The Tattooed Poets Project: Tammy Nuzzo-Morgan

In the first post of this year's Tattooed Poets Project (<a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/2011/04/tattooed-poets-project-vicki-iorio.html">here</a>), Vicki Iorio described watching today's tattooed poet, <a href="http://www.tammynuzzomorgan.com/">Tammy Nuzzo-Morgan</a>, recite verse while being tattooed. Here is that tattoo, along with some others:<br /><br /><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/AVvXsEgKjCF6yU7nfQ7Q8cK_UiSMwwkMXlynQ3iN_MF53gCsqLBbrMap-GgbjkbtI4zEWH8VXzNYDDOkuLq4SVxqi0hU9SMyH6eyrglY9kGDt_QLYQ9OCLE1314a9lVNvjaO87KeddAEvbnvvIA/s1600/Tammy+poet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKjCF6yU7nfQ7Q8cK_UiSMwwkMXlynQ3iN_MF53gCsqLBbrMap-GgbjkbtI4zEWH8VXzNYDDOkuLq4SVxqi0hU9SMyH6eyrglY9kGDt_QLYQ9OCLE1314a9lVNvjaO87KeddAEvbnvvIA/s400/Tammy+poet.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photograph by Mark Wells</td></tr></tbody></table>The word "poet" in the center of the back is self-explanatory and was inked by Syxx, at <a href="http://www.wyldchyldstudios.com/">Wyld Chyld Tattoo Studio</a>. Above that is the name "Joey," who is Tammy's husband. That was done by an artist named Kenny at a shop called Z Connection. The piece on the right is a rose, with the names of Tammy's three children and their birth dates, inked by Bob at <a href="http://www.tattoolous.com/#">Tattoo Lou's</a> on Long Island. Dave at Tattoo Lou's also did the memorial cross for Tammy's son Mike, who was killed in 1995. Tammy also has this tattoo on her foot:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0fs-Sd2ElpGuIbIuj3E38bUJj8-t53MIx64U4LrrguPC1FHj58ebeY6G8tWO0KRn_0zA1vuDBau7O-9YQspLryeguTHU2_R8BKDyx5KFEJjv7TByfT3SA3PPaAMrhzfY-fN4ebbL7-ck/s1600/cat+paw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0fs-Sd2ElpGuIbIuj3E38bUJj8-t53MIx64U4LrrguPC1FHj58ebeY6G8tWO0KRn_0zA1vuDBau7O-9YQspLryeguTHU2_R8BKDyx5KFEJjv7TByfT3SA3PPaAMrhzfY-fN4ebbL7-ck/s400/cat+paw.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />That cat paw is for Tammy's cat, Maude, who passed away last October 10, and was done by Jimmy at Wyld Chyld.<br /><br />Tammy also shared some of her poetry:<br /><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">POEM#6<br /><br />I am not the coca cola girl, <br />the Cheez-It tidbit waiting for you to taste, <br />the limo ride to the Yankee’s game, <br />the wrangler jeans chick baking in the New Mexico sun, <br />and I never was or will be Sunday mornings in spring.<br /><br />I am the time-ticking-away second hand, <br />the flat tire on the side of the road, <br />the too high door jam, <br />the worn-out tooth brush, <br />the 59 cents in the ashtray, <br />the Lunch Poems dog-eared book, <br />and the who never forgets to tell the truth.</div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">~ ~ ~</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">SPOONS <br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">I remember when you spoon-fed me ice-cream as we lay in bed on that rainy afternoon<br />and the way your fingers tasted and your neck had a hint of sweat and I closed my eyes<br />and you drove away the dark and I called your name in a low, soft moan.<br /><br />I remember when you spooned sugar into your morning tea on that sunny Tuesday</span> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />and I watched you drink as if you were a foreign film I could not understand<br />and your smile told me my poetry made you hunger for more than a nine-to-five life.