a DORK's Life
We have always had a passion for art and creativity. In a land of mountains we aim to climb, pursuing a Bachelors in Fine Art was only the first hill. Our love for art takes on many different genres, among them are: screen-printing, painting, photography, knitting, leather working, illustrating, and designing. We're always looking to expand our knowledge in the arts and to communicate further with other artists.
Our background in the arts was not always in Louisville, KY. We started off in a 'shack' in Memphis, TN hosting crowded music shows, crafting handmade goods and painting on recycled, handmade canvas's. All the while, learning more about the craft of tattooing from very skilled tattoo artists and shop owners. We built our brand in that shack, along with friends and other creatives, who are still making major moves in Memphis, TN and beyond.
Handmade Goods
We're inspired by the ability to create with our hands. We often think, how can we re-create something we frequently use, by hand. We've made it our goal to create practical products such as wallets, knitted clothing, screen-printed t-shirts, and tattoo aftercare. These are products that can be used and appreciated for the time it took to create them. As artists with degrees in Fine Art, we love to implement traditional techniques in our work. Whether it's painting with oils, drawing with graphite, printing photos with traditional black and white chemicals, or knitting with hand-dyed wool, we are always experimenting with the combination of old and new ways
Instagram: @a.dorks.life
Follow us on Instagram to see behind the scenes images and new products!
Screen-Printing
DORK has experience in screen-printing of 10 years. Using various techniques and equipment to complete commissions, we've printed t-shirts for various businesses and events, 5 panels hats, polyester jerseys, and product packaging. We've used automatic screen-printing presses for bigger commissions and tabletop presses for smaller jobs, some printed with one color, or using multiple colors. We've also taken multiple years in classes on Fine Art printmaking techniques, such as silk-screen printing, lithography, copper plate etching and more. We love printmaking and the diversity that you can achieve with varying types of screens, inks, presses, and surfaces - all the while willing to push what we have to the limits, and striving towards crispier, cleaner imagery.
Tattoo Safe Cosmetics
Since venturing into handmade tattoo aftercare in 2017, we've also experimented and established recipes for tattoo safe, vegan cold process soaps, body butters and more. For more information on taking care of your tattoo, click here. During our 10+ years in the tattoo industry, we've seen and used a lot of products that aren't made for tattoos by tattoo artists. Many of the products used during and after receiving a tattoo are created for reasons other than to heal ink within the skins surface. They do the opposite making sure the tattoo is darker, and less irritating during the healing process. Because of this, we decided to create our own products that suit our needs as tattoo artist and tattoo client.
Design
All of our products and website visuals were created using our own designs here at DORK. We create with only up to date software such as Adobe Photoshop CC, Adobe Lightroom, and various programs for the equipment we use, such as embroidery, 3D-printing and vinyl cutting software. We've created the visuals of own website, as well as partners No More Red Dots website.
We've created and worked with an assortment of small businesses in building their brand imagery, such as creating logos, business cards, product designs and more. For any questions or commissions, please email us at contact@dork.space.
Artistic Ambitions
We love working with other artists and communicating with creative minds. We try our very best to maintain our space as a multimedia venue, with an open mind towards art shows and musical performances. At DORK Tattoo Parlour we have hosted music shows with local art, and themed parties with tattoo specials.
Being an artist is far from a selfish career. Art is something we should love to share and contribute to our local communities and beyond. Since our beginning in Louisville, KY we have taught young creatives in community center, The Neighborhood House. We've guided youth on how to express themselves and think outside the box, using various mediums, such as painting with inks and acrylics, drawing still life's with graphite, designing logos to screen-print on t-shirts, and creating pinhole cameras from repurposed Altoid cans. This expanded their understanding of art beyond what they were provided at the time.
It's our goal to continue teaching classes to youth interested in the arts. We will continue to plan and synthesize the means to hold educational courses in the arts within our walls, and ultimately our community.
To commission us for any work, please email: contact@dork.space
