Ian Jones Has Thirteen Tattoos. Here Are Four.

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjopY_V9DiXBsgCGFsN3LUXpDTO-fwkcfIq6vYrXbDVBhCV0wEYjGyl0h-ahmDbQxYSQPcI_22JpXQWpp-6gy9sMmxq0H78SU7oKSsH1DnBDKty-O22lUgKrcQLWDEVr161eohAV6sBXCwL/s1600-h/100_7218.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202688628715262034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjopY_V9DiXBsgCGFsN3LUXpDTO-fwkcfIq6vYrXbDVBhCV0wEYjGyl0h-ahmDbQxYSQPcI_22JpXQWpp-6gy9sMmxq0H78SU7oKSsH1DnBDKty-O22lUgKrcQLWDEVr161eohAV6sBXCwL/s400/100_7218.JPG" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a>I saw this <a href="http://www.tattoosymbol.com/articles/hannya.html"><span style="font-style: italic;">hannya</span> mask</a> outside of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pennsylvania_Station_%28New_York_City%29">Penn Station</a> and went up to talk to its host, Ian Jones, a Long Islander waiting for a train.<br /><br />Despite a light rainfall, we chatted for ten minutes or so about his tattoos and the stories behind them.<br /><br />Since the advent of Tattoosday, participants' reactions to the project range from total disinterestedness to moderate amusement. Ian, however, took it a notch higher, to the point of downright enthusiasm. He sounded sincere in his appreciation for the blog (and the idea behind it), and I got the impression that he would have let me take pictures of each tattoo, had time and weather permitted.<br /><br />The big piece that first drew my attention was the colorful half-sleeve on his left bicep. The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hannya">hanyya masks</a> are traditional elements in Japanese tattooing styles, and he has two masks representing good and evil.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnibWupuFFHCIg4lgANDhw0it_uPpJ83XSjUkjgj6vcWcp6KakNRsR-my5vCDp3ztK-nZPKwK3r8TsD7dwL5avNz9kyCFa8FhJSWIgcUDXqJW1perb7WuSehV2c4yWiW2YM3PWc6S72HM_/s1600-h/100_7215.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202690226443096210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnibWupuFFHCIg4lgANDhw0it_uPpJ83XSjUkjgj6vcWcp6KakNRsR-my5vCDp3ztK-nZPKwK3r8TsD7dwL5avNz9kyCFa8FhJSWIgcUDXqJW1perb7WuSehV2c4yWiW2YM3PWc6S72HM_/s400/100_7215.JPG" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1DOAixldMhn0hIaZzhKG742EPGsroyu_tEeVausE5gNGrUKtEjWCVouv1iZ0mMZ_40NlGfoldHfQg1F6UPTowf2WfREMf1SyYkFsARnZm3vhfSFFzG6caVZF_mP8sCprfpQ1YqURQxrLr/s1600-h/100_7214.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202689857075908738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1DOAixldMhn0hIaZzhKG742EPGsroyu_tEeVausE5gNGrUKtEjWCVouv1iZ0mMZ_40NlGfoldHfQg1F6UPTowf2WfREMf1SyYkFsARnZm3vhfSFFzG6caVZF_mP8sCprfpQ1YqURQxrLr/s400/100_7214.JPG" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a> This tattoo, about ten hours worth of work so far, was done by <a href="http://www.myspace.com/tattoosbykristen">Kristen</a> at <a href="http://www.artfulinktattoo.com/">Artful Ink Tattoo Studio</a>, in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bohemia%2C_New_York">Bohemia</a>, on Long Island. He noted that it was also a cover-up of a "bad sparrow and flower".<br /><br />Ian says he gets the most questions about his <a href="http://www.vw.com/">Volkswagen</a> logo on the inside of his right wrist.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0uoULOAfeB55AUM46DD56QMrtZUDOnN7iZ18SexTLwtr05YuDhTtpmGdKRu6P2kd6sq9E7Cchwwr67OMfkYZEvsg9_WBV0mfumeIkDD0ZHPgR2xBHYwunDgckKsW8ogeFYyNgtHThNk_w/s1600-h/100_7216.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202689466233884786" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0uoULOAfeB55AUM46DD56QMrtZUDOnN7iZ18SexTLwtr05YuDhTtpmGdKRu6P2kd6sq9E7Cchwwr67OMfkYZEvsg9_WBV0mfumeIkDD0ZHPgR2xBHYwunDgckKsW8ogeFYyNgtHThNk_w/s400/100_7216.JPG" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a> He explains why he got an automotive emblem on such a prominent spot: he's always loved German engineering and has always had VW vehicles. His first car was a VW Eurovan, but his second car, a VW <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Golf_Mk5">GTI</a> 2-door hatchback, was what cemented his love of Volkswagens for life.<br /><br />Ian told me how he was in his GTI when he was in a horrible crash. The other vehicle was purportedly going 100 MPH and Ian is convinced that the VW's structural shell protected him from critical injuries.<br /><br />As a tribute to the GTI, and as an expression of his love of Volkswagen, he had the VW logo inked on his shifting arm (he now drives a VW <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Jetta">Jetta</a>) as a reminder of his survival from such a harrowing experience.<br /><br />His left arm sports two tattoos:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOK4hp6GKuQ1RBqXJZMib0uPC4LX0G17UFRdksZy7AMiaeDraVVjXDgOxQaiqv12Rpp1N1D7imy5VO9YUnErr0UAvaJd0LpnN2prXz9bM0oZkSgASt0QHZA5Mr7CtxOK3ceDbpCI3ltXje/s1600-h/100_7217.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202689109751599202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOK4hp6GKuQ1RBqXJZMib0uPC4LX0G17UFRdksZy7AMiaeDraVVjXDgOxQaiqv12Rpp1N1D7imy5VO9YUnErr0UAvaJd0LpnN2prXz9bM0oZkSgASt0QHZA5Mr7CtxOK3ceDbpCI3ltXje/s400/100_7217.JPG" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a>There is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_Island">Long Island</a> on the forearm and a star on his inner wrist. The star was inked the same time as the VW logo to provide balance, but it grew to take on a more important meaning. It's a reminder symbol about a friend of his who is in the <a href="http://www.marines.com/page/usmc.jsp?flashRedirect=true">Marines</a>.<br /><br />The VW and star were inked by his friend and bandmate <a href="http://www.myspace.com/tat2coffins">Tony Coffins</a> at <a href="http://www.myspace.com/resonancetattoo">Resonance Tattoo</a>, also on Long Island (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Center_Moriches,_New_York">Center Moriches</a>). Ian and Tony are in a band, <a href="http://www.myspace.com/phoenixriseny">Phoenix Rise</a>, together. See their MySpace page <a href="http://www.myspace.com/phoenixriseny">here</a> and listen to them play.<br /><br />The tattoo of Long Island, which Ian admits is not done that well (although I would say at least <span style="font-style: italic;">looks</span> like Long Island), is nonetheless, still near and dear to his heart. Ian was adopted when he was a baby, and he feels that he could have ended up anywhere, and Long Island was his home. He is proud to be a Long Islander, and thus wears this as a badge of honor.<br /><br />Thanks to Ian for his enthusiasm for Tattoosday, and let's hope we see more of his ink here in the future!

Ian Jones Has Thirteen Tattoos. Here Are Four.

I saw this hannya mask outside of Penn Station and went up to talk to its host, Ian Jones, a Long Islander waiting for a train. Despite a...

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