Christmas House Cleaning

Regular readers of Tattoosday will notice that, although I generally follow a chronological order when I share tattoos I have encountered.<br /><br />However, certain pieces, for various and sundry reasons, have been bypassed, and haven't made it to the blog, until now.<br /><br />I was originally going to post a dozen to represent the Twelve Days of Christmas, but I settled for eight. For the nights of Chanukah, perhaps?<br /><br />Without intending to offend anyone for not receiving a post all to themselves, I have lumped these tattoos, spanning from late August to late October, in one post.<br /><br />These are the neglected tattoo pictures that are just a little off, some not through the fault of the contributor, but for reasons beyond their control.<br /><br />The quality of the photo may not be ideal, or the host and I faced a language barrier that prevented a good back story from emerging, or I didn't find the story behind the tattoo especially compelling. And then<br />there's what is likely one of the poorest tattoos I have seen, but the story behind it is somewhat compelling.<br /><br />So, without further ado, here is a Christmas cleaning, eight posts rolled together into one gigantic one.<br /><br />~~~<br /><br />First up, we have Esteban, who shared his sleeve when I met him in September, at <a href="http://www.fairwaymarket.com/Directions/redhookdirections.html">Fairway</a> in Red Hook:<br /><br />Alas, I was still using a borrowed camera, and several shots were over-exposed and/or blurry, but I was able to salvage this one:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvp8e6J7Hd9pfq_6vvgTkeCn74iO_uzfqGCGh0iPOl53oA4NWwr3yL5NV-X8oNljRTp6V9-XYlDwmhbddb-jLSUW8GapnJplpsoV8CcXsEmEX60zqREDHPRlkKkvmM6DrNNGINzw6QnnM/s1600/esteban.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvp8e6J7Hd9pfq_6vvgTkeCn74iO_uzfqGCGh0iPOl53oA4NWwr3yL5NV-X8oNljRTp6V9-XYlDwmhbddb-jLSUW8GapnJplpsoV8CcXsEmEX60zqREDHPRlkKkvmM6DrNNGINzw6QnnM/s640/esteban.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><br />The artwork is pre-Colombian in its inspiration, and is part of a larger tropical motif. <br /><br />Next up we have Dave, who I met in Penn Station. He has over 25 tattoos and selected this one to share:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHTHVHVhlbZB6053VFSFN3A4ML-Nurar7Amo5cP0ZQ1EJ_hfTpQ0sEyoiZtjPh6MFBkZSoZnGAZK5sK5N-arq4mSzS65_2qcZM0QvU8k1jRlLvZZUa4aLx0-dAEevJaAkCul0YHnlQSqY/s1600/United+and+Strong.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHTHVHVhlbZB6053VFSFN3A4ML-Nurar7Amo5cP0ZQ1EJ_hfTpQ0sEyoiZtjPh6MFBkZSoZnGAZK5sK5N-arq4mSzS65_2qcZM0QvU8k1jRlLvZZUa4aLx0-dAEevJaAkCul0YHnlQSqY/s400/United+and+Strong.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />The phrase "Uniting the Strong" is the title of a song from <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victim_in_Pain">Victim in Pain</a></i>, the second album from the band <a href="http://www.agnosticfront.com/">Agnostic Front</a>. This is a friendship tattoo that stresses unity and the host's nod to the hardcore punk scene.<br /><br />Dave credits Jelena at <a href="http://www.lonewolftattoo.com/">Lone Wolf Tattoo</a> in Bellmore, New York with this piece.<br /><br />~~~<br /><br />Next we have Orlando, a Fine Arts student at <a href="http://www.fitnyc.edu/">FIT</a>, where I met him outside while walking toward 23rd Street on my lunch break, also in September.<br /><br />This ship tattoo is an homage to his father, who served in the navy for thirty years. He wanted a "classic look" in the Sailor Jerry style.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip7R0xQZVMOMQrI9vusHKp8ocyXNvEDX9lFWhLhz1An5Uw1bAXMCSblg3VsrOJWHi09MMu5y7SSdvp49IddT2NAYztiGqNNymsjnhUOxYBDaT25PYJ2tbgaxLYi75NyowarwPgWxxAHZA/s1600/Orlando+Ship.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip7R0xQZVMOMQrI9vusHKp8ocyXNvEDX9lFWhLhz1An5Uw1bAXMCSblg3VsrOJWHi09MMu5y7SSdvp49IddT2NAYztiGqNNymsjnhUOxYBDaT25PYJ2tbgaxLYi75NyowarwPgWxxAHZA/s400/Orlando+Ship.jpg" width="247" /></a></div><br />Orlando confirmed for me that his dad loves the tattoo.