Gold Fish with Best Tattoo Ink Tattooed in the Back of Sexy WomanSaturday, February 28, 2009
Gold Fish with Best Tattoo Ink Tattooed in the Back of Sexy Woman
Gold Fish with Best Tattoo Ink Tattooed in the Back of Sexy Woman
Friday, February 27, 2009
Here's to You, Joe DiMaggio...
Living in New York City, a metropolis known for its die-hard sports fans, it is not unusual to see tattoos honoring and celebrating the rich athletic tradition that exists here.
On Friday, during my lunch hour, I spotted a New York City Fire Department truck parked at the corner of 40th Street and 7th Avenue. Standing along side it was Johnny, one of New York's bravest, enjoying the warm weather, in shorts, and baring this incredible leg tattoo:
This is, of course, Marilyn Monroe, but with a twist. She is sporting the New York Yankees jersey of one of the franchise's greatest players, Joe DiMaggio, to whom she was married for less than a year.
Johnny is a huge Yankee fan, and also loves Marilyn Monroe, one of the iconic figures of the 20th century, and among the most popular celebrities tattooed. I have featured Marilyn tattoos previously here and here.
The image is based on a lithograph that Johnny purchased at a FanFest in 1996. After having it tattooed on his right calf, he felt something was missing.
He contacted the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York, and purchased an archival photograph of the original Yankee Stadium, circa 1923. This was then used as the source material to create the recognizable backdrop for Marilyn.
Johnny has a ton of tattoos, approximately 15 pieces in all. This one, along with others he has, was created by Cort Bengston at Cort's Royal Ink Tattoo Studio in Patchogue, New York.
Thanks to Johnny for sharing this amazing tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!
Stephen's Tailored Tribute to His Father
I met Stephen while walking through Herald Square on an unseasonably warm Friday afternoon.
He had his sleeves rolled up and I noticed the set of circles on the outside of his right forearm. He was more than happy to share the story behind them.
Stephen was raised in New Jersey and he remembers his father commuting daily into Manhattan, where he was a Vice President at AT & T. His father was extremely dapper, and always wore a "crisp" suit to work, dressing impeccably for the job.
He vividly recalls his father taking him for his first suit, and how his father imparted all of his knowledge onto Stephen; how the suit was the uniform of a true gentleman, and all about the cut, the style, the fabric, etc.
When Stephen decided to get his first tattoo, he wanted to pay tribute to his father and wanted something above and beyond a normal tribute tattoo.
With a tip of the hat to nostalgia, and the acknowledgment that his father's influence guided him toward a career in the fashion industry, Stephen had the circles tattooed on both outer forearms:
Seen together, and knowing his background, it is all the more apparent that Stephen has tattoos representing two sets of buttons on the suit sleeves of childhood memories.
When I asked him what his father thought when he saw this tribute, he replied, "He wasn't super pumped about it, but it grew on him. The first thing he said after I explained it to him was, 'Couldn't you've just gotten DAD tattooed...?' ."
Stephen now has 10 tattoos, most of which were inked at Electric Lotus Tattoo and Piercing in Boonton, New Jersey. His friend Don Perdue was the artist responsible for these honorary buttons.
Thanks to Stephen for sharing these cool tattoos honoring his father!
Snakes in her Mane!
Scarily good, and thoroughly NSFW realistic Medusa, from Dave Newman. Apologies for the awful title punnage.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Footprints Over the Heart: Anthony Celebrates the Continuing Tradition of a Name
Mary-Lee appeared in my doorway at the end of the work day with Anthony standing next to her.
Mary-Lee's tattoo was featured here in December. I had never met Anthony before, but Mary-Lee had mentioned his tattoo to me, and she had told him about Tattoosday. He works for one of the vendors our company utilizes for a mailing process.
Anthony, whose birth name is Antonio, is a second generation Italian-American, and the son of Antonio, Sr. He is 100% Sicilian, and last year, on July 29, experienced the joy of having a first child, a son, also named Antonio.
Antonio III.
