Mrs. Dirtbird's Wedding Tattoo

Yesterday we enjoyed seeing <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/2010/11/introducingdirtbird.html">the neck tattoo</a> of a Missouri-based artist nicknamed "Dirtbird," as well as <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/2010/11/introducingdirtbird.html">a piece</a> he had inked on his friend Shawn.<br /><br />In addition to meeting both Shawn and Dirtbird across the street from where I work, I also met Katie, who half-jokingly referred to herself as "Mrs. Dirtbird". She shared this tattoo with us:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-qWXXuYuHb4GQ3TmUlj7_-dCdRF0q9d-fMqm2ZX51Q3ZvfZO5PcTzJhz8Df9BsfnSfmOuuyB7xOdwybgdGXkDZfaDNEre6jLEsgSFikqmYBumhVeC49_dj084aaGIbnTCBcSgxbfvuDE/s1600/Mrs+Dirt+Bird+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-qWXXuYuHb4GQ3TmUlj7_-dCdRF0q9d-fMqm2ZX51Q3ZvfZO5PcTzJhz8Df9BsfnSfmOuuyB7xOdwybgdGXkDZfaDNEre6jLEsgSFikqmYBumhVeC49_dj084aaGIbnTCBcSgxbfvuDE/s400/Mrs+Dirt+Bird+wm.jpg" width="357" /></a></div><br />Katie explained that this is a wedding tattoo. The piece depicts a heart, comprised of a male and female bird, sewn together. Since she married Dirtbird, this seems like and appropriate expression of their matrimony.<br /><br />The tattoo was inked by <a href="http://www.myspace.com/angie2_bap">Becky "Pink Eye" Ashcraft</a>, who works with Dirtbird at <a href="http://www.punkteur.com/">Punkteur Tattoo</a> in Joplin, Missouri.<br /><br />Thanks to Katie for sharing her cool tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!

Mrs. Dirtbird's Wedding Tattoo

Yesterday we enjoyed seeing the neck tattoo of a Missouri-based artist nicknamed "Dirtbird," as well as a piece he had inked on ...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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 ...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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