Christmas House Cleaning

Regular readers of Tattoosday will notice that, although I generally follow a chronological order when I share tattoos I have encountered.<br /><br />However, certain pieces, for various and sundry reasons, have been bypassed, and haven't made it to the blog, until now.<br /><br />I was originally going to post a dozen to represent the Twelve Days of Christmas, but I settled for eight. For the nights of Chanukah, perhaps?<br /><br />Without intending to offend anyone for not receiving a post all to themselves, I have lumped these tattoos, spanning from late August to late October, in one post.<br /><br />These are the neglected tattoo pictures that are just a little off, some not through the fault of the contributor, but for reasons beyond their control.<br /><br />The quality of the photo may not be ideal, or the host and I faced a language barrier that prevented a good back story from emerging, or I didn't find the story behind the tattoo especially compelling. And then<br />there's what is likely one of the poorest tattoos I have seen, but the story behind it is somewhat compelling.<br /><br />So, without further ado, here is a Christmas cleaning, eight posts rolled together into one gigantic one.<br /><br />~~~<br /><br />First up, we have Esteban, who shared his sleeve when I met him in September, at <a href="http://www.fairwaymarket.com/Directions/redhookdirections.html">Fairway</a> in Red Hook:<br /><br />Alas, I was still using a borrowed camera, and several shots were over-exposed and/or blurry, but I was able to salvage this one:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsvuwob4God9ifZacp7ptZI_twHkt3VsBUcYFMbSIf5ojzYkp3eHIRTF_Ie7jiUw3et3JCwvx2wuZDv0CTkWgJjKPmUGb7q7yxFvExH8LfpnopZSYRHmcs5FjQWwDBjFGidLF6vbK6C3o/s1600/esteban.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsvuwob4God9ifZacp7ptZI_twHkt3VsBUcYFMbSIf5ojzYkp3eHIRTF_Ie7jiUw3et3JCwvx2wuZDv0CTkWgJjKPmUGb7q7yxFvExH8LfpnopZSYRHmcs5FjQWwDBjFGidLF6vbK6C3o/s640/esteban.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><br />The artwork is pre-Colombian in its inspiration, and is part of a larger tropical motif. <br /><br />Next up we have Dave, who I met in Penn Station. He has over 25 tattoos and selected this one to share:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyNycGE1_8vGpekriN-KisptwFnlDNPqHE_iiX3LKN8OeAk06HUw59h8kuLOdSurR4NQbmUxD5AVnx7jiTWG4hfEXh7Onpy9xRJqUCc5oNbr-KgDukdEnllfHR6jfVllkeKiGeoFA4RCU/s1600/United+and+Strong.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyNycGE1_8vGpekriN-KisptwFnlDNPqHE_iiX3LKN8OeAk06HUw59h8kuLOdSurR4NQbmUxD5AVnx7jiTWG4hfEXh7Onpy9xRJqUCc5oNbr-KgDukdEnllfHR6jfVllkeKiGeoFA4RCU/s400/United+and+Strong.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />The phrase "Uniting the Strong" is the title of a song from <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victim_in_Pain">Victim in Pain</a></i>, the second album from the band <a href="http://www.agnosticfront.com/">Agnostic Front</a>. This is a friendship tattoo that stresses unity and the host's nod to the hardcore punk scene.<br /><br />Dave credits Jelena at <a href="http://www.lonewolftattoo.com/">Lone Wolf Tattoo</a> in Bellmore, New York with this piece.<br /><br />~~~<br /><br />Next we have Orlando, a Fine Arts student at <a href="http://www.fitnyc.edu/">FIT</a>, where I met him outside while walking toward 23rd Street on my lunch break, also in September.<br /><br />This ship tattoo is an homage to his father, who served in the navy for thirty years. He wanted a "classic look" in the Sailor Jerry style.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaMldgFO_m4uDnkRSaSYpUhpt3PzurHcZM7mcxd4zxxX099MFIRWL78SVtz4PdG2ge7magTn98lA0NMUus4vJn5sBv5I_lhcCllpG12lqwfXoStkfIBaYmHLMmQIIAZIERM41qKmBGXTg/s1600/Orlando+Ship.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaMldgFO_m4uDnkRSaSYpUhpt3PzurHcZM7mcxd4zxxX099MFIRWL78SVtz4PdG2ge7magTn98lA0NMUus4vJn5sBv5I_lhcCllpG12lqwfXoStkfIBaYmHLMmQIIAZIERM41qKmBGXTg/s400/Orlando+Ship.jpg" width="247" /></a></div><br />Orlando confirmed for me that his dad loves the tattoo.