Tattoo Design

Introducing...Dirtbird!

Occasionally in my wanderings, I will meet not just tattooed people, but  tattoo practitioners, and often those visiting from outside of New York City.<br /><br />So it was no surprise, when I approached a gentleman across the street  from where I work, at 31st and 7th, to learn that I was talking to an  artist.<br /><br />Working out of <a href="http://www.punkteur.com/">Punkteur Tattoos & Piercing</a> in Joplin, Missouri, <a href="http://www.myspace.com/dbirdtattoo">Derek "Dirtbird" Wieberg</a>  estimates he has 130-150 hours of work inked on his personal canvas.<br /><br />With so much to choose from, he offered up this piece, on the right side of his neck:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl8BKMl0mjmvGGHTf9PeK5iAUijljVMHpX92GTMBJEsvXf1PbtBBadqMjD52jM76kfUzbcV_CQtTktnfApYiT0cAIgpb3s0tW3OVaA0TQeyQ-tJdYBZorK9RWacoypoX-U3gVRVXWlksE/s1600/Dirt+Bird+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl8BKMl0mjmvGGHTf9PeK5iAUijljVMHpX92GTMBJEsvXf1PbtBBadqMjD52jM76kfUzbcV_CQtTktnfApYiT0cAIgpb3s0tW3OVaA0TQeyQ-tJdYBZorK9RWacoypoX-U3gVRVXWlksE/s640/Dirt+Bird+wm.jpg" width="418" /></a></div><br />It seemed fitting, considering his name.<br /><br />Dirtbird praised the artist, <a href="http://www.myspace.com/slzybstrd">Rick Pierceall</a> at <a href="http://www.merchantcircle.com/business/Karma.Tattoo.And.Body.Piercing.918-728-8088">Karma Tattoo</a> in Tulsa, Oklahoma, who has done all of his throat work.<br /><br />Considering it is Two-for-Tattoosday, I'll share this photo as well:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRkjcbU7tvDOb4ViEtnpA317_yY5qLhfAi5ZEwAGEK2ov7sjKFxG9UkEbAJWRFpd9w4GsFB5lyPlJmoNw6TqcvzsAsIeNzXx5qvDTlUscCemKRuKU-YxsdJvFu6vut6AXmpLnoo_K5qU/s1600/Dirt+Birds+Bird+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRkjcbU7tvDOb4ViEtnpA317_yY5qLhfAi5ZEwAGEK2ov7sjKFxG9UkEbAJWRFpd9w4GsFB5lyPlJmoNw6TqcvzsAsIeNzXx5qvDTlUscCemKRuKU-YxsdJvFu6vut6AXmpLnoo_K5qU/s640/Dirt+Birds+Bird+wm.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><br />That's not Dirtbird, but it's his handiwork! The owner of this tattoo  is Shawn, who had the good fortune to be inked by Dirtbird. They  collaborated on the design together.<br /><br />Thanks to Dirt Bird and Shawn for sharing their tattoos with us here on Tattoosday!<br /><br />Tune in tomorrow to see a tattoo from Katie, aka Mrs. Dirtbird!

Introducing...Dirtbird!

Occasionally in my wanderings, I will meet not just tattooed people, but tattoo practitioners, and often those visiting from outside of New...

3:03 AM

Ride the Cyclone!

In <a href="http://www.oxy.edu/">college</a> we had a game room at the Student Union.<br /><br />I claimed to be a master at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arkanoid">Arkanoid</a>, but would occasionally play  pinball. <a href="http://www.pinballrebel.com/game/pins/es/earthshaker_pinball.htm">Earthshaker</a> was fun, but there was another, carnival-themed  game that would often beckon, "Ride the Cyclone!" It was, naturally, called <a href="http://www.pinballrebel.com/game/pins/cyclone/cyclone_pinball.htm">The Cyclone</a>.<br /><br />Fast forward ten years and I would be residing in Brooklyn, home to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coney_Island">Coney Island</a> and the original <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coney_Island_Cyclone">Cyclone</a>.<br /><br />Despite having been in close proximity a number of times, I've never gone for a ride.<br /><br />I was reminded of this back in September when I met Matt at the top of the escalator at the Penn Plaza Borders store.<br /><br />He shared this amazing tattoo:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3vmt4sslCYj9FgyUsD-GSjlnn7eA2KRmCkmq4SvSie1n1bdIrC1s_wkRcxabfgOpvKJQAMPEIa3M-624eA3-6nkmhxEJ7Ez5a-cfwyajZH6lR93m0s2y0O1DeXcb708Coz-IupWNV3Y/s1600/Cyclone+wm2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3vmt4sslCYj9FgyUsD-GSjlnn7eA2KRmCkmq4SvSie1n1bdIrC1s_wkRcxabfgOpvKJQAMPEIa3M-624eA3-6nkmhxEJ7Ez5a-cfwyajZH6lR93m0s2y0O1DeXcb708Coz-IupWNV3Y/s640/Cyclone+wm2.jpg" width="304" /></a></div><br />This is, of course, the Cyclone.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIo_PIy7PbS5-K_0ghjaH_U5ODu_bLmqCi8SYxyXlV5e2KC_G5BZ7S-i8_bViA2e19t5Y7tn49mQDKtbpnWLiQNJAdkQgVYJ9gtF53Hn0miO2lpCvXganEABeOeojlrI-R3HtdRIaj1ew/s1600/con-cyclone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIo_PIy7PbS5-K_0ghjaH_U5ODu_bLmqCi8SYxyXlV5e2KC_G5BZ7S-i8_bViA2e19t5Y7tn49mQDKtbpnWLiQNJAdkQgVYJ9gtF53Hn0miO2lpCvXganEABeOeojlrI-R3HtdRIaj1ew/s320/con-cyclone.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Matt is working on a Coney Island/"Carnie" theme, having lived in  Brooklyn most of his adult life. Thus, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astroland">Astroland</a> tower behind the Cyclone in the tattoo. Next up: the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wonder_Wheel">Wonder Wheel</a> and the  <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parachute_Jump">Parachute Jump</a>, other Coney Island attractions.<br /><br />He sent along a photo of the tattoo when it was initially finished:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtgFhZGXZmWMf1GOVI-JG9dSGEG8GStmC1-vPdnfwgfJ_z5Up4eZofXwYKrSKqCDjJXKcGOZRSz9f5fHDYdnTY446qIUOpr2i7UvcS8ZOL1nvnDW6gfv5OkRl8os6DdxzuL1OSp8D3lXo/s1600/Cyclone+fresh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtgFhZGXZmWMf1GOVI-JG9dSGEG8GStmC1-vPdnfwgfJ_z5Up4eZofXwYKrSKqCDjJXKcGOZRSz9f5fHDYdnTY446qIUOpr2i7UvcS8ZOL1nvnDW6gfv5OkRl8os6DdxzuL1OSp8D3lXo/s640/Cyclone+fresh.jpg" width="408" /></a></div><br />Matt credits this tattoo to Ping at <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/village-rock-tattoo-new-york">Village Rock Tattoo</a> in Manhattan.<br /><br />Thanks to Matt for sharing this great tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!

Ride the Cyclone!

In college we had a game room at the Student Union. I claimed to be a master at Arkanoid , but would occasionally play pinball. Earthshake...

7:37 AM

Something Girly This Way Comes

I met Nadya one afternoon in the beginning of October in Borders on Penn Plaza.<br /><br />She shared this tattoo, which covered up a date she had initially inscribed on her arm:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkr-SG5ZGoMXJqRxiLKnrLEISDoOXB0fs-nypN_ZOaPznsYAUF_g-o3mMrrKVU5k2fwoeJkhlu72zLYc-b0WCuRQ8Sp5-D7cNruQgHSgsWcAfJvbhavAjy2iR8pQ7A6OgTqaiJTDdNIl8/s1600/Nadya+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkr-SG5ZGoMXJqRxiLKnrLEISDoOXB0fs-nypN_ZOaPznsYAUF_g-o3mMrrKVU5k2fwoeJkhlu72zLYc-b0WCuRQ8Sp5-D7cNruQgHSgsWcAfJvbhavAjy2iR8pQ7A6OgTqaiJTDdNIl8/s640/Nadya+wm.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><br />Nadya told me that she wanted something "girly".<br /><br />What I found most interesting about this tattoo is that when I asked her who the artist was, she told me it was her father. I can't imagine tattooing my own daughter. I would be too nervous!<br /><br />Thanks to Nadya for sharing this tattoo with us here on Tattoosday.

Something Girly This Way Comes

I met Nadya one afternoon in the beginning of October in Borders on Penn Plaza. She shared this tattoo, which covered up a date she had init...

8:39 AM

Happy Thanksgiving!

