where minorities make up the majority, it’s extremely hard to root for a protagonist who seems so proud of his ignorance. However, it’s still early and therefore possible for the show to make a turnaround. If given a chance this season, it might find its legs and become a decent comedy. Maybe the creators of “Outsourced” just need a little time to test the waters with what’s okay and what’s not okay to joke about. Either that, or they should take a page from “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” and make Dempsey an unapologetic jerk who the audience is meant to laugh at, not with. If “Outsourced” doesn’t pull itself together and become a great ensemble comedy like the others in Thursday’s lineup, hopefully NBC will realize that it’s not living up to expectations and bring back the original lineup.