<br /><br />It was inked at <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/crazy-fantasy-tattoo-new-york">Crazy Fantasy Tattoo</a> in Manhattan by an artist named Antonio.<br /><br />[Update: I got a better, crisper picture from Orlando of the ship tattoo in May 2011:]<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIWCpbSRbTJUOijxWDD3n6_cY3Dm8jBa8nBL_G3tMFrz1LnY6LbDlFHmHdIITreQQDrRRBf_09tvzaGI0KzSEd7lESBfiDqgfwpgmFBgRUOWqWTBwwbRPfE6NP2Ns32CZw-6YocE43sHk/s1600/Orlando+Ship+2011_picnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIWCpbSRbTJUOijxWDD3n6_cY3Dm8jBa8nBL_G3tMFrz1LnY6LbDlFHmHdIITreQQDrRRBf_09tvzaGI0KzSEd7lESBfiDqgfwpgmFBgRUOWqWTBwwbRPfE6NP2Ns32CZw-6YocE43sHk/s400/Orlando+Ship+2011_picnik.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><br />Orlando has seven tattoos in all [in May 2011, he updated this number to ten], and shared this one, as well, inked at <a href="http://www.daredeviltattoo.com/">Dare Devil Tattoo</a> on the Lower East Side.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhczreJjA_oL1AcTM6_5tm2ZRcW3uJ3BtYSt7O2r7zqiK50VqrdC0wQdHmnLWg5DeeKcwabgLXidFhveMtq2uuOTlveZTuZnzRA18RtoYxwWAkPg68GmU-4nq0RYn7kFThOOIAuBDq6nOQ/s1600/Orlando+Bon+Iver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhczreJjA_oL1AcTM6_5tm2ZRcW3uJ3BtYSt7O2r7zqiK50VqrdC0wQdHmnLWg5DeeKcwabgLXidFhveMtq2uuOTlveZTuZnzRA18RtoYxwWAkPg68GmU-4nq0RYn7kFThOOIAuBDq6nOQ/s400/Orlando+Bon+Iver.jpg" width="258" /></a></div><br />The quote, "<span id="search" style="visibility: visible;">This my excavation and today<i></i> is Kumran"</span> is from a song called "re: Stacks" by <a href="http://www.boniver.org/">Bon Iver</a>.<br /><br />Orlando explained that he interprets this quote as a reminder that "every day has the ability to make you or break you. It just depends on what you do with it." Other interpretations are <a href="http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/3530822107858674649/">here</a>.<br /><br />For the record, I did email Orlando to ask for an opportunity to get clearer pictures, but I did not hear back from him.<br /><br />~~~<br /><br />I met Farkas in <a href="http://www.unionsquarenyc.org/">Union Square</a> back in October. He had this wolf on his right arm:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9uTGZ1csG8LdJNkWM6dsG5Z1zyzZNoto8piZW9UncPWGuMbxldjiKJaTyt7j1lS0A0exCLEGRwjN1NHLbvonSCEpigRpFX6nLtveWMIC2uBTYOcVDyQL0bJKu_szlqUAXYeFaucUv9KE/s1600/Farkas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9uTGZ1csG8LdJNkWM6dsG5Z1zyzZNoto8piZW9UncPWGuMbxldjiKJaTyt7j1lS0A0exCLEGRwjN1NHLbvonSCEpigRpFX6nLtveWMIC2uBTYOcVDyQL0bJKu_szlqUAXYeFaucUv9KE/s400/Farkas.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />He explained that his name means "wolf" in Hungarian, and that one of his friends in Hungary did this tattoo for him.<br /><br />~~~<br /><br />A couple days after meeting Farkas, I met an Israeli named Ran on 34th Street across from <a href="http://www.macys.com/">Macy*s</a>. He shared this iguana on his right leg:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWGviOLNA8kH42_VRGZMVHY12xenXiynj6VupfXXIOB-CjMDyQr4lDpfFr5WpUI92skMtO6cvEp7F5YBhTh3E9xRBuztAfRwb3n_KsS-mvZpFrWuxLtdz-VC-exX2WzO7eXOjiG6jLZt0/s1600/Iguana_picnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWGviOLNA8kH42_VRGZMVHY12xenXiynj6VupfXXIOB-CjMDyQr4lDpfFr5WpUI92skMtO6cvEp7F5YBhTh3E9xRBuztAfRwb3n_KsS-mvZpFrWuxLtdz-VC-exX2WzO7eXOjiG6jLZt0/s640/Iguana_picnik.jpg" width="304" /></a></div><br /><br />It's a pretty nice tattoo, but he hasn't sent me any further details about it.