Gretchen's Shrine for Federico

I spotted <span class="il">Gretchen</span> in the Penn Plaza Borders and asked if she'd share the tattoo on her upper left arm. She gladly agreed:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1NavLobj_THO93JHKCLt9A7FTnA5BN8E-2AohwLyOEWRhR4kpgKZo6O5pKFWdrqBFZQm_7GSa0ywXcQ6O3n_Rhqt9PdnT7hdrVPxAyOQ2DSHJeoKkUmG5OOmedCa6z0JgyKR62qOH/s1600/Federico+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/AVvXsEh1NavLobj_THO93JHKCLt9A7FTnA5BN8E-2AohwLyOEWRhR4kpgKZo6O5pKFWdrqBFZQm_7GSa0ywXcQ6O3n_Rhqt9PdnT7hdrVPxAyOQ2DSHJeoKkUmG5OOmedCa6z0JgyKR62qOH/s640/Federico+1+wm.jpg" width="280" /></a></div><br />This piece is an homage to grandfather Federico. She remembers that he introduced her to nature, so she included natural elements like plants and butterflies. Gretchen also added a replica of her grandfather's tattoo, which was inked with the name of her grandmother, Hermes.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsldQPAhnI8l9nO7nxBy1DS_eQxvgMOrK0dqeT4bO2UGjHVbvpWDUeV61tUnFg0dlS8OXsUedOnhr5MNeQHrEtrtjBoLNcbNXGgzuEPcniyWrVR-TF1AkJfq9kOclKQo3PVwQSLT-3/s1600/Federico+1+detail+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsldQPAhnI8l9nO7nxBy1DS_eQxvgMOrK0dqeT4bO2UGjHVbvpWDUeV61tUnFg0dlS8OXsUedOnhr5MNeQHrEtrtjBoLNcbNXGgzuEPcniyWrVR-TF1AkJfq9kOclKQo3PVwQSLT-3/s320/Federico+1+detail+wm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />This is one of about  ten tattoos Gretchen has, and she had this done at <a href="http://www.myspace.com/liquidskinstudio">Liquid Skin Studio</a>, in Inwood, on the north end of Manhattan.<br /><br />Gretchen is an artist that works with craft and jewelery. You can see her website <a href="http://renfineart.blogspot.com/">here</a>.<br /><br />Thanks to Gretchen for sharing her tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!

Gretchen's Shrine for Federico

I spotted Gretchen in the Penn Plaza Borders and asked if she'd share the tattoo on her upper left arm. She gladly agreed: This piece i...

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Dave's Portrait of His Great-Grandfather

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I spotted Dave at the end of July while picking something up at the 34th Street K-Mart.<br /><br />He kindly shared this wonderful portrait of his Great-Grandfather, tattooed on his forearm:<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXUFT4y3E1mq8zlN9FqCDhl1Yy-0ZxBjW8x4G8JnJLKW85pKfuFokXTEUIjcnZxgB5nD1jP2LTC5KNzdEoSocGuLyim8ej03T9QXYCLhlaj9sGhXvKOTbq-8aXqKu6adIxVas189Tt/s1600/grandfather+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXUFT4y3E1mq8zlN9FqCDhl1Yy-0ZxBjW8x4G8JnJLKW85pKfuFokXTEUIjcnZxgB5nD1jP2LTC5KNzdEoSocGuLyim8ej03T9QXYCLhlaj9sGhXvKOTbq-8aXqKu6adIxVas189Tt/s640/grandfather+wm.jpg" width="330" /></a></div><br />His grandfather was originally from Cuba, immigrating to the United States in the 1930s.<br /><br />And although he passed in 1994, Dave recalls something his grandfather always said: "it's never too late, until you're dead".<br /><br />Tattooed by <a href="http://www.sacredtattoo.com/artists/lalo">Lalo Yunda</a> at <a href="http://www.sacredtattoo.com/">Sacred Tattoo NYC</a>, Dave has the pleasure of carrying his very important ancestor with him, wherever he goes.<br /><br />Thanks to Dave for sharing his inked family heritage with us here on Tattoosday!

Dave's Portrait of His Great-Grandfather

I spotted Dave at the end of July while picking something up at the 34th Street K-Mart. He kindly shared this wonderful portrait of his Grea...