<br /><br />It was inked at <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/crazy-fantasy-tattoo-new-york">Crazy Fantasy Tattoo</a> in Manhattan by an artist named Antonio.<br /><br />[Update: I got a better, crisper picture from Orlando of the ship tattoo in May 2011:]<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8yRs_ivkZzpafkQjgNcDYcZxz-lqw8HJkwyRGl5bCIK3uQIkZmmjDi1xMvRxiiCVuFY7lhOCwLLtC6reRkjD14g1s6a8fEreOEsL3xgmdjINIWl0HlFxeX8oyJ4hQTPQbNT2NcsFm4-E/s1600/Orlando+Ship+2011_picnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8yRs_ivkZzpafkQjgNcDYcZxz-lqw8HJkwyRGl5bCIK3uQIkZmmjDi1xMvRxiiCVuFY7lhOCwLLtC6reRkjD14g1s6a8fEreOEsL3xgmdjINIWl0HlFxeX8oyJ4hQTPQbNT2NcsFm4-E/s400/Orlando+Ship+2011_picnik.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><br />Orlando has seven tattoos in all [in May 2011, he updated this number to ten], and shared this one, as well, inked at <a href="http://www.daredeviltattoo.com/">Dare Devil Tattoo</a> on the Lower East Side.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuEyMmDc-5672sYivpzEUpPIG70j5cus8m3FiJQNZqeDxA3fNB68lYJMSWWDF0cQiD_9IrWwsC0jux6NxvneuW4cayna7hoI1wHsJPAQT6yQB4pr928MkojYX7-BstJIY10zFFcnFHxxc/s1600/Orlando+Bon+Iver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuEyMmDc-5672sYivpzEUpPIG70j5cus8m3FiJQNZqeDxA3fNB68lYJMSWWDF0cQiD_9IrWwsC0jux6NxvneuW4cayna7hoI1wHsJPAQT6yQB4pr928MkojYX7-BstJIY10zFFcnFHxxc/s400/Orlando+Bon+Iver.jpg" width="258" /></a></div><br />The quote, "<span id="search" style="visibility: visible;">This my excavation and today<i></i> is Kumran"</span> is from a song called "re: Stacks" by <a href="http://www.boniver.org/">Bon Iver</a>.<br /><br />Orlando explained that he interprets this quote as a reminder that "every day has the ability to make you or break you. It just depends on what you do with it." Other interpretations are <a href="http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/3530822107858674649/">here</a>.<br /><br />For the record, I did email Orlando to ask for an opportunity to get clearer pictures, but I did not hear back from him.<br /><br />~~~<br /><br />I met Farkas in <a href="http://www.unionsquarenyc.org/">Union Square</a> back in October. He had this wolf on his right arm:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXhCK3KhLVIHIgTe1qT8wDNdkDdSQ76v2LCc5mdzcaI9ELBYDkovxeTl8GyBWMe18LL0d-J6bASc0zGE4Suid84joM6hGiQ00xLMzXFnzNBoI5UqdyUVtRXfhgzdQdz-q8vnCYyBiJsOY/s1600/Farkas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXhCK3KhLVIHIgTe1qT8wDNdkDdSQ76v2LCc5mdzcaI9ELBYDkovxeTl8GyBWMe18LL0d-J6bASc0zGE4Suid84joM6hGiQ00xLMzXFnzNBoI5UqdyUVtRXfhgzdQdz-q8vnCYyBiJsOY/s400/Farkas.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />He explained that his name means "wolf" in Hungarian, and that one of his friends in Hungary did this tattoo for him.<br /><br />~~~<br /><br />A couple days after meeting Farkas, I met an Israeli named Ran on 34th Street across from <a href="http://www.macys.com/">Macy*s</a>. He shared this iguana on his right leg:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlbqIBUHQRWZkHJDeUiLwxAQiE4OTa7GGb_X_AapNHW_GovqABZaYpfh23XlV4jYd72lTglhyphenhyphenXYvfMSkKjx4puRY2W4RFBhdA-cBLGW2wGDUB9gFN5a9ujwGiQWU_O40sCKlK5LnPz5Bw/s1600/Iguana_picnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlbqIBUHQRWZkHJDeUiLwxAQiE4OTa7GGb_X_AapNHW_GovqABZaYpfh23XlV4jYd72lTglhyphenhyphenXYvfMSkKjx4puRY2W4RFBhdA-cBLGW2wGDUB9gFN5a9ujwGiQWU_O40sCKlK5LnPz5Bw/s640/Iguana_picnik.jpg" width="304" /></a></div><br /><br />It's a pretty nice tattoo, but he hasn't sent me any further details about it.