In honor of the holiday, I am sharing this, my newest tattoo, located above my knee on my right thigh:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXlw_16dZUKKVyPsEn0kjTJwegdZWDX0XRuDkn1-_8zLyMGHPtn58ou3pCQ1xWBoR4QZJKL2QRBoXvL5CciOgZorfjm3rqpUnGSRDB-do4w_1az9ArvwkzCP8WO59eNRaquUPF5z2Li7c/s1600/Thanks+tattoo+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXlw_16dZUKKVyPsEn0kjTJwegdZWDX0XRuDkn1-_8zLyMGHPtn58ou3pCQ1xWBoR4QZJKL2QRBoXvL5CciOgZorfjm3rqpUnGSRDB-do4w_1az9ArvwkzCP8WO59eNRaquUPF5z2Li7c/s400/Thanks+tattoo+wm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />This was done at <a href="http://www.handofglorytattoo.com/">Hand of Glory</a> in Brooklyn yesterday as part of the  shop's <a href="http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#%21/event.php?eid=171304776221493">$75 Thanksgiving Tattoo Special</a> and was sponsored by <a href="http://www.trollskin.com/">Troll Skin</a>, produced by <a href="http://www.skinactives.com/aboutus.aspx">Skin Actives Scientific</a>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglJOEHNl8uq8vV4frX_dDrEPZzKV3g68j49XueOa5KlDScGVX3OE0gUfNlUNWbnuwy2i8Oagxk41TEmlL-9DkCr2IHMNj1zfBRea9_7WOMhwSkq6lpm-QsIMDoAoWS7v01csidx3lFuK0/s1600/Troll_Skin_Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglJOEHNl8uq8vV4frX_dDrEPZzKV3g68j49XueOa5KlDScGVX3OE0gUfNlUNWbnuwy2i8Oagxk41TEmlL-9DkCr2IHMNj1zfBRea9_7WOMhwSkq6lpm-QsIMDoAoWS7v01csidx3lFuK0/s320/Troll_Skin_Logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />For those of you just tuning in, check the pre-post <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/2010/11/great-thanksgiving-tattoo-event.html">here</a>, which includes  all the Thanksgiving flash designed for the occasion. I asked readers  to vote on which tattoo to get, and this one sneaked out a narrow  victory over the traditional Native American profile.<br /><br />I like this design because it combines a lot of traditional tattoo elements and delivers an image with a sociopolitical subtext.  We have the traditional American flag and handshake designs, but the  added element of crossed fingers serves as a reminder that, despite  apparent good intentions, there was subsequently a historical betrayal  of that initial good will.<br /><br />But that's just one perspective, of course, and the Thanksgiving holiday  focuses on the positive in our society. The mere existence of the  tattoo reminds me to be thankful, which I alluded to in my original  post.<br /><br />I was fortunate enough to have <a href="http://www.handofglorytattoo.com/pages/brian.html">Brian Faulk</a> as my artist again. He had inked <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/2010/08/tattoosdays-trip-to-hand-of-glory.html">my  Friday the 13th tattoo</a> last August, and I appreciate that he works  quickly and concisely.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJYKV7u8IyUT1WInTYw3Cixt_LUvOfH4P4ITIAuMUHfbmyzm9NGUpAMveYm1wtytqOSI7095RIewHO8Jz4ray8QjSdmgcDyGOQWun4IoYq7dmRo9XFgg_lzaBIX_ueU4LbPS39rOGQco/s1600/Brian+Faulk+At+Work.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJYKV7u8IyUT1WInTYw3Cixt_LUvOfH4P4ITIAuMUHfbmyzm9NGUpAMveYm1wtytqOSI7095RIewHO8Jz4ray8QjSdmgcDyGOQWun4IoYq7dmRo9XFgg_lzaBIX_ueU4LbPS39rOGQco/s400/Brian+Faulk+At+Work.jpg" width="386" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brian Faulk at Work</td></tr></tbody></table>It was nice, also, that this design was one of  his contributions to the flash sheet, as he was kind enough to embellish  slightly on the original design, and it always seems better when an  artist is tattooing his or her own design. As for the idea behind it, he  was trying to represent graphically a broken treaty. I'm extremely  pleased with the end result.<br /><br />In consideration for their sponsoring this tattoo, I will be exclusively  using Skin Active's product, Troll Skin Aftercare over the next two  weeks as the tattoo heals. I can already say I am pleased with the aftercare cream because it is a lot less messy than the ointment I am used to using within the first 72 hours after getting a tattoo.<br /><br />I'll report back then on how their product held up compared to the regiment I've followed in the past. <br /><br />I want to thank all of the readers who voted for designs, and for everyone who reads and supports the site.<br /><br />And thanks again to Skin Actives for helping make this tattoo possible, to Brian at Hand of Glory, and to my family, at home in Brooklyn and across the U.S., for their support

Happy Thanksgiving!

In honor of the holiday, I am sharing this, my newest tattoo, located above my knee on my right thigh: This was done at Hand of Glory in Br...

6:42 AM

Mari's Prayer, with a Twist of Math

I met Mari in front of <a href="http://www.thegarden.com/">Madison Square Garden</a> on a sunny day in October. How could I not stop and ask her about this tattoo?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGIKi08DTJZ_UqzHWXf46MI7eWSPT3sBh1zrjS90BsQSRkImOgg9NhOgRezcPdNDcViem9YEqm6DKWYgHQ9TTltj6DjWlK1onxahSocZ7Rxi5KUZX5Oh7K90dMasxEEhfgJIdEIK8hkFY/s1600/Poem+Tattoo+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGIKi08DTJZ_UqzHWXf46MI7eWSPT3sBh1zrjS90BsQSRkImOgg9NhOgRezcPdNDcViem9YEqm6DKWYgHQ9TTltj6DjWlK1onxahSocZ7Rxi5KUZX5Oh7K90dMasxEEhfgJIdEIK8hkFY/s640/Poem+Tattoo+wm.jpg" width="208" /></a></div><br />Mari explained that this is an <a href="http://www.ananda.org/">Ananda</a> prayer, that her friends were meditating on it for a week.<br /><br />The text, which is attributed to<span style="font-size: small;"> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paramahansa_Yogananda">Sri Paramhansa Yogananda</a>, </span>reads:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaHl2rfvhj0n_M4TPEz7XbU0M0KCHaUy_3LjC6Igme53jpbQDZubFeB-yzGlHJmnWsxC_hQJAnD2MYH07z6VBnjiCrcmxgeLOunDDFRwjPC8SK-hxkJ42HTtMNFJpbwySZV1FBX49ZkbE/s1600/Poem+Top+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaHl2rfvhj0n_M4TPEz7XbU0M0KCHaUy_3LjC6Igme53jpbQDZubFeB-yzGlHJmnWsxC_hQJAnD2MYH07z6VBnjiCrcmxgeLOunDDFRwjPC8SK-hxkJ42HTtMNFJpbwySZV1FBX49ZkbE/s640/Poem+Top+wm.jpg" width="412" /></a></div><br /><blockquote><i>Make me thy butterfly of eternity.<br /><br />I burnt my past. I ignored the foreboding seed<span class="text_exposed_hide"></span><span class="text_exposed_show">s of sprouting destiny. I waded through the strewn ashes of past & future fears.<br /><br />I am the eternal present. I tore to shreds the cocoon of ignorance with the sharpness of my will.</span></i></blockquote><blockquote><i><span class="text_exposed_show">I am thy...butterfly of eternity,  sweeping through immeasurable time. The beauty of my nature-wings I  spread everywhere, to entertain everything. Suns & stardust are spread  on my wings. Behold my beauty! Cut all the silken threads of thy  shrouding folly: follow me in my flight to myself.</span></i></blockquote><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq1ADSSNDos_Be_xT4v1EjJb3r04Yq4yALBZlNXm6oS0l-rXTYezQmeFHsbOgu4Acj1DaVLsQEtlK5bdMgEvRG9PzD1A1sphO3ztrSgXu1AKfJYxxL6kHyJi3mdLj-3_B05yfsLcb5AjQ/s1600/Poem+Bottom+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq1ADSSNDos_Be_xT4v1EjJb3r04Yq4yALBZlNXm6oS0l-rXTYezQmeFHsbOgu4Acj1DaVLsQEtlK5bdMgEvRG9PzD1A1sphO3ztrSgXu1AKfJYxxL6kHyJi3mdLj-3_B05yfsLcb5AjQ/s640/Poem+Bottom+wm.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><br />The butterfly symbolizes transformation, a phase everyone goes through at one point or another in time.<br /><br />Also among her twenty-two tattoos is this formula at the top of her arm:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeyeY7FJ1OFujMRp4FHl01W_X7Sh8CedpzaiUCE6KDU-eKTRlHfzr27vi8pdop6x8RbHL2KD1baGRNDIi9gf_kwIJtH6ZAZXURkCr29emzapU2ZaBbzCdSaXl0D2ZtNMI_gvwjAddsqrQ/s1600/fractals+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeyeY7FJ1OFujMRp4FHl01W_X7Sh8CedpzaiUCE6KDU-eKTRlHfzr27vi8pdop6x8RbHL2KD1baGRNDIi9gf_kwIJtH6ZAZXURkCr29emzapU2ZaBbzCdSaXl0D2ZtNMI_gvwjAddsqrQ/s400/fractals+wm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuzax12jgEOvDSp_KwWrbgAG15R6oU1lu2UJNqrbp9u164oxEK7uCLvP8MaZL5_9sIGmp58fRfy0H66Xrsw7Mz3qPv4Q_8lbMnxYpUtgQ7Q8_IlL61nA2Ii3b6WQkzntIAufyDuNNccP8/s1600/square+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Mari explained she  loves math and generalized that, with this equation, "you can generate  anything in the universe". In theory, at least. Here, it gets a little hazy for me. Part of this tattoo contains "f(z) = z^2 + c" which is described as a <a href="http://myweb.cwpost.liu.edu/aburns/orbits/quadrati.htm">complex function</a>. Then there is the part that equates the square root of -1 to the value <i>i</i>. This is a formula for an imaginary number. I'm bowing out here, knowing there's no way I'll be able to explain this part of the tattoo adequately. Readers are welcome to try in the comments section, below.<br /><br /><br />Mari's work was inked by Kevin at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lansing-MI/The-Tattoo-Shop/273975515167?v=wall#%21/pages/Lansing-MI/The-Tattoo-Shop/273975515167?v=wall">The Tattoo Shop</a> in Lansing, Michigan.<br /><br />Thanks to Mari for sharing her tattoos with us here on Tattoosday!