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Edward Gorey's Insect God Graces Katie's Arm

So yesterday I met someone with two lovely tattoos based on the art of <a href="http://www.edwardgoreyhouse.org/">Edward Gorey</a>, but you're going to have to wait to see them.<br /><br />Rather, meeting those tattoos reminded me I had another Gorey tattoo to share, one that I met a month ago today in Penn Station.<br /><br />Katie has seven tattoos and is a fan of Mr. Gorey. It was this piece on her right bicep that caught my attention:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiU8XEfcHgyCFEMXbQQixp3_lHdbujnkfOCYEC7oUb3zxQT6GMCCXQynvK2zmwKphQYtDPe25bkTa-Fc6lv0pbRSyJ4S1DGMkTclkVLFxJVmmkvO3RCNGp5zy0RlsbrlM7mZIYXdiB/s1600/Gorey+Insect+God+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiU8XEfcHgyCFEMXbQQixp3_lHdbujnkfOCYEC7oUb3zxQT6GMCCXQynvK2zmwKphQYtDPe25bkTa-Fc6lv0pbRSyJ4S1DGMkTclkVLFxJVmmkvO3RCNGp5zy0RlsbrlM7mZIYXdiB/s400/Gorey+Insect+God+wm.jpg" width="341" /></a></div><br /><br />From the Gorey book of the same name, this is the "<a href="http://www.europa.com/%7Ebugranch/goreypgs.html">Insect God</a>". This cool tattoo was inked by <a href="http://www.bushidotattoo.com/chrys.html">Chrys Goldberg</a> at <a href="http://www.bushidotattoo.com/">Bushido Tattoo Studio</a>, in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calgary">Calgary</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberta">Alberta</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada">Canada</a>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLPiBWQQUIY8-FjpMe-NtBMKsaEu7_L5rxH2fpgSpxdlnkzTch6PBT2yDRvPwjISA0tJIUd9Pv0VkZIKOIkSpzU-PEvZ6dT9NqFnsXZtVNTiF92uQHqxWosNpAjRU0-iLv14r9nc_s/s1600/gorey+insect+god.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLPiBWQQUIY8-FjpMe-NtBMKsaEu7_L5rxH2fpgSpxdlnkzTch6PBT2yDRvPwjISA0tJIUd9Pv0VkZIKOIkSpzU-PEvZ6dT9NqFnsXZtVNTiF92uQHqxWosNpAjRU0-iLv14r9nc_s/s320/gorey+insect+god.jpg" /></a></div><br />Thanks again to Katie for sharing her insect deity with us here on Tattoosday!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"></div><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=0151003084&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><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=bill03-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&md=10FE9736YVPPT7A0FBG2&asins=0926637096" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe></div>

Edward Gorey's Insect God Graces Katie's Arm

So yesterday I met someone with two lovely tattoos based on the art of Edward Gorey , but you're going to have to wait to see them. Rath...

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Tony's Celtic Fish, Swimming Up His Calf