<br /><br />~~~<br /><br />A couple weeks later, I was in the West Village before a concert, and met Carlos, a manager at the <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&expIds=17259,27342,27642,28067&sugexp=ldymls&xhr=t&cp=9&qe=cWRvYmEgMTAwMA&qesig=ioAfmDfQL9io8qJXivfDRw&pkc=AFgZ2tn4CORECvVIyeLyU2neM3rYho1uXF-JgkCMN3WPXIASZMzsBqf9zoXZYVCZMemdAnlBQwpPIUCXg07_bR4jmJS4wGewDw&client=firefox-a&hs=mBF&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=qdoba+10001&fb=1&gl=us&hq=qdoba&hnear=New+York+10001&ei=-DoWTejMIM6s8AaP58W7Dg&sa=X&oi=local_group&ct=image&resnum=2&sqi=2&ved=0CAQQtgMwAQ&iwloc=3378200444570630634">Qdoba Mexican Grill</a> where we were having a quick bite before the show. He shared this intricate tattoo on his right arm:<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_S5HSffUGcfK5efTYIX1Jx1IrPjD3ZcjX83CcxgA8aIZAKbPESXr2B8n0xFMFtDraQZ820BRlI-YvcI_Dnym5TYRdMTtPj9m9vRAzf1vd280M_UBALNAugxPZv8pQY5zfGfSnNZqPtU8/s1600/puzzle+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_S5HSffUGcfK5efTYIX1Jx1IrPjD3ZcjX83CcxgA8aIZAKbPESXr2B8n0xFMFtDraQZ820BRlI-YvcI_Dnym5TYRdMTtPj9m9vRAzf1vd280M_UBALNAugxPZv8pQY5zfGfSnNZqPtU8/s640/puzzle+wm.jpg" width="234" /></a></div><br />He and friend collaborated on this tattoo together. He told me that, when he was little, he did jigsaw puzzles with his mother a lot. The tattoo reminds him of those fun times growing up.<br /><br />~~~<br /><br />The following week, I ran into Iancu in Penn Station, and he shared this piece on his upper left arm:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOo62DvDZ45_mELmbfORaWjSc5jozc8sozq2YuxnDpk-3K7WVxqRAUswNacldZAz14-JURY_IMCBqBDVRcU3duVLeNDMzjJZjH5wAKhQ5HrFQ6DheDJnp_q_IDq6MXl1LQY3zmyynpdqA/s1600/guns+roses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOo62DvDZ45_mELmbfORaWjSc5jozc8sozq2YuxnDpk-3K7WVxqRAUswNacldZAz14-JURY_IMCBqBDVRcU3duVLeNDMzjJZjH5wAKhQ5HrFQ6DheDJnp_q_IDq6MXl1LQY3zmyynpdqA/s400/guns+roses.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />Iancu told me he came to the artist, Rico, formerly of <a href="http://www.risingdragon.com/">Rising Dragon</a> in Manhattan, who was initially unwilling to do the tattoo. However, he convinced him to do it. It's basically a <a href="http://web.gunsnroses.com/index.jsp">Guns N' Roses</a> tribute although, he<br />noted, the guns were added about a year and a half after the original design was inked.<br /><br />~~~<br /><br />And finally, I must first say that  it is very rare that I ever criticize the quality of a tattoo.<br /><br />Even if it is inferior to the work of much better artists, I always like to believe there are some redeeming qualities in a tattoo.<br /><br />Which is why I struggled with this next tattoo, which I photographer back in August, and which I have included in this odds and ends post in December.<br /><br />I approached a guy named Danny who had a lot of interestingly-tattooed words and such on his arms.<br /><br />However, he offered to remove his shirt in Penn Station so I could photograph this:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8TJ86dAVaJj3OZ9N-m-FY9UCwr4TKxaU__hlDdCbNkA42iqi55WzmxDi-O2KnfzjV36HTVfr26bUIFm7Y0Ia31tcghWICzJPh-kUKMr_VPIQnwSnuOetAiOzLnKGcpTOr4ZP8I5sycjs/s1600/diamonds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8TJ86dAVaJj3OZ9N-m-FY9UCwr4TKxaU__hlDdCbNkA42iqi55WzmxDi-O2KnfzjV36HTVfr26bUIFm7Y0Ia31tcghWICzJPh-kUKMr_VPIQnwSnuOetAiOzLnKGcpTOr4ZP8I5sycjs/s400/diamonds.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />Um, yeah.<br /><br />If this was done by an experienced artist, I would likely not have posted it. Despite its obvious flaws, it is compelling, in my opinion, because Danny told me, like all his tattoos (15 or 16, he told me), this one was<br />self-inked. Now, I can see tattooing one's arm or leg, but I cannot even fathom how challenging it would be to self-tattoo your chest. He estimated this took one and a half hours to do.<br /><br />The message is "Diamonds Aren't Forever," or, in  Danny's words, "don't take what you have for granted".<br /><br />~~~<br /><br />So there you have it, a Spring Cleaning for Christmas.<br /><br />I do sincerely thank the individuals who shared their tattoos in this entry. Happy Holidays, y'all!