Mari's Prayer, with a Twist of Math

I met Mari in front of Madison Square Garden on a sunny day in October. How could I not stop and ask her about this tattoo? Mari explained ...

6:43 AM

Julia's Pin-Up

I met Julia briefly in a Hudson News in Penn Station.<br /><br />The flash of color on her foot caught my eye:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzD4v2_yLL_c2xweEF9-8g2URod8MRHace90dg8vu1FaXjO_JCr8lZ_y16BJBLYiIloR5rYxy075_Lt8ZTAiBT93PGySLdWimQlK0WjOfbJsK9uGW43F0hGxbWY2N2aGnDH91F6XU24bI/s1600/foot+pinup+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzD4v2_yLL_c2xweEF9-8g2URod8MRHace90dg8vu1FaXjO_JCr8lZ_y16BJBLYiIloR5rYxy075_Lt8ZTAiBT93PGySLdWimQlK0WjOfbJsK9uGW43F0hGxbWY2N2aGnDH91F6XU24bI/s400/foot+pinup+wm.jpg" width="385" /></a></div><br />Julia explained that she is a visual artist that likes to do pin-up illustrations. This particular design she wanted to be transformed into a tattoo. She brought it to Morgan Reed at <a href="http://www.electriclotustattoo.com/index.html">Electric Lotus Tattoo</a> in Boonton, New Jersey, and he made some slight adjustments that resulted in this lovely tattoo.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUszKUNl1ZveBUQcIldRq44iiLsWsWVojUAiPyOsUZjXKWhTpo8LFzPB8QqlA-aXAjbOg17UmxTwsRyGdDwKgdxTjHJgNY0wwb8ZjlOaaaqCYMkfxnWBIGHtUf1SUtbfdxFT-qV_Wgmw4/s1600/foot+pinup+detail+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUszKUNl1ZveBUQcIldRq44iiLsWsWVojUAiPyOsUZjXKWhTpo8LFzPB8QqlA-aXAjbOg17UmxTwsRyGdDwKgdxTjHJgNY0wwb8ZjlOaaaqCYMkfxnWBIGHtUf1SUtbfdxFT-qV_Wgmw4/s640/foot+pinup+detail+wm.jpg" width="398" /></a></div><br />Work from Electric Lotus has appeared on Tattoosday before. <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/search/label/Electric%20Lotus%20Tattoo">This link</a> will show you what else we have featured from their shop.<br /><br />Thanks to Julia for sharing her pin-up girl with us here on Tattoosday!

Julia's Pin-Up

I met Julia briefly in a Hudson News in Penn Station. The flash of color on her foot caught my eye: Julia explained that she is a visual art...

3:00 AM

David's Traditional Hands

Last month I met David when I stopped after noticing his neck tattoo. However, it was his hands he offered up to us here at Tattoosday:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAe9cuBcQ5R_tP-QDpZD_258vPW48m-UOtyGhh3WifAO_2mlDR2HhgPsd7fF22Rzx8xVaWXKT38zDtbRvKWSLTdox4lZ1iGvtYN3WyShkmYWwaoabuDyK57slbmkq15tsoiP5cWxP3Wng/s1600/Davids+Hands+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAe9cuBcQ5R_tP-QDpZD_258vPW48m-UOtyGhh3WifAO_2mlDR2HhgPsd7fF22Rzx8xVaWXKT38zDtbRvKWSLTdox4lZ1iGvtYN3WyShkmYWwaoabuDyK57slbmkq15tsoiP5cWxP3Wng/s400/Davids+Hands+wm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />David works in construction and is a contractor. He also manages the band, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/DREW-NUGENT-THE-MIDNIGHT-SOCIETY/165439868308">Drew Nugent & the Midnight Society</a>.<br /><br />He has about thirty-five (35) hours of work done on his body, and he explained that these are traditional pieces on his hands.<br /><br />He was inspired to have his knuckles read "True Blue" as they speak to his belief that our country has lost its values that need to be regained. Key among these values are loyalty and honor, in the traditional, "true blue" sense of the words.<br /><br />To him, the panther represents that we need to fight to regain these ideals.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1BefB3N2AZMXcrl3PngWx1afwk-guUNIwhOeGRf8LUN9s6AVEbN-RgDxrrU1mwVk97rIeNeDt1M6Zt5Ndl5tU1Zk3CrS3K77KubfpUxS8kBlzL5QV-fDYdMmFfekIBH0G4scU8w6wpI/s1600/Davids+Hands+detail+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1BefB3N2AZMXcrl3PngWx1afwk-guUNIwhOeGRf8LUN9s6AVEbN-RgDxrrU1mwVk97rIeNeDt1M6Zt5Ndl5tU1Zk3CrS3K77KubfpUxS8kBlzL5QV-fDYdMmFfekIBH0G4scU8w6wpI/s400/Davids+Hands+detail+wm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />And the two roses represent the ideal (the healthy, red flower on the right hand) and what he called the "diminished," (on the left) that is, where we're headed with our loss of values.<br /><br />David embraced these traditional elements because he feels that "the only way to have a future is to look at the past".<br /><br />He had the panther done at a tattoo convention. The roses and "TRUE BLUE" knuckles are credited to Rick Meggison at <a href="http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling3/metalnips/about/">Marked 4 Life</a> in York, Pennsylvania.<br /><br />Thanks to David for sharing these very cool hand tattoos with us here on Tattoosday!

David's Traditional Hands

Last month I met David when I stopped after noticing his neck tattoo. However, it was his hands he offered up to us here at Tattoosday: Davi...

3:07 AM

Tom's Homage to His Grandmother's Scottish Ancestry

I met Tom in a drug store in my neck of the woods in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.<br /><br />He has four tattoos and offered to share this one with us:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWrBERqrKar7nYfAbwis4ML26tgdVbVlbxNEI6OsQ_pQpqU8EEjEYhWn2JG4NhH2rpDy5oMpia1HsJuLwAifsWV_T9LeAs9T-eTV0BE_N4jUrGZb3A20pmtDnwe5ALadkmKfCF5IJkXXI/s1600/Clan+Ferguson+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWrBERqrKar7nYfAbwis4ML26tgdVbVlbxNEI6OsQ_pQpqU8EEjEYhWn2JG4NhH2rpDy5oMpia1HsJuLwAifsWV_T9LeAs9T-eTV0BE_N4jUrGZb3A20pmtDnwe5ALadkmKfCF5IJkXXI/s640/Clan+Ferguson+wm.jpg" width="502" /></a></div><br /><br />This piece celebrates his lineage, honoring the family crest from his grandmother's side.<br /><br />The Scottish part of him is descended from the <a href="http://www.clanfergusonsociety.co.uk/">Clan Fergusson</a>.The clan motto <i>Dulcius ex asperis</i>  means "Sweeter after difficulties".<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbI_Af_KRhULmTxuvjrM83q3TochFnCObGP-vcO-qhlmzrlcwJT6yfTeVgBO0eyZnp9VwR7OcLtHFshrFlgadRQQc-S3g7Sp-cNkUNQenWvanOIDj4t_Iinkv2usNC0Il2gMDFVHLGvQ/s1600/190px-Clan_member_crest_badge_-_Clan_Fergusson.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbI_Af_KRhULmTxuvjrM83q3TochFnCObGP-vcO-qhlmzrlcwJT6yfTeVgBO0eyZnp9VwR7OcLtHFshrFlgadRQQc-S3g7Sp-cNkUNQenWvanOIDj4t_Iinkv2usNC0Il2gMDFVHLGvQ/s400/190px-Clan_member_crest_badge_-_Clan_Fergusson.svg.png" width="315" /></a></div><br />This was tattooed by Lou at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Brooklyn-NY/Third-Eye-Tattoo/207106449186?ref=ts&__a=7">Third Eye Tattoo</a>, in the Park Slope section of Brooklyn. Work from Lou and Third Eye that has appeared on Tattoosday  can be viewed <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/search/label/Third%20Eye%20Tattoo">here</a>.<br /><br />Thanks to Tom for sharing his family crest with us here on Tattoosday!

