.

Matt's Golden Silence

I met Matt one afternoon as he stood among the masses at the southwest corner of Madison Square Garden, waiting for a bus out of town.

This is his tattoo which he shared with us, covering his upper right arm:


The message is simple: silence is golden. I love how the side skulls spill off of the front skull, and how the teeth of the primary jaw are fused together.



Matt attributes this piece to "deep life experiences" and how it serves as a reminder to keep his head on straight.

He told me he's "been low and wants to stay higher" and that "keeping what I've done to myself has given me the ability to achieve what I have in life".

This tattoo was inked by Loki M. LaChapelle when he was at Kaleidoscope Tattoo & Art Gallery in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Loki now works out of Mazel Custom Tattoo & Piercing in Everett, Massachusetts.

Thanks to Matt for sharing his tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!


sakura_free_oil_trap

The six tattooed characters are from an advertisement flyer for Sakura brand kitchen exhaust system, which means:

買櫻花

With purchase of Sukura system,

送油網

Free oil screen/trap

Next!... or: where'd he go?

One would think that after setting off on an exciting journey half way across the world's smallest continent/largest island to attend WorldCon 68/AussieCon 4, that a certain person who for today's purposes shall remain nameless, might return to immediately post an enthusiastic rant about how much fun it was, how baffling it was, how great it was to be taken care of by Chris and Ed and Dim and Brie and all the writers of the (what I have dubbed them) Melbourne Writers Conventicle; what a delight it was to meet one determined E.K. Vollmer all the way from a town called (would you believe it) Sebastipole!; how cool it was to receive encouragement and honest critique from Kit (and by extension Patience St.James - there are two Herbroulesse in the Sundergird: the one we find in Lamplighter was named after the much older one you find on the "BIG" map, honest); how exciting and rewarding each panel - with such lights as Kate Forsyth, Shaun Tan, Ian Irvine, Juliet Marillier, Lara Morgan, Richard Harland, Russell Kirkpatrick, to name(drop) only some - I was on actually was... but apparently no.

Apparently said nameless soul has waited 2 - maybe even 3! - weeks to post something.

Why is that? you may not actually be asking yourself (if indeed you are still even visiting this barely-a-blog).

Well, not sure actually: I think maybe it is a great tumbling collapsing relief that after so long above person has actually produced what they were tasked to produce (both by their original publisher and ultimately by themselves); also it is the great wilderness that it seems often comes after a writer has completed a long project (I cite here the great talent, Michael Pryor , who said at the con that, having this very moment finished his own 6(!) book series, he now feels bereft

So here he sits, hiding in his room, playing too many computer games (and thus inviting judgement from all non-gamers), squeezing out a post to you all, actually very excited that MBT Book 3 is almost here. indeed that some folks might even have copies right now and that all the speculation and wait will (I most earnestly hope) be rewarded.

As to those projects mentioned in previous posts, the Next! of this blogs title - well, they are sitting there, waiting to be picked up soon: for, Lord willing, the penner of this post surely want to write more Half-Continent stories, but right now and just for a little bit finds it necessary to let the "field lie fallow" as it were.

As to why I spoke of myself in the third person for much of this post, I do not know either - Jung would have a field day, I am sure... T'was and interesting writing exercise never-the-less: I have been told that this is a good thing for a writer to do after finishing a big work, to write short things, try stuff out, keep your hand in but keep your goals small so you still feel like a writer who can achieve stuff. All very helpful - now it remains for me to put it in to practice...

BTW, you may not have noticed, but I LOVE ellipses...

knucks!!!!!







east coast HF doin work!!!

CJ's pan shovel killin it!!!,tryin to get some more pix......."hint hint"


check these HATE FUCKERS out ,if you need your sporty chopped get with them. Butcher shop fallriverpissdrunks.blogspot.com

Tattoo from a Francophile

Earlier this summer, I posted a couple of tattoos from Joe, seen here.

