Jonathan Gives Us a Sun on a Sunday

I met Jonathan in Brooklyn Heights and he shared this, one of his four tattoos:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGVBRoUChLc54AA7SAYLkGmBrwgVXhF22WLqVbP3XqWUsCRpqebGiX4UwMsM7dqK8oPCLyw6LbSOsrAVzUdA50vmwkgCni8mh1Djgckp9CcnGqhBtorh4o0gMcXIdlIOKfwg6hiCpsI3A/s1600-h/MidEastSun.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360166752759727650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGVBRoUChLc54AA7SAYLkGmBrwgVXhF22WLqVbP3XqWUsCRpqebGiX4UwMsM7dqK8oPCLyw6LbSOsrAVzUdA50vmwkgCni8mh1Djgckp9CcnGqhBtorh4o0gMcXIdlIOKfwg6hiCpsI3A/s400/MidEastSun.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" /></a><br />This tattoo, on his inner right forearm is based on artwork he found on the CD of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ofra_Haza">Ofra Haza</a>, an Israeli musician with Yemenite roots.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihImkFQN0p0BgupeXBsNMjeUmI-wxzJNmyN9agISstnRZ_VZ2q1YeufCegTPj7DBD_GDs2kZATDdR_jrwngMFFXWE8J46N3ckvHArqWRAkoqSpeSu0riU3onn_HkK8wA-d4vD2OW9avQk/s1600-h/ofra.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362735431521673218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihImkFQN0p0BgupeXBsNMjeUmI-wxzJNmyN9agISstnRZ_VZ2q1YeufCegTPj7DBD_GDs2kZATDdR_jrwngMFFXWE8J46N3ckvHArqWRAkoqSpeSu0riU3onn_HkK8wA-d4vD2OW9avQk/s400/ofra.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" /></a><br />Jonathan believes it to be a middle-Eastern symbol that is a "stylized sun." It is ambiguous enough to cause many to take pause and ask him what it is. Some have even questioned if the outer circle is comprised of coffee beans. He appreciates the solar representation illuminating his arm.<br /><br />The tattoo was inked by <a href="http://www.myspace.com/cabezadevaca">Steve</a> at <a href="http://www.myspace.com/artfreektattoo">Artfreek Tattoo</a> in Providence, Rhode Island.<br /><br />Thanks to Jonathan for sharing his tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!

Jonathan Gives Us a Sun on a Sunday

I met Jonathan in Brooklyn Heights and he shared this, one of his four tattoos: This tattoo, on his inner right forearm is based on artwork ...

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Daniel's Back Piece Begins...

In my previous post, I described meeting Daniel and Katte. And, although Katte's work was what initially prompted me to stop the couple, Daniel offered up the bigger surprise.<br /><br />I have yet to come up with a term for the phenomenon, but anyone who responds to an inquiry about a visible tattoo with an unprompted unveiling of a covered one, earns a place in Tattoosday lore.<br /><br />(See some memorable examples <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/2008/05/burn-my-body-carson-honors-difficult.html">here</a>, <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/2008/09/series-of-nautical-stars-guide-me-to.html">here</a>, <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/2008/06/syndys-windjammer-in-honor-of-nanny.html">here</a>, and <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/2009/06/brians-amazing-angelic-ink.html">here</a>).<br /><br />Daniel lifted up his shirt to reveal "the start of a back piece":<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwGVo0SqWZadozX8G4PpOQFFwLphTUAK5vvvJ2hGm-5aauBxckUBDMfORKytpjBwoelFE0WAjSuzYzaV_liwnie3KZymqbZVYp_DZU2Kwk9vD2EQ5qX0F9Uxgi4VX2EOObABLopTsipxU/s1600-h/Winged+skull.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359644990072727426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwGVo0SqWZadozX8G4PpOQFFwLphTUAK5vvvJ2hGm-5aauBxckUBDMfORKytpjBwoelFE0WAjSuzYzaV_liwnie3KZymqbZVYp_DZU2Kwk9vD2EQ5qX0F9Uxgi4VX2EOObABLopTsipxU/s400/Winged+skull.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 280px;" /></a><br />He went to <a href="http://brokenhearttattoo.com/chuckbio.html">Chuck</a> at <a href="http://brokenhearttattoo.com/">Broken Heart Tattoos</a> in Keyport, New Jersey, with a general outline and gave the artist the "freedom to shade and color" as he saw fit. Three sessions and nine hours later, Daniel had this kick-ass skull on his back to anchor what will eventually be a much larger piece.<br /><br />Thanks to Daniel for sharing this awesome tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!