Tom's Homage to His Grandmother's Scottish Ancestry

I met Tom in a drug store in my neck of the woods in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. He has four tattoos and offered to share this one with us: This pi...

3:56 AM

Katie's Astrological Ink: Cancer, with Aries Rising

One of the unexpected joys in inkspotting is approaching someone about a tattoo and having them reveal one that is so much better than the piece you approached them about. It's like receiving a bonus for being curious.<br /><br />Such was the case with Katie, who I spotted in Penn Station when I noticed a tattoo on her ankle.<br /><br />When I asked her about it, she laughed and said it wasn't even close to being her favorite tattoo and she took off her jacket to reveal, on her upper left arm, one of her eight tattoos:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgymng9CEnFPI3gqNjmitJ1Dd_nEF7UK-6G1fPYILcVWByilUI_L1W6TgqmNWPt62mTfa57qznb6DvFsDYwKZX8yLrnox_mHtuRDm0Z8VbPj8KphdYlDw0E2946S9OF-sPEYp9NcWwkXs8/s1600/can+aries+collage+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgymng9CEnFPI3gqNjmitJ1Dd_nEF7UK-6G1fPYILcVWByilUI_L1W6TgqmNWPt62mTfa57qznb6DvFsDYwKZX8yLrnox_mHtuRDm0Z8VbPj8KphdYlDw0E2946S9OF-sPEYp9NcWwkXs8/s640/can+aries+collage+wm.jpg" width="456" /></a></div><br />This is an astrological tattoo and features the signs for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cancer_%28astrology%29">Cancer</a> (the crab) and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aries_%28astrology%29">Aries</a> (the ram). Katie explained that she is a Cancer, with Aries rising.<br /><br />What this means, astrologically, could take pages and pages of analysis, but Katie explained that the two personalities are both strong and that they traditionally don't get along, which is why she has this relationship depicted as the two symbolic creatures battling in a stormy landscape. It is one interpretation of an astrological description that lends itself to her personality. <a href="http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071129201932AAaUnaz">Here's</a> another.<br /><br />Of course, as a Cancer myself, I cannot help but love this tattoo, especially my old friend the crab:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZAVYM2HryngNLD3IqbHuLarX4QOEbWrnG7DikJh-6pcBF3r-1Bj9juG5-ptxvoFanrEiY7c8efif68x9fJtb4kgQDgWLVJKqIqFsbqSAib8UPrNVzfSzyfiFOGAa_aBuQuyXvoUGCghM/s1600/crab+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZAVYM2HryngNLD3IqbHuLarX4QOEbWrnG7DikJh-6pcBF3r-1Bj9juG5-ptxvoFanrEiY7c8efif68x9fJtb4kgQDgWLVJKqIqFsbqSAib8UPrNVzfSzyfiFOGAa_aBuQuyXvoUGCghM/s400/crab+wm.jpg" width="318" /></a></div><br />Katie credited the artist <a href="http://www.silkcitytattoo.com/christian-masot/">Christian Masot</a> at <a href="http://www.silkcitytattoo.com/index.html">Silk City Tattoo</a> in Hawthorne, New Jersey, for this tattoo. She estimated it took about seven hours total in three sittings to create the finished product. Work from Silk City has appeared on Tattoosday several times before (see <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/search/label/Silk%20City%20Tattoo">this tag</a>), but this is the first piece we've seen by Christian.<br /><br />Thanks to Katie for sharing this awesome tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!

Katie's Astrological Ink: Cancer, with Aries Rising

One of the unexpected joys in inkspotting is approaching someone about a tattoo and having them reveal one that is so much better than the p...

3:12 AM

Andy's Watership Down Sleeve

I met Andy back in September in Penn Station and he shared this incredible sleeve:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgv1uOERh7qw8bANBmE11FUH9O5mb-nhGHkVtJrJN0JuFI6q1qK6fqcaU0hCZJm8DrkBKcsL1Io5ZogTAyS0C1pgr5KJIeg97Wo1NSsSyqzUdNGwt8eyKQet-jE3PkOswxUvy6RGtMdik/s1600/watership+collage+alt+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgv1uOERh7qw8bANBmE11FUH9O5mb-nhGHkVtJrJN0JuFI6q1qK6fqcaU0hCZJm8DrkBKcsL1Io5ZogTAyS0C1pgr5KJIeg97Wo1NSsSyqzUdNGwt8eyKQet-jE3PkOswxUvy6RGtMdik/s400/watership+collage+alt+wm.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When I asked him about the inspiration behind this incredible work, he indicated the rabbit, which is based on his pet Fiver:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqYzYK2H96u4qAquUUNbZME9_pahFDfFG7ZvEvPXCp9LymmBYja9ui8uQ5PueSYhJJUt6fDE_Z7Q1tVfp3deLbq9Y3I1U3oLoAB-kbpi-LV3J11-ePgAI1Ztnb-3fsSGLz1iZKewzxIhs/s640/watership+detail+3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="364" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I immediately recognized the name as one of the characters in Richard Adam's wonderful novel, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Watership-Down-Richard-Adams/dp/B00394TGB8?ie=UTF8&tag=bill03-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Watership Down</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=bill03-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B00394TGB8" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" />.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He basically wanted something that was nature-based and gave the artist, <a href="http://www.naturalbornkeller.com/index/home.html">Keller</a> at <a href="http://classic-tattoos.com/home.html">Classic Tattoos</a> in Pinellas Park, Florida, free reign on the design, allowing him to pretty much free-form the sleeve.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPlFTtpZYJIYlKQ5T3n02UfQwLlkdkoNhceZaoq-hCZ45901IC6T0bS2hJ7OVnOuZeho7pCvaCI4CdaGn6c9IM0qCskgdFoOqIwJdzxmLU37PN-vmh2leUhyphenhyphengfKwFv0TM3jKJc2VfqSsk/s1600/watership+detail+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPlFTtpZYJIYlKQ5T3n02UfQwLlkdkoNhceZaoq-hCZ45901IC6T0bS2hJ7OVnOuZeho7pCvaCI4CdaGn6c9IM0qCskgdFoOqIwJdzxmLU37PN-vmh2leUhyphenhyphengfKwFv0TM3jKJc2VfqSsk/s640/watership+detail+2.jpg" width="426" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The collage at the top of the post consists of my shots in Penn Station, but the detailed photos are based on the pictures Andy generously sent me after the fact. These detailed photos show the brilliant colors and exquisite detail that Keller put into the tattoo, which Andy estimates represents about 18-20 hours of work.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM_rXuaZAN-T0DuBJmFiXIhb8FiJLyABI5DgLAjOLEyHW-GMZ38L81mMYnLSPb7EXgwhPi7vdsM1Zf04z6FHJYrIrUfc78_MkceTm7t_Qw6d370zTWq62IKACHPXMRLFRpFdYF6UEgbdc/s1600/watership+detail+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM_rXuaZAN-T0DuBJmFiXIhb8FiJLyABI5DgLAjOLEyHW-GMZ38L81mMYnLSPb7EXgwhPi7vdsM1Zf04z6FHJYrIrUfc78_MkceTm7t_Qw6d370zTWq62IKACHPXMRLFRpFdYF6UEgbdc/s640/watership+detail+1.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />Thanks again to Andy for sharing this amazing sleeve with us here on Tattoosday!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=bill03-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B00394TGB8&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe></div>

Andy's Watership Down Sleeve

I met Andy back in September in Penn Station and he shared this incredible sleeve: When I asked him about the inspiration behind this incr...

