Blast from the past (well last year anyway)! – My Ralph Steadman original!
Here is the story of one of the tattoos I had last autumn!
It is weird how things happen sometimes! In my younger years I often admired the artwork in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas; I liked the style and the imagination! However I never imagined I would ever meet the artist!
Since I embarked on my ‘Giving my right arm‘ fundraising initiative many fantastic things have happened. One that it most prominent is when I linked up with the amazing ‘Ghosts of Gone Birds‘. After hearing about this amazing art conservation project I contacted Co-creator Ceri Levy to offer my support of his fantastic project. Emails went between us for a short while and then Ceri sent me a scan of an amazing piece of artwork created by none other than Ralph Steadman. The picture depicted some Northern Bald Ibis; I was amazed how Ralph had so accurately captured their character in his very unique style. This was an amazing piece of work and we knew what we had to do!
The plan was put in motion and this amazing piece of artwork was going to be replicated in tattoo form on my chest! Ceri Levi was keen to film the session for his documentary film project ‘The Bird Effect‘ The guys at Immortal Art Studio were fantastically supportive (as they have been throughout). Richard Batey had quite a task ahead of him, but testament to his unquestionable skill he did an amazing job!
Richard tattooing me (must have been a pinchy bit 
) © Ceri Levy
The finished tattoo – © Ceri Levy
Rob Richardson (left), Richard Batey (right) and me! © Ceri Levy
I was so proud to have this piece of artwork permanently on my skin, it was great to be part of such an amazing conservation project and to be able to bring my own fundraising initiative to a wider audience.
Ceri invited me to the opening of the Ghosts of Gone Birds exhibition in London. The event was incredible, so much powerful art, so many inspirational people, WOW! Oh yes, and I met Ralph Steadman!
Ralph Steadman contributing to my ‘Giving my right arm’ campaign (I’ve had a few more tattoos since then ! © Paul Hackett
It was a real pleasure meeting Ralph Steadman, he is a diamond of a man. I think he approved of the tattoo, he even gave a donation to my project!