Needless to say, Joe became a fan, and updated me with a new tattoo, below:


Joe explains:


"The picture is fresh from the artist finishing it. It is "C077X" and is a nod to James Franco and General Hospital. He is my fav actor and I have been watching General Hospital for at least 21 years. It is the the tag that "Franco" sprayed on everything when he recently guest starred on GH as an artist/serial killer. His character's name is Franco, reflecting that art imitates life. A motto the actor and character believe, and so do I. That is why I got the tattoo. To prove art imitates life!"
Photo Credit: ABC via http://sn.soapnet.go.com
The tattoo was inked by Rob at Brooklyn Ink. Rob originally appeared here as a contributor here. And is one of several artists that has represented Brooklyn Ink over the years on Tattoosday. This label links all of the work from the shop previously seen on Tattoosday.

Thanks to Joe for sharing his new tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!

Rachel's Bird Helped Her Let Go

The same night I met Brian, I met Rachel, who has eight tattoos.

She shared this one with me:


This piece on her left biceps is based on the work of artist Kurt Halsey. This little bird appears in multiple works by the artist, but Rachel imagined it for her own personal situation. She got it after a break-up a couple of years ago, and the tattoo gave her the strength to "let the bird go". In this case, the bird represents the ended relationship and the tattoo is a transitional piece that helped her recover from the difficulty of moving past it.

From Memphis, Tennessee, Rachel had this inked at Underground Art Tattoos and Body Piercing by Chris Fitzgerald. Chris had been a piercer at the shop and then moved into tattooing. He has since left tattooing and moved to photography. His new business is Cult Noir Photography, and his work can be seen here.

Thanks to Rachel for sharing her tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!
from: Rob B.
to: "tiangotlost@gmail.com"
date: Sat, Sep 25, 2010 at 9:53 AM
subject: Help?

I've always wondered what my tat really says....

it supposed to be "wicked clown".

I don't even know what language it is.

l_efa3cabc6987f71129bf798b8d3608ee2

Alan and I have figured out where the guy got "wicked clown."

alone can also mean "bad," "evil" or "wicked", and appears in the word 丑角 (the simplified variant of 醜角) which does mean "clown" or "joker."

But there is no way that 歹丑 means "wicked clown" so we still think the guy is an ass clown.
Alan spotted this photo in BME's Kanji tattoo gallery:



Despite the great calligraphy (calligraphy as in fancy artistic penmanship), there is a huge typo on this person's torso.

Bushido, the way of the warrior in Japanese is written as 武士道, not with in the middle. itself means samurai or warrior, but 武侍道 makes no sense in Japanese. Especially considering Bushido is a Japanese concept.

"Bullshitdo", the way of bullshit, would be more fitting.

Brian's Ink Speaks About Art

I met Brian in Barnes & Noble, Union Square, back in August and he shared two tattoos with us. Put your thinking caps on, folks, because Brian, who is a video artist (website here), has very cerebral ink.

First up is this tattoo, on Brian's left biceps:


This tattoo is based on an illustration entitled "Every Night We Are Haunted by a Dream" by the artist Alfred Kubin (1877-1959).

Jede Nacht besucht uns ein Traum (Every Night We are Haunted by a Dream), ca. 1902-03
Pen and ink, brush, wash, and spray on paper
39.1 x 31.8 cm (15 3/8 x 12 1/2 in.)
Albertina, Vienna
Brian explained that this work corresponded very closely to the publication of Sigmund Freud's The Interpretation of Dreams, and that Kubin's illustration represents "art between the cusp of pre-surrealism/expressionism and surrealism". It speaks to Brian's understanding of the perception of dreams and art.

Brian also had these words inscribed on his inner right forearm:


The words "Créer Dangereusement" are the French title of a 1957 essay by Albert Camus entitled "Create Dangerously". This "essay on realism and artistic creation" likewise spoke to Brian who acknowledged that "all art is a political act". It makes perfect sense, if you think about it, in that no great work of art was ever created by the artist playing it safe. It is those who created dangerously that are remembered as trailblazers and icons in their respective fields.

Brian had both of these tattoos done in Austin, Texas.

Thanks to Brian for sharing his artistic ink with us here on Tattoosday!