3:11 AM

James Shares a Tattoo, Inspired by The Walking Dead

I met James, along with his two friends (whose tattoos were shared <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/2010/11/tims-bleeding-rose.html">here</a> and <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/2010/11/not-your-typical-knuckles-tattoo.html">here</a>) as they were headed to Comic Con in New York last month.<br /><br />James shared this, one of his five tattoos:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI4xZ8o3qp5tmFXntf6OhuCUkeDePJn8WsKWbDApAn5sq7PB8axHHDhlJUVx8acCmInmrwWO1IqhD9g3xnB1th7_Jk87NPJmDh-t2Jn76CxJvfxzmxPS7RNcw3Tby2_h2DIHRrh4sBiZE/s1600/Walking+Dead+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI4xZ8o3qp5tmFXntf6OhuCUkeDePJn8WsKWbDApAn5sq7PB8axHHDhlJUVx8acCmInmrwWO1IqhD9g3xnB1th7_Jk87NPJmDh-t2Jn76CxJvfxzmxPS7RNcw3Tby2_h2DIHRrh4sBiZE/s640/Walking+Dead+wm.jpg" width="232" /></a></div><br />This tattoo is the an interpretation of a scene from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Walking_Dead">The Walking Dead</a>.<br /><br />The tattoo was done by <a href="http://www.myspace.com/kustomscott">Scottso</a> at <a href="http://www.mattstribaldragontattoo.com/">Matt's Tribal Dragon Tattoo</a> in Bethpage, New York. Here's a fresh shot from when the tattoo was first completed:<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.myspace.com/kustomscott/photos/45296226#mssrc=SitesPhotos_PP_ViewPhoto" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Zombie tattoo on forearm - 4 hours. I did not draw this." height="400" src="http://hotlink.myspacecdn.com/images02/150/9eb9e356d853437a9e562c2cd0cbccd1/m.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Scottso, from his MySpace page.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Thanks to James for sharing this cool tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!

James Shares a Tattoo, Inspired by The Walking Dead

I met James, along with his two friends (whose tattoos were shared here and here ) as they were headed to Comic Con in New York last month....

2:36 PM

Tim's Bleeding Rose

I mentioned in <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/2010/11/not-your-typical-knuckles-tattoo.html">my last post</a> that I met three guys on their way to New York Comic Con when they stopped and shared their tattoos.<br /><br />Below we have Tim's contribution, one of his nine tattoos: <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ahL7nLQ8CzXFIGXmZr7k32VlVlekSip7ypelYVeGDQpIk0hnd9o_qrun3WsJS_R4qnih2Z7W7dKMDNRf6oQl8neUrrWfnQat_Uxi070VYuN8RXCWr2OIxAD1G_RUSG675Y1CpZ-ZEg8/s1600/bleeding+rose+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ahL7nLQ8CzXFIGXmZr7k32VlVlekSip7ypelYVeGDQpIk0hnd9o_qrun3WsJS_R4qnih2Z7W7dKMDNRf6oQl8neUrrWfnQat_Uxi070VYuN8RXCWr2OIxAD1G_RUSG675Y1CpZ-ZEg8/s640/bleeding+rose+wm.jpg" width="268" /> </a></div><br />This piece, on his forearm, is a bleeding rose.<br /><br />It was tattooed by Christopher Wilkie at <a href="http://petertat2studio.com/ptat21.html">Peter Tat-2</a> in West Hempstead, New York.<br /><br />Tim added that the yellow highlights in the tattoo are a subtle tribute to <a href="http://www.hulkhogan.com/">Hulk Hogan</a>.<br /><br />Thanks to Tim for sharing his tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!

Tim's Bleeding Rose

I mentioned in my last post that I met three guys on their way to New York Comic Con when they stopped and shared their tattoos. Below we h...

3:59 PM

Not Your Typical Knuckles Tattoo

Last month I was trying to figure out why so many interesting people were walking around the Penn Station area when a trio of tattooed guys enlightened me: it was the Friday commencement of the <a href="http://www.newyorkcomiccon.com/">New York Comic Con</a>.<br /><br />Now, I realize, I could go to one of these events and have a field day with some amazing tattoos on some very committed fans, but then I'd also be writing up posts for another month or two, as well, so I was content to chat with Rob and his two friends (who will appear in subsequent posts - stay tuned-).<br /><br />Rob offered us one of his three tattoos, this animated creature on his inner right forearm:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjngMKWmEd8UmxEdCb8qencnHeJI2HAI0b212nDPV-b7ZTDOqXxsYDKX6xKHoxBg4GZ97JTdeKGIo6lNXyqkMzYEe_NwUMiK2w25ah5gae-M3szRNpR-fxFaB4BLoj0ZFrO36cjCRY-tRQ/s1600/Knuckles+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjngMKWmEd8UmxEdCb8qencnHeJI2HAI0b212nDPV-b7ZTDOqXxsYDKX6xKHoxBg4GZ97JTdeKGIo6lNXyqkMzYEe_NwUMiK2w25ah5gae-M3szRNpR-fxFaB4BLoj0ZFrO36cjCRY-tRQ/s640/Knuckles+wm.jpg" width="368" /></a></div><br />This is, I'm sure many of you may know, a character from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonic_the_Hedgehog_%28series%29">Sonic the Hedgehog</a>, an iconic video game series that appeared in the early 1990's and has since sold, according to Wikipedia, 70 million units worldwide.<br /><br />Rob explained that he grew up playing Sonic games and his favorite character was <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knuckles_the_Echidna">Knuckles the Echidna</a>, who first appeared in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonic_the_Hedgehog_3">Sonic the Hedgehog 3</a>. "He was the only one I wanted to be," Rob told me. An echidna, by the way, is another name for a spiny anteater.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgASCEHUGvr7epSOWpANUgjsTXT7i9eXfGM9Xh6dhWkzdI0YFpLqh8gTLQc1lB0bEK0GHbRasC9wAGX-eZCd2DcOMxE0jmFlKJf_ZjbOjXicg-yo0KczxQRgM-V_8C4e_jw9HS-i8MnCP4/s1600/Knuckles-the-echidna-sonic-forever-14378590-350-447.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgASCEHUGvr7epSOWpANUgjsTXT7i9eXfGM9Xh6dhWkzdI0YFpLqh8gTLQc1lB0bEK0GHbRasC9wAGX-eZCd2DcOMxE0jmFlKJf_ZjbOjXicg-yo0KczxQRgM-V_8C4e_jw9HS-i8MnCP4/s320/Knuckles-the-echidna-sonic-forever-14378590-350-447.gif" width="250" /></a></div><br />Rob credited this tattoo to "<a href="http://www.myspace.com/xxdooxx">Debbie Doo</a>" at <a href="http://www.myspace.com/skindeepny">Skin Deep Tattoo</a> in Levittown, New York.<br /><br />Thanks to Rob for sharing his Knuckles Tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!

Not Your Typical Knuckles Tattoo

Last month I was trying to figure out why so many interesting people were walking around the Penn Station area when a trio of tattooed guys ...

3:11 AM

Tattoos I Know: Tracy's Tributes (Re-Post)

