Annie Cherry and Bindlestiff Willy in New York City

I met <a href="http://www.kcsob.com/anniecherry.html">Annie Cherry</a> outside of Penn Station in early September. She was talking with <a href="http://www.kcsob.com/bindlestiffwilly.html">Bindlestiff Willy</a>. She had visible tattoos. He did not.<br /><br />I approached them and introduced myself.<br /><br />This is Annie:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdAIOx2q7brWv-M6bVB4159cA6d2DPtD0P_BWcdVvdZqSVvmaM6JTaIeMrK03YST6S9rq9Jn9l8bYVaqbDV8i_7wSRjju3tLppYnltReJZNLMQK3YPvu0x7JCm33dDlAmImeABcKpc/s1600-h/anniecherry.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387588337526722306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdAIOx2q7brWv-M6bVB4159cA6d2DPtD0P_BWcdVvdZqSVvmaM6JTaIeMrK03YST6S9rq9Jn9l8bYVaqbDV8i_7wSRjju3tLppYnltReJZNLMQK3YPvu0x7JCm33dDlAmImeABcKpc/s400/anniecherry.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 278px;" /></a><br />And here is Bindlestiff Willy:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdTvrqukeASsoRI4_2PGumpB033o6xlM7fFC0-rd3ARezx6zjTze-96b9WHNbapquS4R8ALq1qz2kqC0MJjrITsmbemx3HIarG699HAfO_zvwNjhT3e8TTE5p6vZVoP0ee5DeUAsog/s1600-h/BindlestiffPaulAndrews.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387588278609818274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdTvrqukeASsoRI4_2PGumpB033o6xlM7fFC0-rd3ARezx6zjTze-96b9WHNbapquS4R8ALq1qz2kqC0MJjrITsmbemx3HIarG699HAfO_zvwNjhT3e8TTE5p6vZVoP0ee5DeUAsog/s400/BindlestiffPaulAndrews.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;" /></a><br />Both perform with a group called the <a href="http://www.kcsob.com/index.html">Kansas City Society of Burlesque</a>.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfg6F083qmynau5rQFpksINI3t50NmOMe8GIW_q_s8Z9WvHpnKaROvwV_MOEdFnjbAP6pFWIZfSUdDX3BkOiEpO4FzrC2CM85V3EzjvEgQRNJ3u_UTQulWkBzKNTZSP4Aq0IKjSLxt/s1600-h/kcsob.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387589709741165810" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfg6F083qmynau5rQFpksINI3t50NmOMe8GIW_q_s8Z9WvHpnKaROvwV_MOEdFnjbAP6pFWIZfSUdDX3BkOiEpO4FzrC2CM85V3EzjvEgQRNJ3u_UTQulWkBzKNTZSP4Aq0IKjSLxt/s400/kcsob.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 269px; height: 400px;" /></a> They had been in New York City performing out on Coney Island the previous weekend and were heading home.<br /><br />Annie graciously allowed to photograph her two tattoos, juxtaposed nicely on her inner forearms:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioowAlRLKj3coT8erHZyCuEqEft2gau5nlEywUkfceFl3di-b3uaCa4E_onB4FHRM_qdotMsKzEHC8B77mp0IuI1PHkBAdudUGyeTiEAQ1RAWtZov0mYtcm3tCuWg7eKUgeBnwQJgH/s1600-h/Annie+Arms.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387588649004834914" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioowAlRLKj3coT8erHZyCuEqEft2gau5nlEywUkfceFl3di-b3uaCa4E_onB4FHRM_qdotMsKzEHC8B77mp0IuI1PHkBAdudUGyeTiEAQ1RAWtZov0mYtcm3tCuWg7eKUgeBnwQJgH/s400/Annie+Arms.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 333px;" /></a><br />She explained the one on her left arm, saying it was a shooting star, about to be launched from a slingshot. She said the tattoo represents creative inspiration and that it reminds her "not to take herself too seriously".<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhja34SFOYHlBYLEEuj50ScpBx_VHQliOKX72QbYNePGzMxEca82_kBVQY0WtGLsHghVOm94ACmdD5hN9UXbtiWQrhio_r61ilCMqf5xfIi_ep2zvDZKzmMckX3-LfgJ6cklVkMVvnd/s1600-h/Annie+shooting+star.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387588585105458402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhja34SFOYHlBYLEEuj50ScpBx_VHQliOKX72QbYNePGzMxEca82_kBVQY0WtGLsHghVOm94ACmdD5hN9UXbtiWQrhio_r61ilCMqf5xfIi_ep2zvDZKzmMckX3-LfgJ6cklVkMVvnd/s400/Annie+shooting+star.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 259px; height: 400px;" /></a><br />Incidentally, several weeks later, I met a woman with a similar tattoo, only justaposed differently on the left arm. I was shocked to see it, but she explained that it was also a band logo for the group <a href="http://gogolbordello.com/news/">Gogol Bordello</a>.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCDieotjzSRdTHsduKmMIeUnmzugtSnfZSbdhKX7p037d34Kq0dCqoIKm7AOowNs6WmBXfmFNY96LwYH0Wqo8j31OYRGaphORrewJlPxrMrLxj1eftibkPGzBG591bWMZyPM8eK8Ym/s1600-h/gogol+thumbnail.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387590376996071506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCDieotjzSRdTHsduKmMIeUnmzugtSnfZSbdhKX7p037d34Kq0dCqoIKm7AOowNs6WmBXfmFNY96LwYH0Wqo8j31OYRGaphORrewJlPxrMrLxj1eftibkPGzBG591bWMZyPM8eK8Ym/s400/gogol+thumbnail.