<br /><br />~~~<br /><br />A couple weeks later, I was in the West Village before a concert, and met Carlos, a manager at the <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&expIds=17259,27342,27642,28067&sugexp=ldymls&xhr=t&cp=9&qe=cWRvYmEgMTAwMA&qesig=ioAfmDfQL9io8qJXivfDRw&pkc=AFgZ2tn4CORECvVIyeLyU2neM3rYho1uXF-JgkCMN3WPXIASZMzsBqf9zoXZYVCZMemdAnlBQwpPIUCXg07_bR4jmJS4wGewDw&client=firefox-a&hs=mBF&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=qdoba+10001&fb=1&gl=us&hq=qdoba&hnear=New+York+10001&ei=-DoWTejMIM6s8AaP58W7Dg&sa=X&oi=local_group&ct=image&resnum=2&sqi=2&ved=0CAQQtgMwAQ&iwloc=3378200444570630634">Qdoba Mexican Grill</a> where we were having a quick bite before the show. He shared this intricate tattoo on his right arm:<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivaOnhoDRtpohBXPHtm7PdUkZsVlIIupT2wXN42OxbRKxjC0cmD5VI52pmyhP_tj8eusDD0lFnTzgzJ5BV6T3KSzaDFbnkZigEVW3XzVigZ4tUQsvLx4oWx4FPEPtEiE06T4QHcnHVN7o/s1600/puzzle+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivaOnhoDRtpohBXPHtm7PdUkZsVlIIupT2wXN42OxbRKxjC0cmD5VI52pmyhP_tj8eusDD0lFnTzgzJ5BV6T3KSzaDFbnkZigEVW3XzVigZ4tUQsvLx4oWx4FPEPtEiE06T4QHcnHVN7o/s640/puzzle+wm.jpg" width="234" /></a></div><br />He and friend collaborated on this tattoo together. He told me that, when he was little, he did jigsaw puzzles with his mother a lot. The tattoo reminds him of those fun times growing up.<br /><br />~~~<br /><br />The following week, I ran into Iancu in Penn Station, and he shared this piece on his upper left arm:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj2HsM9WuInCxCAFvqUQrXV3mswwY60-BSp7AriKkFwfPqdRf3d1Limj1RyE2_gMgBeFpB_4dCXBsOeSVxc1Nm0rxQtMrjIQ1WnilbwVZ_EwDAniBfUOcXLomhKyQAvPncErw9dDzyzg0/s1600/guns+roses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj2HsM9WuInCxCAFvqUQrXV3mswwY60-BSp7AriKkFwfPqdRf3d1Limj1RyE2_gMgBeFpB_4dCXBsOeSVxc1Nm0rxQtMrjIQ1WnilbwVZ_EwDAniBfUOcXLomhKyQAvPncErw9dDzyzg0/s400/guns+roses.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />Iancu told me he came to the artist, Rico, formerly of <a href="http://www.risingdragon.com/">Rising Dragon</a> in Manhattan, who was initially unwilling to do the tattoo. However, he convinced him to do it. It's basically a <a href="http://web.gunsnroses.com/index.jsp">Guns N' Roses</a> tribute although, he<br />noted, the guns were added about a year and a half after the original design was inked.<br /><br />~~~<br /><br />And finally, I must first say that  it is very rare that I ever criticize the quality of a tattoo.<br /><br />Even if it is inferior to the work of much better artists, I always like to believe there are some redeeming qualities in a tattoo.<br /><br />Which is why I struggled with this next tattoo, which I photographer back in August, and which I have included in this odds and ends post in December.<br /><br />I approached a guy named Danny who had a lot of interestingly-tattooed words and such on his arms.<br /><br />However, he offered to remove his shirt in Penn Station so I could photograph this:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk0d9m6nzc0urSfP61gZFzqAdbnjCnzaT18pp40EG9B45CmIpQA8RQqEqnReDhyphenhyphen6P35OWFJ1qpPLPXvItQq8uzsOk6lwocIpOQ9DwOC6vUkULGA6gJJqLd3wNg1elXeShMe-dGVSnUz74/s1600/diamonds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk0d9m6nzc0urSfP61gZFzqAdbnjCnzaT18pp40EG9B45CmIpQA8RQqEqnReDhyphenhyphen6P35OWFJ1qpPLPXvItQq8uzsOk6lwocIpOQ9DwOC6vUkULGA6gJJqLd3wNg1elXeShMe-dGVSnUz74/s400/diamonds.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />Um, yeah.<br /><br />If this was done by an experienced artist, I would likely not have posted it. Despite its obvious flaws, it is compelling, in my opinion, because Danny told me, like all his tattoos (15 or 16, he told me), this one was<br />self-inked. Now, I can see tattooing one's arm or leg, but I cannot even fathom how challenging it would be to self-tattoo your chest. He estimated this took one and a half hours to do.<br /><br />The message is "Diamonds Aren't Forever," or, in  Danny's words, "don't take what you have for granted".<br /><br />~~~<br /><br />So there you have it, a Spring Cleaning for Christmas.<br /><br />I do sincerely thank the individuals who shared their tattoos in this entry. Happy Holidays, y'all!

