Tattoosday (A Tattoo Blog): Geisha

Showing posts with label Geisha. Show all posts

Katrina Shares a Pair of Audrey Kawasaki Designs in One Tattoo!

Earlier this month, I rode my bike in the <a href="http://tourdequeens.org/">Tour de Queens</a>. At one point in the ride, all the riders had stopped in the hot sun as we waited for traffic. I looked at the person next to me and noticed she had an amazing tattoo on her right thigh. I introduced myself and she told me her name was Katrina. She told me a little about the tattoo and allowed me to take a picture of it: <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-IKbiYgWm5zn5Ml3YERc9BW9v_ch8_YIXEHxiO46E8UiVrjJOteU77pdUD63hmuJWRyhGqp3yi88HoPd4F3yJaQ4FownvTzdGmg7X5F3-WpavMfrFnG7CTRmy0C9ryuvMux3TdQDl2y8/w382-h658-no/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-IKbiYgWm5zn5Ml3YERc9BW9v_ch8_YIXEHxiO46E8UiVrjJOteU77pdUD63hmuJWRyhGqp3yi88HoPd4F3yJaQ4FownvTzdGmg7X5F3-WpavMfrFnG7CTRmy0C9ryuvMux3TdQDl2y8/w382-h658-no/photo.jpg" width="370" /></a></div> I know, I know, the photo seems a little washed out. I shot it in bright sunlight and that was the best I could do. However, Katrina gave me her artist's info and I was able, with permission, to post the tattooist's photo from his online portfolio: <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ7jZFbNNQpg96JvbK6LEKbaWeAzAT5FB_-iD9yaKOxDDiW06SYUTk9XSqDwaUfKuKLHp2bsY6BQwCSdsQzsKExsdwOhTEhkaAI1YYdmqgpGggmOVI-ull0adkyc6IeIqro56gQ2VoYio/s616-no/geisha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ7jZFbNNQpg96JvbK6LEKbaWeAzAT5FB_-iD9yaKOxDDiW06SYUTk9XSqDwaUfKuKLHp2bsY6BQwCSdsQzsKExsdwOhTEhkaAI1YYdmqgpGggmOVI-ull0adkyc6IeIqro56gQ2VoYio/s616-no/geisha.jpg" width="638" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Courtesy of Andy Pho</td></tr></tbody></table>So, you can see, it's a pretty amazing tattoo. Katrina later e-mailed me with her explanation of the piece: <blockquote class="tr_bq">"The whole piece on my thigh just basically gives me a representation of who I am and who I can be.</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">It took me 3 years to finally go with it. The artist who did it is <a href="http://www.andypho.com/">Andy Pho</a> (<a href="http://www.andypho.com/">www.andypho.com</a>) who at the time tattooed at <a href="http://omniink.net/home.html">Omni Ink</a> in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. I've always admired geishas for their perseverance and aiming to be better performers. The whole presentation of them is just beautiful and broken at the same time. Their make-up covers their whole face so you can't really tell what they're thinking or how they feel. Just a piece of mystery.</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">I found the geisha from one of my favorite painters, <a href="http://www.audrey-kawasaki.com/">Audrey Kawasaki</a>. I absolutely love her work. I basically combined two paintings into one. The geisha (<a href="http://www.audrey-kawasaki.com/galleries.php?g=1&p_id=541&page=30">Yuuwaka</a>) and the anatomical heart (<a href="http://www.audrey-kawasaki.com/galleries.php?g=1&p_id=445&page=9">My Dishonest Heart</a>) are probably my two favorite ones from her. I'm very keen on detail and Andy just did a phenomenal job for someone who had only been tattooing for a year and a half at the time."</blockquote>Here are the two Kawasaki paintings in question: <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV3KXIdpvwAmcnWehDYIv8FUidbF4VZRfBCWXfG9I66GJchLnjXUephzGrAPARIDO8JOtkt_z4AJ2H9RzS1FbT-1C3Vpku2J-iEw0rlqew3kEsdxcKxvsVsgAjX-VtvBHnbpWK9oCQTpY/s1600/yuuwaku_lj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV3KXIdpvwAmcnWehDYIv8FUidbF4VZRfBCWXfG9I66GJchLnjXUephzGrAPARIDO8JOtkt_z4AJ2H9RzS1FbT-1C3Vpku2J-iEw0rlqew3kEsdxcKxvsVsgAjX-VtvBHnbpWK9oCQTpY/s640/yuuwaku_lj.jpg" width="490" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h2 style="background-color: #f1e8d7; color: #56443b; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">"Yuuwaku" 誘惑 allure</h2>oil and graphite on wood 20"x 26" "Hajimari"@Jonathan Levine Gallery in NY 2009  © <a class="faint" href="http://www.audrey-kawasaki.com/info.php?p=bio" style="background-color: #d7c7aa; color: #b36022; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 10px; line-height: 13px; text-align: left;">Audrey Kawasaki</a> 2004 - 2013</td></tr></tbody></table>and <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1FQQtf86tYZrVtSUPI0Zf8RrDrnndVdd3_ZGIKVmhMCBLfeHHhUGXrBMtpUoiC2VbsZ45eMtYXZzjUK5TNkOBJhru4bnFzhv0gWB1rbJWjPCYMS-GWRBZKv04ITCS0PT8wegkgTAmaGE/s1600/dishonest_heart_lj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1FQQtf86tYZrVtSUPI0Zf8RrDrnndVdd3_ZGIKVmhMCBLfeHHhUGXrBMtpUoiC2VbsZ45eMtYXZzjUK5TNkOBJhru4bnFzhv0gWB1rbJWjPCYMS-GWRBZKv04ITCS0PT8wegkgTAmaGE/s640/dishonest_heart_lj.jpg" width="570" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h2 style="background-color: #f1e8d7; color: #56443b; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">My Dishonest Heart</h2>mixed media on wood 10"x12" 'The Drawing Show' @ Thinkspace 2008 © <a class="faint" href="http://www.audrey-kawasaki.com/info.php?p=bio" style="background-color: #d7c7aa; color: #825e38; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 10px; line-height: 13px; text-align: left;">Audrey Kawasaki</a> 2004 - 2013</td></tr></tbody></table>Andy Pho, the tattoo artist responsible for this great tattoo, has since left Brooklyn and Omni Ink for his own shop in Las Vegas, called <a href="http://www.skindesigntattoos.com/">Skin Design Tattoo</a>. Andy adds, by way of a bio: <blockquote class="tr_bq">"We are currently undergoing a major relocation to a larger studio set to open in late August. Please follow the artists there as well (the artist roster and work will be updated for the grand opening).</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">I am a Brooklyn native (born in Coney Island, lived in Midwood, Flatbush, Boro Park, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, and Gravesend, before relocating to Vegas)."</blockquote>For the latest on Andy and Skin Design's progress, you can follow him on Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AndyPhoTattoos">here</a>. Thanks to Katrina for sharing her awesome Audrey Kawasaki two-in-one tattoo, and to Andy Pho, for helping us really appreciate his fine work! <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This entry is ©2013 Tattoosday.</div> <div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you are seeing this on another website other than Tattoosday, without attribution, please note that it has been copied without the author's permission and is in violation of copyright laws. Please feel free to visit<a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://tattoosday.blogspot.com</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and read our original content. Please let me know if you saw this elsewhere so I contact the webmaster of the offending site and advise them of this violation in their Terms of Use Agreement.</div>