Danny's Koi Struggles Upstream

I met Danny in Penn Station early in August just as he was about to board a train.

Before he headed to his platform, however, he allowed me to take this photo of his tattoo-in-progress on his upper right arm:


He explained that the koi swimming upward on his bicep represented that he was still moving upstream, that is, he was "still overcoming struggles, trials and tribulations". He added that he would get another koi on his left arm, facing downstream, when he had completed his struggle in life.

Before we could talk further, however, he had to run for his train. Fortunately for me (and for you, dear Readers), he e-mailed me shortly thereafter with some more details:

"The leaves are Japanese maples...Everyone gets the traditional lotus flowers, etc. But I chose a leaf that represents no religion or significant meaning to it. I would have gone with the Korean national flower [Hibiscus syriacus] but that, too, had meaning behind it. Many flowers that are traditionally on bodies are either Buddhist or Catholic, etc. Coming from a Christian background, I chose one without any meaning. How can I live with a Buddhist lotus on my arm?

At the time I got the tattoo I was confused with life... Direction, purpose, goals, meaning.. I had obstacles and self goals I had to achieve and was in a standstill (not drug-related or any of that sort). I looked to the pain tattooing offers and how it puts your mind in a zoned-out state, which I now thrive for when I'm stressed. It's therapy to me. I'll update you when I find an artist to finish this tattoo. The windbars were left open to expand."

The tattoo was done by Lee at Infinity Tattoo in Manhattan.

Thanks again yo Danny for sharing his koi with us here at Tattoosday!

Steve's Sleeve of Leaves Ushers in the Fall Season

Earlier this month, I met Steve on the D train, as we headed home to Brooklyn.

He had a veritable panorama of fall foliage on his left arm and he happily shared his autumnal tattoos with us here at Tattoosday.

It only seemed fitting that, as summer has ended, we celebrate the new season with some fall colors.

Behold, Steve's sleeve o' leaves:



The eleven maple leaves on Steve's arm were all inked free hand by Mark Harada at Manhattan's East Side Ink over four sittings.


Steve acknowledges that the leaves changing colors represent a change, and these colorful symbols remind him that change is good.


Happy Autumn to all! And thanks to Steve for sharing his fallen maple leaves with us here on Tattoosday!

Homework!


The month after my daughter was born, I started re-painting old Tattoo Flash, as have many Tattooers before me. I chose some of my favorite designs and some of the most inspirational old-timers that paved the way for kids like me. I tried to do a sheet for each decade from 1900 on. I did a lot of different styles of tattooers, but all of it flash that was on a wall at some point. This stuff should all be in museums by now, and I wanted that feel of the old sheets on the wall. Not a laser copy, or some bullshit digital file that you will find here, something tangible. It was very challenging, and I have learnt a lot along the way. I have finished 11 sheets in all, and I think I'll just keep doing this every once in a while. It's fun, and a great way to keep myself challenged.







 

















Top to bottom:
Feature wall,
Owen Jensen compilation sheet 1,
Owen Jensen replica sheet 2,
Sailor Jerry Collins compilation sheet 1,
Sailor Jerry replica sheet 2.

Watercolor on paper, all roughly 11 X 14.
Lined with India Ink and calligraphy pen, painted with various inks and watercolors.
All painted by Jeremy Riley, Tattoo Union, 2010.

INSIDE OUT

Puede que nunca el título de uno de mis posts resuma o capte tan bien la esencia de su contenido, o para ser más exactos, la de 'Insides' , nombre bajo el cuál Ana Locking presentó el pasado lunes sus propuestas para la próxima primavera verano 2011. 'Hay mucho de mi en cada una de mis colecciones, en todas hay un reflejo de mis preocupaciones e inquietudes personales, partes de mi ser...' así comenzaba la nota de prensa que encontré en mi asiento (y sobre la cuál se sento el que estaba en la fila de delante...), y no era para menos porque literalmente nos sorprendió con unas cajitas con plaquetas númeradas con muestras de su propia sangre.