<i>Let's take a moment and pause from our regularly-scheduled programming this Veteran's Day to remember the men and women who serve our country bravely. I've dug into the archives and reposted a friend's tattoo, which appeared originally here on Tattoosday in January 2008. Be sure to thank a Veteran today, and to appreciate not only our soldiers at home and abroad, but their families who support and inspire them to serve our country courageously.</i><br /><br /><i><a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/2008/01/tattoos-i-know-tracys-tributes.html">This post</a> originally appeared January 14, 2008:</i><br /><br />Tracy is a friend of mine who lives in <a href="http://www.drum.army.mil/sites/local/">Fort Drum, New York</a>. She was in town last weekend, visiting family, and this was the first time I have seen her since Tattoosday was born over the summer.<br /><br />I knew Tracy had at least one tattoo, because she and my wife have talked ink before. So when I saw her on Saturday, unexpectedly, I was happy that I had a couple of Tattoosday printouts in my pocket.<br /><br />I explained the blog and asked if she'd like to participate. She was happy to oblige and, as fortune would have it, she was coming to an indoor soccer game the following day. Her nephew plays on the same team as my daughter Shayna. <br /><br />After the game Sunday, I asked if she was ready. She lifted the back of her shirt to reveal:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCGOkoWh6MCGPcUBgrjnwtAqeQ0LLBJKu9DkvwT6lw1W7s6Pfqd_wSW9rGM5Ih3uu0S5DbCATou0eZxsMN9-sYzi_9YISJ_n27J6mQRsmXedWNAWHwKD5TKjYsav5N5xzTgpTokOdkk4oK/s1600-h/100_6245.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5155020510763723682" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCGOkoWh6MCGPcUBgrjnwtAqeQ0LLBJKu9DkvwT6lw1W7s6Pfqd_wSW9rGM5Ih3uu0S5DbCATou0eZxsMN9-sYzi_9YISJ_n27J6mQRsmXedWNAWHwKD5TKjYsav5N5xzTgpTokOdkk4oK/s400/100_6245.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />I was surprised, honestly. I was not expecting butterflies, but expecting the one above it which, as fate would have it, is later in this post. But I wasn't about to pass up a cool tattoo, so I took a picture of this one as well.<br /><br />Tracy is a mother of two boys, Matthew and Danny, and these butterflies represent each of  them, as they flutter and transform, as ones children are apt to do, growing from infants into people. Tracy had these inked three years ago in <a href="http://www.ci.victorville.ca.us/">Victorville</a>, when she was living at <a href="http://www.irwin.army.mil/channels">Ft. Irwin</a>. She said that they had been done at "Victorville Designs," which has either changed names or gone out of business, based on <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&hs=dIu&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=tattoos&near=Victorville,+CA&fb=1&view=text&sa=X&oi=local_group&resnum=1&ct=more-results&cd=2">this link</a>.<br /><br />These butterflies are nicely inked and really seem to float over the skin. Definitely a nice tattoo, from design to execution.<br /><br />Above the butterflies is the tattoo that I had heard about:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaeG0HdXSvvpNaNAyDxKz31PZoov5G5HPmZSw01Skqj-970huqB6Rlfmno_1i4zSjNsRamlyIs9IP9cO1OrZGp33LPNQ-Edms5UwhFCl6kbvUAO-xhsNluRzy9drBZPJ3Tr1WYoGr-auQQ/s1600-h/100_6246.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5155020351849933714" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaeG0HdXSvvpNaNAyDxKz31PZoov5G5HPmZSw01Skqj-970huqB6Rlfmno_1i4zSjNsRamlyIs9IP9cO1OrZGp33LPNQ-Edms5UwhFCl6kbvUAO-xhsNluRzy9drBZPJ3Tr1WYoGr-auQQ/s400/100_6246.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br /><br />A simple, basic script. The arced triad of three pillars of strength in many people's lives: "Faith. Family. Friends."<br /><br />In order to understand this tattoo, we have to take a little side journey.<br /><br />Whatever one's politics may be, or however one feels about what we are doing in Asia and the Middle East, one thing must be acknowledged: the men and women in our military are there to do a job, to serve our country, and to fight to not only protect the people there, but here as well. Thousands of American men and women have given their lives and their souls to serve our country.<br /><br />As one may have guessed by two prior references (Ft. Drum and Ft. Irwin), Tracy is closely tied to the <a href="http://www.army.mil/">United States Army</a>, as she is married to Pete, who is a soldier with the 10th Mountain Division, Light Infantry.<br /><br />On October 31, 2006, Pete's friend and fellow soldier, Major Douglas E. Sloan, was killed in the line of duty in the Wygal Valley in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afghanistan">Afghanistan</a>, while serving with <span class="details">Company B, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment</span>. You can read more about Doug <a href="http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/desloan.htm">here</a> at the Arlington National Cemetary website.<br /><br />As every drop of spilled blood in the line of duty hits home, the loss of Major Sloan was devastating to his family and  friends back in the States. The community of Fort Drum mourned Doug's passing and hearts went out to his wife Kerry and their children.<br /><br />In December 2006, to pay tribute to Doug's memory, Tracy and three friends, including Kerry, went to <a href="http://www.tattoos-forever.com/">Tattoos Forever</a> in Evans Mills, NY, and each had the same inscription inked. In hindsight, Tracy recalls how funny it must have appeared, for four moms in minivans to drive up to the shop and collectively get tattooed.<br /><br />It is a recurring theme on tattoo shows. Memorial tattoos are among the most popular types of body art. People mourn, heal, and remember through the art of the tattoo. And a piece of the loved one lives on, for years, in the flesh of the survivors, who gain strength and hold on to the memory of the departed.<br /><br />The alliterative mantra of "Faith, Family, and Friends" reminds not only the tattooed, but those around them, of the most important things in life.<br /><br />I want to thank Tracy for sharing her tattoos, and the stories behind them. I would add a special nod of gratitude to the memory of Major Douglas Sloan, who I never knew. Yet, by virtue of this tattoo, helped remind me of the sacrifice that our soldiers make day in, day out, and their families they leave behind.<br /><br />Some related links:<br /><br />A touching tribute to Major Sloan from YouTube:<br /><br /><object height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/okXkQlOoEX0&rel=1"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/okXkQlOoEX0&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />Also of note, <a href="http://www.oxy.edu/">Occidental College</a> professor <a href="http://www.marybethheffernan.com/bio.html">Mary Beth Heffernan's</a> <a href="http://www.marybethheffernan.com/skin.html">"The Soldier's Skin,"</a> currently <a href="http://www.pasadena.edu/calendar/eventitem.cfm?ID=7555">on exhibit</a> at <a href="http://www.pasadena.edu/">Pasadena City College</a>.<br /><br />****<br /><br /><br />Tracy's husband Pete subsequently returned from Afghanistan, but has since returned to duty overseas. On behalf of all of our Tattoosday readers, I want to thank Tracy and Pete, for their commitment and sacrifice, and for sharing this one story among thousands, with us here at Tattoosday.

Tattoos I Know: Tracy's Tributes (Re-Post)

Let's take a moment and pause from our regularly-scheduled programming this Veteran's Day to remember the men and women who serve ou...

3:36 AM

One of Timothy's Leg Tattoos

I spotted Timothy one afternoon near the intersection of 31st Street and 7th Avenue.<br /><br />He has thirteen or fourteen tattoos and shared one from his right leg:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzaMNkHbhKj0qrPivB_mylNG-D1KOnd4CHU74FFRddh_hsyxxgl7rJI4cPxLQ6Kh6grfVsq5RI5RhabCFeNCJW26A1uaQA5hDH1YrsobGZrytVN6x6tG6iwF7YIoWwPb_BECj070jMcYQ/s1600/Timothys+Legs+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzaMNkHbhKj0qrPivB_mylNG-D1KOnd4CHU74FFRddh_hsyxxgl7rJI4cPxLQ6Kh6grfVsq5RI5RhabCFeNCJW26A1uaQA5hDH1YrsobGZrytVN6x6tG6iwF7YIoWwPb_BECj070jMcYQ/s640/Timothys+Legs+wm.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />One can see some of the work on both legs. In the background, you can  get a fairly good idea how nice the dragon is on his left,  Japanese-themed leg.<br /><br />His right leg is devoted more to "Black Magic," hence the baby voodoo doll on the front of his shin.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqh1cLYh6jgyIknwg8Tat8zMFwBb-FcAgx2iOBwn__jHVh_1mJwVN54fYIW4XCHYmX_pjZHF7VCHet4dx9nx0mhjD2Kk1AtOqZAPBl2nKbE1C_3fvbnWtIteUn-f25r9vnzxufBBCsqxE/s1600/Timothy+Voodo+Baby+Doll+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqh1cLYh6jgyIknwg8Tat8zMFwBb-FcAgx2iOBwn__jHVh_1mJwVN54fYIW4XCHYmX_pjZHF7VCHet4dx9nx0mhjD2Kk1AtOqZAPBl2nKbE1C_3fvbnWtIteUn-f25r9vnzxufBBCsqxE/s640/Timothy+Voodo+Baby+Doll+wm.jpg" width="388" /></a></div><br />The tattoo was done by <a href="http://jinxproof.com/section/182446_Ox.html">Ox</a> at <a href="http://jinxproof.com/home.html">Jinx Proof Tattoo & Body Piercing</a> in Montclair, New Jersey.<br /><br />Thanks to Timothy for sharing his ink with us here on Tattoosday!

One of Timothy's Leg Tattoos

I spotted Timothy one afternoon near the intersection of 31st Street and 7th Avenue. He has thirteen or fourteen tattoos and shared one from...

