Oh what a day...

I think I tattooed for twelve hours today, straight.  I started the day with a cross on James, a first timer.  Anna got these traditional, custom drawn, mirror-image roses on her shoulder-cap, (I  LOVE tattooing roses)!  I took a pic of each rose with the Hipstamatic, and also posted a pic of the tattoo I took without a filter since the Hipstamatics blur the center of the roses a bit.  I then outlined the start of a lower-back cover-up tattoo, (normally I don't post in-progress photos, but in this case I think the picture is better explanation than my words can be).  Then, (to my poor clients dismay running two hours late), I started on some initials for Ben, (a tribute to his triplet daughters).  I didn't take a picture of the tattoo, but I did take a picture of the rough sketch, which I found archived in my photos.  Whew, what a way to end the week, I'll be relaxing tomorrow!

Dragon Koi's and Family Crests

Started the day with a family crest tattoo on James.  It was his first tattoo and he was a pro!  He got the tattoo on his forearm.  The final image is modified quite a bit from the original picture he brought me of the traditional crest, but we both seemed to like the custom modifications.

I then completed the inside of Jared's arm.  We completed the outside over the summer which involved some covering and re-working.  The inside involved working around a circular tattoo in the center of his arm.  I didn't take finished pictures, but I did find this picture of his rough sketch, where you can see the space we had to work around.  Jared wanted a dragon koi and hibiscus.  

Meet My New Station Mate

I have been slowly remodeling my station, with the chair marking the beginning of the remodel.  I have added some fabulous scents, and a new visual distraction; my new fish, Hostage.  I have also added an anti-germ air filter, (which you can sort-of see in the pic), some spring flowers and have even de-cluttered my knick-knacks!  The plan is to add a flat-screen television to show ambient visual distractions on in the form of old horror movies or tattoo slideshows, as well as upholster my chair and get a new mobile to stare at while getting your arm or chest tattooed.  I aim to please, and I plan on stockpiling my station with distractions to busy every sense.  Oh yea, and I have tons of candy to share!

Keep On Truckin'

An ode to a trucker father in black and grey on Paul's arm.

Outdoors

Tara's Truffle

Finally, after year and years of working on Tara's sleeve I finally get to give her a new tattoo!  We have started in on her other arm and this is the newest addition to her skin, a memorial tattoo for her Grandma featuring a Lindt, Lindor Truffle.  It was a really fun piece to work on, and as satisfying as it may be to have completed her sleeve, refreshing to have a new project.

Emily's Archer

After a long day of tattooing, all I could muster was these poor quality pictures of Emily's tattoo with my phone.  Fortunately, Emily is a great client and a great photographer and will be providing me with some quality photos once the arm is healed.  Her arm depicts a siren, archer, shooting an arrow at the keyhole over her heart.

Martlet Bird

A martlet bird is a mythical bird representing the fourth son, or the beginning of a younger generation.  This bird is distinguished by it's lack of beak and feet.  Ashley had this depicted for her tattoo surrounded by orchids.  It was her first and she was a joy to work on.  Healed pictures coming soon...

Snowboarding

Nintendo!

Tattooed one of my fav client, Brittany's, girlfriend today.  She got a lil Nintendo controller on her leg, she wanted to keep it simple, so no background, (it will be part of a greater collaged piece in the end, so background will have to wait).  In place of "Nintendo" on the controller, it says "favorite."  She now shares this tattoo with her best friend.  Awh, I say that's special!

Capricorn

A little capricorn tattoo on Jimmy's side of back.  Done in black and grey, the picture is fresh and blurs out some of the tonal qualities...but you get the idea!