'Insides' trata de dirigir la mirada a lo interior, tanto físico como emocional, de hecho los estampados de parte de la colección son 'fotografías de los interiores del cuerpo humano vistos a través de la lente de un microscópio', una propuesta bastante arriesgada. Así nos encontramos no sólo con globulos rojos y fibras musculares sino también con colores tan característicos como el rojo sangre, azul vena, bilis lima, hueso, amarillo hepático y negro que viene de lo más profundo.

El concepto, la inspiración ya prometía desde un principio. A veces una puede adorar las pendas de una colección pero no entender la idea que hay detrás, sin embargo en esta ocasión estaba clara. Entonces bajo la luz, la gente que ocupaba la pasarela se retiró a sus asientos y Iris Strubegger, de las mejores del casting a mi parecer junto a Eniko (nada esqueletica por cierto), Michaela Kocianova y Marina Pérez;  abrió las 45 salidas que formaron el desfile. Los dos primeros pases estuvieron protagonizados por pantalones con una increible caida de la tela. Dieron paso a los vestidos, muy presentes en la colección, tanto el versión mini (mi favorita) como en su forma maxi. Estuvieron de nuevo a la orden del día las chaquetas con hombros armados, Ana no los abandona! y me alegro por ello, sin embargo evolucionan hacia cierto futurismo. Composiciones abstractas con la fuerza marcada en cada pieza, siluetas rectilíneas, líneas sobrias y clásicas pero a la vez incluyendo ciertos elementos provocativos, como transparencias de encaje rojo, escotes asimétricos, correas de cuero que rodean los vestidos, pero sin duda, yo me quedo con las espaldas abiertas que culminan muchos de los looks!

Photobucket
Uno de mis looks favoritos

En cuanto a los accesorios, la bisutería estaba formada a partir de cadenas enmarañadas; pero sin duda lo que más captó mi atención fue el calzado, tanto el de mujer, reinventando el sentido del tacón de aguja y convirtiendolo en una aguja literal que dolía con sólo mirar!; como las sandalias de hombre, acordonadas pero dejando partes del pie a la vista.

Photobucket
Carrusel final
También se dejaron ver por allí, algunos famosillos, como no. Carmen Lomana, que no se quitó las gafas de sol en todo el desfile, cosa que sólo se lo permito a Anna Wintour, presidió el front row junto a dos de sus joyas, Virginia y Jorge. Eloy Azorín, Rubén Ochandiano, Soraya, Toni Acosta y Raquel Sánchez-Silva también estuvieron presentes en primera fila. Esta última vestida de la diseñadora no sólo para la ocasión pues llevará sus diseños durante las galas de Pekín Express programa que presentará a partir de el próximo domingo en cuatro.
Photobucket
Pantallas de Yo Dona donde ver en directo los desfiles para los que no tienes pase

Pero no todo en Cibeles son desfiles, el Cibelespacio es mucho más. 14000 metros cuadrados que se dice pronto, llenos de moda. Sin duda, poder asistir a la 52 edición de la pasarela madrileña (que va consolidando su reputación en el mundo) ha sido una experiencia increible, gracias Ana por brindarme ésta oportunidad. Participar en las múltiples actividades de los stands, poner cara a tantos bloggers que leo a diario, ver a mi querido Jon Kortajarena, admirar el trabajo de los jóvenes diseñadores en el showroom, y un largo etcétera de recuerdos. El sueño ya ha llegado a su fin pero que quereis que os diga: Cibeles, nos vemos en febrero!

PD:Como ni mi cámara ni yo hacemos buenas fotos, podeis ver la colección completa aquí.

Sara's Psalm Speaks to the Desires of Her Heart

I met Sara on the 36th Street subway platform in Brooklyn last month during the late afternoon rush hour commute.

What can I say? I'm a sucker for words and this tattoo looked poetic:


Sara filled me in. She has three tattoos and this passage "spoke to her". She wanted something religious for her 30th birthday.

This is an excerpt (verse 4) from Psalm 37 in the Bible.


