Tattoo Design

Sandra's Cherry Blossoms

I met Sandra at the local laundromat at the end of August and she shared this lovely tattoo on her upper right arm: <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR2_5EyIsMUsNTcb5HCbkY4RcdrPQqoeUQYIRv5O9rpU0_qP8ofsNVDJvRgWTIX5La8p9Er06nzjm3UPh3NhKS3CYsQ-MPXU4HAHNmZ0-vq6p-waz5KR-AwOAVJ9liMdo3PnuLm_fN/s1600/Jiminy+Cherry+Blossom+collage+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="376" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR2_5EyIsMUsNTcb5HCbkY4RcdrPQqoeUQYIRv5O9rpU0_qP8ofsNVDJvRgWTIX5La8p9Er06nzjm3UPh3NhKS3CYsQ-MPXU4HAHNmZ0-vq6p-waz5KR-AwOAVJ9liMdo3PnuLm_fN/s400/Jiminy+Cherry+Blossom+collage+wm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />There are two elements to this design, the cherry blossoms and the quote. The cherry blossoms were inked after her father was initially diagnosed with cancer. The quote was added when Sandra decided to move to New York from Oregon.<br /><br />Reading "When your heart is in your dream, no request is too extreme...", this quote is from the film <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinocchio_%281940_film%29">Pinocchio</a>, in the song "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/When_You_Wish_Upon_a_Star">When You Wish Upon a Star</a>".<br /><br />The tattoo was done by <a href="http://www.myspace.com/4833400">Dragon</a> at <a href="http://www.myspace.com/12091597">Star Tattoo</a>, in Portland, Oregon.<br /><br />Thanks to Sandra for sharing her lovely tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!<br /><br /><br />Here's a little bonus:<br /><br /><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/4cHsPCAZlP4?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/4cHsPCAZlP4?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

Sandra's Cherry Blossoms

I met Sandra at the local laundromat at the end of August and she shared this lovely tattoo on her upper right arm: There are two elements t...

7:27 AM

Frank's Anvil

When someone is "not sure" how many tattoos they have, the one they do offer up can seem a bit random.<br /><br />Take Frank, for example, who volunteered this anvil for us here at Tattoosday:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6jV-wcEHbJCBQZZNrjdWwNlYlO_-KCw7PLrLegMEqDVK4yvxymGs8JD21SC7OdnhFD0Qlfz7oRzo6USvKuv4camZ_PsPvdS0b9exnxMeNLEBEtBCk4s9s70Ru8P-YXh3Sh21EcT0I/s1600/acme+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6jV-wcEHbJCBQZZNrjdWwNlYlO_-KCw7PLrLegMEqDVK4yvxymGs8JD21SC7OdnhFD0Qlfz7oRzo6USvKuv4camZ_PsPvdS0b9exnxMeNLEBEtBCk4s9s70Ru8P-YXh3Sh21EcT0I/s320/acme+wm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Why an anvil? "I'm a big <a href="http://looneytunes.kidswb.com/interstitials/">Looney Tunes</a> fan," he told me. The anvil, falling from great heights, is often a cartoon catalyst for one of those big expanding bumps on the head of say, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wile_E._Coyote_and_Road_Runner">Wile E. Coyote</a>, for example. Thus the name on the anvil, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acme_Corporation">ACME</a>, which was said coyote's chief supplier of items designed to aid in the capture of the Roadrunner.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuTM9CrlTECekcKKrl5pC06pQOf32Vt-GSSGZMYMVsLZaFUreX_s5kLcQZYXILD0ZHjqRjf7QjZoSm-vAZMRGQ4HDlMCH9plu5rDeDhQ2JR6BTZdDNMoHI8segebhEuy8vXOfwJgDW/s1600/Acme_anvil.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="269" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuTM9CrlTECekcKKrl5pC06pQOf32Vt-GSSGZMYMVsLZaFUreX_s5kLcQZYXILD0ZHjqRjf7QjZoSm-vAZMRGQ4HDlMCH9plu5rDeDhQ2JR6BTZdDNMoHI8segebhEuy8vXOfwJgDW/s320/Acme_anvil.gif" width="320" /></a></div><br />This particular piece was inked by Jae Connor at <a href="http://www.electriclotustattoo.com/">Electric Lotus Tattoo</a> in Boonton, New Jersey. Work from Electric Lotus has appeared previously on Tattoosday <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/2009/02/stephens-tailored-tribute-to-his-father.html">here</a>.<br /><br />Thanks to Frank for sharing this nostalgic tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!