Katrina Shares a Pair of Audrey Kawasaki Designs in One Tattoo!

Earlier this month, I rode my bike in the Tour de Queens . At one point in the ride, all the riders had stopped in the hot sun as we waited ...

1:39 PM

Natalie's Geisha Butterfly

Last month, I ran into Natalie on Seventh Avenue and 24th Street. She had several tattoos, but shared this geisha, with butterfly wings, floating on the top of her back: <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxaGf7FrjMxTDSxgXDCbWlhp7nYR8tFl8MjYYUkFp4S6RkDHEYQA58-t0OPHaPlqfIe7qZwA4-ffZVLJ7LV1SfEVnG39bepX6liAlomv9OOMkJ59QuYsDCrSkXGhryFEm-2DB8aE2Ejbg/s1600/Geisha+Butterfly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxaGf7FrjMxTDSxgXDCbWlhp7nYR8tFl8MjYYUkFp4S6RkDHEYQA58-t0OPHaPlqfIe7qZwA4-ffZVLJ7LV1SfEVnG39bepX6liAlomv9OOMkJ59QuYsDCrSkXGhryFEm-2DB8aE2Ejbg/s640/Geisha+Butterfly.jpg" width="602" /></a></div> She got this about six years ago in the city of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leeds">Leeds</a> from an artist named Diego. When I asked why she got this particular tattoo, she replied, "I kind of just wanted something that was quite girly, yet strong at the same time." Natalie is a professional photographer whose work can be seen on her website <a href="http://www.nataliejwatts.com/">here</a>. Thanks to Natalie for sharing this cool tattoo with us here on Tattoosday! <div class="MsoNormal">This entry is ©2011 Tattoosday.</div> <div class="MsoNormal">If you are reading this on another web site other than Tattoosday, without attribution, please note that it has been copied without the author's permission and is in violation of copyright laws. Please feel free to visit <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://tattoosday.blogspot.com</a> and read our original content. Please let me know if you saw this elsewhere so I contact the webmaster of the offending site and advise them of this violation in their Terms of Use Agreement.</div>

Natalie's Geisha Butterfly

Last month, I ran into Natalie on Seventh Avenue and 24th Street. She had several tattoos, but shared this geisha, with butterfly wings, flo...

3:21 AM

Tommy's Geisha

Last week I met Tommy, who has six tattoos, one of which he shared with us: <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmr2v7KberkyyHO2bxOrBpZBRZ1URyADqvnWGpHMlrcOsi9N3A98Ca-P_PJ98ECFDBAFmXqbeTAoD-jF2KIgxTGf4Qwg27axGwVkKT3x-GLcud3PpEWpFcJCYDct76ZXmp6WOeyK8z/s1600/tommy's+geisha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmr2v7KberkyyHO2bxOrBpZBRZ1URyADqvnWGpHMlrcOsi9N3A98Ca-P_PJ98ECFDBAFmXqbeTAoD-jF2KIgxTGf4Qwg27axGwVkKT3x-GLcud3PpEWpFcJCYDct76ZXmp6WOeyK8z/s640/tommy's+geisha.jpg" width="428" /></a></div> He brought three or four pictures into <a href="http://www.regnyc.com/">Regino Gonzales</a> when he was at <a href="http://www.inkstoptattoonyc.com/">Inkstop Tattoo</a> and he came up with this design. Regino is now at <a href="http://invisiblenyc.com/">Invisible NYC</a>. The line work took two and a half to three hours but he had to stop because, in Tommy's words, "I'm a bleeder". He came back after he healed for another two and a half hours of shading. Tommy had a lot of nice protrait work and this piece seemed to just jump off of his left arm. Regino's work has appeared previously on Tattoosday <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/2009/06/mikes-tribute-to-his-thai-heritage.html">here</a> and <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/2008/07/monas-pocket-watch-honors-her.html">here</a>. Thanks to Tommy for sharing this great tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!

Tommy's Geisha

Last week I met Tommy, who has six tattoos, one of which he shared with us: He brought three or four pictures into Regino Gonzales when he ...