<br /><br />I remember when you spooned dirt into the flower pot and filled it with mums for me</span> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />and I was peeking out the window seeing you bent down working away humming<br />and I decided then that I was not who I wanted to be without you in my days and nights<br /><br />And I remember how after you left I packed away all the silverware, including those</span> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />spoons and I gave the box to the Salvation Army, hoping for some salvation of my own<br />and I drove away from our town knowing I would never see another sunset like you.</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">~ ~ ~</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">Tammy Nuzzo-Morgan is a very busy woman. <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">She was appointed </span><a href="http://www.co.suffolk.ny.us/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">Suffolk</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">County</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"> Poet Laureate for 2009 – 2011. She is founder and president of <a href="http://www.tammynuzzomorgan.com/north.htm">The North Sea Poetry Scene, Inc.</a> and The North Sea Poetry Scene Press. She was nominated for Pulitzer Prize in 2006 for her poetry book, <i>Let Me Tell You Something</i>. She is<br />listed in <a href="http://www.pw.org/">Poets & Writers</a>, has penned 4 chapbooks, is Poet-in-Residence at </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1201664158"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">Southampton</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.southamptonhistoricalmuseum.org/"> Historical Museum</a>, an adjunct Professor at </span><a href="http://www.briarcliffe.edu/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">Briarcliffe</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">College</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">, the editor of the </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1201664165"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">Long Island</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.poets.org/viewevent.php/prmEventID/5636"> Sounds Anthology</a>. She hosts TNSPS’s Arts Forum TV Show on Channel 20 on Cablevision in Riverhead, N.Y. and serves as the Lead Poetry Jurist for the <a href="http://www.eastendarts.org/">East End Arts Council</a>, Riverhead, N.Y.<br /><br />Currently, Tammy is creating an archival/arts center (</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><a href="http://www.lipoetryarchivalcenter.com/" target="_blank">www.lipoetryarchivalcenter.com</a>)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"> for </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">Long Island</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"> poetry that will be a gathering place for poets. She is also currently working toward an M.F.A. at </span><a href="http://www.stonybrook.edu/sb/southampton/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">Southampton</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">Stony</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">Brook</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">University</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">.</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">Thanks to Tammy for sharing her work, both written and tattooed, here on Tattoosday!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-small;">This entry is ©2011 Tattoosday. The poem is reprinted here with the permission of the author.<br /><br />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 </span> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><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.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>