Frank's Anvil

When someone is "not sure" how many tattoos they have, the one they do offer up can seem a bit random. Take Frank, for example, wh...

7:34 AM

The Queen of Clams

One year ago today, I posted about meeting a couple of Kansas City burlesque performers outside of Penn Station (recalled <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/2009/10/annie-cherry-and-bindlestiff-willy-in.html">here</a>).<br /><br />Since then, I had the pleasure of meeting another local performer, <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/2010/07/lovely-tattoo-of-legs-malone.html">Legs Malone</a>, and documenting one of her tattoos <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/2010/07/lovely-tattoo-of-legs-malone.html">here</a>.<br /><br />Coincidentally, I am sharing here today, a tattoo on the ankle of one <a href="http://www.missclamscasino.com/Home.html">Miss Clams Casino</a>.<br /><br />It would be one thing if I was catching these performers in their natural habitats of burlesque shows, but my encounter with Clams was so fleeting, I was fortunate enough to snap a photo and take her card.<br /><br />A brief ride on the F train (two stops only) afforded me enough time to spot a tattoo above her ankle, introduce myself and take a picture before necessity required I transfer to the R train.<br /><br />So, here's the tattoo that so intrigued me:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjKpOvxP-VprP-PkjBhiG93sknpc_CS9jtpAz_ofk4q16RLt-8PRB9ncr2UueHLpsZnemgn-MeVTD924xFhCtZa3NfopXPRwr9vIjl072lN2fvM50DilEcNadjtGhmIApEDUKE9rQR/s1600/Queen+of+Clams+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjKpOvxP-VprP-PkjBhiG93sknpc_CS9jtpAz_ofk4q16RLt-8PRB9ncr2UueHLpsZnemgn-MeVTD924xFhCtZa3NfopXPRwr9vIjl072lN2fvM50DilEcNadjtGhmIApEDUKE9rQR/s320/Queen+of+Clams+wm.jpg" width="291" /></a></div><br />As I mentioned previously, I barely had time to snap a photo, let alone get the story behind this cool tattoo. Thankfully, Miss Clams Casino was generous enough to send me the story at a later date:<br /><br /><blockquote>"Every year I go to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burlesque_Hall_of_Fame">Burlesque Hall of Fame</a> weekend in Las Vegas and play in the official Burlesque Hall of Fame Poker Tournament. I enjoy poker, but I know that I'm probably not going to win, so I like setting little goals for the game with fabulous rewards...in 2009 I decided that if I won a hand with a pair of Queens I would get a tattoo to mark the occasion. Long story short, a few hands in I was dealt a pair of Queens and won the only hand I won that tournament. A few months later, my friend <a href="http://www.scarlettattoos.com/">Scarlet Sinclair</a> was getting started as a tattoo artist and was looking for willing guinea pigs. I told her the story and that I'd like some ink involving Queens and hearts and she came up with this incredible design. I went to see her at <a href="http://www.mattstribaldragontattoo.com/">Matt's Tribal Dragon Tattoo</a> in Bethpage, NY and was her 7th tattoo ever. She's incredible and I love the queen living on my ankle."</blockquote><br />Thanks to Miss Clams Casino for sharing her tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!<br /><br />Please feel free to check her out on these sites:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.missclamscasino.com/">http://www.MissClamsCasino.com</a><br /><a href="http://www.gameshowspeakeasy.com/">http://www.GameShowSpeakeasy.com</a><br /><a href="http://www.casinoofortunecookie.com/">http://www.casinoofortunecookie.com</a><br /><a href="http://www.burlesqueonthegogo.com/">http://www.burlesqueonthegogo.com</a>

The Queen of Clams

One year ago today, I posted about meeting a couple of Kansas City burlesque performers outside of Penn Station (recalled here ). Since then...