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 255px; height: 400px;" /></a><br />The snake on her left arm represents knowledge to Annie, and a reminder that the destination is not always reached by taking the straight path.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyfXWZIhqWJjuZIMGo79EfRTLXcQhSz_VmmeBoVAq8FmlQJyI7oOOLdJ3mMr3UnY2rDUcoPVfrWEP-tI6fwlE6lnyu7e-VzVf3cQ-pIdNjEuXBldPDGRvF-jYAa3TSZSvlaeGJirCG/s1600-h/Annie+snake.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387588491343104290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyfXWZIhqWJjuZIMGo79EfRTLXcQhSz_VmmeBoVAq8FmlQJyI7oOOLdJ3mMr3UnY2rDUcoPVfrWEP-tI6fwlE6lnyu7e-VzVf3cQ-pIdNjEuXBldPDGRvF-jYAa3TSZSvlaeGJirCG/s400/Annie+snake.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 217px; height: 400px;" /></a><br />Both tattoos were inked by <a href="http://www.mercyseattattoo.com/portfolio-chet/portfolio.php">Chet Duvenci</a> at <a href="http://www.mercyseattattoo.com/">The Mercy Seat Tattoo & Art Gallery</a> in Kansas City.<br /><br />After talking about her tattoos, Annie informed me that her traveling companion Bindelestiff Willy had a couple of great tattoos, as well. They were inked at The Mercy Seat also, but by different artists.<br /><br />Damian removed his jacket and rolled up his sleeves to reveal the tattoos on his upper arms.<br /><br />The first is on his upper left arm:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjViwc6O1ae2OQjqR78xpqhd4dXfHIOJjZl-0dpgJr-VEHDKPEbBmqK5N3jzjuwFF9bzFOO-RleRO_g7r8JYzCSz1oAZZKxW8Tv3DQpSitl7gUqDgGcwL6hNoJUNIL31IkgOaPqCE-z/s1600-h/Clowns+Pinup.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387587725865883138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjViwc6O1ae2OQjqR78xpqhd4dXfHIOJjZl-0dpgJr-VEHDKPEbBmqK5N3jzjuwFF9bzFOO-RleRO_g7r8JYzCSz1oAZZKxW8Tv3DQpSitl7gUqDgGcwL6hNoJUNIL31IkgOaPqCE-z/s400/Clowns+Pinup.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 192px; height: 400px;" /></a><br />If this classic pin-up girl looks familiar, scroll up to the top of the post and take another gander at the photo of Annie.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-gRVITHUruk7ZSPcecuZIjM-PUDJ3M32ysKfwDUnMUmDag7QsiM_wKqXOXMGu4qJoiy7i33uLqGT2A9wdCiXuZtmvHtThRVqFcYcs1gxHEYBwXuO58mi7dC74GkqK2ChUIAaRwNXu/s1600-h/Clowns+Pinup+detail.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387587959501305282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-gRVITHUruk7ZSPcecuZIjM-PUDJ3M32ysKfwDUnMUmDag7QsiM_wKqXOXMGu4qJoiy7i33uLqGT2A9wdCiXuZtmvHtThRVqFcYcs1gxHEYBwXuO58mi7dC74GkqK2ChUIAaRwNXu/s400/Clowns+Pinup+detail.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 269px;" /></a><br />The tattoo is modeled after her. The phrase "Clowns need love too" is self-referential. This piece was inked by <a href="http://www.mercyseattattoo.com/portfolio-ss/portfolio.php">Scott Shickman</a>.<br /><br />Damian, who performs under the name of "Bindlestiff Willy," is a pantomime specialist who does a great <a href="http://www.charliechaplin.com/">Charlie Chaplin</a> routine. The pun in his stage name combines the "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bindle">bindle </a>stick" commonly carried by hobos and tramps (in the Chaplinesque sense) and the raunchiness of "stiff Willy".<br /><br />His second tattoo, on the right arm, is a portrait of Charlie Chaplin's "Little Tramp" were he still alive. Of course, as the 1889 implies, Chaplin is a skeleton today, so the traditional tattoo takes a macabre turn.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjExUWcJz1M_TD1byKBGUV2yOJmgeeDM1zZFCSAERYhZ7eZkjTgkhrVqmif5hgZRqdgzuE43pZEUWnesTisnntzJvOv1Tal3WMOloEEftxWStBz2rstaNfobTgN0kdaGe7D1L3rm2-I/s1600-h/chaplin.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387587625468130434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjExUWcJz1M_TD1byKBGUV2yOJmgeeDM1zZFCSAERYhZ7eZkjTgkhrVqmif5hgZRqdgzuE43pZEUWnesTisnntzJvOv1Tal3WMOloEEftxWStBz2rstaNfobTgN0kdaGe7D1L3rm2-I/s400/chaplin.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;" /></a><br />This piece was done by <a href="http://thejohnmonk.com/tattoos.html">John Monk</a>.<br /><br />A big thanks to Annie and Willy for sharing their awesome tattoos with us here on Tattoosday!

Annie Cherry and Bindlestiff Willy in New York City

I met Annie Cherry outside of Penn Station in early September. She was talking with Bindlestiff Willy . She had visible tattoos. He did no...

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