Joker, Joker

This is a walk-in client who is really into his inner geek. He’s dedicating one arm to the 90s cartoons and the other arm to something that I’ve totally forgotten. This was major nostalgia for me as my teenage years was spent watching Batman the Animated series. I would run home at 4:30pm to make sure I caught the latest episode so that I wouldn’t be left out of the conversation we project children had regarding the latest stuff of that day. I had some fun on this one. It kinda pushed me out of a comfort zone because I wanted to add so much dimension to it. But I decided it would be best to stick with the original design and keep it 90s cartoon beautifully flat.

This was created with a 7 liner, 9 curved magnum, 15 curved magnum and starbrite, eternal and intenze inks

Angriest Ram Ever

I seriously get a kick out of the clients I have the opportunity to work with. I appreciate the constant challenges they bring to me. I do have to admit though… Some times when I send them the drawing to approve and they reply to me “Change this, that, make this more…” I get kinda frustrated because in my brain it’s perfect for them and that’s the way it should be. Then I work in the changes they asked for and I look at it and think “Yeah, they were right about that one.” It doesn’t happen all the time, but when it does I listen to my gut and listen to them. This is one of those examples. I sent the client a drawing that was perfectly fine but I also sent an additional drawing for just-in-case purposes… He loved the back up and here’s the result. Angry Aries.

This was created with a 7 liner, #10 17 bugpin curved magnum and Eternal and Intenze inks.

Enpointe, the 4th Position

 

Have you ever seen that movie Black Swan? Crazy! I love that movie. Not for the racy scenery but because of the whole concept of losing yourself in what you love most to make it successful. Powerful message. Nonetheless, this client wanted a ballet inspired tattoo to represent her love of dance and of the movie. II have a habit of really diving into tattoo designs to create the most original piece I can for a client. So for this I watched the movie a few times so I can see nuances within it to better understand how I’mma approach this piece. Some important pieces that had to be included were the ballet shoes, the dancer be on her toes enpointe, and that she be in the 4th position. I’m no dancer, I can barely get my leg up so I had no clue what in the world she was talking about. Then I got a text with the client in the correct position. That served as a basis for this and away I went. We mutually loved the design and it’s execution was on point. I love getting challenges.

This was created with a 3 bugpin liner, #08 11 bugping curved magnum and intenze zuper black and silverback gray wash inks.

My Bitch Trish

There is something about chicks and tattoos, chicks with tattoos and tattooed chicks. I dunno what it is, but everyone loves them. This is done on a return client. Shes a bold one who loves to live life.  When I completed the work, she looked it over and said, I need to name her. Almost instantly she said “That’s my bitch Trish!” That one had me giggling for a while, never heard of anyone naming their work… Although I know it happens all the time.

This was created with a 3 bugin liner, #08 15 bugpin curved magnum, and intenze zuper black ink. I love that ink. I’ve learned to water it down using distilled water and a splash of witch hazel.

 

Cherub 20.13

I wish I was able to make this up.

This client approached me with one of the most challenging designs I’ve had the pleasure of creating. He asked for two cherubs. One with a gas mask and the other wearing a pair of Jordan 3s. For those not familiar with Jordan brand sneakers, Michael Jordan is a NBA (basketball) player who was claimed to be the sports most talented personality. He played with the Chicago bulls during the 90s and Nike endorsed with a sneaker of his own. His sneakers, Jordans, are the brands more iconic shoe and causes people to wait in long lines when they are released in stores. To date, there are 23 different models and numerous offshoots of the shoe. This client is a very strong fan of the jordan 3 thus getting them etched into his skin. Back to the design… I had a very difficult time planning this one out because no idea felt strong enough to put onto the client. When his appointment day came, I just drew it directly onto him and this is the result, two sittings later…

This was created with a 7 liner, #08 15 bugpin curved magnum #08 17 bugpin curved magnum, and intenze ink

King of the Arm

A few months ago a returning client challenged me to do a cover-up on his arm of something he wasn’t particularly proud of. I’m not at liberty to say what was covered, but he has moved forward. He asked me for a half sleeve involving a lion. This was challenging in that I had some difficulty trying to figure out how to make a lion wrap around an arm and still make sense in the long run with very little to no explanation needed as to what it is. 15 to 16 hours later this was completed.

This was created with a 9 liner, #08 11 bugpin curved magnum, #09 17 bugpin curved magnum and watered down intenze zuper black.

Purple Ribbon All-Star

Tattooing has really pushed my illustrative boundaries. Before entering this profession I never drew flowers, filigree, or a slew of other unusual designs destined for random body parts. This brings me to this bow and ribbon combo. I’ve never drawn a bow like this before. I had mucho fun with this. This is the arm of a returning client whom I swear has the pain tolerance of 4 pregnant women in delivery. She’s a strong one. On the inside of her other arm I inscribed the word “Perseverance”. Usually the inside of the arm is notorious for being very painful to the point of almost unbearable. Not this tough cookie.

This was created with a 7 liner, 9 curved magnum, 15 curved magnum and eternal inks. At some point I’mma try fusion inks. Been hearing a lot about them.

Holiday Cheer

A client walks in to the shop and proceeded to tell this story:

“I work at a nursing home down the street and I’m on my lunch break and I’ve decided I’m gonna get tattooed…. But what I’m looking for is my first tattoo. I want it to be a Candy Cane, like the ones you see on Christmas trees. Reason being is that an elderly woman I care for is such a feisty soul and I told her she gets into my skin. Her name is Candy  and I told her that I’m gonna get a Candy cane to remember you…. So here I am…”

I giggled, drew the design and voila! It’s her first of many apparently. I’ve made an impression on her… wooooo! bad jokes!

This was created with a 7 liner, 9 curved magnum and eternal inks

Persevere

This is the first font tattoo that I’ve done where I kinda got lost in the technique of getting it into the skin. So I had a lot of fun. This is on the inside bicep of a relatively slim girl. Strong word for a strong girl. She sat through this like I wasn’t working on her at all. As a matter of fact, she watched a couple of episodes of “The Secret Lives of Teenagers” on my ipad. That was amazing to me.

This was created entirely with a 7 textured liner (yeah, filling and all) and intenze zuper black ink.

Student17

This dude is all about daisies. He’s a good friend of mine who’s all tatted up and loves daisies. Not too much I can say about this one except it’s a fun design for a fun, positive, energetic dude.