3:18 AM

Matt's Golden Silence

<span id="goog_148539882"><span id="goog_141166478"></span><span id="goog_141166479"></span></span><span id="goog_148539883"></span>I met Matt one afternoon as he stood among the masses at the southwest corner of Madison Square Garden, waiting for a bus out of town.<br /><br />This is his tattoo which he shared with us, covering his upper right arm:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidz13oBj4sDaiJ780-MzTgfwwjxP6Vda8J7usNO7f_1uNRxHPjnAIkJc3lTf3VIYj156iDJ2uJFgy7jvqlhqW3dDBa5DGZ11hWQpdk6HnVeXTXowLKCrkMfXBvlsZ-IJayBRH3iWJf/s1600/Silence+is+Golden+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidz13oBj4sDaiJ780-MzTgfwwjxP6Vda8J7usNO7f_1uNRxHPjnAIkJc3lTf3VIYj156iDJ2uJFgy7jvqlhqW3dDBa5DGZ11hWQpdk6HnVeXTXowLKCrkMfXBvlsZ-IJayBRH3iWJf/s640/Silence+is+Golden+wm.jpg" width="344" /></a></div><br />The message is simple: silence is golden. I love how the side skulls spill off of the front skull, and how the teeth of the primary jaw are fused together.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwyroZgi2rpvNJkXJV9eyRBHjwXGCW3ADFHden-Kff7h-vfkPhgXF64hQ-Xmu7K2nR5IJMz8wj08pbOqjpiDfAEJX5CkEboscLLblBwo125aaO01iHw4UGKdivjPtkerN1poIh-Ka8/s1600/Silence+is+Golden+detail+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="397" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwyroZgi2rpvNJkXJV9eyRBHjwXGCW3ADFHden-Kff7h-vfkPhgXF64hQ-Xmu7K2nR5IJMz8wj08pbOqjpiDfAEJX5CkEboscLLblBwo125aaO01iHw4UGKdivjPtkerN1poIh-Ka8/s400/Silence+is+Golden+detail+wm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />Matt attributes this piece to "deep life experiences" and how it serves as a reminder to keep his head on straight.<br /><br />He told me he's "been low and wants to stay higher" and that "keeping what I've done to myself has given me the ability to achieve what I have in life".<br /><br />This tattoo was inked by Loki M. LaChapelle when he was at <a href="http://kaleidoscopetattoo.net/home.html">Kaleidoscope Tattoo & Art Gallery</a> in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Loki now works out of <a href="http://www.mazelcustom.com/">Mazel Custom Tattoo & Piercing</a> in Everett, Massachusetts.<br /><br />Thanks to Matt for sharing his tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!

Matt's Golden Silence

I met Matt one afternoon as he stood among the masses at the southwest corner of Madison Square Garden, waiting for a bus out of town. This ...