Christmas House Cleaning

Regular readers of Tattoosday will notice that, although I generally follow a chronological order when I share tattoos I have encountered. H...

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Erin's Yellow Roses for Her Grandmother

Earlier this week, I met Erin and she shared this, one of her six tattoos:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjMtDEWUnMLZZFESYcfh658css5fB9D_pw0a9NthgMTBhAJxopeHO81qMFc8eMDUsQroDPL-MwUHtlEbz7YKDz9xajDeCE8jn2keAg0mt_2mMyA9zvNPCz9upRdFrcwb7hMk_uPjiN/s1600/Yellow+Roses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjMtDEWUnMLZZFESYcfh658css5fB9D_pw0a9NthgMTBhAJxopeHO81qMFc8eMDUsQroDPL-MwUHtlEbz7YKDz9xajDeCE8jn2keAg0mt_2mMyA9zvNPCz9upRdFrcwb7hMk_uPjiN/s400/Yellow+Roses.jpg" width="175" /></a></div><br />Erin explained that these yellow roses on her left forearm are for her grandmother, her favorite person. Her grandma's favorite roses are the yellow variety.<br /><br />Erin credits artist <a href="http://www.myspace.com/jessegabriel">Jesse Gabriel</a> at <a href="http://www.halo-tattoo.com/">Halo Tattoo III</a> in Syracuse, New York for this work. Work from Halo has appeared previously <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/search/label/Halo%20Tattoo">here</a> on Tattoosday.<br /><br />Thanks to Erin for sharing her tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!