The Tattooed Poets Project: Tammy Nuzzo-Morgan

In the first post of this year's Tattooed Poets Project ( here ), Vicki Iorio described watching today's tattooed poet, Tammy Nuzzo-...

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Two for Tattoosday: Vanessa's Ink (Two Hearts Beat as One)

I met Vanessa last week and she generously shared two of her wonderful tattoos.<br /><br />This piece on her inner right forearm was her first tattoo:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsJYGhCw-ccjjBNcVKqmyyhGxr9khK6J780Kll3iBcHfCLAbchrFmk-aEoZhT_Fh2sKfj1IJXrwij8Cw9eWXZoV5V-FnzdR3bC3DkhIYoFaBBwb7lp358Sn9hvDgJNNh6UGTPqeuJt/s1600-h/Sunflower+Album+Cover.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449169227019503538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsJYGhCw-ccjjBNcVKqmyyhGxr9khK6J780Kll3iBcHfCLAbchrFmk-aEoZhT_Fh2sKfj1IJXrwij8Cw9eWXZoV5V-FnzdR3bC3DkhIYoFaBBwb7lp358Sn9hvDgJNNh6UGTPqeuJt/s400/Sunflower+Album+Cover.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 182px; height: 400px;" /></a><br /><br />This design is based on the album cover of <a href="http://www.myspace.com/poisonthewell">Poison the Well's</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/You_Come_Before_You"><span style="font-style: italic;">You Come Before You</span></a>.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAAFRGJD1PFZsXeA_-0G_Bj-Ulu8fQ2UgktftcZmurD0YrfRuZeZ1unM4ILjSs_gs2bBHqI_rySohs5rhdwGXZEK0Ns1MJOL3rJ_USFCupFM8uezEBU-3bmdpgjEHZ9JxhM0LRd1K2/s1600-h/youcome.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449170166505299634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAAFRGJD1PFZsXeA_-0G_Bj-Ulu8fQ2UgktftcZmurD0YrfRuZeZ1unM4ILjSs_gs2bBHqI_rySohs5rhdwGXZEK0Ns1MJOL3rJ_USFCupFM8uezEBU-3bmdpgjEHZ9JxhM0LRd1K2/s320/youcome.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" /></a><br />Vanessa explained that this was the album she listened to when she was visiting her mother in the hospital. Her mom recovered, and she associates the record with this time of her life. The tattoo celebrates those moments.<br /><br />The second piece she shared was inspired by her father:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWgrA1BC_0G-53EZ-qGvvmooWK6I8sQPAudIi3GYkGIyuEkyBpw8ahDsqa9BJL1VKB9wJ5yEQXrVKXavroY3kit3vSRY1ODdddtrPx2RZ691-nbrbvpRg1LbVG-rKSgOlnLMMwET5L/s1600-h/Vanessa's+Heart.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449168782765637762" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWgrA1BC_0G-53EZ-qGvvmooWK6I8sQPAudIi3GYkGIyuEkyBpw8ahDsqa9BJL1VKB9wJ5yEQXrVKXavroY3kit3vSRY1ODdddtrPx2RZ691-nbrbvpRg1LbVG-rKSgOlnLMMwET5L/s400/Vanessa's+Heart.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 348px; height: 400px;" /></a><br />Unlike with her mom, Vanessa does not have a relationship with her dad. The optimistic banner "may we meet again" is a glance forward, toward the possibility of someday reconnecting with him.<br /><br />This large tattoo, on her right biceps, took eight hours, all in one sitting. The detail of the anatomically-correct heart is amazing. Vanessa pointed out how the artist added flowers to the design, as well as the rays of light in the upper right corner to create the shape of a figurative heart, as well.<br /><br />Both pieces were created by <a href="http://www.tattoolous.com/profileanthony.html#">Anthony Mealie</a> at <a href="http://www.tattoolous.com/about.html">Tattoo Lou's</a> in Selden, New York.<br /><br />Work from that shop has appeared previously <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/search/label/Tattoo%20Lou%27s">here</a>.<br /><br />Thanks again to Vanessa for sharing her wonderful tattoos with us here on Tattoosday!

