Hawaiian Sea Life

Haven't really put up many photos of this one.

We're basically 100% finished with fore arm now, and we don't have much to go up top.  Hopefully I'll be better at getting some decent photos of this one, as it's a bit unique for me.  

There's a pretty cool octopus head on the elbow that wraps around the arm, and we recently put a jellyfish on the upper rear of the arm.  

It feels like the never ending tattoo, but we've been having tons of fun and the patientce should pay off...

Hagoromo Tennyo

Did all the turquoise around the dorjes this session.  

Pretty happy with how the yellow healed from last time too.  One more session before the new year, then January off, then hopefully done by the spring...

Parrot

Basically life size...

It was actually difficult to put this one together.  Neither one of us could find any good pictures of the African Grey Parrot in flight, so I had to piece it together from other images, sort of like a mental cut and paste thing.  Usually when doing a more "anatomically correct, or realistic" piece, it's best to work from a single photo.

But all went well, and hopefully we can finish it up in one long session next time...

Shoki

After a bit of a layoff we're back in action.  Looks like not too much work, but he is like 6' 8" or so. 

We've set up a fun schedule for next year.  He'll fly in once a month to do 5 half days in a row (which is certainly one way to get to know yourself).  I appreciate the commitment and look forward to the challenge.  

Warm/Cool

First picture was taken off my back porch a week ago.

Second one is Rick Rubin.  A music producer who has done everything from Slayer to Johnny Cash.  Definitely on my list of creative people who's vibe and philosophy I dig.

Flower of Life

Started this a week after finishing the tiger sleeve on him.  Fun to totally switch gears and start a completely different style of tattoo on the same person.  Shows his total interest in tattooing of all styles, and I can definitely dig and respect that.

Went from a traditional Japanese look to fully stippled (doing it one dot at a time) sacred geometry.

We finished the Ganesh above about 2 or 3 years ago I think.

Snake and Warrior

Outlined this the other day.  It is actually an interpretation of a bible verse.  Not sure which verse exactly but it alludes to fighting a serpent, and makes reference to a sword, breastplate, belt, boots, and helmet.

His first request was to represent this as a samurai fighting a snake.

Unfortunately samurai didn't use shields, and wouldn't have fought giant snakes.  I went with a more Suikoden style take on it, which was the inspiration for a lot of Japanese tattoo imagery anyway.

The shield is just peeking out from behind his back (as I was hesitant to make it a main image) to show that it is there as it had to be to include all the elements from the verse.

There will be substantial patterning in the dude and the snake and all that coming soon...

Tiger/Warrior Sleeve

Here's the finished product.  We did the half sleeve and chest a couple of years ago.  It is a character from the Suikoden (who's name for the life of me escapes me right now) fighting a demon holding a sake gourd.  The demon is more of a personal metaphor for him rather than an actual existing legend.

The tiger ties into the top image for him symbolically and was great to actually do in the year of the Tiger.  There is a peony on the chest and a chrysanthemum on the lower arm.  Although some tattooers believe in not doing flowers representative of different seasons on the same piece (peony and cherry blossom for spring and mum and maples for fall), it can be appropriate in my opinion.  I've read and believe that it represents a full year or duration of time.  This piece for this client was born out of a series of experiences over a length of time.

Although it sounds cheesy it was a bit of a "journey", and I think his image selections work great for what he was going for.  

Really fun tattoo on a very interesting and dedicated client...

Tiger/Chrysanthemum

Well, it's done.  Just had a few cherry blossoms and odds and ends to finish.  

This was the forearm extension of a previous half sleeve to turn it into a full sleeve.

Full arm shots for the next entry...

Hagoromo Tennyo

Short session to put the yellow in the upper sashes.

This is just a base coat and I'll be doing a pattern over it.  I've got a maroon swirly design in mind.  Next time though, I'll probably start on the top robe (think deep blue and cloud like pattern).

Realized that although there is much more work to do we are definitely getting there...

Tengu Sleeve

Tengu sleeve update...the Fancy Pants edition.

I honestly don't even want to admit how long these took me.  But we had a great time and so far it's looking cool.  He has a fox on the other arm that has some very detailed robes as well.  In fact, all the major elements of this Tengu arm are a mirror of the placement of the various fox images on the other arm.  This one will get a little bamboo though, as they do live in the mountains and he found a cool story about a tengu and bamboo.  I'll try to get it and mention it next time.