Last month, I spotted Tony on the <a href="http://www.mta.info/nyct/service/rline.htm">R train</a> after leaving the 14th Street/Union Square station.<br /><br />About thirteen years ago, his girlfriend was getting a Celtic dog tattoo, and he decided to get inked as well:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyHcWhbp1Lum6d6IV1DOkG_bM8HhbYQ__jAM9hnJIuhLuGKXjqeKUxNxvJtLGo4ieG5xk2fuYkjZa4NIsgo5P1VAsDfDYnfEg_RMJbslKFNDjcABppmasGy1hO9UmS_EOXzkswuJUC/s1600/Tony+fish+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyHcWhbp1Lum6d6IV1DOkG_bM8HhbYQ__jAM9hnJIuhLuGKXjqeKUxNxvJtLGo4ieG5xk2fuYkjZa4NIsgo5P1VAsDfDYnfEg_RMJbslKFNDjcABppmasGy1hO9UmS_EOXzkswuJUC/s640/Tony+fish+wm.jpg" width="236" /></a></div><br />These works of art on his left leg derive, he told me, were inspired by illustrations from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Kells">Book of Kells</a>.<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/AVvXsEgj5UILpKYTBgx10ZO-nTCsYUjrys_qMj07k3xgTIs6gq-Jx5ggwbFYdZWi2X3jjaNauzjloYXg3orwLnipgtn1La8BkR2edoopbhPBXhC3RQPaJMAiPCM13NPDL1OY9UNgzPn0_pDM/s1600/kells_188v1_I_lion_fish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj5UILpKYTBgx10ZO-nTCsYUjrys_qMj07k3xgTIs6gq-Jx5ggwbFYdZWi2X3jjaNauzjloYXg3orwLnipgtn1La8BkR2edoopbhPBXhC3RQPaJMAiPCM13NPDL1OY9UNgzPn0_pDM/s400/kells_188v1_I_lion_fish.jpg" width="280" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Book/Manuscript: <a href="http://www.art-imagery.com/book.php?id=kells">Book of Kells</a><br />VII Century, Ireland / ScotlandPage (Folio): 188v<br />initial letter I with lion and fish<br />(from http://www.art-imagery.com/) </td></tr></tbody></table>Tony explained that he is a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scuba_diving">SCUBA</a> instructor, so these fish from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mackerel">mackerel</a> family are a nice link to that vocation.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg19QhIQgqlfcfYDleqBRc8Awd9Rp-5Fveh4xuY-Rmh4Zc6f5k0ki5dQGq0Nze6CwkkBaLX7ri_WqJpEBQS_Xx3YSwcaVaqaWkphN6j0SVpsn69diLsXDJpVm-RVIr-BZYzeQUw_9BQ/s1600/Tony+fish+little+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg19QhIQgqlfcfYDleqBRc8Awd9Rp-5Fveh4xuY-Rmh4Zc6f5k0ki5dQGq0Nze6CwkkBaLX7ri_WqJpEBQS_Xx3YSwcaVaqaWkphN6j0SVpsn69diLsXDJpVm-RVIr-BZYzeQUw_9BQ/s640/Tony+fish+little+wm.jpg" width="262" /></a></div><br />Not only have these tattoos held up over the years, they are noteworthy because they were inked by <a href="http://www.luckyfish.com/">Pat Fish</a> in Santa Barbara, who is regarded as one of the premiere artists working with Celtic designs.<br /><br />I also love the coincidental nature of Fish by Fish.<br /><br />Thanks to Tony for sharing these amazing tattoos with us here on Tattoosday!

Tony's Celtic Fish, Swimming Up His Calf

Last month, I spotted Tony on the R train after leaving the 14th Street/Union Square station. About thirteen years ago, his girlfriend was ...

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Two Segements of Renae's Arm