5:17 PM

Tattoo from a Francophile

Earlier this summer, I posted a couple of tattoos from Joe, seen <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/2010/08/two-rocking-tattoos-from-joe.html">here</a>.<br /><br />Needless to say, Joe became a fan, and updated me with a new tattoo, below: <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU8VgRjsbYuuaOzYoMKHc9hkJwqoCB6hppZGITc2ncZlGWQV1xvnqz6guZOJLizAE9OogCP-uOBOPQXLBWeAmSVgw0kw4sbGdlCad5rmZGvP64sGY9UqaOlBzkmt7jq42g-atYoyem/s1600/joe+again.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU8VgRjsbYuuaOzYoMKHc9hkJwqoCB6hppZGITc2ncZlGWQV1xvnqz6guZOJLizAE9OogCP-uOBOPQXLBWeAmSVgw0kw4sbGdlCad5rmZGvP64sGY9UqaOlBzkmt7jq42g-atYoyem/s400/joe+again.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Joe explains:<br /><br /><br /><blockquote>"The picture is fresh from the artist finishing it. It is "C077X" and is a nod to <a href="http://james-franco.com/">James Franco</a> and <a href="http://abc.go.com/shows/general-hospital"><i>General Hospital</i></a>. He is my fav actor and I have been watching <i>General Hospital</i> for at least 21 years. It is the the tag that "Franco" sprayed on everything when he recently guest starred on <i>GH</i> as an artist/serial killer. His character's name is Franco, reflecting that art imitates life. A motto the actor and character believe, and so do I. That is why I got the tattoo. To prove art imitates life!" </blockquote><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="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigEWQsFKK8ftEqHuHHfsSzxk_zn3ydm-Je5wdpB7rVQLWJIwJo7FBHiE6fv9XthNVbjvL2k8bnMV93v8wODzUDrBaqobPELKp-AQYhMsBbX4fNJ6Rte2RgYJOJyEEwY1V9jYSD0gAb/s400/102309_Graffiti_GH_611x322.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Photo Credit: ABC via http://sn.soapnet.go.com</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigEWQsFKK8ftEqHuHHfsSzxk_zn3ydm-Je5wdpB7rVQLWJIwJo7FBHiE6fv9XthNVbjvL2k8bnMV93v8wODzUDrBaqobPELKp-AQYhMsBbX4fNJ6Rte2RgYJOJyEEwY1V9jYSD0gAb/s1600/102309_Graffiti_GH_611x322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>The tattoo was inked by <a href="http://www.brooklyninktattoo.com/rob_tattoos.html">Rob</a> at <a href="http://www.brooklyninktattoo.com/">Brooklyn Ink</a>. Rob originally appeared here as a contributor <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/2008/09/robs-rite-of-passage.html">here</a>. And is one of several artists that has represented Brooklyn Ink over the years on Tattoosday. <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/search/label/Brooklyn%20Ink">This label</a> links all of the work from the shop previously seen on Tattoosday.<br /><br />Thanks to Joe for sharing his new tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!

Tattoo from a Francophile

Earlier this summer, I posted a couple of tattoos from Joe, seen here . Needless to say, Joe became a fan, and updated me with a new tattoo,...

2:54 AM

Rachel's Bird Helped Her Let Go

The same night I met <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/2010/09/brians-ink-speaks-about-art.html">Brian</a>, I met Rachel, who has eight tattoos.<br /><br />She shared this one with me:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB9ABXD5YaeoVYhwsmKKrNKNPoQl25W3tl5R2X-Gata1jf3m4xiTdbNjF16nTLyQWTIzH7eyBTmVeYccT1kGU3qx-a6Uw6tDkdhykpLHgj88lr6AO7ONMccp07Su74J6iMCQJi1AUv/s1600/Halsey+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/AVvXsEiB9ABXD5YaeoVYhwsmKKrNKNPoQl25W3tl5R2X-Gata1jf3m4xiTdbNjF16nTLyQWTIzH7eyBTmVeYccT1kGU3qx-a6Uw6tDkdhykpLHgj88lr6AO7ONMccp07Su74J6iMCQJi1AUv/s640/Halsey+Bird+wm.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />This piece on her left biceps is based on the work of artist <a href="http://www.kurthalsey.com/">Kurt Halsey</a>. This little bird appears in multiple works by the artist, but Rachel imagined it for her own personal situation. She got it after a break-up a couple of years ago, and the tattoo gave her the strength to "let the bird go". In this case, the bird represents the ended relationship and the tattoo is a transitional piece that helped her recover from the difficulty of moving past it.<br /><br />From Memphis, Tennessee, Rachel had this inked at <a href="http://www.makingmommaproud.com/">Underground Art Tattoos and Body Piercing</a> by <a href="http://chrisfitzgerald.sites.livebooks.com/#mi=1&pt=0&pi=2&s=0&p=-1&a=0&at=0">Chris Fitzgerald</a>. Chris had been a piercer at the shop and then moved into tattooing. He has since left tattooing and moved to photography. His new business is <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cult-Noir-Photography/82215405998?ref=ts">Cult Noir Photography</a>, and his work can be seen <a href="http://chrisfitzgerald.sites.livebooks.com/">here</a>.<br /><br />Thanks to Rachel for sharing her tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!