Daniel's Back Piece Begins...

In my previous post, I described meeting Daniel and Katte. And, although Katte's work was what initially prompted me to stop the couple,...

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Katte's Memorial for the Artist, Gone Too Soon

I met Daniel and Katte as they were about to go into the subway station at 34th Street and 7th Avenue.<br /><br />Although Katte had a lot of visible work that was interesting, she rolled up her left pant leg to show me this interesting collage on her calf:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5C4YX1Gs_7r7CnJRXmfhEQZBAqNFy6y6gMCP5kXZOCfAPQwlKEjmlu7my0FgfMGsT3Gmc4vx5UyQFm7vufp_DOGRYt62dIeO8lPyZYkTyXYOU5C-PSt3hkvopM7FivL98xd4w-J22Fuw/s1600-h/Leg.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359645393047502130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5C4YX1Gs_7r7CnJRXmfhEQZBAqNFy6y6gMCP5kXZOCfAPQwlKEjmlu7my0FgfMGsT3Gmc4vx5UyQFm7vufp_DOGRYt62dIeO8lPyZYkTyXYOU5C-PSt3hkvopM7FivL98xd4w-J22Fuw/s400/Leg.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 234px; height: 400px;" /></a><br />The tattoo, along with much of her work, was inked by her step-father, who works out of his home.<br /><br />The piece is a memorial for an ex-boyfriend, who was hit by a car and killed in February 2008.<br /><br />He had been into Japanese art and graffiti and had drawn this on her wall. After he died, she transposed it so that it could be tattooed on her.<br /><br />She wears it as a keepsake by which to remember him now that he's gone.<br /><br />I thank Katte for sharing this very personal piece with us here on Tattoosday!<br /><br />See what Daniel had to offer here (or just scroll up if you are reading this chronologically).

Katte's Memorial for the Artist, Gone Too Soon

I met Daniel and Katte as they were about to go into the subway station at 34th Street and 7th Avenue. Although Katte had a lot of visible w...

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Crow and Mouse

A few minutes after talking to Brian (<a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/2009/07/viking-design-commemorates-brians.html">here</a>), I ran into Tony, a tattoo artist at <a href="http://ny.citysquares.com/brooklyn/bay-ridge-fort-hamilton/personal-services-care/body-piercing-tattoos/gotham-city-tattoo">Gotham City Tattoo</a> in Bay Ridge.<br /><br />Tony estimates he is 50% covered, so choosing a nice tattoo to offer up for Tattoosday was no easy task.<br /><br />Until he showed me his inner left bicep:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2an69ckt_-riljRqr8Ej-fgV4F7Yq5ErEWaCie-yQsJLtQTg9yChj7T7zJeeBdbZX2QYnWTtkzLbqrRDFLtMaQvJNr3UiOqNFhEtisSB6ygw_vNcJDzvS39BlwXBIOYKwovgPXAIDv-o/s1600-h/Crow.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356026187844036002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2an69ckt_-riljRqr8Ej-fgV4F7Yq5ErEWaCie-yQsJLtQTg9yChj7T7zJeeBdbZX2QYnWTtkzLbqrRDFLtMaQvJNr3UiOqNFhEtisSB6ygw_vNcJDzvS39BlwXBIOYKwovgPXAIDv-o/s400/Crow.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 296px;" /></a><br />This incredible work was done by Simone, a visiting artist from Como, Italy, who did a guest spot at Gotham.<br /><br />Tony, who has been tattooing for six years, loves crows, and this piece certainly leaves little to be desired in terms of an amazing crow tattoo.<br /><br />As a postscript, Tony also shared this little Mickey Mouse tattoo:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvr4iWbbjmk0AjdWTZIFsO9M9i1vNxG7Inn3iUu2yfuJZa4oq8dwyx5u2LF3Aouv59iCb7NiF9TlSh4oFKdVpWJPltSB7ljMHI68DUnGRZewlgtCrGhH3OgoZUGDuj_Cnc6RUlH0oFOUs/s1600-h/MIckey+Mouse.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356026060765398546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvr4iWbbjmk0AjdWTZIFsO9M9i1vNxG7Inn3iUu2yfuJZa4oq8dwyx5u2LF3Aouv59iCb7NiF9TlSh4oFKdVpWJPltSB7ljMHI68DUnGRZewlgtCrGhH3OgoZUGDuj_Cnc6RUlH0oFOUs/s400/MIckey+Mouse.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 336px; height: 400px;" /></a><br />This was inked by Bill Blood (whose knuckle tattoos I wrote about <a href="http://www.knuckletattoos.com/lobotomy/">here</a>). Bill is another artist working at Gotham City Tattoo. It is evidence of a bet that Tony lost, the details of which, he felt would be inappropriate to share here.<br /><br />Thanks to Tony for sharing a couple of his many tattoos here on Tattoosday!