2:55 AM

Mike & Norma Share Some of Their Ink

I met Mike and Norma at a local drugstore in Brooklyn in early April and they both had amazing work they were willing to share. Their post was preempted by the <a href="http://tattooedpoets.blogspot.com/2010/03/index-of-tattooed-poets.html">Tattooed Poets Project</a>, so I thank them in advance for their patience. Mike shared this enormous black panther tattoo that covered a huge section of his left calf: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4UkGQZnLUyqJlbZ_vkaZNC9WBpfcOUxhFPWU2ynndAulnxGSE025obk2jLr4pybRMqi-x0BFAeOBHKjVM_1V9KohqalMIWZrqVxoyCd9HA0yW8YC3LaRkj1U8QKYydzw3VVeKpNOs/s1600/panther+and+roses.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467944127351104098" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4UkGQZnLUyqJlbZ_vkaZNC9WBpfcOUxhFPWU2ynndAulnxGSE025obk2jLr4pybRMqi-x0BFAeOBHKjVM_1V9KohqalMIWZrqVxoyCd9HA0yW8YC3LaRkj1U8QKYydzw3VVeKpNOs/s400/panther+and+roses.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 196px; height: 400px;" /></a> Mike, who estimates he has about 15% coverage, also told me that this was a cover-up. "What did you cover?" I asked. "A dolphin with a tribal design," he replied. Norma indicated that covering that tattoo had been an excellent aesthetic choice. Mike credits <a href="http://www.myspace.com/cs1976">Chad Smith</a> at <a href="http://www.myspace.com/screaminmimitattoo">Screamin Mimi Tattoo</a> in Amarillo, Texas with this piece. I then turned to Norma, who was gracious enough to share this incredibly beautiful geisha tattoo on her left calf: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZCIyWUbWk3lKQZarAaa-np6P-EJ3PPQoD0VLNJMPiMsOnOOK9TVWV6elIHYHtcDjFa9ezIFj0EtM9pmPWyk8tLF-WLdN-7hQGUDPaa1LfNYnbGyDKtEX9Xb8XJoccyFM3BzAj4dzg/s1600/Geisha.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467944029705186898" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZCIyWUbWk3lKQZarAaa-np6P-EJ3PPQoD0VLNJMPiMsOnOOK9TVWV6elIHYHtcDjFa9ezIFj0EtM9pmPWyk8tLF-WLdN-7hQGUDPaa1LfNYnbGyDKtEX9Xb8XJoccyFM3BzAj4dzg/s320/Geisha.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 120px; height: 320px;" /></a> <a href="http://elitetattoogallery.com/section/4128_Roxxy_s_Tattoos.html">Roxxy</a>, an artist at <a href="http://elitetattoogallery.com/home.html">Elite Tattoo Gallery</a> in Fort Worth, Texas, free-handed the design. The Japanese characters form a haiku, the meaning of which Norma didn't have with her. Regardless, it's a stunning work of art. Thanks to Mike and Norma for sharing a little bit of their extensive ink with us here on Tattoosday!

Mike & Norma Share Some of Their Ink

I met Mike and Norma at a local drugstore in Brooklyn in early April and they both had amazing work they were willing to share. Their post w...

