Welcome to Rosewood Cafe

Making art is like dreaming. It is a visual journal of sorts... A way for me to step away from the constraints that I face on a daily basis as a commercial artist while working by deadlines, and as a tattooer, making other peoples' visions a reality. Besides functioning as a therapeutic tool, painting also allows me to create an illusion, or a separate "reality" for myself to explore. A way for me to work out my own visions and ideas, without the influence or direction of others. A way to visually describe what I have difficulty explaining.

This group of paintings are an exercise in the use of an image base of tattoo related subject matter. I chose watercolor because the look it creates is the closest in its end result to tattooing.

I feel my role in art as a tattooer has been defined by pleasing others. I am concerned that by functioning as a vessel to bring others' visions to life, I am loosing sight of my own. Painting is a way for me to not loose sight of that vision.

Craig Brown is a Tacoma resident. He lives at home with his wife Michele, son Oliver Macy, and two Chihuahuas, Luca and Derby.