Rachel's Bird Helped Her Let Go

The same night I met Brian , I met Rachel, who has eight tattoos. She shared this one with me: This piece on her left biceps is based on the...

3:04 AM

Brian's Ink Speaks About Art

I met Brian in Barnes & Noble, Union Square, back in August and he shared two tattoos with us. Put your thinking caps on, folks, because Brian, who is a video artist (website <a href="http://taxiplasm.net/">here</a>), has very cerebral ink.<br /><br />First up is this tattoo, on Brian's left biceps: <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgva0MJ76DUUVSSVImYOoeg8kRC3RO8DmJEyY1IAGRAm2VQrV_xQL1SM2PbXRtcrJwbwsDbq1Cca2Jpsi0pcQbwKo9OqEM3FyZkF9qgdknJKJ7MfwzUxlJtTeJcOGQM2noJomMxXEdF/s1600/Kubin+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgva0MJ76DUUVSSVImYOoeg8kRC3RO8DmJEyY1IAGRAm2VQrV_xQL1SM2PbXRtcrJwbwsDbq1Cca2Jpsi0pcQbwKo9OqEM3FyZkF9qgdknJKJ7MfwzUxlJtTeJcOGQM2noJomMxXEdF/s640/Kubin+wm.jpg" width="398" /></a></div><br />This tattoo is based on an illustration entitled "Every Night We Are Haunted by a Dream" by the artist <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Kubin">Alfred Kubin</a> (1877-1959). <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;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsXf9RLSOAu9ZZE0HAr6bEGDCUGVQmI9aerwylCNQNALvXnhCkVQ-gPHatlNRmtSeO-M1_rOmd-WeJ1whwq8tHUUkMYTYqqGizyusUIftJYPY5ZC7iNXczR_24PFUn8x_0B6UeeU66/s400/every+night.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="340" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>Jede Nacht besucht uns ein Traum (Every Night We are Haunted by a Dream)</em>, ca. 1902-03</strong><br />Pen and ink, brush, wash, and spray on paper<br />39.1 x 31.8 cm (15 3/8 x 12 1/2 in.)<br />Albertina, Vienna</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsXf9RLSOAu9ZZE0HAr6bEGDCUGVQmI9aerwylCNQNALvXnhCkVQ-gPHatlNRmtSeO-M1_rOmd-WeJ1whwq8tHUUkMYTYqqGizyusUIftJYPY5ZC7iNXczR_24PFUn8x_0B6UeeU66/s1600/every+night.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>Brian explained that this work corresponded very closely to the publication of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freud#Major_works_by_Freud">Sigmund Freud's</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Interpretation_of_Dreams">The Interpretation of Dreams</a>, and that Kubin's illustration represents "art between the cusp of pre-surrealism/expressionism and surrealism". It speaks to Brian's understanding of the perception of dreams and art.<br /><br />Brian also had these words inscribed 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/AVvXsEh4N4s_99L7jjFlQ9OrVGxLoaspw8l7RT0vUsksREGFlKfqjuNO5DqabxBFEU_U8nxLSwdPYytMBHOkZ_jw_3OlBLVLvxSKdWIZ2tbixXltVx29TA5x1AiQ5DoTnqlb3PQNn6kjG-iZ/s1600/Camus+quote+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4N4s_99L7jjFlQ9OrVGxLoaspw8l7RT0vUsksREGFlKfqjuNO5DqabxBFEU_U8nxLSwdPYytMBHOkZ_jw_3OlBLVLvxSKdWIZ2tbixXltVx29TA5x1AiQ5DoTnqlb3PQNn6kjG-iZ/s320/Camus+quote+wm.jpg" width="264" /></a></div><br />The words "Cr<span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">é</span>er Dangereusement" are the French title of a 1957 essay by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Camus">Albert Camus</a> entitled "Create Dangerously". This "essay on realism and artistic creation" likewise spoke to Brian who acknowledged that "all art is a political act". It makes perfect sense, if you think about it, in that no great work of art was ever created by the artist playing it safe. It is those who created dangerously that are remembered as trailblazers and icons in their respective fields.<br /><br />Brian had both of these tattoos done in Austin, Texas.<br /><br />Thanks to Brian for sharing his artistic ink with us here on Tattoosday!

