Poem

Last minute surprise for this appointment. Thought I was doing something different, but he had this poem he was wanting to put on his arm. Drew it on and did it. Turned out to be a very fun and relaxed session. The poem isn't even finished yet! More lettering down the arm next time...

Hagoromo Tennyo

First session back on this one after some time. Added the dorje pattern to the lower robes. Lots more patterning and design work in the robes for the next couple sessions...

Body Suit

More clouds to tie the back into the arms and frame around the Phoenix. We'll be taking a break for the summer and back at it through the fall and winter...

Tiger

Drew on the background and finished the outline. Should be looking like a sleeve pretty soon...

Tiger

Outlined this guy on Saturday, and finishing the forearm outlining today. We did a half sleeve and chest on him a year or two ago, and now turning it into a full sleeve. The broken necklace in the mouth ties into a pice at the top of the arm. Clouds, rocks and flowers are on the menu for today...

Phoenix

Finally got the dreaded side of the butt cheek done. Went super smooth and easy, good session.

Koi Leg

Blue is still healing from last session but is definitely in there and looking good. More color and shading this time. Starting to get close to the finish line...

Snake and Chrysanthemeum

Started this piece the other day before going to NY. We did a large hawk on his upper arm a while ago and now it's time to turn it into a sleeve. More snake body and patterning next time...

NYC Tattoo Convention

Finally back from New York, definitely a whirlwind trip. The convention was very busy and I worked non stop for three days. I think I was the last one tattooing two of the three days. Met some great folks and got to do some fun tattoos. These are a couple of pieces I did there. Had to draw everything on as there wasn't the luxury of time, but it all worked out. Even started a back piece! Hopefully he's coming out to California in July to outline the rest and get some patterns and color in there...

More NY

I think this is the 5th or so time I've done the NYC Convention. Whenever I travel and tattoo, I work with Diamond Club Tattoo Studio out of San Francisco. The Diamond Club is Bill and Junii Salmon, a very important and famous couple in tattooing. I am lucky to have had them as mentors and am honored to be part of their family. You can check out their work here, http://www.myspace.com/10117559.

We stayed with our friend Shinji, aka Horizakura of the Horitoshi family in Tokyo. He has been tattooing in NY for seven years now, and is the only 100% tebori (Japanese hand poke tattooing) traditional Japanese tattooer in America (meaning a machine outline, but all color exclusively by hand). You can check out his amazing work at www.nyadorned.com.

We had a lot of fun hanging out and he and his wife's hospitality was top notch.

Look forward to visiting again soon...

Chrysanthemum/Koi Leg

Colored in some blue on the koi this session. Finishing the blue and on to some flowers next time...

New York Tattoo Convention

Leaving for New York tonight.

Back in a week. I'll update from the road if it's possible from the ol' iphone...

Phoenix

Colored in a few peonies today. Fun to take a break from the blue...

Just a few more sessions and some icing on the cake here and there and we got it.

Flowers and Swirls

Colored in the lotus on the neck and 1/2 a magnolia flower (she had to be somewhere...)

Wrapping it around the front next time.

OMG

Tadanobu Asano

As a bearded Japanese guy, it's not often you see anyone in the media who remotely looks like you.

This guy is a famous Japanese actor who starred in Ichi the Killer, Mongol, and the upcoming Thor movie.

Not really a dead ringer or anything, but as close as I'll ever get...

Body Suit

More background this time. Taking a break from the dragon on the ribs for a moment, but it's very exciting to see the silhouette of the suit forming. I've always loved the look of and wanted to do a "munewari" style front.

Munewari refers to the open strip of skin down the middle of the front...

From the Archives

Just looking through some older photos and found these ones of more "traditional" Americana-ish stuff.

Definitely still enjoy this style of stuff very much, even though I don't get many requests for it any more...