Busy Birdhouse Building

Never Quiet Never Soft has an art show in the works.
(I think I've hinted at it before)
It's going to be big.
I'm hard at work on it right now,
and it's not even happening till March.
I went to Ryan's today,
where we got to work on some power sawing,
staple shooting, and gorilla glueing.
Sawdust was in the air, and we set off multiple fire alarms.

It would have been a manly scene for sure,
but I'm super jumpy little baby when using the pneumatic staple gun.
That, and we were there to make birdhouses.
Big thanks to Ryan for all his help
(as always),
and for letting NQNS take over his basement for the next couple months.
I'm not sure he knows that's the plan,
but it's cool, I didn't just spill the beans.
He doesn't have internet in his new place yet.

Saturday I tattooed my butt off,
and one of the things I worked on was finishing this owl tattoo.
It's one of those awkward half healed, half fresh tattoo photos,

but I'll do that 'hoping for a better shot later' while I post this version.

I'm not sure where my weekend went,

but it's back to work tomorrow.

Well, tattoo shop work.

(every weekend is going to be a working weekend for a while....)

Grandma's a Badass.

Viola turned 85 today,

so she got a birthday tattoo.

No kidding.

On her hand.

A cover-up, even.

She didn't move,

or make a peep,

but she did keep us laughing the whole time.

Viola's daughter Stephanie went next,

and got some more work done on her lower leg sleeve.

We added this owl, acorns and leaves,

and colored some of it in.

Tomorrow I tattoo a couple more birds,

then leave early for the airport.

I'm off to Peru with Adam W.

In search of South American lighthouses,

dead birds and vegan food.

I'll be back in the shop September 11th.

Long weekends?

I win.

What a lovely way to burn

I am one sick dude.
There's no thermometer around for proof,
but I'm pretty sure I've got a fever.
(and I've been beating up the Maynard House's lavatory pretty bad as well)
But I'm booked solid at Off the Map Tattoo,
and I'm not one to call in sick.
Ever.
(what am I, an a-hole?)

Here's a couple of tattoos I've done out here so far.
The owl was photographed at a weird angle,
so the head looks a little warped,
but it's fine in real life.



And more black and grey book themes:



I'm four tattooing days down,
with only two more to go.
But I saved the longest days for last.
Wish me luck.
I could use it.
Luck, and a few more rolls of toilet paper.

Arm Owls on Almost-Off Hours

I didn't take the holiday today.
I celebrated Independence Day by rocking it solo at Identity Tattoo.
By the time I figured out it was a shop day off,
I had already booked it up.

Luckily, Kelsey and Jenna brought the pre-fireworks fun.
I knew they would.
I got to do this owl tattoo on Kelsey, and some fancy script on Jenna.


After the not-too-normal shop day, we had Ryan and Rebecca over for firework viewing in Powderhorn Park.

There's been a few big black and grey pieces happening lately,
and I've been really into them.
I have some animal cubby-hole sketches that I'm looking to do and might get posted soon.
Let me know if you're looking for something big-ish and slightly absurd.
It might be a good match.

Also, I'll be gone a decent chunk of August.
Meryl and I will be visiting Maryland and Connecticut,
seeing family and friends, meeting brand new babies and tattoo artists, doing poker night, China Pan, and seeing the ocean.
As awesome as all of that is, it means I won't be at Identity Tattoo for two weeks.
Please plan your tattoo getting accordingly.

The Wingnut Dishwashers Union posters arrived, and I'll have some at the shop. Let me know if you want one.