Aside from memorial tattoos, ink honoring one's offspring is equal to, or possibly greater, in popularity. As a parent myself, I'm partial to tattoos that pay tribute to one's kids. Both of my tattoos were inked in honor of my daughters, so parental tattoos have a special place in my heart.
To so honor little Anthony III, Anthony Jr. inked his son's birth name over his heart and, just below it, had his baby footprints added.
He wears with honor the legacy of his father's name, and bears the mark of tradition, as it carries from generation to generation.
A closer look also shows that the footprints are done lighter than the print of the name, which I think is a nice effect:
A footprint isn't generally a "permanent" fixture, and fades with time. Although the tattoo is permanent, the lighter ink lends more authenticity to the temporary nature of this snapshot in little Anthony's first moments in the world. It captures the moment of his birth, a pinnacle of joy in every father's life.
For a comparison, and I pass no judgment here, check out this earlier footprint post. There's a stark difference in the two tattoos, and I will say that this example is a nicer representation of the style of tattoo.
This is Anthony's third tattoo, but clearly the most important one. He had this inked at Tattoo Lou's in Selden, New York. Work from one of Tattoo Lou's other locations has appeared previously here.
Thanks to Anthony for sharing his meaningful tribute to his son, and his family tradition, here on Tattoosday!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Minnesota (n)Ice
I slipped on ice outside my house this morning while talking to Albie on the phone.
I didn't break my face, but my elbow has been aching all day.
Serves me right, I got a letter in the mail a few days ago from the "Sidewalk Inspector" (no joke) saying someone ratted me out, and would I please use some sand on the hazardous conditions that threatened people on my property.
Minnesota winters are a hazard, buddy.
It did get into the above freezing temperatures today, and there was a great melting that happened.
But now it's back down to 15 degrees, and everything that previously melted is just thicker ice.
I think Chris is with me on wanting an immediate Spring in Minneapolis.
But he's real concerned about the ice melting too much in the Arctic.
This was his second tattoo, one sitting, maybe 3 hours?
The quick sketch I did for the tattoo:
I didn't break my face, but my elbow has been aching all day.
Serves me right, I got a letter in the mail a few days ago from the "Sidewalk Inspector" (no joke) saying someone ratted me out, and would I please use some sand on the hazardous conditions that threatened people on my property.
Minnesota winters are a hazard, buddy.
It did get into the above freezing temperatures today, and there was a great melting that happened.
But now it's back down to 15 degrees, and everything that previously melted is just thicker ice.
I think Chris is with me on wanting an immediate Spring in Minneapolis.
But he's real concerned about the ice melting too much in the Arctic.
This was his second tattoo, one sitting, maybe 3 hours?
The quick sketch I did for the tattoo:
On the Bookshelves: A Late February Update
Despite some miraculous google algorithm that has doubled my traffic in the last week, regular readers may have noticed we have been light on content, in this shortest of the winter months.
And so it goes. I can only blog about what I see (generally speaking), and the ink has been a-hidin'.
But fret not, a calendar informed me that Spring is less than a month away, and April (just you wait) will have these pages overflowing with a cross-blog project that will certainly entertain and educate.
So, in the mean time, I've spotted the following titles on my local Borders bookshelves:
Vintage Tattoos: The Book of Old-School Skin Art by Carol Clerk.
~
And this one has nothing to do with tattooing, per se, but it still looks cool:
And so it goes. I can only blog about what I see (generally speaking), and the ink has been a-hidin'.
But fret not, a calendar informed me that Spring is less than a month away, and April (just you wait) will have these pages overflowing with a cross-blog project that will certainly entertain and educate.
So, in the mean time, I've spotted the following titles on my local Borders bookshelves:
~
Vintage Tattoos: The Book of Old-School Skin Art by Carol Clerk.
~
~
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Getting a Tattoo by John Reardon.
~
~
And this one has nothing to do with tattooing, per se, but it still looks cool:
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Blur Tattoo Ink Tattooed in the Upper Back in Sexy Design
Blur Tattoo Ink Tattooed in the Upper Back in Sexy Design
Monday, February 23, 2009
Recharged and Ready
The last two weeks at Identity Tattoo have been pretty crazy.