Crow and Mouse

A few minutes after talking to Brian ( here ), I ran into Tony, a tattoo artist at Gotham City Tattoo in Bay Ridge. Tony estimates he is 50...

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Magdalena's Peacock Struts Through Penn Station

Last week I was passing through Penn Station when Magdalena walked by me.<br /><br />She had this absolutely stunning peacock tattoo on her left shoulder:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYe6rD5o1KV4EpZx9D3Banfd3bsrvlcwDWQpwa4Kf7HWPs6Z9xI_e_zjXFWOz4V28w3Ev37YAuzsGNtRPn6rMUFXOz7GAmpalH5-rNWKBTjzPdkrKdB9y5ulzscFAI-9eErxxRZ6v6fqQ/s1600-h/peacock.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358992178225970594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYe6rD5o1KV4EpZx9D3Banfd3bsrvlcwDWQpwa4Kf7HWPs6Z9xI_e_zjXFWOz4V28w3Ev37YAuzsGNtRPn6rMUFXOz7GAmpalH5-rNWKBTjzPdkrKdB9y5ulzscFAI-9eErxxRZ6v6fqQ/s400/peacock.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 147px; height: 400px;" /></a><br />This was a "purely decorative" choice she said. It's a custom piece and took about five hours for Nik Moore at <a href="http://www.scarabbodyarts.com/">Scarab Body Arts</a> in Syracuse, New York to tattoo. Great detail to this beautiful bird:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgstrbBltGN6L3p97bg2AWzIf75S5usft5CCnir6dr_6_ADctNDrLxSt6Aw31HB_OdX3PhAo8eJRWJP9sl1HVgngiRjut1KkOzDLDvgD0loCQAnLwsachUaptLo6oucrmDWY0Krd0GXrnc/s1600-h/peacock+detail+2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358992001576023842" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgstrbBltGN6L3p97bg2AWzIf75S5usft5CCnir6dr_6_ADctNDrLxSt6Aw31HB_OdX3PhAo8eJRWJP9sl1HVgngiRjut1KkOzDLDvgD0loCQAnLwsachUaptLo6oucrmDWY0Krd0GXrnc/s400/peacock+detail+2.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 204px; height: 400px;" /></a><br /><br />Lucky for us, Magdalena had missed her train and had some time to spare!<br /><br />Thanks to Magdalena for sharing her work with us here on Tattoosday!

Magdalena's Peacock Struts Through Penn Station

Last week I was passing through Penn Station when Magdalena walked by me. She had this absolutely stunning peacock tattoo on her left should...

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Izzy's Ink: A Tatt-alog, Part 1