4:03 AM

Benjamin's Amazing Viking-Geisha Sleeve by Tim Kern

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNAc1wgiuSnxc0El7Y5OD5Ii-fn6LA3UTr8uN1oxp37NppDiQerrBdvqEGi8CKRrjqAqV4aRAcSafV5z6KE8Jx3te5SsGWaP8yq_Y_Yy1y-6EH0tpTNFJgKf7wd9V5Umm2Ixe89T7Q/s1600-h/Geisha+detail.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396844938984706418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNAc1wgiuSnxc0El7Y5OD5Ii-fn6LA3UTr8uN1oxp37NppDiQerrBdvqEGi8CKRrjqAqV4aRAcSafV5z6KE8Jx3te5SsGWaP8yq_Y_Yy1y-6EH0tpTNFJgKf7wd9V5Umm2Ixe89T7Q/s400/Geisha+detail.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 282px; height: 400px;" /></a> Please join me as I extend a metaphor. I approach inkblogging as if I were one of those guys that goes out on the beach with a metal detector. You find a lot of interesting stuff and, every once in a while, you find treasure. Earlier this month, I saw a man in front of Madison Square Garden walking south. I was headed in the opposite direction and, despite my general reluctance to post sleeves here (I wonder if I can even do them justice), I stopped and asked him to show me the amazing work on his right arm. I should also preface this by acknowledging how awesome it is to randomly find work by a tattoo artist who is at the top of his game, and is a recognized talent in the tattoo community. Benjamin, the guy I stopped, was visiting New York from Denmark to see his artist, <a href="http://www.tribulationtattoo.com/artist.aspx?id=1">Tim Kern</a> at <a href="http://www.tribulationtattoo.com/Home.aspx">Tribulation Tattoo</a>. He was in town to begin work on a new sleeve. Benjamin happily shared his first sleeve: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiyGvBTCHDqg1DV21cPCbolI2ZY_3BY1sDQh41hbezzaV8ypvEUvlqBu93QF1jB8UxlC5InaN5rKXfSxNm_avAmNu166cx9_kpzSC64yBGe-PLdsJKVDm13JwQJSUkPQIg4BK7Q8W2/s1600-h/Viking+and+Geisha.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396844134866977682" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiyGvBTCHDqg1DV21cPCbolI2ZY_3BY1sDQh41hbezzaV8ypvEUvlqBu93QF1jB8UxlC5InaN5rKXfSxNm_avAmNu166cx9_kpzSC64yBGe-PLdsJKVDm13JwQJSUkPQIg4BK7Q8W2/s400/Viking+and+Geisha.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 154px; height: 400px;" /></a> Benjamin summarized the theme of his arm by stating that life is about choices. The two extrmes are, you can take a life, as represented by the Viking warrior at the top of the shoulder: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEml2wTvnVkbHXe_7b1AoEZ2v9FwhlQuo80JXRO9sRghhI5aySerC7O-EE2JndG5Vmn6vCcs9P-VCfnoBpoRLeRi4psV9YO_gLrUTaOQ7RxmOxFOSQ3vn_DSF_2X3KSm4Ewc3U8Fas/s1600-h/Viking.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396843886915477586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEml2wTvnVkbHXe_7b1AoEZ2v9FwhlQuo80JXRO9sRghhI5aySerC7O-EE2JndG5Vmn6vCcs9P-VCfnoBpoRLeRi4psV9YO_gLrUTaOQ7RxmOxFOSQ3vn_DSF_2X3KSm4Ewc3U8Fas/s400/Viking.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 309px; height: 400px;" /></a> This is juxtaposed by the geisha who is taking her own life through <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seppuku">ritual suicide</a>: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaTRmOdzGnoVmNDoB48n_61eJ3YpLbrzGXHLpJdqD7qEwlRUS2tq7Ge4TF-Lx-vSon9d28H3Smj5g3h087kavy6qXNT_NRM_M-ebQ7kG9JunuDjuUlYvjOeOWPMGKtW4Vclkx6icQv/s1600-h/Geisha+full.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396843560176412290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaTRmOdzGnoVmNDoB48n_61eJ3YpLbrzGXHLpJdqD7qEwlRUS2tq7Ge4TF-Lx-vSon9d28H3Smj5g3h087kavy6qXNT_NRM_M-ebQ7kG9JunuDjuUlYvjOeOWPMGKtW4Vclkx6icQv/s400/Geisha+full.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 132px; height: 400px;" /></a> The detail of the blood-spattered hand holding the seppuku blade is fascinating in its stark grisliness: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia6MSD0oF959E6s_orbAV7nE6xY3viOQMPNarqf7dW40VdZIF5675gWm4PHDq5x7JS5FkoudPtswCf0vPmwvGoLwQ0RLInQztdDkJLC8qi6TwZHEpCybR5kPdZ4APyfauFCM35_ADx/s1600-h/Geisha+blade.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396842279008547714" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia6MSD0oF959E6s_orbAV7nE6xY3viOQMPNarqf7dW40VdZIF5675gWm4PHDq5x7JS5FkoudPtswCf0vPmwvGoLwQ0RLInQztdDkJLC8qi6TwZHEpCybR5kPdZ4APyfauFCM35_ADx/s400/Geisha+blade.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 242px; height: 400px;" /></a> The sleeve also includes stunning waterfall and pagoda elements on the inside of the arm: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTLIoD2ujOxTuJIueCARNZJda5jhRVJFbKMKaiaz3jT9JE3KeigPiAD7g_8Z75SU2mE2LKGd88j5LQDE0ZvfmR_Z8hToASJuqPNjtn0HMNwWzkOOfsVApUQ1298FC6UIjnVEfyI7qT/s1600-h/Pagoda+Waterfall.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396843299756345554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTLIoD2ujOxTuJIueCARNZJda5jhRVJFbKMKaiaz3jT9JE3KeigPiAD7g_8Z75SU2mE2LKGd88j5LQDE0ZvfmR_Z8hToASJuqPNjtn0HMNwWzkOOfsVApUQ1298FC6UIjnVEfyI7qT/s400/Pagoda+Waterfall.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 169px;" /></a> I especially appreciate the beauty and shading of the pagoda: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi91SjoODuuX-OJXy1VjXg1e1l8kqZK4HMW8HsASj9Xo_1PiNh41MhMUsLK7YaEOnNmi76UDiKneW-RGNsA-1A3mlivucl7kBOpX1y-jE46Lbd37FjVU5z_JQrZOZgyyeQrj-sEHFK-/s1600-h/Pagoda+Waterfall+detail.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396843225735341074" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi91SjoODuuX-OJXy1VjXg1e1l8kqZK4HMW8HsASj9Xo_1PiNh41MhMUsLK7YaEOnNmi76UDiKneW-RGNsA-1A3mlivucl7kBOpX1y-jE46Lbd37FjVU5z_JQrZOZgyyeQrj-sEHFK-/s400/Pagoda+Waterfall+detail.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 261px; height: 400px;" /></a> The color and artistry of this entire sleeve are astonishing and we are honored that Benjamin consented to contributing this work to Tattoosday. We thank him and the artist Tim Kern for their work!

Benjamin's Amazing Viking-Geisha Sleeve by Tim Kern

Please join me as I extend a metaphor. I approach inkblogging as if I were one of those guys that goes out on the beach with a metal detecto...

3:00 AM

Doug's Geisha

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQenoucoEypGkmkVoxG1fGf0Y2xn1xyhp3IjeBWg9sK0X77L8rvXzmMcd1uU0iZE_G2i0-X56dj1fm2IwJ906HqOIf1aZFjgBctcC7AMeSWJZAAXyyJLgbHNKY30ueEFGvzwO1YJrndmk/s1600-h/dead+geisha+detail.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357884068143763170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQenoucoEypGkmkVoxG1fGf0Y2xn1xyhp3IjeBWg9sK0X77L8rvXzmMcd1uU0iZE_G2i0-X56dj1fm2IwJ906HqOIf1aZFjgBctcC7AMeSWJZAAXyyJLgbHNKY30ueEFGvzwO1YJrndmk/s400/dead+geisha+detail.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 280px; height: 400px;" /></a> I met Doug on Penn Plaza on my birthday. He has 14 tattoos and was, by chance headed down to <a href="http://www.risingdragon.com/">Rising Dragon Tattoos</a> in Chelsea later that day to get more work on a traditional Japanese piece by <a href="http://horiseitattoo.com/">Horisei</a> (see his work featured previously <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/search/label/Horisei">here</a>). The goal is to eventually cover his whole upper body with traditional Japanese tattoo art. He already has foo dogs, demons and kite masks. The favorite piece of his that I saw was this geisha: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyxFsIZDSHhUq1yu7xLnrTgavyEl1OUraCqNMgV4akGLulh1E-fqQ-EHbX-nmT90LSv3Nka16ossIt1kQVSM1lsb9ozfXj1YgHLWg0ODqh3D5kzhdbXAnZuf8oXp-v_xBH5mlBHTJveSM/s1600-h/dead+geisha.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357883741624297490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyxFsIZDSHhUq1yu7xLnrTgavyEl1OUraCqNMgV4akGLulh1E-fqQ-EHbX-nmT90LSv3Nka16ossIt1kQVSM1lsb9ozfXj1YgHLWg0ODqh3D5kzhdbXAnZuf8oXp-v_xBH5mlBHTJveSM/s400/dead+geisha.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 166px; height: 400px;" /></a> Just stunning work! This was done by <a href="http://www.myspace.com/331858">Sam Hambrick</a> at <a href="http://www.myspace.com/fatkattattoo">Fat Kat Tattoo</a> in Keyport, New Jersey. Thanks to Doug for sharing his tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!