The verse reads "Delight thyself also in the Lord, and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart" [King James Version]. Sara changed the thee and thine to read me and my, respectively, making the verse more personal.

This was tattooed by Alex Franklin at Brooklyn Ink in Bay Ridge. Work from Brooklyn Ink (and much from Alex) can be seen on this Tattoosday label here.

Thanks to Sara for sharing her source of inspiration with us here on Tattoosday!

Khalil's Organic Biomechanical Arm

One thing regular readers may notice is that I tend to prefer singular tattoos, as opposed to larger "concept" pieces. This preference is what you see illustrated here on Tattoosday.

However, once in a while, I see work  that, although atypical of our content, is irresistible.

Just check out Khalil's sleeve, which I captured one day after work in Penn Station:


Representing thirty-two hours of work by Mike Boissoneault at Black Lotus Tattoo Studios, in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, Khalil explained that this vision represents a spin on a biomechanical design, "but more organic".

To him, in a world in which people are becoming less human, this tattoo reminds him to be human.

Here's a "fresher" shot from the Black Lotus website:

Tattoo by Mike Boissoneault © 2008 Black Lotus Tattoo Studios

Thanks again to Khalil for sharing this amazing work with us here on Tattoosday!

new t-shrits!!!!!





get in touch with fastlane clint at tattoosbyclint@yahoo.com this shrits are fucking rad!!!!!

maybe the coolist man alive

SHELTER from jason sussberg on Vimeo.

Christina's Owl and Lighthouse

I met Christina one day after work while walking outside of Madison Square Garden.

She had this incredible tattoo, which she gladly shared with us here on Tattoosday:


This tattoo that covers her upper left arm was actually done in two segments by artist Orrin Hurley, who currently tattoos at Dare Devil Tattoo in Manhattan.

As for the source material behind this beautiful tattoo, Christina chose a piece of art by Frances Olive Esme Eve:


A closer look at the tattooed owl shows how it was changed, but you can still see that there is still a lot from the original design:


The lighthouse was inspired by the Portland Head Light on Cape Elizabeth, Maine.


Thanks to Christina for sharing her tattoo with us here on Tattoosday.

Stacy's Amigo Tugs Her Back to Milwaukee

At the end of July, I ran into Stacy waiting for the F train at West 4th Street in Manhattan.

She had a panther peeking out from under her shirt on her back, but we couldn't get the whole tattoo in a shot, so she offered up this piece on her right arm:


Stacy is a poet and the Artistic Director of The Poetry Project at St. Mark's Church in New York City. She has been here five years and originally hails from Milwaukee.

Living next to Lake Michigan has many benefits. Having always lived in a location near a large body of water, I can relate to her admiration for the beauty of a seascape, whether it be an ocean or a great lake.

Stacy told me she enjoyed watching the tugboats in her home town, and that these small vessels are a "connective image" that draws her back to her original home.

This tattoo was designed and inked by Stephanie Tamez at New York Adorned. Work from Stephanie on Tattoosday can be viewed here.

This is also the second tugboat of the summer. The first one is here.

Thanks to Stacy for sharing her tugboat with us here at Tattoosday. Perhaps we'll see her panther when the Tattooed Poets Project returns next April for its third year!
from: d.h.
to: tiangotlost@gmail.com
date: Sun, Sep 12, 2010 at 8:38 AM
subject: Here's one

This is supposed to mean passion. I don't think it does. In fact, i couldn't locate this configuration of radicals at all. What are your thoughts?

p

It means "hot, middle", which does not mean "passion".

This tattoo also reminded me the terrible hip-hop song by Nelly, Hot in Here.
from: Pb.
to: tiangotlost@gmail.com
date: Fri, Sep 17, 2010 at 8:42 AM
subject: My tattoo..

Hey hi Tian.. stumbled over ur blog so thought i should hav my tattoo meaning verified.. I asked the artist to put the my birth date that is 24..
I would appreciate ur feedback..

Thanks
Pb..

07022009472

The bottom character does not exist in Chinese or Japanese vocabulary.

is used as four (banker's anti-fraud numeral)

New Rassier tattoos