Two for Tattoosday: Vanessa's Ink (Two Hearts Beat as One)

I met Vanessa last week and she generously shared two of her wonderful tattoos. This piece on her inner right forearm was her first tattoo: ...

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Mike Shares Some More Ink

<div style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Back in May, I met a guy named Mike outside of Penn Station and he shared <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/2009/05/mikes-lion-skeleton-tattoo.html">this tattoo</a> with us.<br /><br />Occasionally, contributors who I have met on the street will send me a follow-up of additional tattoos that I didn't photograph the first time I met them. Mike was generous enough with his time and energy to do just that.<br /><br />First is a piece that was done around the same time that the lion-skeleton tattoo, featured back in May, was completed, back in 1995:<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7XxcvgZ0z1WZ65HTYMSpOggaztXGtkrBNh3hvpT4yUGAXXTLeGN7dC91ta7Iy1I7Ra-qklNSfmYxip6HtaDHp5HCEZtPGIuQxUqp8bApVRh_oaOQKXmvyUx1ZgPKv_wOXL1EXHjWA/s1600/Skull+Glove.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407630534272846162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7XxcvgZ0z1WZ65HTYMSpOggaztXGtkrBNh3hvpT4yUGAXXTLeGN7dC91ta7Iy1I7Ra-qklNSfmYxip6HtaDHp5HCEZtPGIuQxUqp8bApVRh_oaOQKXmvyUx1ZgPKv_wOXL1EXHjWA/s400/Skull+Glove.JPG" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 147px; height: 400px;" /></a></span></div><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"></span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family: arial;">This, like the previous work featured from Mike, was inked by Doug White at the </span><a href="http://www.inkspot-tattoo.com/linden.html" style="font-family: arial;">Ink Spot</a><span style="font-family: arial;"> in Linden, New Jersey.<br /><br />Mike also sent along this snake: </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" ></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiABn0JGBFVPxuP7UXLC-m4__g-5x4VQWhFRKy8DWZOlI5V5yoLlnWcvagGT1KEQwFdjSp8eS8I1AlWL4snqpAevzRuOTaexybWMQ-m9iussvo4L9RNKUI8N15s9zv4uKGEod6m3V-e/s1600/Snake+edited.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407631983011152258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiABn0JGBFVPxuP7UXLC-m4__g-5x4VQWhFRKy8DWZOlI5V5yoLlnWcvagGT1KEQwFdjSp8eS8I1AlWL4snqpAevzRuOTaexybWMQ-m9iussvo4L9RNKUI8N15s9zv4uKGEod6m3V-e/s400/Snake+edited.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 217px; height: 400px;" /></a><br />I love the cross-hatch patterns on the back of the snake. The lines are so finely drawn, I am impressed by the amount of patience it must have taken to get these tiny details just right.<br /><br />Mike also sent a photo of this gargoyle on his back:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrn_llPma5sx-jaYa5JalqTpq3jdSNA6SLGgLKpUKVzmmuL8H3uvONcXdZUqYpJWwubzG5FD59I1Qf-5sMiAuTU74KcZf-nVmxXQAr_5-ASZMg0Wg0QES0OniNl8uBp3VPXWOQw_5p/s1600/Gargoyle+edited.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407631933281318194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrn_llPma5sx-jaYa5JalqTpq3jdSNA6SLGgLKpUKVzmmuL8H3uvONcXdZUqYpJWwubzG5FD59I1Qf-5sMiAuTU74KcZf-nVmxXQAr_5-ASZMg0Wg0QES0OniNl8uBp3VPXWOQw_5p/s400/Gargoyle+edited.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 349px;" /></a></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><br />These last two pieces were inked at <a href="http://www.tattoolous.com/">Tattoo Lou's</a> in Babylon, New York back in 2000. Work from Tattoo Lou's has appeared previously on Tattoosday <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/search/label/Tattoo%20Lou%27s">here</a>.</span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >Thanks again to Mike for sharing more of his ink with us here on Tattoosday! </span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /></span><div style="font-family: arial;"> </div><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span>