On occasion here on Tattoosday, we go a little ink-wild. Someone I meet will show me piece after piece of great body art, and I will snap away and scribble notes as quickly as I can.<br /><br />And when I share a half dozen or more tattoos from one person, in one post, I call it a <span style="font-style: italic;">tatt-alog</span>.<br /><br />I was heading home later than normal, having attended a New York City open house on applying to public high schools when, after one stop on the <a href="http://www.mta.info/nyct/service/rline.htm">R train</a>, a few people boarded at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_Avenue%E2%80%93Pacific_Street_%28BMT_Fourth_Avenue_Line%29#BMT_Fourth_Avenue_Line_platforms">Pacific Street</a>.<br /><br />I noticed the woman first, and a bicep covered with flowers, and then I nudged Melanie (my lovely wife) and drew her attention to the back of a man's calf:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjLB0m1VT1SfndHX6cNmNp-WCSjVpY2GlvPdL1JRCtb9QomJKm-DTPe9aa7Z2kiq-IcwhnaSoRYE4taosyDdAO9pmfT93jBoTWK_kOf2ZVg42zMjLfqtVsKO5g0LpG8AwbOAwkyZw4fo/s1600-h/Hendrix.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358622993516899010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjLB0m1VT1SfndHX6cNmNp-WCSjVpY2GlvPdL1JRCtb9QomJKm-DTPe9aa7Z2kiq-IcwhnaSoRYE4taosyDdAO9pmfT93jBoTWK_kOf2ZVg42zMjLfqtVsKO5g0LpG8AwbOAwkyZw4fo/s400/Hendrix.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 202px; height: 400px;" /></a><br />So I had no intention of letting that piece exit the train un-documented by yours truly, I quickly got up and introduced myself, but the woman knew who I was, I think she said "It's the Tattoosday Guy!"<br /><br />She, of the flowered bicep, was Lauren, whose <a href="http://www.mastodonrocks.com/">Mastodon</a> tattoo was featured <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/2009/05/laurens-thigh-tattoo-salutes-mastodon.html">here</a> back in June, and her boyfriend Izzy had a ton of ink (approximately 16 pieces). What follows are 5 of the more noteworthy tattoos. For the sake of brevity, I have a few more saved for a later date.<br /><br />The first piece Izzy talked about was this <a href="http://www.sailorjerry.com/index.php">Sailor Jerry</a>-inspired monkey. Legend has it that the original Sailor Jerry had a pet chimp upon which he tattooed the letters "A L" on its left buttock and "H A" on its right. He then trained the chimp to bend over and look at someone through its knees. The resulting message "A L o H A" was visible thanks to the extra letter provided by the monkey's nether orifice. Sailor Jerry designed flash to commemorate the trick:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3tWcUiQ5EUyHwMD1uzS7KazYpFPFirh0yh_dMnOu_CyRiSmKhDJCSZ6fRzAM9CI7Ki049IGh-5ducMa9_KPYuGquj8pZ8QwugWc8G8UnyoRKgAw2nRLXcu0wq13Y49DclKIEdczQUJAo/s1600-h/aloha+monkey.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358621375374335762" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3tWcUiQ5EUyHwMD1uzS7KazYpFPFirh0yh_dMnOu_CyRiSmKhDJCSZ6fRzAM9CI7Ki049IGh-5ducMa9_KPYuGquj8pZ8QwugWc8G8UnyoRKgAw2nRLXcu0wq13Y49DclKIEdczQUJAo/s320/aloha+monkey.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" /></a><br />Izzy's homage to the monkey replaces ALoHA with BROoKLYN:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_aw7H3PhdBQDVCOdPS4-ozHUR1BdGhWpi_pDyvgPbMF3sqBoyHvSfrVHCIzlFj9c5s44p0dU_SJEluYPnEcsA99DpqER5qJCSCEzcooOUkBH2UabnIdWUIVrkqramUuHOcRxrGwVdqBk/s1600-h/Brooklyn+Monkey.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358252289223285426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_aw7H3PhdBQDVCOdPS4-ozHUR1BdGhWpi_pDyvgPbMF3sqBoyHvSfrVHCIzlFj9c5s44p0dU_SJEluYPnEcsA99DpqER5qJCSCEzcooOUkBH2UabnIdWUIVrkqramUuHOcRxrGwVdqBk/s320/Brooklyn+Monkey.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 223px; height: 320px;" /></a><br />This was tattooed by Josh Everett who, Izzy explained, quit tattooing to run the family business.<br /><br />Everett was co-owner of the now-defunct <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/macdougal-st-tattoo-company-new-york">Macdougal Street Tattoo Company</a>, but it's worth checking out this article <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/30/style/noticed-the-tattooed-badge-of-courage.html">here</a> from <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/" style="font-style: italic;">The New York Times</a> archives, in which he is interviewed about giving free tattoos to 9/11 rescue workers.<br /><br />Everett was also responsible for the incredible <a href="http://www.jimihendrix.com/">Jimi Hendrix</a> tattoo on the back of his right leg:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjLB0m1VT1SfndHX6cNmNp-WCSjVpY2GlvPdL1JRCtb9QomJKm-DTPe9aa7Z2kiq-IcwhnaSoRYE4taosyDdAO9pmfT93jBoTWK_kOf2ZVg42zMjLfqtVsKO5g0LpG8AwbOAwkyZw4fo/s1600-h/Hendrix.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358622993516899010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjLB0m1VT1SfndHX6cNmNp-WCSjVpY2GlvPdL1JRCtb9QomJKm-DTPe9aa7Z2kiq-IcwhnaSoRYE4taosyDdAO9pmfT93jBoTWK_kOf2ZVg42zMjLfqtVsKO5g0LpG8AwbOAwkyZw4fo/s400/Hendrix.