Doug's Geisha

I met Doug on Penn Plaza on my birthday. He has 14 tattoos and was, by chance headed down to Rising Dragon Tattoos in Chelsea later that da...

2:50 AM

Ben's Amazing Back Piece

With the Tattooed Poets Series under way last month, I was a bit remiss in posting about the "regular" tattoo encounters. With apologies to the following volunteer, I am presenting some amazing work on a gentleman named Ben, who I spotted back on April 2 while walking through Penn Station. Ben was wearing a short-sleeve shirt and had tattoos covering his arms. When I approached him and explained Tattoosday, he enthusiastically agreed to participate. In fact, he removed his shirt to reveal an incredible back piece: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzHvW-Xlu-jaQf1TkcEdyeXJPfS7Us3Gof904fGxYvcY1bc1wPbyiM7Q0clbQECi4lcFNxHPA0O2Q8BcQdByaCd8emx93F8BYzgCAfdyQZImXB7R2rr4LorjtU9lFig6CljITVftbfMtc/s1600-h/bens+back.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330634686971212402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzHvW-Xlu-jaQf1TkcEdyeXJPfS7Us3Gof904fGxYvcY1bc1wPbyiM7Q0clbQECi4lcFNxHPA0O2Q8BcQdByaCd8emx93F8BYzgCAfdyQZImXB7R2rr4LorjtU9lFig6CljITVftbfMtc/s400/bens+back.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 358px; height: 400px;" /></a> The one problem with featuring huge tattoos like this is not getting all the details in. What follows are some of the finer points of the tattoo. At the bottom of the back is an hourglass design, within which is, Ben said, kanji representing the word "redemption": <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZBiH6UEp3sKD-XklQPOA7q5jS_pGa8rqk3YfWtDAYdAAmi1xjTFO6kcz1kmZfnm58jQmPYzaZGTjSr6mHqsvGuaLXR7jnagLE5vF0tXUx2B_Z64tpw7DLLkVm-n624fONEe5pnoPTTA/s1600-h/bens+hourglass.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330635231787903554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZBiH6UEp3sKD-XklQPOA7q5jS_pGa8rqk3YfWtDAYdAAmi1xjTFO6kcz1kmZfnm58jQmPYzaZGTjSr6mHqsvGuaLXR7jnagLE5vF0tXUx2B_Z64tpw7DLLkVm-n624fONEe5pnoPTTA/s400/bens+hourglass.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 295px; height: 400px;" /></a> The piece represents that he has "only so much time to redeem himself". The main set of Chinese text in the center of the back was loosely translated by Ben as "I have trust in no man except for the trust I save for myself": <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgaBNgYgWRWvl9dWqfCN8mGlexzcShilTmyCvQPSnDHR0EDb4tqeaAMXgZ-baDVausZdfVDnWba7Q2N5AZp5UyafMJyJfTK4zOyQ8QydPmkn6rRvwaiQh9LEIn5S53cI9M2RHVO5Z6rMM/s1600-h/bens+central+quote.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330636258718809394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgaBNgYgWRWvl9dWqfCN8mGlexzcShilTmyCvQPSnDHR0EDb4tqeaAMXgZ-baDVausZdfVDnWba7Q2N5AZp5UyafMJyJfTK4zOyQ8QydPmkn6rRvwaiQh9LEIn5S53cI9M2RHVO5Z6rMM/s400/bens+central+quote.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 400px;" /></a> Also of note on the back are the two kanji representing "father" (the right side) and "forgive me" (the left side). These characters are in disks on either side at the top of the back. The back was done by an artist no longer practicing at <a href="http://www.myspace.com/skindeepny">Skin Deep Tattoo</a> on Long Island. Imagine busy Penn Station, a guy standing there talking to a bespectacled blogger, camera in hand, beholding a subject covered in ink. Where to even begin? It's like taking someone to the world's largest buffet and telling them they can only fill one small plate with food. The back as a whole was impressive, but Ben was willing to share more, and we settled on this view, with a dragon and a geisha: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyfk0cmhh1X9iNJoBu7eJtjKzi-rjQjqQagmVuDOW72O5q5DXZDEIq57p1sAV4gaVXOxv8_r26uZLJXKQLtRGGpGEz4-TUgARw_hSq1Cl8Qxqfx5JU8M1vbvu2GEBJ2k5MEKzrCeFt4Ss/s1600-h/bens+front.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330638418783081826" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyfk0cmhh1X9iNJoBu7eJtjKzi-rjQjqQagmVuDOW72O5q5DXZDEIq57p1sAV4gaVXOxv8_r26uZLJXKQLtRGGpGEz4-TUgARw_hSq1Cl8Qxqfx5JU8M1vbvu2GEBJ2k5MEKzrCeFt4Ss/s400/bens+front.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 346px; height: 400px;" /></a> Ben credits this part of his body's tapestry to an artist named <a href="http://www.dharmatattoo.com/loco.html">Loco</a> working out of <a href="http://www.dharmatattoo.com/">Dharma Tattoo</a> in Miami Springs, Florida. Thanks to Ben for sharing his amazing tattoos with us here on Tattoosday!

Ben's Amazing Back Piece

With the Tattooed Poets Series under way last month, I was a bit remiss in posting about the "regular" tattoo encounters. With apo...