I spotted a whole lot going on with Renae's left forearm, while browsing at the Chelsea Salvation Army store, so I just had to ask.<br /><br />Let's deconstruct:<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijhyAVclT4WGtYpLgaFqLYzB9i8SaYZlCwwD_PylpchO2tPIVXj_kJ_qGTUYKXi3KsVUrcxlT4d9-HbzsKXlTqGDniVWLvlQAQgDuPDSAyxoB3S_7U4Jtq_9rHFztsInBJ1DM4kpzv/s1600/Renae+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/AVvXsEijhyAVclT4WGtYpLgaFqLYzB9i8SaYZlCwwD_PylpchO2tPIVXj_kJ_qGTUYKXi3KsVUrcxlT4d9-HbzsKXlTqGDniVWLvlQAQgDuPDSAyxoB3S_7U4Jtq_9rHFztsInBJ1DM4kpzv/s640/Renae+Collage+wm.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br />The first part of this tattoo is the dark heart on the inner part of the forearm. Renae attributes this to Rob at the <a href="http://www.myspace.com/hartandhuntingtonorlando">Orlando branch</a> of <a href="http://www.hartandhuntingtontattoo.com/">Hart and Huntington</a>. In over three years of inkspotting, this is the first piece on Tattoosday that has been credited to one of their shops.<br /><br />Renae, who has "no idea" how many tattoos she has (which is synonymous for "too many to count"), wanted to add to her arm, so she headed to <a href="http://www.brooklyninktattoo.com/">Brooklyn Ink</a> in Bay Ridge.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.brooklyninktattoo.com/alex_tattoos.html">Alex Franklin</a> was given free reign, according to Renae. Her exact quote was "use your imagination and run," which must be music to many a tattooists ears.<br /><br />Alex did the flourishes around the original tattoo, along with the phrase "gutta cavat lapidem," a Latin phrase by Ovid which translates to "dripping water hollows out a stone," which is a shortened version of the line "Dripping water hollows out stone, not through force but through persistence." This quote is known to many New Yorkers who have seen it inscribed underground <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/anniemole/2867842328/">here</a> (with a broader description <a href="http://www.mta.info/mta/aft/permanentart/permart.html?agency=n&line=D&station=4&artist=1&img=1&xdev=240">here</a>).<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />And he tattooed the piece on the other side of the arm:<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJFt7O3zDIp-DVWsPfvsdfRTMWSgUoVAXrsUh6KSN9zfIXwwata30vIu1KAUKAVV2QAy92g5nFOOjZVs9SSexq-YY67d6l4y_ImBmYM4L9CQ0WcMquA2zq2Lt1rSiFvM3Km7ofMbaA/s1600/Renae+floral+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJFt7O3zDIp-DVWsPfvsdfRTMWSgUoVAXrsUh6KSN9zfIXwwata30vIu1KAUKAVV2QAy92g5nFOOjZVs9SSexq-YY67d6l4y_ImBmYM4L9CQ0WcMquA2zq2Lt1rSiFvM3Km7ofMbaA/s640/Renae+floral+wm.jpg" width="250" /></a></div><br />Work from Brooklyn Ink (and a lot by Alex) has appeared previously on Tattoosday <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/search/label/Brooklyn%20Ink">here</a>.<br /><br />Thanks to Renae for sharing her tattoos with us here on Tattoosday!

Two Segements of Renae's Arm

I spotted a whole lot going on with Renae's left forearm, while browsing at the Chelsea Salvation Army store, so I just had to ask. Let...

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John's Root People

At the end of July, I coincidentally exited the A train at 14th Street at the same time as John, who was visiting from Nevada.<br /><br />I had been admiring his sleeve on the train, but didn't have the opportunity to speak to him about it until after he got off the subway.<br /><br />He referred to these creatures as "Root People":<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><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/AVvXsEihUZpUIhk140KzmYQkbROQ4HgAO4Wdy2srNEMV0FHgIuxlUAwZQJE3ZumeiBD9ZwP-JPwDh03ZM3w2dZKp33RltzGhjq57JRbezJWHU_PcJIuOc9hHQhmjRzPv0kUnD4MIeuURmLDd/s1600/tree+people+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/AVvXsEihUZpUIhk140KzmYQkbROQ4HgAO4Wdy2srNEMV0FHgIuxlUAwZQJE3ZumeiBD9ZwP-JPwDh03ZM3w2dZKp33RltzGhjq57JRbezJWHU_PcJIuOc9hHQhmjRzPv0kUnD4MIeuURmLDd/s640/tree+people+collage+wm.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><br />It's an abstract collaboration with the artist, Rickett, at <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-ruby-lantern-carson-city">The Ruby Lantern</a> in Carson City, Nevada.<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/AVvXsEjYHqmhNUbSgkwSw8mdXo0bxQ-qUNO5Dp-YiOIt1irV0zPkneZdV5hX4nhT4DwEVd6er5Q9z14GVLzHXPIeEw9hCQMSaH1BwUfUksJwW-922SslkvYr75lRhbX4mdCLl5UQtU1VPztq/s1600/tree+people+2+detail+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYHqmhNUbSgkwSw8mdXo0bxQ-qUNO5Dp-YiOIt1irV0zPkneZdV5hX4nhT4DwEVd6er5Q9z14GVLzHXPIeEw9hCQMSaH1BwUfUksJwW-922SslkvYr75lRhbX4mdCLl5UQtU1VPztq/s320/tree+people+2+detail+wm.jpg" /></a></div><br />They started working together in January of this year, and they're not yet finished with the whole sleeve. As you can tell, it's very unusual and has a very unique approach.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><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/AVvXsEgDOmMZxs_HwillGszLbYTyLoL4cJNr35PENOGhfRdU4P2gfSkOLuuDvyY2c_70LLq0GIzTHRETTWBhm_XjMzxT5serpBi7wbPsvhdRxpBugTr8wL6EN598zWmHWtZm8feDfv0_DYPg/s1600/tree+people+3+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDOmMZxs_HwillGszLbYTyLoL4cJNr35PENOGhfRdU4P2gfSkOLuuDvyY2c_70LLq0GIzTHRETTWBhm_XjMzxT5serpBi7wbPsvhdRxpBugTr8wL6EN598zWmHWtZm8feDfv0_DYPg/s640/tree+people+3+wm.jpg" width="206" /></a></div><br />These designs are all on John's right arm, and I am particular to the female tree person above on his inner forearm.<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/AVvXsEjrDZ2JTXYsh9RW19WOuM1yRJNWqe8cQWiqHpeIRxWk4BnxY9SwOg7Y63hBrX4uqXNfxijLNzQudlYa3NvjxQtpG6BntdQ2UNKTnlpTkWfBuAEd-pgYRzy-qGmzlIUma4Jqs3RSHFDB/s1600/tree+people+3+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/AVvXsEjrDZ2JTXYsh9RW19WOuM1yRJNWqe8cQWiqHpeIRxWk4BnxY9SwOg7Y63hBrX4uqXNfxijLNzQudlYa3NvjxQtpG6BntdQ2UNKTnlpTkWfBuAEd-pgYRzy-qGmzlIUma4Jqs3RSHFDB/s640/tree+people+3+detail+wm.jpg" width="364" /></a></div><br />Thanks to John for sharing his Root People here with us on Tattoosday!