Mostly I've been doing the paycheck pieces, back-to-back and all day long.
People are getting their taxes back, and handing them right over to me.
I overbooked, underestimated, and overdosed.
Too much Dr Pepper (what?! I know!) and Indian take-out.
I didn't take one picture last week.
But this weekend was a break from all of that.
Meryl and I did Seward Cafe Sunday and then some MANtiquing down in Northfield, MN
I woke up this morning and, get this, took a jog around Powderhorn park with Shamira.
And I didn't even die.
I only had two cans of soda today.
This week promises a way more appealing schedule, with some of those slightly disturbing, wonderfully absurd animal creatures I've really been getting into lately.
A polar bear, a cow, an owl.
There should be a flood of blog posts after that dry spell.
(even Todd has been typing up a storm.)
Casey, Kyle and I have been attending our Naked Mondays faithfully.
Last week was kind of a disaster.
Hopefully, we won't see that model again for a while.
Like ever.
But this week we had someone who was good at sitting still, and the two and a half hours flew by.
This pose was 30 minutes, pencil and white pencil on brown canson paper.
Also, if you're in the state of Minnesota, or plan on visiting soon, I would be at Identity Tattoo for this upcoming Friday the 13th.
Mostly I've been doing the paycheck pieces, back-to-back and all day long.
People are getting their taxes back, and handing them right over to me.
I overbooked, underestimated, and overdosed.
Too much Dr Pepper (what?! I know!) and Indian take-out.
I didn't take one picture last week.
But this weekend was a break from all of that.
Meryl and I did Seward Cafe Sunday and then some MANtiquing down in Northfield, MN
I woke up this morning and, get this, took a jog around Powderhorn park with Shamira.
And I didn't even die.
I only had two cans of soda today.
This week promises a way more appealing schedule, with some of those slightly disturbing, wonderfully absurd animal creatures I've really been getting into lately.
A polar bear, a cow, an owl.
There should be a flood of blog posts after that dry spell.
(even Todd has been typing up a storm.)
Casey, Kyle and I have been attending our Naked Mondays faithfully.
Last week was kind of a disaster.
Hopefully, we won't see that model again for a while.
Like ever.
But this week we had someone who was good at sitting still, and the two and a half hours flew by.
This pose was 30 minutes, pencil and white pencil on brown canson paper.
Also, if you're in the state of Minnesota, or plan on visiting soon, I would be at Identity Tattoo for this upcoming Friday the 13th.
Clown Tattoo Ink for Nice Tattoo Design for Foot Inspiration
Clown Tattoo Ink for Nice Tattoo Design for Foot Inspiration
Marvel-lous!
Roger LaDouceur is responsible for this comic book Mystique, would love to see one of the film version!
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
Tattoo Ink Tattooed in the Sexy Tattoos Designs of a Sexy Man
Tattoo Ink Tattooed in the Sexy Tattoos Designs of a Sexy Man
A Hyding to Nothing!
Something a bit more traditional, done by Marco Hyder and shamelessly culled from Modblog.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Tattoorism: A Sparrow Drops in from North of the Border
February is the Dead of Winter, and after the 60-degree day from last Wednesday, I have seen very few blogworthy tattoos in the Big Apple.
Fear not, dear readers, warmer weather is around the corner. I can feel it. So, in the mean time, I am relying on the kindness of readers.
Behold, Jenna's bird:
Jenna wrote: "I just stumbled across your blog one day and I'm always up for sharing my favourite tat! Here's a picture right after it was finished... only picture I've got :( Looks much nicer now that it's finally healed!".
Fresh ink isn't always the prettiest, but we here at Tattoosday like the occasional unsolicited submission, especially when we've been in such significant ink withdrawal.
That was all she wrote, however, so I asked Jenna for some more info on this avian neck tattoo.
Jenna hails from Toronto, and had this inked by Phil at Adrenaline Tattoo there.
She explains the meaning behind this piece:
Fear not, dear readers, warmer weather is around the corner. I can feel it. So, in the mean time, I am relying on the kindness of readers.