2:50 AM

Tattoorism: Sean Stops by To Unveil More Amazing Work

A month ago, I posted <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/2009/02/tattoorism-seans-leg-piece-represents.html">a bit of tattoorism</a>; Sean from New Jersey sent me photos of his left leg, an intricate Japanese-style piece, complete with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koi">koi</a>, dragons, a lotus, and a pagoda. Sean has been kind enough to update us here on Tattoosday with two more pieces, the first being this cool <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gypsy">gypsy</a> head that is tattooed on the inside of his upper left arm: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8CNce2OmunCXzycz5_scCg2mudAcyKDJeqetTIiHBlgXToLUMzGbqO9FeIEfg4G9Szfj5yuCyfwy7nzdNiljHkjvQnYdANgNueaMOeEGz857Pa1OwFvJhXGG7zNVBl1aOLq9gHp4nli4Z/s1600-h/gypsylady.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312621871265807026" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8CNce2OmunCXzycz5_scCg2mudAcyKDJeqetTIiHBlgXToLUMzGbqO9FeIEfg4G9Szfj5yuCyfwy7nzdNiljHkjvQnYdANgNueaMOeEGz857Pa1OwFvJhXGG7zNVBl1aOLq9gHp4nli4Z/s400/gypsylady.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 396px; height: 400px;" /></a> As he was in the last post, Sean is not only generous with the pictures of his tattoos, but he also has provided a thoughtful explanation of his work:<blockquote>"I got the gypsy woman about two weeks after graduating from college. I really enjoy the traditional, old school style of tattoos and feel it’s important that this style does not disappear... from tattoo culture. Further, I always viewed these women as adventurers, constantly looking for a new journey. Especially, the woman who are looking off to the sides, almost as if into the distance, as opposed to those who look straight forward. I always envision them looking off to a new land, a new adventure, etc. This tattoo signifies my “journey” through life, especially significant due to just graduating college. It is a reminder to never stagnate and to constantly be striving for better things. I plan on getting a banner added underneath with the word "hope," for obvious reasons."</blockquote> Sean also sent images from his right leg sleeve, to match the work on the left: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Lty8DH-ZMwbHdfZeSfAcJ8dNjUVGZFnIqYTDu2b8UkJn9wKiitLlyI2azfUHm5QABLdkt4CDilM_uk8kvVqV2_l04qEDUFh_SNuySYgMne4b_Zpf2PtAXV5yROOLcU3AQMzYFKSHYEmx/s1600-h/RightLeg+Geisha%27s+Fan.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312619479190351810" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Lty8DH-ZMwbHdfZeSfAcJ8dNjUVGZFnIqYTDu2b8UkJn9wKiitLlyI2azfUHm5QABLdkt4CDilM_uk8kvVqV2_l04qEDUFh_SNuySYgMne4b_Zpf2PtAXV5yROOLcU3AQMzYFKSHYEmx/s200/RightLeg+Geisha%27s+Fan.jpg" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 86px; height: 200px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6EsPOIJWSIchnhqp7S_xnwQyxv_GFYB1TeiufroILl3RUs9YA0lgj1A8cp7B8DQQpUzBhF7q3-beaYpFaS3AXXs_xk9-znI-2Y2TFbMOzgZtLWYzLgTBTaqEGy-l2HHQHoMlG2MF-bYjq/s1600-h/RightLeg+Phoenix.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312619305498792258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6EsPOIJWSIchnhqp7S_xnwQyxv_GFYB1TeiufroILl3RUs9YA0lgj1A8cp7B8DQQpUzBhF7q3-beaYpFaS3AXXs_xk9-znI-2Y2TFbMOzgZtLWYzLgTBTaqEGy-l2HHQHoMlG2MF-bYjq/s200/RightLeg+Phoenix.jpg" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 89px; height: 200px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJSoWm9RK2V7jeiGaWONbY1YGB6NQGghgQRz0quOH3pciW1iyVE0z6fbT-e-ojLRf6-GrWcrsBMKvjXrWp2cZ3-kYMScPK_4dbX4KrUCy_YYCGesztyeR7D5sl-pdB6uhlHHzeKMSCSMq1/s1600-h/RightLeg+Geisha.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312619391602128674" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJSoWm9RK2V7jeiGaWONbY1YGB6NQGghgQRz0quOH3pciW1iyVE0z6fbT-e-ojLRf6-GrWcrsBMKvjXrWp2cZ3-kYMScPK_4dbX4KrUCy_YYCGesztyeR7D5sl-pdB6uhlHHzeKMSCSMq1/s200/RightLeg+Geisha.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 95px; height: 200px;" /></a> Again, in his own words: <blockquote>"I had my right leg sleeve done for most aesthetic reasons. I explained [previously here]...that I love Asian style artwork, and to keep symmetry with my left leg this was done in just that style. Originally, I believed I had chosen the geisha image solely for its beauty. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSyMTQ1mMIUOE7RbfhoC7h9YNYcr8kYOcmbUMsnod5mq8Oj_BHnVXMMPpR-CcT3nwhDqH05oqzFCqDtvlD19LAmufOIyn-11mHqRP_sXxI_ZqAs5-Vu5vkYwMNXICJHpg0tytEzMhmwwwL/s1600-h/RightLeg+Geisha%27s+Fan.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312621086401637298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSyMTQ1mMIUOE7RbfhoC7h9YNYcr8kYOcmbUMsnod5mq8Oj_BHnVXMMPpR-CcT3nwhDqH05oqzFCqDtvlD19LAmufOIyn-11mHqRP_sXxI_ZqAs5-Vu5vkYwMNXICJHpg0tytEzMhmwwwL/s400/RightLeg+Geisha%27s+Fan.jpg" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 171px; height: 400px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR1ccr5AUykHJeyVcQ7-X5hfafGyp_-gXLWEgY0Dw4chDn59zQqSFsvV6_cI_kGgGmhepEngbANCtNB77F3c9PXUrcBnd5Cs_YzaaxHOBCUWsiQiYptF8g-aIbYDb7p2Wyhwq7eZzV1uvC/s1600-h/RightLeg+Geisha.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312621170934446818" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR1ccr5AUykHJeyVcQ7-X5hfafGyp_-gXLWEgY0Dw4chDn59zQqSFsvV6_cI_kGgGmhepEngbANCtNB77F3c9PXUrcBnd5Cs_YzaaxHOBCUWsiQiYptF8g-aIbYDb7p2Wyhwq7eZzV1uvC/s400/RightLeg+Geisha.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 190px; height: 400px;" /></a>However, about a week after my tattoo I realized that my family has a framed picture of a geisha hanging outside of my room that I have honestly never paid much attention to, until seeing it that day. So now, every time I see the tattoo it reminds me of my home and family (particularly, my mother for some reason). Your subconscious has a funny way of revealing itself. Moving on, the phoenix has always been a very powerful image to me. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijFCe_ipn5QvoGC55ljDT0exlUcx_q1Lah8tBqAcIQwc3-Qtt1NVmiNbt_EyUQSVDL4JomW_AqBYaeNDCg2ENGK6uQ0p0oGJBDbOO1hUqiffo3UqWqv678MOxaK1BZheFUS1HuAfNqjiD5/s1600-h/RightLeg+Phoenix.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312619019662414994" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijFCe_ipn5QvoGC55ljDT0exlUcx_q1Lah8tBqAcIQwc3-Qtt1NVmiNbt_EyUQSVDL4JomW_AqBYaeNDCg2ENGK6uQ0p0oGJBDbOO1hUqiffo3UqWqv678MOxaK1BZheFUS1HuAfNqjiD5/s400/RightLeg+Phoenix.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 178px; height: 400px;" /></a>I love the idea of rebuilding yourself from the ashes of past selves. This was significant to me as I received that tattoo during my final years at college (the first two years I spent commuting to a community college, the last two years I spent living on campus away from home for the first time in my life). I feel that those two years living away from home was a period of immense change, where, metaphorically, past versions of myself “burned up,” with new versions arising from those ashes. Finally, the bonsai tree kind of goes hand-in-hand with the phoenix imagery. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO-WtXZf0nlqSawKGwAQhxqR6-hzKolEtXW7E72H1kK7HvQ8ohN8Mcv9ENDIMYKjGkcfQ0Zy06yzXvKXHhw0rzuNrkogcvaZsqTZpXEqUTW4sTXul4uuOnxYpMObNX-S_4tVD3fZJ5Dh4u/s1600-h/RightLeg+Bonsai.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312618717146813794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO-WtXZf0nlqSawKGwAQhxqR6-hzKolEtXW7E72H1kK7HvQ8ohN8Mcv9ENDIMYKjGkcfQ0Zy06yzXvKXHhw0rzuNrkogcvaZsqTZpXEqUTW4sTXul4uuOnxYpMObNX-S_4tVD3fZJ5Dh4u/s400/RightLeg+Bonsai.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 192px; height: 400px;" /></a> It was always interesting to me that in order for a bonsai to grow correctly, a have a long life, it needed to have branches/new growths pruned and trimmed, in essence losing a piece of itself. I feel this ideology also applies to human life. In order, for someone to fully mature, I feel one needs to be prepared to lose parts of oneself (whether they be thought processes, habits, etc.) in order to grow into a better-equipped and well-rounded person. The bonsai reminds me to strive for this."</blockquote> I once again thank Sean for not only sharing his tattoos with us here, but for putting the effort into writing a thoughtful, detailed account of the meaning of the art gracing his skin. As with previous pieces featured, the tattoos in this post were done by <a href="http://mikeschweigerttattooer.com/home.html">Mike Schweigert</a> at <a href="http://electrictattoonj.com/home.html">Electric Tattoo</a> in <a href="http://www.bradleybeachonline.com/index.asp">Bradley Beach, New Jersey</a>. Truly a talented artist that was able to so distinctly transform Sean's body into a living canvas. We here at Tattoosday offer our sincerest thanks and appreciation!