Erin's Yellow Roses for Her Grandmother

Earlier this week, I met Erin and she shared this, one of her six tattoos: Erin explained that these yellow roses on her left forearm are fo...

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Juli's Right Calf: A Sugar Skull and More!

Back in April, I met Juli, who hosts a dozen tattoos, and counting.<br /><br />She offered up two pieces, both on her right calf.<br /><br />First was this sugar skull, inked by <a href="http://www.strangebreutattoo.com/">Chris Strangebreu</a>, who currently is working out of <a href="http://studio33tattoo.com/">Studio 33 Tattoo</a> on St. Mark's Place in Manhattan:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDi06Nd_c63HdosGZCW1EY-4Zat57PFqM7tf_NRBU1T_-7KLKpGYn7vSw6in3HB_cus6bqufVhBXzJuTp_-F_-0n-lmRE3sNGy-AOQgfG5xh_zpS9nXVbQE-w2GrwjqEUHt9WRZwFF/s1600/Juli+Sugar+Skull.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDi06Nd_c63HdosGZCW1EY-4Zat57PFqM7tf_NRBU1T_-7KLKpGYn7vSw6in3HB_cus6bqufVhBXzJuTp_-F_-0n-lmRE3sNGy-AOQgfG5xh_zpS9nXVbQE-w2GrwjqEUHt9WRZwFF/s640/Juli+Sugar+Skull.jpg" width="380" /></a></div><br />Always a fan of sugar skulls here on Tattoosday, I was glad that Juli was more than happy to share this tattoo. She pointed out that the flowers are <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerbera">Gerbera daisies</a> ("my ultimate favorite flower ever") and that the eyes and the tips of the daisies have unusual accents. Chris used an ink known as "Japanese pink,"  which makes the specific areas of the piece glow in the dark.<br />  <br />The other tattoo Juli shared is part of what she envisions to be a larger piece that will wrap around her calf and thematically connect with the sugar skull:<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinkCYCYIvfyxiImMqIijzzFDPEAV12nqMXmp-YWI_YJnWl9LFVhwcFTUsUD38iOCA9wAeIZoHn8Afw8TJ20uFeg1dJDe5TZsqHKPTPwJVca68i4iT0F6TukZ0eSwU5aj-gnctUfK1F/s1600/Juli+Tradiional.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinkCYCYIvfyxiImMqIijzzFDPEAV12nqMXmp-YWI_YJnWl9LFVhwcFTUsUD38iOCA9wAeIZoHn8Afw8TJ20uFeg1dJDe5TZsqHKPTPwJVca68i4iT0F6TukZ0eSwU5aj-gnctUfK1F/s400/Juli+Tradiional.jpg" width="257" /></a></div><br />This was done by <a href="http://holeintheskytattoos.com/">Geoff Horn</a> at the <span id="goog_1349564425"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/">Philadelphia Tattoo Arts Convention<span id="goog_1349564426"></span></a>. <br /><br />I'm hoping that this won't be the last we see from Juli, and I thank her for sharing these great tattoos with us here on Tattoosday!

Juli's Right Calf: A Sugar Skull and More!

Back in April, I met Juli, who hosts a dozen tattoos, and counting. She offered up two pieces, both on her right calf. First was this sugar ...

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Sal Shares His Illusion-ary Tattoo