Behold, Jenna's bird:
Jenna wrote: "I just stumbled across your blog one day and I'm always up for sharing my favourite tat! Here's a picture right after it was finished... only picture I've got :( Looks much nicer now that it's finally healed!".
Fresh ink isn't always the prettiest, but we here at Tattoosday like the occasional unsolicited submission, especially when we've been in such significant ink withdrawal.
That was all she wrote, however, so I asked Jenna for some more info on this avian neck tattoo.
Jenna hails from Toronto, and had this inked by Phil at Adrenaline Tattoo there.
She explains the meaning behind this piece:
Thanks to Jenna for sharing this emotional piece with us. We'll update the post with a cleaner, fresher photo when she gets one for us.
"...My best friend passed away from cancer in December 2007, and I was really, really torn up about it. When my friend, Corey (who was only 17) was alive, he would see a psychic and never shared any information with her. One day out of the blue last year, the psychic called Corey's family and spoke to his sister. All the psychic said was 'Do you have a friend named Jenna?' and the sister said 'Yes, she was really close to Corey as well". After speaking for a little while, the psychic declared that Corey wanted me to know that he is always going to be there for me and if I feel anything warm on the back of my neck, that's him guiding me in the right way... So, that's why this beautiful bird is on the back of my neck. For Corey."
Tattoo Ink in Cool Tattoo Design Tattooed in the Back with Cupid
Tattoo Ink in Cool Tattoo Design Tattooed in the Back with Cupid
Best Qualified Tattoo Ink
Best Qualified Tattoo Ink Implemented in Dragon Tattoo with A Unique Design for the Best Placement in the Lower Back
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Day Of The Dead Good
Something a bit more striking from Ed Perdomo this time. A frightening and frighteningly good zombie geisha.
Monday, February 16, 2009
We have a Vinall!
A nice collection of new school pinups from Steve Vinall, with a touch of the Corpse Bride about them?
Oh, my aching sides
Alessandro Mayer, culled from ModBlog. Not the greatest tattoo, but worth it for the 'ugh' factor.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Be Mine
I'm not too stuck in middle ground, ever.
Hyperbole and I are very well acquainted.
I love a lot of things, and pretty much hate the rest.
Valentine's Day?
I love AND hate it.
We kicked the day off at Identity Tattoo with some Heartless Bastards, because it was so fitting.
And because they rock.
I did 9 tattoos today. I easily drank at least that many Dr Peppers.
I also used two different stations.
I had Kyle helping a little with some of the tearing down and setting up, and Todd had the day off, so we played musical chairs for a group of lonely hearted girls in order to squeeze them in.
Turns out, only two of the three were single, the other's boyfriend was ice fishing instead of spending time with his ladyfriend.
He may be single by now.
The Current (an npr music station out here) did the top ever love songs till midnight, and then once the clock struck 12, it went into the best break up songs ever.
I ate too much Ethiopian food tonight, Meryl's been in Chicago all week, it's 2:38 am and only 10 degrees out.
I'm happily exhausted, I think.
My weekend just began.
Hyperbole and I are very well acquainted.
I love a lot of things, and pretty much hate the rest.
Valentine's Day?
I love AND hate it.
We kicked the day off at Identity Tattoo with some Heartless Bastards, because it was so fitting.
And because they rock.
I did 9 tattoos today. I easily drank at least that many Dr Peppers.
I also used two different stations.
I had Kyle helping a little with some of the tearing down and setting up, and Todd had the day off, so we played musical chairs for a group of lonely hearted girls in order to squeeze them in.
Turns out, only two of the three were single, the other's boyfriend was ice fishing instead of spending time with his ladyfriend.
He may be single by now.
The Current (an npr music station out here) did the top ever love songs till midnight, and then once the clock struck 12, it went into the best break up songs ever.
I ate too much Ethiopian food tonight, Meryl's been in Chicago all week, it's 2:38 am and only 10 degrees out.
I'm happily exhausted, I think.
My weekend just began.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Happy Valentine's from Tattoosday!