Tattoorism: Sean Stops by To Unveil More Amazing Work

A month ago, I posted a bit of tattoorism ; Sean from New Jersey sent me photos of his left leg, an intricate Japanese-style piece, complete...

4:29 PM

Marcus Sports a Heavenly Geisha

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMNCylFzAJe3x_UKfeRsvS74wM5zFotnvnLg-nAhtYcZWiyDvz5oPEni4kdfGCfGc_y3lNhFHHCZfz527jaGw9pCscLC9EZh5NbaAsuP4wyfu4MD_2ZMexDBC3D-QG_DK7SpJ5BcsGo0s4/s1600-h/PICT0030.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219981808176583858" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMNCylFzAJe3x_UKfeRsvS74wM5zFotnvnLg-nAhtYcZWiyDvz5oPEni4kdfGCfGc_y3lNhFHHCZfz527jaGw9pCscLC9EZh5NbaAsuP4wyfu4MD_2ZMexDBC3D-QG_DK7SpJ5BcsGo0s4/s400/PICT0030.JPG" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a>I ran into Marcus walking down 86th Street in Bay Ridge, just a block from <a href="http://www.myspace.com/brooklyninktattoo">Brooklyn Ink</a>, where the above piece was tattooed by Joe. I hear Joe's name a lot, as his shop is closest to home for me. Although I have never been inked by Joe, everyone I've spoken to has nothing but good things to say. Marcus, who has about a dozen tattoos, had this piece tattooed on his right forearm, because he is an artist and inspired by art. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geisha">Geisha</a>, best translated as "artist" in Japanese, are representatives of the traditional artist class in Japan. This geisha has wings, making her angelic, which adds an element of spirituality to the tattoo. The combination of the physical art form with a representation of the spiritual, appeals to Marcus' sensibility, and this tattoo ultimately captures his outlook on life. Thanks to Marcus for taking a moment to share your heavenly geisha with us here at Tattoosday! You can see other postings of work from Brooklyn Ink on Tattoosday <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/search/label/Brooklyn%20Ink">here</a>.

Marcus Sports a Heavenly Geisha

I ran into Marcus walking down 86th Street in Bay Ridge, just a block from Brooklyn Ink , where the above piece was tattooed by Joe. I hear ...