John's Root People

At the end of July, I coincidentally exited the A train at 14th Street at the same time as John, who was visiting from Nevada. I had been ad...

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Gina's Phoenix

In late June, I ran into Gina in Penn Station and complimented her on a tattoo she had on her back. At the time, she was wearing something with straps that covered part of the design. I gave her a flier and she remarked that she had just recently discovered the site through <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/2010/06/julies-crazy-tattoo.html">this post</a> on the tattoo of Julie Powell.<br /><br />Alas, like so many folks to whom I give fliers, I didn't receive any emails or photos. But a month passed and one day I was pleasantly surprised to see an email from Gina, with the following photos of her phoenix tattoo:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsy3014n3wecxoWW2pKaHn4quuczSQjXSfyLLPxGzoDyYhQdW7B3SIOqrILyDVLWAdmUegtkFr33tgqLvQFG6k1gxcNexChE0wNa_YkGxwX9x5EQBIcb3ukGfrhSay19ZQ5_xnWqxK/s1600/IMG_6288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsy3014n3wecxoWW2pKaHn4quuczSQjXSfyLLPxGzoDyYhQdW7B3SIOqrILyDVLWAdmUegtkFr33tgqLvQFG6k1gxcNexChE0wNa_YkGxwX9x5EQBIcb3ukGfrhSay19ZQ5_xnWqxK/s640/IMG_6288.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />I'll let her explain the rest:<br /><br /><blockquote>"... I had completely forgotten [about sending in the photo] until I found the picture I took for you on my camera... This was done by Junii at the <a href="http://www.myspace.com/10117559">Diamond Club</a> in San Francisco. [Bill Salmon, Junii's husband, is the studio owner]. She does amazing line work.  She's also incredibly conscientious about design and her clients.  For both my tattoos, she spend a lot of time talking with me, looking at the 20 pictures I had brought in of bits or aspects of what I wanted, then went off and did her own research, always coming back with exactly the right drawing.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtKcVnyz_FbgyHma4e-ojNZotCcNkqUqaymQ1YaJNFlrTLt0QmR8bH3U13E4tRZtl78PL9faPmffYcnKHN8Vhk7ZAMH5t0B9mJmxWM9U7PciT3SbcUGTZKsjWRTwUbpooyGx838MMj/s1600/IMG_6288+detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtKcVnyz_FbgyHma4e-ojNZotCcNkqUqaymQ1YaJNFlrTLt0QmR8bH3U13E4tRZtl78PL9faPmffYcnKHN8Vhk7ZAMH5t0B9mJmxWM9U7PciT3SbcUGTZKsjWRTwUbpooyGx838MMj/s400/IMG_6288+detail.jpg" width="303" /></a></div><br />This one - I got it after a really, really difficult year. So, obviously, not the deepest symbolism - just wanted to remind myself of the possibility of renewal."</blockquote><br />Thanks to Gina for sharing her tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!