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoaGrusFan_juH8UImc1qeocfC8WKI0Va6SyfoKpqKlTZ87mGVY8VPaN5YlFQLTylv7SGCwhB9nQO06Mm5JlqOgduhfnSwFK_p9hbycNEpddClxmnBaohQ35odP21AHKwbJre6r3_6P_Eu/s1600-h/use+your+illusion.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248143859562211890" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoaGrusFan_juH8UImc1qeocfC8WKI0Va6SyfoKpqKlTZ87mGVY8VPaN5YlFQLTylv7SGCwhB9nQO06Mm5JlqOgduhfnSwFK_p9hbycNEpddClxmnBaohQ35odP21AHKwbJre6r3_6P_Eu/s400/use+your+illusion.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a><br />On Tuesday I was in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brooklyn_Heights,_Brooklyn">Brooklyn Heights</a>, walking toward <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cadman_Plaza">Cadman Plaza</a> on <a href="http://www.smalltownbrooklyn.com/bklynheights/eastwest/Clark/Clark4.html">Clark Street</a>. As I passed a local video store, <a href="http://groups.myspace.com/MrVideoIIIFanClub">Mr. Video III</a>, I spotted some ink on one of the employees and decided to head in and introduce myself.<br /><br />Sal has seven tattoos, but he chose to share the one above, from his left bicep.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNs3-VaHvpMtPqhHIbvImzVQc3ULXebpc-coArpmGCGjWjVPjFQk_Q574ouKsXrJq4ei7xMXQYQ-ssfYCeHr2BJuCdtwFf_OBxAKfNb1tlrCfBOChrCb8PDsjV9o0rBZHBl-qWvzQML9SQ/s1600-h/guns_n_roses_use_your_illusion_1_a.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248145764383736978" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNs3-VaHvpMtPqhHIbvImzVQc3ULXebpc-coArpmGCGjWjVPjFQk_Q574ouKsXrJq4ei7xMXQYQ-ssfYCeHr2BJuCdtwFf_OBxAKfNb1tlrCfBOChrCb8PDsjV9o0rBZHBl-qWvzQML9SQ/s200/guns_n_roses_use_your_illusion_1_a.jpg" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" /></a>This is, of course, recognizable to anyone who is a rock fan, as the artwork gracing the cover of the 1991 <a href="http://www.gunsnroses.com/">Guns N' Roses</a> album <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Use_Your_Illusion_I" style="font-style: italic;">Use Your Illusion I</a>. A G n' R tattoo appeared on Tattoosday previously <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/2008/06/appe-tattoo-for-destruction.html">here</a>.<br /><br />Sal had this inked because the album was released at a point in his life, when he was a senior in high school, when most people are most impressionable and affected by massive displays of musical force. The album, and by extension, the tattoo, was something he could cling to, a great avenue by which he could "express his rage".<br /><br />With G n' R classics like "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_Next_Door_to_Hell">Right Next Door to Hell</a>," "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don%27t_Cry">Don't Cry</a>," "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Back_Off_Bitch">Back Off Bitch</a>," and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wings_%28band%29">Wings</a> cover "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Live_and_Let_Die_%28song%29">Live and Let Die</a>," the album is a <span style="font-style: italic;">tour de force</span> of hard rock angst.<br /><br />Sal also acknowledges that he, like many others who were fans of the band, developed a greater appreciation of classical art, as the image form the record (and its companion, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Use_Your_Illusion_II"><span style="font-style: italic;">Use Your Illusion II</span></a>) are based on a detail in the Italian Renaissance painter <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raphael">Raphael's</a> , <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_School_of_Athens"><span style="font-style: italic;">The School of Athens</span></a>:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidvIzp1K_KiCGmfyeLzkIFNZ9LF0iqUDK_O6ZxhDzUkTducvdwW7YQzQ3cjGDXq901-svB-ziuSdOm6FgPANYWpz73d3aSGHKQjpIMropQtBfH6E_NPKuBUTnOcG9ljgYceZ6_mKl69Ol3/s1600-h/773px-Sanzio_01.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248154901037428802" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidvIzp1K_KiCGmfyeLzkIFNZ9LF0iqUDK_O6ZxhDzUkTducvdwW7YQzQ3cjGDXq901-svB-ziuSdOm6FgPANYWpz73d3aSGHKQjpIMropQtBfH6E_NPKuBUTnOcG9ljgYceZ6_mKl69Ol3/s400/773px-Sanzio_01.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a><br />Or, the detail used:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvxL2nhRkOW9rmr1yY1Xvgt21dR9cuqZm7wO8PHrdkyXj7E2wQXbGO7Yo1mw_wrqxKzlZ5Od6VIMYN4p1pDLOXFh_sMFlS-DN_93yV_Ki7dG3d3aUbXTafpeLGVc9vk4tuBShLr4m4_k_F/s1600-h/Raphael_School_of_Athens_GNR.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248155334614893602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvxL2nhRkOW9rmr1yY1Xvgt21dR9cuqZm7wO8PHrdkyXj7E2wQXbGO7Yo1mw_wrqxKzlZ5Od6VIMYN4p1pDLOXFh_sMFlS-DN_93yV_Ki7dG3d3aUbXTafpeLGVc9vk4tuBShLr4m4_k_F/s400/Raphael_School_of_Athens_GNR.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a><br />Sal says that this piece was inked around 1994 by an artist named Jason, who worked with the studio of the <del>late</del> great <a href="http://www.kencavanagh.com/index.php#mi=2&pt=1&pi=10000&s=8&p=1&a=0&at=0">Huggy-Bear Ferris</a> in Park Slope. Work from Huggy-Bear has appeared <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/2008/06/dragon-by-huggie-bear.html">here</a> previously on Tattoosday.<br /><br />Thanks to Sal for sharing his tattoo here on Tattoosday. As I will be passing by Mr. Video III on a more regular basis in the future, I hope that Sal would share more of his tattoos with us in the future!