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 202px; height: 400px;" /></a><br />Definitely worth a second look.<br /><br />Remember, we're talking and the camera is flashing on the R train, so we certainly were drawing some stares. Izzy moved on to this intriguing tattoo:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXt0XUp6VK98hIEe72gQJGpi-SgUUqh6lTMkm2sk3K6zWiaHWxVPpCl8UsetLODZTpuIf01LyWuTgeVUvoQNk3UZT-EoFpR8JKR4QQYsA6zZJas6DHakjrBjipYE8DyJjf7adMaygsTpg/s1600-h/Dimebag.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358623651454226450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXt0XUp6VK98hIEe72gQJGpi-SgUUqh6lTMkm2sk3K6zWiaHWxVPpCl8UsetLODZTpuIf01LyWuTgeVUvoQNk3UZT-EoFpR8JKR4QQYsA6zZJas6DHakjrBjipYE8DyJjf7adMaygsTpg/s400/Dimebag.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 194px; height: 400px;" /></a><br />"Ever hear of a band called <a href="http://www.pantera.com/">Pantera</a>?" he asked.<br /><br />Melanie laughed, the tattoo made sense, I knew what the crux of it was immediately - Izzy had the autograph of Pantera guitarist <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamond_Darrell">"Dimebag" Darrell</a> forever inked on his flesh. Sadly, for those who don't know, in 2004, Dime was <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamond_Darrell#Death">murdered on stage</a> in by a crazed fan.<br /><br />Above Dimebag's signature is the logo <del>CBH</del> CFH from their debut album <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cowboys_from_Hell" style="font-style: italic;">Cowboys from Hell</a> and below it is a guitar drawn by the legendary musician.<br /><br />Izzy met Dime about 11 years ago, outside of the building where <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_stern">Howard Stern</a> was broadcasting his radio show. Dime drew it all on with a <a href="http://www.sharpie.com/">Sharpie</a> and an artist named Eric tattooed it in the back of <a href="http://www.bleeckerbobs.com/">Bleecker Bob's Records</a>.<br /><br />Moving to his left arm, Izzy shared this design:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJGhlx0Sc8jfJtlW1SdUM8Z-hgWs7kdIGYkHJBCB5lBqIKlg2v7pV-62QhsISMt9pJ9jaJRlepIiuGVWm9NDE2CjQ-Voizpk6-VKA5rAyfrGzgxC6c5UvF3be5OrDwsUYvAYGFQjGnvZk/s1600-h/slash.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358624452521998002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJGhlx0Sc8jfJtlW1SdUM8Z-hgWs7kdIGYkHJBCB5lBqIKlg2v7pV-62QhsISMt9pJ9jaJRlepIiuGVWm9NDE2CjQ-Voizpk6-VKA5rAyfrGzgxC6c5UvF3be5OrDwsUYvAYGFQjGnvZk/s400/slash.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 334px; height: 400px;" /></a><br />Although not immediately apparent, this tattoo is also an autograph-turned-tattoo. This was drawn on Izzy's arm by <a href="http://www.slashonline.com/">Slash</a>, former <a href="http://web.gunsnroses.com/index.jsp">Guns N' Roses</a> guitarist, backstage at a <a href="http://www.velvetrevolver.com/">Velvet Revolver </a>concert.<br /><br />As a guitarist in a rock band (<a href="http://www.myspace.com/godsgreenearthnyc">God's Green Earth</a>), I can understand why Izzy might want the autographs of two of the most influential rock guitarists from the last twenty-five years permanently inked on his being.<br /><br />Since meeting Izzy, I also have met a guy in our neighborhood with <a href="http://www.paulstanley.com/">Paul Stanley's</a> autograph inked on his calf. See <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/search/label/Autographs">here</a> for previous examples of "signed tattoos" appearing on Tattoosday.<br /><br />Further up his left arm is this amazing belly dancer tattooed by <a href="http://www.joshualord.com/gallery.html">Joshua Lord</a> at <a href="http://www.eastsideinktattoo.com/">East Side Ink</a>:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizXuEWp9yIKu9Z_9vbIoN-haeRC-qq8vyjNzJKvmOYZZ7oHm37wLR_E4Zf732hz1Dqzi79dZuAu6UQ5IMkSW5JWNKVhFcaWMgab8f-zUt7D9MX-zWNWyMps4fQ1EPnJ4CupNnJNFobrys/s1600-h/belly+2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358624698550042578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizXuEWp9yIKu9Z_9vbIoN-haeRC-qq8vyjNzJKvmOYZZ7oHm37wLR_E4Zf732hz1Dqzi79dZuAu6UQ5IMkSW5JWNKVhFcaWMgab8f-zUt7D9MX-zWNWyMps4fQ1EPnJ4CupNnJNFobrys/s400/belly+2.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 136px; height: 400px;" /></a><br />Izzy and Lauren rode with us all the way to the end of the R line, definitely winning the honor of being the subject with whom I have spent the most amount of time (about 30 minutes).<br /><br />I am eternally grateful to Izzy for sharing his work with us here on Tattoosday and for doing so with such genuine excitement.<br /><br />Be sure to check out his band at their MySpace page <a href="http://www.myspace.com/godsgreenearthnyc">here</a>.<br /><br />And stay tuned for some additional shots of Izzy's Ink!