Gina's Phoenix

In late June, I ran into Gina in Penn Station and complimented her on a tattoo she had on her back. At the time, she was wearing something w...

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Alex Shares a Floral Tattoo, Roots and All

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Sometimes I see tattoos before I see people.<br /><br />Back in July, for example, I approached a guy on the West 4th Street subway platform to ask him about this tattoo on his right forearm:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLbVtUau_uuvz1OmcveC_qI1RicbHKsqddcN9JhmSEFMdBpN9T56pB6Ak4cqlF4myknA7KPs8BVVkN_A_LFZFN_tZzOf5DV4EKvRy4C5QQfFXFesbX_Ki3aY94y8kNs2_XVJfzAehF/s1600/alex+floral+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/AVvXsEhLbVtUau_uuvz1OmcveC_qI1RicbHKsqddcN9JhmSEFMdBpN9T56pB6Ak4cqlF4myknA7KPs8BVVkN_A_LFZFN_tZzOf5DV4EKvRy4C5QQfFXFesbX_Ki3aY94y8kNs2_XVJfzAehF/s640/alex+floral+1+wm.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>It was only after I said hello to him that I realized he was someone named Alex who lives in my neighborhood in Brooklyn.<br /><br />In fact, Alex had a tattoo featured <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/2008/07/honoring-his-son.html">here</a> back in 2009, after I stopped  him in the laundromat.<br /><br />This floral tattoo is a representation of how a flower overcomes obstacles and pain to lay down roots, rises up, and blooms.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-9Da1W8EwwaNRSm5qerNowCpyt_CXenhCPEsieMNd0cWanb53NoA2D3fzkROu3b79p86Fa-YBPKF54K8YxdAGf2bb7ITuPOyzXqO_7eCZgLqqDfeqTLS58HRiBpsS2himlQIl86Rk/s1600/alex+floral+1+detail+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="383" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-9Da1W8EwwaNRSm5qerNowCpyt_CXenhCPEsieMNd0cWanb53NoA2D3fzkROu3b79p86Fa-YBPKF54K8YxdAGf2bb7ITuPOyzXqO_7eCZgLqqDfeqTLS58HRiBpsS2himlQIl86Rk/s400/alex+floral+1+detail+wm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />He draws the comparison to life, as nothing comes without hard work and bypassing obstacles.<br /><br />The tattoo was created by Shon Lindauer at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/New-York-NY/Thicker-Than-Water/225369517165#%21/pages/New-York-NY/Thicker-Than-Water/225369517165?v=wall">Thicker Than Water</a> in Manhattan. Shon is the same artist that did the <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/2010/01/tyger-tyger-burning-bright.html">tiger on my calf</a>. Other work from Thicker Than Water has appeared previously on Tattoosday here.<br /><br />Thanks to Alex for once again sharing his work with us here on Tattoosday!

Alex Shares a Floral Tattoo, Roots and All

Sometimes I see tattoos before I see people. Back in July, for example, I approached a guy on the West 4th Street subway platform to ask him...

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Kevin's Gravitational Tattoo

I love word tattoos so I couldn't help but stop Kevin at Barnes & Noble earlier this month. He had this tattoo inked on his inner right forearm:<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgifzdHBSrTP6uxtrjlasG2YNovHXQjgVts94j5HdIuDcnZSsQICdMymKaL84f51Y5Ao4FXVgOlAeAqkU-hBeNp88YffdCpL_XGypqI4hJ1pioupKmc242YPMzA0F2MgbobUo29AQIK/s1600/Gravity+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgifzdHBSrTP6uxtrjlasG2YNovHXQjgVts94j5HdIuDcnZSsQICdMymKaL84f51Y5Ao4FXVgOlAeAqkU-hBeNp88YffdCpL_XGypqI4hJ1pioupKmc242YPMzA0F2MgbobUo29AQIK/s400/Gravity+wm.jpg" width="357" /></a></div><br />He explained that he enrolled in school not knowing for sure what he wanted to do. He was on a path for a career in finance, but also has a keen interest in art and graphic design.<br /><br />He says that the tattoo is a reminder that, although gravity is all around us, and pulling us toward the status quo, he should stay true to himself and never give up his interest in art.<br /><br />He had this done by <a href="http://www.bettyrosetattoos.com/">Betty Rose</a> at <a href="http://www.redrockettattoo.com/index2.html">Red Rocket Tattoo</a> in Manhattan. Work from Red Rocket has appeared previously on Tattoosday <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/search/label/Red%20Rocket%20Tattoo">here</a>.<br /><br />Thanks to Kevin for sharing his Gravity with us here on Tattoosday!

