Normally I post tattoos chronologically, in some semblance of order, but yesterday I met Michele as she was about to get on an uptown local train at 34th Street.
She kindly shared this tattoo with us here on Tattoosday:
Why the tea cups? "Because you can't have tea by yourself," Michele said, as her train rolled in.
Slow on the uptake, I got it, "Ah, tea for two.I get it!" Michele looked to bolt for the train. I didn't get to finish asking all my standard questions, which is why we fast-tracked her post today.
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Sunday, November 13, 2011
Belinda's Penny-Farthing
At the end of May, I spotted Belinda's unusual bicycle tattoo on the 34th Street subway platform during Friday afternoon rush hour:
Of course, I asked her about this piece on her left ankle, since it isn't too often you see old-fashioned bicycle tattoos on people.
Belinda explained tha a while back she had gone on a pilgrimmage to Spain, which included a 100-mile trek on bicycles. This design is of the "high wheel bicycle" that was introduced in the late 19th century and is more commonly referred to as the penny-farthing. She told me that this was a much more efficient bicycle than had been seen before. The larger wheel allowed it to travel better, although the falls from a much greater height were a problem.
Belinda added,
Of course, I asked her about this piece on her left ankle, since it isn't too often you see old-fashioned bicycle tattoos on people.
Belinda explained tha a while back she had gone on a pilgrimmage to Spain, which included a 100-mile trek on bicycles. This design is of the "high wheel bicycle" that was introduced in the late 19th century and is more commonly referred to as the penny-farthing. She told me that this was a much more efficient bicycle than had been seen before. The larger wheel allowed it to travel better, although the falls from a much greater height were a problem.
Belinda added,
"The purpose of the pilgrimage was not religious but more a curiosity to see this path (the Way of St. James) that people have been taking for hundreds and hundreds of years just because of faith. I felt it was a great way to see the real "Spain" by riding through the small villages and woods...we ended in Santiago de Compostela..."
Friday, November 4, 2011
Katie's Tattoos: A Tribute and a Memorial
I met Katie on 34th Street one afternoon when I stopped to ask her about her foot tattoo:
This tribute piece on her left foot is for her cousin, whose initials are JMS. The letters sit astride the ribbon designating awareness for the disease Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The two feet represent the fact that she helps raise awareness in the fight against MS by participating in an MS Walk each year.
For more information on MS, visit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's website here.
Katie also shared with me these wings on the back of her neck:
The initials "MCF" refer to her brother Mark, who was killed with a friend a few years back when a train struck them. This memorial piece ensures that her brother is always with her.
Katie's tattoos were inked by Spencer at Fat Kat Tattoos in Keyport, New Jersey. Work from Fat Kat has appeared previously on Tattoosday here.
Thanks to Katie for sharing two of her four tattoos with us here on Tattoosday!
The Lovely Tattoo of Legs Malone
I couldn't help notice the striking woman standing on the subway platform waiting for the R train. She was tall, had long shapely legs, a close-shaven head, and a small tattoo on the back of her left calf.
The R pulled in and, as luck would have it, we sat down next to one another on the train.
I had to introduce myself.
Turns out, I was sitting with a burlesque performer named with the stage name Legs Malone.
We didn't have a lot of time to talk, as she was exiting the train a stop or two earlier than me, but she obliged me for a photo by taking my camera and shooting the tattoo on the back of her leg:
She told me that this small tattoo (the only one visible on her frame) was inspired by a heart-shaped bruise that she wanted to replicate on her skin, but in a more aesthetically-pleasing way. The flowers around the heart are cherry blossoms.
The tattoo was inked at Fly Rite Studio by Charlie Foos, who is now at Read Street Tattoo Parlour in Baltimore. Charlie's work most recently appeared on Tattoosday here.
Thanks to Legs Malone for sharing her tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!
The R pulled in and, as luck would have it, we sat down next to one another on the train.
I had to introduce myself.
Turns out, I was sitting with a burlesque performer named with the stage name Legs Malone.
We didn't have a lot of time to talk, as she was exiting the train a stop or two earlier than me, but she obliged me for a photo by taking my camera and shooting the tattoo on the back of her leg:
She told me that this small tattoo (the only one visible on her frame) was inspired by a heart-shaped bruise that she wanted to replicate on her skin, but in a more aesthetically-pleasing way. The flowers around the heart are cherry blossoms.
The tattoo was inked at Fly Rite Studio by Charlie Foos, who is now at Read Street Tattoo Parlour in Baltimore. Charlie's work most recently appeared on Tattoosday here.
Thanks to Legs Malone for sharing her tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!