Izzy's Ink: A Tatt-alog, Part 1

On occasion here on Tattoosday, we go a little ink-wild. Someone I meet will show me piece after piece of great body art, and I will snap aw...

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Tiffany's Tree of Life

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyhI7NU-D8GtH5ULSBOs0wQFzMKtPfKfzLUGux29YRHQTMm5f6NOgWsKldXq3f36KR4n685XWOT7j5mK8E6ILUidinl7hS2lUfMEEnsAo6b22Y7kB1LNRB6xMH6yXO3D-kriUFWrEpqKw/s1600-h/tree-detail.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358253396780328514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyhI7NU-D8GtH5ULSBOs0wQFzMKtPfKfzLUGux29YRHQTMm5f6NOgWsKldXq3f36KR4n685XWOT7j5mK8E6ILUidinl7hS2lUfMEEnsAo6b22Y7kB1LNRB6xMH6yXO3D-kriUFWrEpqKw/s320/tree-detail.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 241px;" /></a><br />I was walking through Penn Station back on July 3 when I noticed the woman ahead of me had an interesting-looking tattoo on her inner left bicep.<br /><br />But it was rush hour and I was off to a small birthday gathering so, when we went separate ways at the turnstiles, I sighed and thanked the tattoo deities for letting me meet two other people earlier in the day.<br /><br />A few minutes later, however, while pacing the platform, I ran into her again. And, well, I couldn't resist talking to her about this fascinating tattoo:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk1TmNJaFgfd0cLQaVttTpBlXJcvNsMSEceU6Qg-_F2JZ7pL5vynpaSs0c-abnECNUiRzlDYQZqLeV5H9Kr0RBlLMciC-lo3ArtOb_YDPO21yFYvY-B3WU4e6Bw3ulEikQIqBjIf6_bLQ/s1600-h/tree.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358253988939736722" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk1TmNJaFgfd0cLQaVttTpBlXJcvNsMSEceU6Qg-_F2JZ7pL5vynpaSs0c-abnECNUiRzlDYQZqLeV5H9Kr0RBlLMciC-lo3ArtOb_YDPO21yFYvY-B3WU4e6Bw3ulEikQIqBjIf6_bLQ/s320/tree.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 182px; height: 320px;" /></a><br />Tiffany, who was visiting the East Coast from Los Angeles, was quick to point out that this was not the tree of knowledge in the Garden of Eden. Apparently the serpent confuses a lot of people.<br /><br />In fact, Tiffany says the tree is based on the tree of life in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angkor_Wat">Angkor Wat</a>, Cambodia, where she visited two summers ago.<br /><br />The presence of the serpent is due to her affection for snakes, and the image of the reptile climbing the tree in pursuit is a nod to the circle of life. The tree sustains the bird; the bird sustains the snake.<br /><br />Of the three tattoos I saw on my birthday, this one just made my day. The detail is phenomenal, and I just loved the concept of the piece.<br /><br />It was tattooed by <a href="http://www.fecalface.com/SF/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=559&Itemid=92">Henry Lewis</a> at <a href="http://www.incognitotattoo.com/">Incognito Tattoo</a> in Pasadena, although he has moved to Northrn California. Although not listed on their website, he has been associated with <a href="http://www.everlastingtattoo.com/">Everlasting Tattoo</a> in San Francisco. Incognito's site says he still makes guest appearances at the shop in Pasadena.<br /><br />Thanks much to Tiffany for capping off an awesome day by sharing her wonderful tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!

Tiffany's Tree of Life

I was walking through Penn Station back on July 3 when I noticed the woman ahead of me had an interesting-looking tattoo on her inner left b...

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