Kevin's Gravitational Tattoo

I love word tattoos so I couldn't help but stop Kevin at Barnes & Noble earlier this month. He had this tattoo inked on his inner ri...

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Travis and Another Perspective of Ganesh

People who are familiar with being featured here on Tattoosday know that there is a process, in which I generally go chronologically, and it often can be several weeks before I post their work.<br /><br />But there are always exceptions.<br /><br />Take, for example, Travis, who I met on Monday near the corner of 32nd and 8th Avenue waiting for a bus.<br /><br />Under normal circumstances, you'd have seen Travis's tattoo in September but, the next day, I got the following mysterious tweet: "<span class="status-body"><span class="status-content"><span class="entry-content">@<a class="tweet-url username" href="http://twitter.com/Tattoosday" rel="nofollow">Tattoosday</a> post pictures of that guys tattoos- you were talking to him yesterday outside MSG plzz! *stalker*".</span></span></span><br /><br /><span class="status-body"><span class="status-content"><span class="entry-content">What?</span></span></span><br /><br /><span class="status-body"><span class="status-content"><span class="entry-content">Well, a little bit of digging, and I discovered that the source of the message was Hannah, who appeared last month on Tattoosday <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/2010/07/sugar-skull-sunday-hannah-and-her.html">here</a>.</span></span></span> And since I'm a sucker for my fans, I'll gladly oblige and share Travis's tattoo with us here today. Here it is:<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBXgCWzyEu1-p4lAkazBjG1v2VN2KE-8lMzUYMzcpJ1ft98r3_n0IrrDgNiMvLz0IpnOPkXcW-WQCTBeigx6U3lIYTRRwc-3fHqFPu_5G9Yry-ppCNT1cfL5LV8KqmGXTekk9VZMUz/s1600/Ganesh+Travis+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBXgCWzyEu1-p4lAkazBjG1v2VN2KE-8lMzUYMzcpJ1ft98r3_n0IrrDgNiMvLz0IpnOPkXcW-WQCTBeigx6U3lIYTRRwc-3fHqFPu_5G9Yry-ppCNT1cfL5LV8KqmGXTekk9VZMUz/s640/Ganesh+Travis+wm.jpg" width="404" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />Travis's tattoo depicts the Hindu deity <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganesha">Ganesh</a>. However, unlike <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/2010/06/ganesh-waits-for-a-train.html">this Ganesh tattoo</a>, this one has a twist.<br /><br />Travis explained that one of the common beliefs is that Ganesh was born with a human head, but that he was beheaded as a boy, and his head was replaced with that of an elephant. He obtained a third eye so that he could make sure he was never betrayed again.<br /><br />Travis says that he often feels "too aware" of others, to the point that it detracts from his enjoyment of life. Thus, his tattoo of Ganesh has him literally slicing off the third eye, wielding a sword with his trunk, which metaphorically translates to Travis "cooling out" and being less aware so that he can enjoy life more.<br /><br />The "F.I.A." on the banner stand for "Fuck It All".<br /><br />Travis has eight tattoos, which includes a full sleeve, all by artist <a href="http://www.daredeviltattoo.com/component/option,com_gallery2/Itemid,26/?g2_itemId=2142">Brad Stevens</a> at <a href="http://www.daredeviltattoo.com/">Dare Devil Tattoo</a> in New York City.<br /><br />Thanks to Travis for sharing this interesting interpretation of Ganesh with us here on Tattoosday!

Travis and Another Perspective of Ganesh

People who are familiar with being featured here on Tattoosday know that there is a process, in which I generally go chronologically, and it...

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