Brian's Ink Speaks About Art

I met Brian in Barnes & Noble, Union Square, back in August and he shared two tattoos with us. Put your thinking caps on, folks, because...

7:26 AM

Danny's Koi Struggles Upstream

I met Danny in Penn Station early in August just as he was about to board a train.<br /><br />Before he headed to his platform, however, he allowed me to take this photo of his tattoo-in-progress on his upper right arm:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWgcyzABCQqKrm1JZYsdyEqWBMuNFz_uI4XazyotxOVpw9vQdCqxaoj_Jc2v5CmOLZDrMH-MydkRO1SOJZs8fWf8Fjv9zWgBbbmnbHXMNZvYBrruuu2CsfIHz_IvH0w8AVa-JU9xhu/s1600/dannys+koi+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWgcyzABCQqKrm1JZYsdyEqWBMuNFz_uI4XazyotxOVpw9vQdCqxaoj_Jc2v5CmOLZDrMH-MydkRO1SOJZs8fWf8Fjv9zWgBbbmnbHXMNZvYBrruuu2CsfIHz_IvH0w8AVa-JU9xhu/s640/dannys+koi+wm.jpg" width="328" /></a></div><br />He explained that the koi swimming upward on his bicep represented that he was still moving upstream, that is, he was "still overcoming struggles, trials and tribulations". He added that he would get another koi on his left arm, facing downstream, when he had completed his struggle in life.<br /><br />Before we could talk further, however, he had to run for his train. Fortunately for me (and for you, dear Readers), he e-mailed me shortly thereafter with some more details:<br /><blockquote><br />"The leaves are Japanese maples...Everyone gets the traditional lotus flowers, etc. But I chose a leaf that represents no religion or significant meaning to it. I would have gone with the Korean national flower [<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hibiscus_syriacus"><i>Hibiscus syriacus</i></a>] but that, too, had meaning behind it. Many flowers that are traditionally on bodies are either Buddhist or Catholic, etc. Coming from a Christian background, I chose one without any meaning. How can I live with a Buddhist lotus on my arm?<br /><br />At the time I got the tattoo I was confused with life... Direction, purpose, goals, meaning.. I had obstacles and self goals I had to achieve and was in a standstill (not drug-related or any of that sort). I looked to the pain tattooing offers and how it puts your mind in a zoned-out state, which I now thrive for when I'm stressed. It's therapy to me. I'll update you when I find an artist to finish this tattoo. The windbars were left open to expand."</blockquote><br />The tattoo was done by <a href="http://infinitytattoo1.com/section/69530_Lee.html">Lee</a> at <a href="http://infinitytattoo1.com/section/69529.html">Infinity Tattoo</a> in Manhattan.<br /><br />Thanks again yo Danny for sharing his koi with us here at Tattoosday!

Danny's Koi Struggles Upstream

I met Danny in Penn Station early in August just as he was about to board a train. Before he headed to his platform, however, he allowed me ...