Mike Shares Some More Ink

Back in May, I met a guy named Mike outside of Penn Station and he shared this tattoo with us. Occasionally, contributors who I have met on...

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Nick's Rocking Leg Tattoos (Van Halen and Aerosmith)

At the end of July, while searching for <a href="http://www.greenday.com/">Green Day</a> tattoos, I met, perhaps, the ultimate <a href="http://www.van-halen.com/">Van Halen</a> fan.<br /><br />Nick was hanging out at the side of <a href="http://www.thegarden.com/">Madison Square Garden</a>, talking with a friend, and I spotted several rock-themed tattoos on his legs.<br /><br />Nick has seven tattoos and let me photograph three of them. His outer right calf has this Eddie Van Halen piece:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_XTQHWnv9mFsN4aW4mwWRPvwbLKMKcWyrSZ5BY5qp0eGA-eDeGjCk6ax6n7dPNSIEyWq9tDrWUNa1_t477xcaGJSt3XDovVXNuvQbxQnAPL_BqTXV1W_oX8dEl-ekrVJIpNlRPgeQZck/s1600-h/Eddie+2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372571954123176770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_XTQHWnv9mFsN4aW4mwWRPvwbLKMKcWyrSZ5BY5qp0eGA-eDeGjCk6ax6n7dPNSIEyWq9tDrWUNa1_t477xcaGJSt3XDovVXNuvQbxQnAPL_BqTXV1W_oX8dEl-ekrVJIpNlRPgeQZck/s400/Eddie+2.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 186px; height: 400px;" /></a><br />This was done by a visiting artist at one of the <a href="http://www.tattoolous.com/">Tattoo Lou's</a> locations on Long Island. Work from Tattoo Lou's has appeared on Tattoosday previously <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/search/label/Tattoo%20Lou%27s">here</a>.<br /><br />The better of the two Van Halen pieces (in my opinion), on his inner right calf, is this one, inked by Thom at <a href="http://www.tattoofrenzy.com/">Tattoo Frenzy</a>, in Lindenhurst, New York.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPj54HY8qb_BVd0Gr8cG01Kvb-W0qNJB7NomooAyzKDTJDrj6u51fpAn1MLxRaUKMzvYW5-kF-cnm6nKA8DNTSlD0KPTAM_QFioROvPvtKFDnxv2obqT2oRu8uhgTjQ-WH-FSdL_FyrCw/s1600-h/Eddie+1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372572157566836802" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPj54HY8qb_BVd0Gr8cG01Kvb-W0qNJB7NomooAyzKDTJDrj6u51fpAn1MLxRaUKMzvYW5-kF-cnm6nKA8DNTSlD0KPTAM_QFioROvPvtKFDnxv2obqT2oRu8uhgTjQ-WH-FSdL_FyrCw/s400/Eddie+1.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 223px; height: 400px;" /></a><br />The detail on the guitar is incredible:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPp8lmk-zMOMGKCfths_CzEooQz2GeVQChv3UyjEEiJAvSPDKBR5_FyafiT1y07lraSagxU55Q19W9JQRhXzLBi2gu2dWgf4O0Zx3gawwgaEig_D-7JbkcawCxS5N6qV6y2S1X3nM4gro/s1600-h/Eddie+1+detail.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372571601493224066" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPp8lmk-zMOMGKCfths_CzEooQz2GeVQChv3UyjEEiJAvSPDKBR5_FyafiT1y07lraSagxU55Q19W9JQRhXzLBi2gu2dWgf4O0Zx3gawwgaEig_D-7JbkcawCxS5N6qV6y2S1X3nM4gro/s400/Eddie+1+detail.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 352px;" /></a><br />Nick says, with certainty, that he has seen Van Halen in concert 394 times (as of July 2009).<br /><br />He also shared this other tattoo, from his left leg:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZsxfom9bnzjdaucGzZjj0yLou3Nt_a1Hb2iiJOqZHhov_SQQ8sVYs3qPnKVUMrgpTZ8VBhhdjg-i2Cc7nyigNh4vqSdKJmRLnMeB1wFcNgFu3rPcrjRGLBh9vb06EIE_9tOspM4_AElI/s1600-h/Aerosmith.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372570871917472642" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZsxfom9bnzjdaucGzZjj0yLou3Nt_a1Hb2iiJOqZHhov_SQQ8sVYs3qPnKVUMrgpTZ8VBhhdjg-i2Cc7nyigNh4vqSdKJmRLnMeB1wFcNgFu3rPcrjRGLBh9vb06EIE_9tOspM4_AElI/s400/Aerosmith.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 221px; height: 400px;" /></a><br />This piece is based on the cover art from <a href="http://www.aerosmith.com/">Aerosmith's</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Just_Push_Play" style="font-style: italic;">Just Push Play</a> album:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEeWxMJ_J9ndIhnBr6stAOHFm58-XyuEhGObw_v2HgxRG2hOADwsIzfNqUuFRE69D5UjGCchqRD753GIO1jNrrS4uv9aAR30S6Md4EOICwQjB3BlmcvSFrIaTgBgGNRR5o_ZWuQHhOY3E/s1600-h/Aerosmith_-_Just_Push_Play.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372573811923090322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEeWxMJ_J9ndIhnBr6stAOHFm58-XyuEhGObw_v2HgxRG2hOADwsIzfNqUuFRE69D5UjGCchqRD753GIO1jNrrS4uv9aAR30S6Md4EOICwQjB3BlmcvSFrIaTgBgGNRR5o_ZWuQHhOY3E/s400/Aerosmith_-_Just_Push_Play.JPG" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 300px;" /></a><br />Thanks to Nick for sharing his rocking tattoos with us here on Tattoosday!