Sal Shares His Illusion-ary Tattoo

On Tuesday I was in Brooklyn Heights , walking toward Cadman Plaza on Clark Street . As I passed a local video store, Mr. Video III , I spo...

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Appe-tattoo for Destruction

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpQ06OEQxoQPaDllKcBI1fwAzVZOnTbiXztWf1kKLH1dpzhQBUZqf-5nfFGYhe3D12ssDIpC2RG6WC00WBGs4Kpp3obrrYRm9FvuZkCY2m8TZKueHYIAidEUftZTv8K6EBOM4C-T90Cntc/s1600-h/100_7510.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208969382055066514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpQ06OEQxoQPaDllKcBI1fwAzVZOnTbiXztWf1kKLH1dpzhQBUZqf-5nfFGYhe3D12ssDIpC2RG6WC00WBGs4Kpp3obrrYRm9FvuZkCY2m8TZKueHYIAidEUftZTv8K6EBOM4C-T90Cntc/s400/100_7510.JPG" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a> Sorry. I couldn't resist.<br /><br />Spotted this very well-done piece honoring what many consider one of the greatest hard rock albums of all time, <a href="http://www.gunsnroses.com/">Guns N' Roses</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appetite_for_Destruction"><span style="font-style: italic;">Appetite for Destruction</span></a>.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjToL2V2UUmCqLOWdWMH-him16zfN6dxj_vw8Zm1Dnc_phwHkzKCY3bQurLzepea0SVKL3mESrKmqPW-UrerxaMuIuzFdQ2LGldqs29iFvShnW6-FlKwkU8YonliBCzK4es0En8ytrBkKZh/s1600-h/guns_n_roses_-_appetite_for_destruction.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210184792983893906" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjToL2V2UUmCqLOWdWMH-him16zfN6dxj_vw8Zm1Dnc_phwHkzKCY3bQurLzepea0SVKL3mESrKmqPW-UrerxaMuIuzFdQ2LGldqs29iFvShnW6-FlKwkU8YonliBCzK4es0En8ytrBkKZh/s400/guns_n_roses_-_appetite_for_destruction.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a><br />Edward didn't mind stopping in front of <a href="http://www.thegarden.com/">Madison Square Garde</a><a href="http://www.thegarden.com/">n</a> and sharing his tattoo that was inked three years ago at <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/omega-tattoos-and-body-piercing-jackson-heights">Omega Tattoos</a> in Queens.<br /><br />This is Edward's only tattoo. Thanks to him for sharing it with the rest of us here at Tattoosday!

Appe-tattoo for Destruction

Sorry. I couldn't resist. Spotted this very well-done piece honoring what many consider one of the greatest hard rock albums of all tim...

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