2:49 AM

Steve's Sleeve of Leaves Ushers in the Fall Season

Earlier this month, I met Steve on the D train, as we headed home to Brooklyn.<br /><br />He had a veritable panorama of fall foliage on his left arm and he happily shared his autumnal tattoos with us here at Tattoosday.<br /><br />It only seemed fitting that, as summer has ended, we celebrate the new season with some fall colors.<br /><br />Behold, Steve's sleeve o' leaves:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyKveRJvRXMgdR0rSO2Xf9PCQYLtGEm5XguCZEk9MC5GR14nvjG48aNXEf1pJXwbCZY5Q3VOIDT8eJy21JUOd1bOPCVDvvblbGGBAesU5OkdbUi-1j7zU-ijlzM4wy_vRD7k1swaK8/s1600/Autumn+Leaves+1+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyKveRJvRXMgdR0rSO2Xf9PCQYLtGEm5XguCZEk9MC5GR14nvjG48aNXEf1pJXwbCZY5Q3VOIDT8eJy21JUOd1bOPCVDvvblbGGBAesU5OkdbUi-1j7zU-ijlzM4wy_vRD7k1swaK8/s640/Autumn+Leaves+1+wm.jpg" width="217" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXYtXRnmJSz36Y5VdddRJI2S8aUl8YqcrG4pzUpIfhTY2tg1QCabl0RTMgBwkHW1JZWSuHPA1cwYkl-b2DBIEizMDmmr8AWVq8Y2jts1hx5KQcXV-b1V_3IjQn7IlX_LNOd_6mJ4ZU/s1600/Autumn+Leaves+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXYtXRnmJSz36Y5VdddRJI2S8aUl8YqcrG4pzUpIfhTY2tg1QCabl0RTMgBwkHW1JZWSuHPA1cwYkl-b2DBIEizMDmmr8AWVq8Y2jts1hx5KQcXV-b1V_3IjQn7IlX_LNOd_6mJ4ZU/s640/Autumn+Leaves+5.jpg" width="251" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSCyoBpdCglyK7L5CC16U-7RdjbHl5p_xo3fECGUJzh_1SlmantIs_LCB-06lTK0A8bwPD37rh3wlQmL1fz0dahUML3qB-sWv4pr5wc0amGm0oi593CZpPh0C9fkHM5i31otmJhIUX/s1600/Autumn+Leaves+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSCyoBpdCglyK7L5CC16U-7RdjbHl5p_xo3fECGUJzh_1SlmantIs_LCB-06lTK0A8bwPD37rh3wlQmL1fz0dahUML3qB-sWv4pr5wc0amGm0oi593CZpPh0C9fkHM5i31otmJhIUX/s640/Autumn+Leaves+7.jpg" width="233" /></a></div><br />The eleven maple leaves on Steve's arm were all inked free hand by <a href="http://markharada.com/">Mark Harada</a> at Manhattan's <a href="http://www.eastsideinktattoo.com/">East Side Ink</a> over four sittings.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuW_KoP_jeiczCU0Ep3vEVWQQuGPPLdrozCcGgFEcFXztrFxLP9FUQOZM_mYU_y4ZgSm37-pC4qOz28JPAipb0buGpQGtwvxIqVzedhv4a8hSjWwR_BVbEo_bjQz1XX4xuuqALpRes/s1600/Autumn+Leaves+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuW_KoP_jeiczCU0Ep3vEVWQQuGPPLdrozCcGgFEcFXztrFxLP9FUQOZM_mYU_y4ZgSm37-pC4qOz28JPAipb0buGpQGtwvxIqVzedhv4a8hSjWwR_BVbEo_bjQz1XX4xuuqALpRes/s400/Autumn+Leaves+3.jpg" width="363" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcRMfxfv3cN05l-6utvGoUWr_pYWSL5GV0zzuwIRJY_I75NVBcBrLL7-L0LJ-CmlZJ6PL6lbKn1y357_Lk_fmh7aJ-t7a9lbvYmOJsh4n1b3wpfcaggvADjCRNZCtvfWXHMc6IgN0O/s1600/Autumn+Leaves+4+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcRMfxfv3cN05l-6utvGoUWr_pYWSL5GV0zzuwIRJY_I75NVBcBrLL7-L0LJ-CmlZJ6PL6lbKn1y357_Lk_fmh7aJ-t7a9lbvYmOJsh4n1b3wpfcaggvADjCRNZCtvfWXHMc6IgN0O/s400/Autumn+Leaves+4+wm.jpg" width="291" /></a></div><br />Steve acknowledges that the leaves changing colors represent a change, and these colorful symbols remind him that change is good.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQCLJ9TTAziHG_0qjYmc1OLNZaaPshnwTv5Wx34sE2CNu0o12l-Z091IZ_j6d_MysSrOQaaviNLPYHgeELRAjYoLeg5hCWEi1oiefHigmjnNYxsN0zxONJ4GgvbMjveSRT6C0-3IJ/s1600/Autumn+Leaves+6+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQCLJ9TTAziHG_0qjYmc1OLNZaaPshnwTv5Wx34sE2CNu0o12l-Z091IZ_j6d_MysSrOQaaviNLPYHgeELRAjYoLeg5hCWEi1oiefHigmjnNYxsN0zxONJ4GgvbMjveSRT6C0-3IJ/s320/Autumn+Leaves+6+wm.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><br />Happy Autumn to all! And thanks to Steve for sharing his fallen maple leaves with us here on Tattoosday!