Christmas House Cleaning

Regular readers of Tattoosday will notice that, although I generally follow a chronological order when I share tattoos I have encountered. H...

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Kristen's Puzzle Piece

When I stopped Kristen at our local grocery store, I did so to ask her about her sleeve, which was coming along nicely.<br /><br />Kristen recognized the name of the blog and informed me that she was familiar with us here at Tattoosday, because her sister <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/2009/05/laurens-thigh-tattoo-salutes-mastodon.html">Lauren</a>, and her friend <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/2009/02/amandas-hands-are-well-armed.html">Amanda</a>, have already appeared on the site (click their names to see their work).<br /><br />So it didn't take much persuading to have Kristin share some of her work and we went with this small piece on her inner right wrist:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrT0DKnDCnt6e7cuELGdxMOfHGWkkGTzL-_N9Z_S9QILou2cwOsUD_rorSlXLfDx2PCuBOyc2EKrLG7apvx9UHxoEa1LjaFGVnw9tjAbiR2jbJJ0PzgXBhBAspTVWsKSg_XqR-JXot/s1600/Kristen+Autism+Puzzle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrT0DKnDCnt6e7cuELGdxMOfHGWkkGTzL-_N9Z_S9QILou2cwOsUD_rorSlXLfDx2PCuBOyc2EKrLG7apvx9UHxoEa1LjaFGVnw9tjAbiR2jbJJ0PzgXBhBAspTVWsKSg_XqR-JXot/s400/Kristen+Autism+Puzzle.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Kristen teaches kids with <a href="https://health.google.com/health/ref/Autism">autism</a> and the puzzle piece is a symbol used to raise <a href="http://autism.about.com/b/2007/04/18/why-are-puzzle-pieces-used-to-raise-autism-awareness.htm">autism awareness</a>. <a href="http://www.autismspeaks.org/">Autism Speaks</a> is one organization that raises money to fund autism research that uses the symbol prominently in its literature.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3h52sbAyjD0t_xCRrSh4q8EZjLqIaLPPDTIkgpAYkhBochPwj7A8yuP_En36u_2QwUjd9OfkRnGZWUYdF-1bnI3j28UzUOKY6zb8Ir1fcj41A6owNLylk6rwYrYzafgIABolblcIs/s1600/autism-speaks1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3h52sbAyjD0t_xCRrSh4q8EZjLqIaLPPDTIkgpAYkhBochPwj7A8yuP_En36u_2QwUjd9OfkRnGZWUYdF-1bnI3j28UzUOKY6zb8Ir1fcj41A6owNLylk6rwYrYzafgIABolblcIs/s200/autism-speaks1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>The puzzle piece filled with all the other puzzle pieces is a tribute to all the kids that Kristen has had the pleasure to work with. She added the letter "B" to represent one student named Brian, with whom she has worked for six years. She says he has changed her life through the value of the experience of her teaching him.<br /><br />As a child of educators, I admire the work that most teachers do, but am in awe of those who commit their lives to helping teach kids with special needs. It's an honor to have Kristen and her tattoo on the site.<br /><br />The tattoo was inked by <a href="http://www.michaelbellamy.com/">Michael Bellamy</a> at <a href="http://www.redrockettattoo.com/">Red Rocket Tattoo</a> in Manhattan. Click <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/search/label/Red%20Rocket%20Tattoo">here</a> to see work from Red Rocket previously featured on Tattoosday, much of which was done by Mr. Bellamy.<br /><br />Thanks again to Kristen for sharing a piece of her tattoo collection with us here at Tattoosday!

Kristen's Puzzle Piece

When I stopped Kristen at our local grocery store, I did so to ask her about her sleeve, which was coming along nicely. Kristen recognized t...

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