Lacking any new material for this holiday o' love, I'm re-posting an old favorite that seems to be in the theme. Well, at least there's a heart in it.
I just love the way, in this photo, that Cait's hand is positioned as she is pulling her blouse back to reveal the whole tattoo...
Here's hoping the day is everything you expect it to be!
I just love the way, in this photo, that Cait's hand is positioned as she is pulling her blouse back to reveal the whole tattoo...
"I asked her if she'd be willing to share, and she did. She peeled back a little of her top to reveal this beautiful piece on the top left side of her chest:The original post is here.
Cait and her friend Michelle have birthdays two days apart. When they turned 18, they took a design that Michelle had crafted to Da Vinci Tattoo Studio in Wantagh, New York. The artist she remembered as "Yoshi" inked matching pieces for the two.
Cait says the heart that encases the colorful stars represents their friendship, and serves to remind them of the bond. In the event that life ever separates them, the tattoos will link them, no matter where they are.
Work from Da Vinci Tattoo Studio has appeared on Tattoosday before here.
Thanks to Cait for sharing her ink with us here at Tattoosday!
Here's hoping the day is everything you expect it to be!
The Devil's Dozen
Friday the 13th, two months in a row?
Todd Lambright showed up this morning to Identity Tattoo carrying a bag full of mirrors, a black umbrella, a ladder, and a few shakers of salt.
We're hoping the bad luck carries us all the way till next month.
Or at least through Valentine's Day.
And since it was also a Friday, "not casual" was in effect as well.
We've had a busy morning smashing mirrors and tattooing.
I'm in between appointments right now, but after all that testing of fate, I'd be amazed if this next one shows up.
But if she does, we'll hand her the hammer and a mirror, and let her thumb her nose at Fortuna.
*edit- she did show up, and with a posse!*
Matt had an almost completed sleeve that we fit this murderous penguin tattoo into the last empty space.
Which happened to be the underarm/armpit area.
I battled my way through some hidden stretchmarks and Matt delt with some serious limb numbness.
But we survived and have this insanely poor quality picture as proof.
After he heals it up, we'll do the background and fit it into the rest of the sleeve.
My sister-in-law Casey came in late in the evening for a session on her backpiece we finished 4 years ago.
Just a little reworking, as I've gotten slightly better since the Cromwell studio days.
She smashed the last mirror, then we closed up the shop and headed home.
A pretty great day, for sure.
There may be an event for next months Friday the 13th.
I'll keep you posted.
I have a busy day lined up for tomorrow, but if you're around, stop in and say hello.
We'll be playing the Mountain Goat's "No Children" on repeat till Ben sheds some tears.
Todd Lambright showed up this morning to Identity Tattoo carrying a bag full of mirrors, a black umbrella, a ladder, and a few shakers of salt.
We're hoping the bad luck carries us all the way till next month.
Or at least through Valentine's Day.
And since it was also a Friday, "not casual" was in effect as well.
We've had a busy morning smashing mirrors and tattooing.
I'm in between appointments right now, but after all that testing of fate, I'd be amazed if this next one shows up.
But if she does, we'll hand her the hammer and a mirror, and let her thumb her nose at Fortuna.
*edit- she did show up, and with a posse!*
Matt had an almost completed sleeve that we fit this murderous penguin tattoo into the last empty space.
Which happened to be the underarm/armpit area.
I battled my way through some hidden stretchmarks and Matt delt with some serious limb numbness.
But we survived and have this insanely poor quality picture as proof.
After he heals it up, we'll do the background and fit it into the rest of the sleeve.
My sister-in-law Casey came in late in the evening for a session on her backpiece we finished 4 years ago.
Just a little reworking, as I've gotten slightly better since the Cromwell studio days.
She smashed the last mirror, then we closed up the shop and headed home.
A pretty great day, for sure.
There may be an event for next months Friday the 13th.
I'll keep you posted.
I have a busy day lined up for tomorrow, but if you're around, stop in and say hello.
We'll be playing the Mountain Goat's "No Children" on repeat till Ben sheds some tears.
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