Steve's Sleeve of Leaves Ushers in the Fall Season

Earlier this month, I met Steve on the D train, as we headed home to Brooklyn. He had a veritable panorama of fall foliage on his left arm a...

3:55 AM

Sara's Psalm Speaks to the Desires of Her Heart

I met Sara on the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/36th_Street_%28BMT_Fourth_Avenue_Line%29">36th Street subway platform</a> in Brooklyn last month during the late afternoon rush hour commute.<br /><br />What can I say? I'm a sucker for words and this tattoo looked poetic:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs1RdB05dB0IqYOFXKJDndhRD3RZ-KPbFS1H6LKHQNzbmVm-haGrPDaaus463WPpJ3346PpODQPqiXn43fZAcA5aq2bMwUFsIEEYO1WgzKtNT4W-ttA31enbjYVKd7LOH8gwE5Zmkf/s1600/Psalm+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs1RdB05dB0IqYOFXKJDndhRD3RZ-KPbFS1H6LKHQNzbmVm-haGrPDaaus463WPpJ3346PpODQPqiXn43fZAcA5aq2bMwUFsIEEYO1WgzKtNT4W-ttA31enbjYVKd7LOH8gwE5Zmkf/s640/Psalm+wm.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />Sara filled me in. She has three tattoos and this passage "spoke to her". She wanted something religious for her 30th birthday.<br /><br />This is an excerpt (verse 4) from Psalm 37 in the Bible.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnmBvlxyIF7w3OhyTbufGgClYCXgmEd7L0FqJvLN6nZ1lUvxtcUpuICh-9UoFeo8zHE1DXjrAQPd_6xN1o4xG6isJ6K009sAWNvsSlHDJRrKcHMNy2asMfAkBFxZakoIRxHO-rHzE3/s1600/Psalm+Detail+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnmBvlxyIF7w3OhyTbufGgClYCXgmEd7L0FqJvLN6nZ1lUvxtcUpuICh-9UoFeo8zHE1DXjrAQPd_6xN1o4xG6isJ6K009sAWNvsSlHDJRrKcHMNy2asMfAkBFxZakoIRxHO-rHzE3/s400/Psalm+Detail+wm.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><br />The verse reads "Delight thyself also in the Lord, and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart" [King James Version]. Sara changed the <i>thee </i>and <i>thine </i>to read <i>me </i>and <i>my</i>, respectively, making the verse more personal.<br /><br />This was tattooed by <a href="http://www.brooklyninktattoo.com/alex_tattoos.html">Alex Franklin</a> at <a href="http://www.brooklyninktattoo.com/">Brooklyn Ink</a> in Bay Ridge. Work from Brooklyn Ink (and much from Alex) can be seen on this Tattoosday label <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/search/label/Brooklyn%20Ink">here</a>.<br /><br />Thanks to Sara for sharing her source of inspiration with us here on Tattoosday!

Sara's Psalm Speaks to the Desires of Her Heart

I met Sara on the 36th Street subway platform in Brooklyn last month during the late afternoon rush hour commute. What can I say? I'm a...

2:43 AM

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