3:06 AM

Gavan's Hands, Folded in Prayer

This past Sunday, tens of thousands of runners  gathered for the <a href="http://www.nycmarathon.org/">ING New York City Marathon</a>. As luck would have it, yesterday I had the good fortune to run into Gavan, an Australian runner who had completed the marathon  (his 24th!).<br />And where the rest of New York seemed bundled for a chilly, drizzly  Autumn Day (with our first reported sleet of the season), Gavan was  wearing shorts. This was great for me, as it allowed a view of this very  nice tattoo on the back of his right calf:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHwALk3jGgrjoYh19MmH6qH0oMFrGOPSuCAA7-wqu8Q6eiXUfwD8DhwVMvenV1LlygrypZD7_yr-5sac9-la0_ucUpivTBgIzDm24xtcYQYuavkX6MoHcpFFcb8z4IJOD6WxL4jygixVc/s1600/praying+hands+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHwALk3jGgrjoYh19MmH6qH0oMFrGOPSuCAA7-wqu8Q6eiXUfwD8DhwVMvenV1LlygrypZD7_yr-5sac9-la0_ucUpivTBgIzDm24xtcYQYuavkX6MoHcpFFcb8z4IJOD6WxL4jygixVc/s640/praying+hands+wm.jpg" width="416" /></a></div><br />Gavan explained that this was based on a work of art by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albrecht_D%C3%BCrer">Albrecht Dürer</a> called <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betende_H%C3%A4nde">Betende Hände</a></i>, or "Praying  Hands." <a href="http://www.moytura.com/reflections/prayinghands.htm">One story</a> behind the work details the sacrifice between two brothers.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiddIHAZsXYUBOa5wJ1JyvtT2UTTmCQ9X18jjOc78yAGPzoV7LYwT_XV-RaJ7NZyVZYuAWuJqJpnOGAc7-YtP3bVPgq-pi5IFAW9XnnSY8oQHfhWF_elWh9UBOj6fZ9nn5NzgQx2cKRi08/s1600/300px-Praying_Hands_-_Albrecht_Durer.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiddIHAZsXYUBOa5wJ1JyvtT2UTTmCQ9X18jjOc78yAGPzoV7LYwT_XV-RaJ7NZyVZYuAWuJqJpnOGAc7-YtP3bVPgq-pi5IFAW9XnnSY8oQHfhWF_elWh9UBOj6fZ9nn5NzgQx2cKRi08/s400/300px-Praying_Hands_-_Albrecht_Durer.png" width="266" /></a></div><br />He elaborated that it has a greater meaning that, although he has never been very religious, he found himself<br />praying during the birth of his second son, beseeching a higher power, "Please let him be okay".<br /><br />He believes that the prayer travels with him, as he is separated and not  always with his sons. His journey as a marathoner carries him to  faraway places, as well, and these absences are tinged with worry over  the well-being of his kids. <i>Please let them be okay</i>.<br /><br />As life progresses and he grows older, these hands become more and more significant.<br /><br />Gavan's tattoo is also striking in that the tattoo is on the back of his  leg, and he is a runner. To complete a marathon, I believe, takes more  than stamina and training. One must also have faith, whether it be in a  higher power or the ability to push one's body to complete an astounding  task of strength and endurance.<br /><br />I also wonder how many runners this past Sunday saw Gavan's tattoo ahead of them, and drew strength from the image before them.<br /><br />Gavan credits this wonderful tattoo to <a href="http://www.myspace.com/34089415">Jane Laver</a> at <a href="http://www.chapeltattoo.com/">Chapel Tattoo</a> in Prahran, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia. There's a nice profile of Jane <a href="http://thslfe.com/jane-laver">here</a>.<br /><br />Thanks again to Gavan for sharing his hands of prayer with us here on  Tattoosday! Congratulations on a race well-run and thank you for  visiting our metropolis. We hope you have an enjoyable stay and pray  that your return home safely to your two boys back in Australia!

Gavan's Hands, Folded in Prayer

This past Sunday, tens of thousands of runners gathered for the ING New York City Marathon . As luck would have it, yesterday I had the goo...

3:14 AM

Megan's Empress Impresses

I spotted Megan at the end of September walking down West 23rd Street in Chelsea.<br /><br />She has an amazing sleeve-in-progress but, because it is still unfinished, she offered up this tattoo, on her upper right arm, instead:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcO4coICJUm8J-AqVibD8Xb1CMKGdwiag9eX_vGKd66b4fG6gkq2Yk-jlp56kZ8MQTG4YlBPCh006eRwsAyFuVDC8-FCDpN9NYFRAuk0-qzekt0-_8PtC3zq9rCpui5CkkX17Sexwg6Bo/s1600/Tarot+Card+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcO4coICJUm8J-AqVibD8Xb1CMKGdwiag9eX_vGKd66b4fG6gkq2Yk-jlp56kZ8MQTG4YlBPCh006eRwsAyFuVDC8-FCDpN9NYFRAuk0-qzekt0-_8PtC3zq9rCpui5CkkX17Sexwg6Bo/s640/Tarot+Card+wm.jpg" width="352" /></a></div><br />This <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarot_of_Marseilles">tarot card</a> is significant because her mother is from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carribean">Caribbean</a>  and she grew up with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santer%C3%ADa">Santerían</a>  religion in her household.<br /><br />She has a profound respect for tarot cards and based on the time and  date of her birth, has what she refers to as a "weird numerology".<br /><br />This card is known as L'Impératrice,or <a href="http://www.tarotpedia.com/wiki/Empress">The Empress</a>, and has a very positive meaning. As interpreted by one site (<a href="http://tarotcardsreading.blogspot.com/2007/10/limpratrice-impress-arcana-iii-3.html">here</a>):<br /><br /><blockquote><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Empress seems to be sure of herself, calm, intelligent, worthy.</span>  <span style="font-family: verdana;">This major arcana represents the capacity, the Empress clothing is luxurious and invaluable.</span>  <span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><br />This arcana is extremely positive...</span>  <span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span>...<span style="font-family: verdana;">In  the right position the Empress represents the intelligence, dignity,  the authority, the mother, the wife, the right decisions.</span></blockquote><br />The detail in this tattoo is amazing:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPJOhPQhHGnN8nbG_UpP4xOsT83QmyBJBLjv3OMFxdvwV_pGUv8GHCIcS2Azn-OHpVlJW9jFReTqty5s80FaRwQJzLU79-wmUrEox7Wf3aSPhdzh_q7lCEeeCXJpa32XdkTgN6MDnhl0w/s1600/Tarot+Card+detail+2+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPJOhPQhHGnN8nbG_UpP4xOsT83QmyBJBLjv3OMFxdvwV_pGUv8GHCIcS2Azn-OHpVlJW9jFReTqty5s80FaRwQJzLU79-wmUrEox7Wf3aSPhdzh_q7lCEeeCXJpa32XdkTgN6MDnhl0w/s400/Tarot+Card+detail+2+wm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />The art was inked by <a href="http://www.threekingstattoo.com/site/artistpage.php?artistid=7&picid=420&page=1">Annie Lloyd</a> at <a href="http://www.threekingstattoo.com/site/index.php">Three Kings Tattoo</a> in Brooklyn. Work from Three Kings has appeared previously on Tatoosday <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/search/label/Three%20Kings%20Tattoo">here</a>.<br /><br />Thanks to Megan for sharing this lovely tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!

Megan's Empress Impresses

I spotted Megan at the end of September walking down West 23rd Street in Chelsea. She has an amazing sleeve-in-progress but, because it is s...