4:13 PM

Jessica Follows Up and Shares a Little More

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmva21rDbr4cj0SBGFXDLZvyaA_F8GRGzdTlrRyJ09K-Rj1teVxzUdvMB86qhd1Ga8-G7MsyripgupOYCQbu1ZN2Z-angqE0us3tXVeLEjWfaHJJzOZjRjYyQ-FPPcLRnZVQF_ohJPoOz/s1600-h/cawcaw.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217287813810288994" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmva21rDbr4cj0SBGFXDLZvyaA_F8GRGzdTlrRyJ09K-Rj1teVxzUdvMB86qhd1Ga8-G7MsyripgupOYCQbu1ZN2Z-angqE0us3tXVeLEjWfaHJJzOZjRjYyQ-FPPcLRnZVQF_ohJPoOz/s400/cawcaw.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a> Last Tuesday, I met Jessica outside of <a href="http://www.thegarden.com/">Madison Square Garden</a> before a <a href="http://www.pearljam.com/">Pearl Jam</a> concert. I posted a few of her 49 tattoos <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/2008/06/jessica-shares-some-of-her-tattoos.html">here</a>. Since then, we have exchanged e-mails, and I have updated the previous post, which now includes a link to <a href="http://www.myspace.com/mookiebut">her MySpace page</a> (and photos of ALL her ink). But for the purposes of Tattoosday, I am posting photos of three more pieces. She told me "If I had had a tank top on ya coulda taken pics of my two favorite tattoos". <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJTFjysSgfe5Iq4KswFRzsJxb2NhMqYI1EJD7g0QvGxs377sxh30Y4i0v0AV7VYDcRQEBHAQan7g5LOz8fi4vciTmMpWpb371E59bdTnNZko9-FGIyo8gO9K9dTvMGpSl1uONZ5h8zCEQn/s1600-h/hiya.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217287754151849250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJTFjysSgfe5Iq4KswFRzsJxb2NhMqYI1EJD7g0QvGxs377sxh30Y4i0v0AV7VYDcRQEBHAQan7g5LOz8fi4vciTmMpWpb371E59bdTnNZko9-FGIyo8gO9K9dTvMGpSl1uONZ5h8zCEQn/s320/hiya.jpg" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" /></a> First, at the top of this page, is one of the seven crows she has inked. This is on the right side of her back and is called "Caw Caw Bird". The artist is <a href="http://www.umdnj.edu/umcweb/marketing_and_communications/publications/umdnj_magazine/hstate/aut96/aut96tat.html">Thomi Hawk</a> from <a href="http://www.myspace.com/kbtattoosnj">K&B Tattooing</a> in Hightstown, NJ. The second crow she sent me is on her left side, near her collar bone. She calls this "Hiya Kung Fu Karate Chop Crow" and she inked it herself, using a mirror. Quite impressive. And finally, I featured a "sliver" of a sleeve on her right forearm. This is one of the finer pieces she has (that I personally observed). She passed it on for our appreciation here. They are her <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geisha">geisha</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperial_guardian_lions">foo dogs</a>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7RsfLxzdb23UHfkeSqe2AFOquUOpQ0ltWpaKYZkxYdyuIV4FtDd0bcQnMgvr86mqOiQMmiFPf93BOAUUxnEWcY2YXMZC3WmLlRy5vJi-O_KUOZwH1qj4vZomIsNkTVTimNFavT_Jr0UXi/s1600-h/sleeve2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217287607915961618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7RsfLxzdb23UHfkeSqe2AFOquUOpQ0ltWpaKYZkxYdyuIV4FtDd0bcQnMgvr86mqOiQMmiFPf93BOAUUxnEWcY2YXMZC3WmLlRy5vJi-O_KUOZwH1qj4vZomIsNkTVTimNFavT_Jr0UXi/s400/sleeve2.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTLSC0zKci6svICte7eXOm_93JxVbnZoa6eo4gj_NrtpKTSDi6FLaPpwDl71wcxsTZucPPFroENbkbvMS36hi40KGC6XsqQuLPTSjtuv2yCahjkSk8pD10YksLcnPU2UtlC2ryhvTuKc9B/s1600-h/sleeve3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217287494792292498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTLSC0zKci6svICte7eXOm_93JxVbnZoa6eo4gj_NrtpKTSDi6FLaPpwDl71wcxsTZucPPFroENbkbvMS36hi40KGC6XsqQuLPTSjtuv2yCahjkSk8pD10YksLcnPU2UtlC2ryhvTuKc9B/s400/sleeve3.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiADMgteAJWrV644KBxtKBsQ0T22ITssu4bCGhk1LyoDr1Mp5EF_XqzREFszx27K4lpI6Zy4SS1zMcrPagvV0vQVKTKlM-VLTTdKcFjA1eazqYRtQoQJCB5kQqivIY1Im26tvehyxCSARMo/s1600-h/sleeve.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217287435624569506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiADMgteAJWrV644KBxtKBsQ0T22ITssu4bCGhk1LyoDr1Mp5EF_XqzREFszx27K4lpI6Zy4SS1zMcrPagvV0vQVKTKlM-VLTTdKcFjA1eazqYRtQoQJCB5kQqivIY1Im26tvehyxCSARMo/s400/sleeve.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZ7mRSdsRC52MmIkEDcRq9sD-TCMCRUG_AqA8Qg6InYZXixAv9xH1mswvmdZTkY5g0sNHWvwvmzQYvCADj_r60z5M6XdoTGWZ2a38XhoAoMxmxX3nhh_eplkh3pSXKSVbci-KahDWao8c/s1600-h/sleeve4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217287378564156946" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZ7mRSdsRC52MmIkEDcRq9sD-TCMCRUG_AqA8Qg6InYZXixAv9xH1mswvmdZTkY5g0sNHWvwvmzQYvCADj_r60z5M6XdoTGWZ2a38XhoAoMxmxX3nhh_eplkh3pSXKSVbci-KahDWao8c/s400/sleeve4.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a> Thanks to Jessica for sharing her ink here at Tattoosday. Remember, you can see all of her tattoos over at <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.myspace.com/mookiebut">her MySpace page</a>. We're hoping she'll let us know when she gets tattoo number fifty!

Jessica Follows Up and Shares a Little More

Last Tuesday, I met Jessica outside of Madison Square Garden before a Pearl Jam concert. I posted a few of her 49 tattoos here . Since the...

3:32 AM

Tattoosday (A Tattoo Blog)

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