Goldfish/Peonies/Water

Back in action after a little pause.  I'm happy to get in a good session on this one.

I feel a little bad though, it was pretty much all elbow and funny bone and those spots on the arm that don't see the light of day too much.  Looks like it hurt but she was down to sit longer if I wanted.  Next session as next week or so...

Don't think I've ever done this much or this style of water on anybody before so it's very exciting to chart a slight new direction.

Crane and Pine

Finally outlined this on a great client I've had for a long time.  We have already done her other sleeve with a tiger and flowers and all across her shoulders and upper back with more Japanese nature stuff.

We did a crane and maple leaves on the upper arm quite a while ago, and just now started the bottom after a several month break.  

Next will be morning glory and wisteria to round out our representation of the seasons...

Hagoromo Tennyo

Done with the purple now.  Color in the top robe and sashes next, then on to the patterns and feathers.

No background, so I really want to do some trick detailing in the outfit.  Lots of ideas to narrow down...

Water Woman

Finished up the rest of this one that I started 2 weeks ago I think.

I'm happy with how the shading in her face from last time is settling in nicely.  Unfortunately, I forgot my camera and had to do the cell phone picture.  He's leaving for New Zealand for 4 months so this is the best shot I'm going to have for a while.  Oh well, I doubt it's the last time I hear from this guy...

P.S.  I had a lot of fun doing this tattoo...tried to be a bit looser and play around a little more. 

Suikoden Leg

Finally finished up the last bit of this whole leg tattoo (100% solid from just under the butt to the ankle).  Had to put a little single needle body suit of clouds and a leopard on Genshogo.  There are four other charectars from this series (Kuniyoshi's original Heroes of the Suikoden) covering his leg.  

It's been a long trip on this one, but everything has turned out well, and once this bit heals, we'll shave the leg and get a proper photo session of the whole thing with more descriptions of the dudes...

Vacation

Haven't been posting in a while because of general busy schedule stuff, and I went on a short family vacation to San Francisco.  Had a nice few day getaway.  Here are a couple highlights.

Big highlight was seeing the "Japanesque" exhibition at the Legion of Honor.  Great show of Japanese prints and their influence on European artists.  Very cool to see original prints of all these amazing images in real life that I've only seen in books before.  It's kind of like seeing a tattoo in real life versus a photo...there is no real way to appreciate it fully unless you see it in real life.

(And for any one with a small child, yes, the Yo Gabba Gabba show was super fun).

Peonies

Added another peony behind the purple one I did a couple weeks ago.

Originally she wanted some swirly shapes coming off the flower but after living with it for a bit decided another flower would be better instead.

I couldn't agree more and I'm super happy that's what we ended up doing.  I was thinking the same thing, but can be hesitant to feel like I'm pushing my own ideas or agenda on people.  I prefer to facilitate people's own ideas with my interpretation, not force what I think (unless that's what is requested).

Ended up we were both on the same page, and I really like what we came up with.  Think it fits her great and reads very well...

Snake and Peonies Back Piece

Started this piece quite a while ago, and just started working on it again after several years.

Hopefully we'll keep the momentum going and finish it around the new year or so.  

Don't think there will be any background, so shouldn't be too much more...

But then again, I always say that and sometimes it feels like it takes forever.  As long as we're all happy in the end I guess it doesn't really matter.

Chrysanthemum

Started this up on a regular client a while ago.  Starting to bridge the upper and lower arm now and turn this thing into a sleeve.

I don't think I'll ever get tired of (or stop trying to get much better at) doing Japanese flowers.  You could really pursue variations of this theme forever...
P.S.  Tombow brush pens don't stay on the skin very well and force you to freestyle the image on the skin when they rub off super fast.

Sirens

Sexy Siren lady #2 has been successfully installed.  

Pretty awkward (and I'm sure painful) spot to put it on the arm, but we seem to have pulled it off.  The hair on the elbow was a bit of a challenge, but that's just how it goes.

We'll start adding the background next time.   They'll be on a rock outcropping with water running down and a harp resting somewhere...