9:41 AM

John Shares More Than Just a Fly on the Wall

I met John walking down 7th Avenue in the upper 20s back in the beginning of September.<br /><br />He has six tattoos, but it was this one, on his left side, that I spotted through the hole cut in the side of his t-shirt:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglHbXDLeYLp5HS8tiiDAougnmabL3eu0FLeDgG4VNHoq6ycO7zhx31miniFQepMV7D8ajUb1_MHTdAnFS8H7V5c6nNARy3yvSPsReELMyeMJf8p_MDBNWQXe6N-uWvc3wHfe661oIKlKg/s1600/Banksy+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglHbXDLeYLp5HS8tiiDAougnmabL3eu0FLeDgG4VNHoq6ycO7zhx31miniFQepMV7D8ajUb1_MHTdAnFS8H7V5c6nNARy3yvSPsReELMyeMJf8p_MDBNWQXe6N-uWvc3wHfe661oIKlKg/s640/Banksy+wm.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><br />Fans of the popular British graffiti artist <a href="http://www.banksy.co.uk/">Banksy</a> will recognize this as a tattoo based on his work. Another Banksy-inspired tattoo appeared <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/2009/10/you-gotta-go-there-to-come-back-sarah.html">here</a> on Tattoosday in October of 2009.<br /><br />Why this design? Aside from the fact that John likes the imagery, he  especially likes the dripping effect at the bottom of the piece, as if  it was spray-painted on. He also related to the ape's sign that reads  "Laugh now but one day we'll be in charge".<br /><br />The piece was inked at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Neptune-NJ/Neptune-Tattooville/295323493183?v=wall">Tattooville</a> in Neptune, New Jersey.<br /><br />Here's a shot of the original Banksy work:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglAlZnXbfqM38v7aMGZJ7KcINIA1NPc0ltojdtH-O1bh2V982opr6H3vFgFNxNNKDn4HsoWD-Ob0kF5RRqkOPyeGpTVbm9NZU8tWrhiNSrBqBVpwnaQcqFRsaUBxwFZhodYG_etgvWsmQ/s1600/banksy_laugh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglAlZnXbfqM38v7aMGZJ7KcINIA1NPc0ltojdtH-O1bh2V982opr6H3vFgFNxNNKDn4HsoWD-Ob0kF5RRqkOPyeGpTVbm9NZU8tWrhiNSrBqBVpwnaQcqFRsaUBxwFZhodYG_etgvWsmQ/s400/banksy_laugh.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />John offered up, an additional tattoo, as well:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1MGVIxfJzzTyouI0cEsaJr2kRrJC4NdKEee3_DVuO90SWcLlIsT8X5NBIbI4pWfn6GLXJ1sd9No0gPbyXZWszvVoX-v6FarXBwzRXKVlov6TxDYPqZ2v7RzrxKPKNI-Lfym8FmnBDKII/s1600/Flyday+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1MGVIxfJzzTyouI0cEsaJr2kRrJC4NdKEee3_DVuO90SWcLlIsT8X5NBIbI4pWfn6GLXJ1sd9No0gPbyXZWszvVoX-v6FarXBwzRXKVlov6TxDYPqZ2v7RzrxKPKNI-Lfym8FmnBDKII/s320/Flyday+wm.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br />Yes, that's a fly tattooed under his right armpit.<br /><br />John explained that this was tattooed by an artist under the moniker  "<a href="http://www.porktomic.com/">Porkchop</a>" at Asbury Park's <a href="http://www.parlor-gallery.com/">Parlor Gallery</a>. It was part of an occasional  event called "Fly Day Friday".<br /><br />If that sounds bizarre, it gets even crazier. If you present Pork Chop  with an item that was bought for under $5.00, and he finds it valuable,  he will trade it for one of his fly tattoos.<br /><br />John successfully presented an item and got the tattoo in exchange.<br /><br />"What did you offer?" I asked.<br /><br />"A <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pets.com#The_Pets.com_sock_puppet">Pets.com sock puppet</a>," he replied.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfM7OnMNxFg8UkN5zIh3zXzwO0szyD1IIACRwi0Bgu-saSPvpk-6e-iOYcYMQAYXLYD2JIIZjXYu2zXxnEmGmbMBRv6hzCkf15dZWI7WUy1hCH3tPN3rVBSGX-2BTRyPQWHWPh6JFutu4/s1600/petscom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfM7OnMNxFg8UkN5zIh3zXzwO0szyD1IIACRwi0Bgu-saSPvpk-6e-iOYcYMQAYXLYD2JIIZjXYu2zXxnEmGmbMBRv6hzCkf15dZWI7WUy1hCH3tPN3rVBSGX-2BTRyPQWHWPh6JFutu4/s320/petscom.jpg" width="318" /></a></div><br />Cool.<br /><br />Thanks to John for sharing these unusual tattoos with us here on Tattoosday!

John Shares More Than Just a Fly on the Wall

I met John walking down 7th Avenue in the upper 20s back in the beginning of September. He has six tattoos, but it was this one, on his left...

3:22 AM

Catanya

It's not often that I get someone to share facial tattoos here on Tattoosday, but the occasion arose last month while I was browsing at one of my favorite inkspotting locales, the Borders in Penn Plaza.<br /><br />I was lucky to meet Catanya, who I noticed had interesting markings on her face, and I was compelled to ask her about the ink. She gladly posed and told me a little about the designs.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1tCzqhwfocnE3FsO2BqSswp5ZdMoph5TcFrVTypejAFp0PR_kfEvD53nYH8-GQgdkp68GBsls3_2re5h4hBeSNXzLEwfHe8fog6MmQSN_Mm1IYZL5wFeUJJlCzo9kQoBqA3TLvdIKsNE/s1600/Catanya+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1tCzqhwfocnE3FsO2BqSswp5ZdMoph5TcFrVTypejAFp0PR_kfEvD53nYH8-GQgdkp68GBsls3_2re5h4hBeSNXzLEwfHe8fog6MmQSN_Mm1IYZL5wFeUJJlCzo9kQoBqA3TLvdIKsNE/s400/Catanya+wm.jpg" width="327" /></a></div><br />Catanya explained that she got her tattoos in the 1970's in New York. She was involved as a dancer in the art scene and eventually married a photographer and relocated to New Mexico and currently resides in Baja, California.<br /><br />She referred to herself as a "gypsy tribal belly dancer hula hooper" and explained that the design on her forehead is a yin-yang, the tattoo on the right side of her face is Apache feathers, and that the left side and chin are Moroccan in their origins.<br /><br />Catanya also told me that she had been photographed by someone named Stanley Stellar many years ago here in New York, and that he might have photos from those early days.<br /><br />Thinking it would be great to have a photo of Catanya from when she was much younger with these tattoos, I tracked down Mr. Stellar and asked if he still had access to his photographs. He completely came through and forwarded this shot:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs_0FH520BEKg1YGfL34bDru2YxCH20iQFRh-JBtViD8Y3Wm1fXieMquZHfxXXzg8BTbQf1PEsHyvGdQmaswYF8gNmLfgHnS98dsYLQh9JyG54qjQna40sH4rXIm-2UbkbT0TNr9FU9F4/s1600/1977_Catanya02++.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs_0FH520BEKg1YGfL34bDru2YxCH20iQFRh-JBtViD8Y3Wm1fXieMquZHfxXXzg8BTbQf1PEsHyvGdQmaswYF8gNmLfgHnS98dsYLQh9JyG54qjQna40sH4rXIm-2UbkbT0TNr9FU9F4/s400/1977_Catanya02++.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />I certainly feel  fortunate to be able to share photos of the same tattoos, separated by thirty-three years.<br /><br />Such an opportunity allows us to see an example of how one person has aged gracefully, along with her tattoos.<br /><br />Catanya subsequently emailed me and elaborated on her tattoos and their history:<br /><blockquote><br />Back in the early 1970's I was part of a "tribal style" group of dancers  and musicians from all over the world. The main things we had in common  were our love of the Dance, world music, colorful costumes and even  more colorful life styles. That included Henna, Kohl rimmed eyes and  LOTS of Tattoos! We also sported plenty of nose jewelry!   The tattoos  for all of us were personal and also tribal, (as can be seen in India,  Morocco and other  exotic places around the world.) I do not think that  any of us took our tattoo ceremonies lightly.  <br /><br />I received my first tattoos in Venice, Calif. in 1973.<br /><br />I like  to think of it as an initiation ceremony. It was wonderful! Lots of  music and dancing and plenty of red wine and good herbs.<br /><br />My tattoos were applied the "old fashioned" way. India Ink, a needle and a broken pen.<br /><br />They were done by two brothers from Cuba. They were also fantastic Conga drummers!<br /><br />A  few years later, I had a few more tattoos added to my collection. These  were executed by a wonderful tattoo artist, Boyd, in Taos, New Mexico.<br /><br />I do not regret any of my tattoos and find as the years go by that I  am actually "earning" them. I am becoming them. They ARE a personal  manifestation of my journey in life.<br /><br />As my friend Walter once  said to me, (referring to my Eagle feathers tattoo), "Catanya, when I  look into your eyes, I see that you are growing your real Eagle  feathers."</blockquote><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4B4tDMWi5BFOdcIZ69zXpr1pXmG5l7lEA3Xvuyn9vn16asPtuhARpOBkVbUdlAFEBseAPY6s8JwUbMlypenWsio5dHonjqVpw_X4oCd4Dz4CJ1Zq3IUN5GejNkTEJu5LHt2S5Soo0hxM/s400/pic07240.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="256" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walter Chappell and Catanya, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 1985<br />© 1985, 2008 Robert Saltzman</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4B4tDMWi5BFOdcIZ69zXpr1pXmG5l7lEA3Xvuyn9vn16asPtuhARpOBkVbUdlAFEBseAPY6s8JwUbMlypenWsio5dHonjqVpw_X4oCd4Dz4CJ1Zq3IUN5GejNkTEJu5LHt2S5Soo0hxM/s1600/pic07240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>The photo above was taken by Catnya's husband about eight years after Mr, Stellar's photo, with the late photographer <a href="http://walterchappell.com/">Walter Chappell</a>, their friend quoted by Catanya in her testimony.<br /><br />I want to profusely thank Catanya for allowing me to photograph her and for sharing her tattoos with me, and all of us here on Tattoosday! It's an encounter like this that really stands out among the hundreds I have had over the last few years. To be able to see how someone has so gracefully and proudly worn their tattoos over time is truly an honor and a blessing.<br /><br />I also want to thank Stanley Stellar for sharing his photograph of Catanya from so many years ago. You can see more of Mr. Stellar's photography <a href="http://www.stellarnyc.com/HTML/home.html">here</a>. Be sure to check out his wonderful tattoo photos under the "images" section.

Catanya

It's not often that I get someone to share facial tattoos here on Tattoosday, but the occasion arose last month while I was browsing at ...

3:20 AM

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