Nick's Rocking Leg Tattoos (Van Halen and Aerosmith)

At the end of July, while searching for Green Day tattoos, I met, perhaps, the ultimate Van Halen fan. Nick was hanging out at the side of...

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Footprints Over the Heart: Anthony Celebrates the Continuing Tradition of a Name

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyedQlTpaH9xQC9qOnsSXGlYdniRvQGnzf9b2OvB5sPedDa0uTN7Zs3bs0GcBfN8ZlDeWj3CezBLVbf23eEQOa2UCzNRhYTOTnbIEaW5IeSDbLM27ytgQj2isOYq-xKcXZMLKyElcCMha-/s1600-h/PICT1566.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307078187138591442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyedQlTpaH9xQC9qOnsSXGlYdniRvQGnzf9b2OvB5sPedDa0uTN7Zs3bs0GcBfN8ZlDeWj3CezBLVbf23eEQOa2UCzNRhYTOTnbIEaW5IeSDbLM27ytgQj2isOYq-xKcXZMLKyElcCMha-/s400/PICT1566.JPG" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><br />Mary-Lee appeared in my doorway at the end of the work day with Anthony standing next to her.<br /><br />Mary-Lee's tattoo was featured <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/2008/12/tattoos-i-know-mary-lees-paternal.html">here</a> in December. I had never met Anthony before, but Mary-Lee had mentioned his tattoo to me, and she had told him about Tattoosday. He works for one of the vendors our company utilizes for a mailing process.<br /><br />Anthony, whose birth name is Antonio, is a second generation Italian-American, and the son of Antonio, Sr. He is 100% Sicilian, and last year, on July 29, experienced the joy of having a first child, a son, also named Antonio.<br /><br />Antonio III.<br /><br />Aside from memorial tattoos, ink honoring one's offspring is equal to, or possibly greater, in popularity. As a parent myself, I'm partial to tattoos that pay tribute to one's kids. Both of my tattoos were inked in honor of my daughters, so parental tattoos have a special place in my heart.<br /><br />To so honor little Anthony III, Anthony Jr. inked his son's birth name over his heart and, just below it, had his baby footprints added.<br /><br />He wears with honor the legacy of his father's name, and bears the mark of tradition, as it carries from generation to generation.<br /><br />A closer look also shows that the footprints are done lighter than the print of the name, which I think is a nice effect:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWGgGgGtk9TD-jUZs7pUnFT2zRsozGzdNkpj1t-769xf15-UvvK3E7_fAFLhYNzpdHrgW3BSiep9gR-db2JOLezk5AP3AsIPPmU3oNGHvtlpJb__2xjWqJrd1hAscB3OdIuVCs19SdslEp/s1600-h/antonio+close-up.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307080320230174914" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWGgGgGtk9TD-jUZs7pUnFT2zRsozGzdNkpj1t-769xf15-UvvK3E7_fAFLhYNzpdHrgW3BSiep9gR-db2JOLezk5AP3AsIPPmU3oNGHvtlpJb__2xjWqJrd1hAscB3OdIuVCs19SdslEp/s400/antonio+close-up.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 385px; height: 400px;" /></a> <br />A footprint isn't generally a "permanent" fixture, and fades with time. Although the tattoo is permanent, the lighter ink lends more authenticity to the temporary nature of this snapshot in little Anthony's first moments in the world. It captures the moment of his birth, a pinnacle of joy in every father's life.<br /><br />For a comparison, and I pass no judgment here, check out <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/2008/10/charlie-honors-birth-of-his-youngest.html">this earlier footprint post</a>. There's a stark difference in the two tattoos, and I will say that this example is a nicer representation of the style of tattoo.<br /><br />This is Anthony's third tattoo, but clearly the most important one. He had this inked at <a href="http://www.tattoolous.com/seld.htm">Tattoo Lou's</a> in Selden, New York. Work from one of Tattoo Lou's other locations has appeared previously <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/2008/08/nicoles-hibiscus-tattoo.html">here</a>.<br /><br />Thanks to Anthony for sharing his meaningful tribute to his son, and his family tradition, here on Tattoosday!

Footprints Over the Heart: Anthony Celebrates the Continuing Tradition of a Name

Mary-Lee appeared in my doorway at the end of the work day with Anthony standing next to her. Mary-Lee's tattoo was featured here in De...

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Nicole's Hibiscus Tattoo

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqyNnXiM4NjuAfF4Lj3-cCWHgH6AmaFJyO5706CWtVrtGLR0kJL4pvVpFb0yvn9vx1GCTeW5zjztLXVV9dA_XqkaEfV4KXp_X4-xxXLlg9jaKAg4MG0uUt98H4TfstyXqAguD1KhUQk-z/s1600-h/PICT0303.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229873959700528290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqyNnXiM4NjuAfF4Lj3-cCWHgH6AmaFJyO5706CWtVrtGLR0kJL4pvVpFb0yvn9vx1GCTeW5zjztLXVV9dA_XqkaEfV4KXp_X4-xxXLlg9jaKAg4MG0uUt98H4TfstyXqAguD1KhUQk-z/s400/PICT0303.JPG" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" /></a><br />I spotted the bottom of this tattoo peeping out from under Nicole's jeans cuff and asked her if I could see the whole piece. She obliged. Curiosity rewards the blogger.<br /><br />Nicole has this cool hibiscus tattoo on the top of her right foot.<br /><br />She ascribed no special meaning behind the piece, other than she liked the design and it represented Beauty.<br /><br />I can't say I blame her, especially as a former resident of Hawai'i, where the hibiscus is the state flower.<br /><br />This piece was inked by Dan at <a href="http://www.tattoolous.com/bab.htm">Tattoo Lou's</a> in Babylon, New York.<br /><br />Thanks to Nicole for sharing her floral foot tattoo with us!

Nicole's Hibiscus Tattoo

I spotted the bottom of this tattoo peeping out from under Nicole's jeans cuff and asked her if I could see the whole piece. She obliged...

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