Monday, October 24, 2011
Kristina's Labyrinthine Symbol of Hopi
A few weeks back, I met Kristina, after spotting the top of her tattoo peeking out from under her shirt and reaching toward her neck.
I was intrigued and asked her about it. She revealed it to be a much larger piece than I initially observed and explained that it is a Hopi symbol of mother-daughter unity that accompanies her on her spiritual journey through life.
From what I can gather, this is a variation on the symbol for Tapu'a, or Mother Earth, and the maze-like construction of the emblem represents one's journey through life.
She had this inked at a shop in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania.
Thanks to Kristina for sharing this tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!
I was intrigued and asked her about it. She revealed it to be a much larger piece than I initially observed and explained that it is a Hopi symbol of mother-daughter unity that accompanies her on her spiritual journey through life.
From what I can gather, this is a variation on the symbol for Tapu'a, or Mother Earth, and the maze-like construction of the emblem represents one's journey through life.
She had this inked at a shop in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania.
Thanks to Kristina for sharing this tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!
Lil' Miss Sunshine
I spotted Christina on a subway platform and she let me take a photo of this tattoo above her outer right ankle once we got on the train:
Our time to chat was limited, so all I learned from Christina was that this was a self-drawn self-portrait that a friend tattooed on her four years ago.
"Lil' Miss Sunshine" is her nickname.And yes, the sun refers to her as "That Crazy Ass Bitch".
Thanks to Christina for sharing this tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!
Our time to chat was limited, so all I learned from Christina was that this was a self-drawn self-portrait that a friend tattooed on her four years ago.
"Lil' Miss Sunshine" is her nickname.And yes, the sun refers to her as "That Crazy Ass Bitch".
Thanks to Christina for sharing this tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Penny's Metal Collage
Penny made me feel old.
And I mean no disrespect to her. She was more than cooperative when I stopped and asked her about the unique and colorful tattoo that graces her upper left arm.
However, I was working at a technical disadvantage (borrowed camera) and like many who have met me have observed, I don't necessarily ooze hipness.
Nonetheless, Penny indulged my photographic fumblings and I was able to capture this image, which is a fairly decent photo of her ink:
This piece is based on a collage of pictures Penny took at a handful of metal shows.
"Which bands?" I asked, hoping to find a common ground with this younger person. I cut my teeth on early American metal (I still cherish my vinyl pressing of Metallica's Kill 'Em All on Megaforce records), but then again, that was the '80s. Penny uttered names I had heard (yay me!) but alas, couldn't put in their necessary classifications.
Deathklok. Children of Bodom. Amon Amarth.
What can I say? I'm an ancient 43.
Alas, Penny was a good sport and her tattoo post has just as much to do with my feeling older as it does with her ink. Sorry, Penny.
The work she credited to an artist named Adal, who transformed her pictures into this collage on flesh in two sessions and about five hours, all told.
Thanks to Penny for sharing her tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!
And I mean no disrespect to her. She was more than cooperative when I stopped and asked her about the unique and colorful tattoo that graces her upper left arm.
However, I was working at a technical disadvantage (borrowed camera) and like many who have met me have observed, I don't necessarily ooze hipness.
Nonetheless, Penny indulged my photographic fumblings and I was able to capture this image, which is a fairly decent photo of her ink:
This piece is based on a collage of pictures Penny took at a handful of metal shows.
"Which bands?" I asked, hoping to find a common ground with this younger person. I cut my teeth on early American metal (I still cherish my vinyl pressing of Metallica's Kill 'Em All on Megaforce records), but then again, that was the '80s. Penny uttered names I had heard (yay me!) but alas, couldn't put in their necessary classifications.
Deathklok. Children of Bodom. Amon Amarth.
What can I say? I'm an ancient 43.
Alas, Penny was a good sport and her tattoo post has just as much to do with my feeling older as it does with her ink. Sorry, Penny.
The work she credited to an artist named Adal, who transformed her pictures into this collage on flesh in two sessions and about five hours, all told.
Thanks to Penny for sharing her tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!
Lindsay's Ink for Peace
When I recently upgraded my camera, the first new photo I took, of Lindsay's tattoo, convinced me I had selected well:
This lovely tattoo, on Lindsay's upper left arm, is punctuated by this part of the tattoo on her biceps:
The picture tells the story and the words, all meaning a form of "peace" in Hebrew, Arabic, Sanskrit, and English, punctuate the images just inches away.
Lindsay took a class on world religions at the University of Rhode Island and this influenced her greatly. She wanted the tattoo to focus on the beauty at the heart of religion, and to disregard the conflict that so often plagues religious dogma.
Lindsay feels that the tenet of peace is often lost and this is her way of expressing how it means so much, but is forgotten in relations with people of different backgrounds.
She brought a picture that somewhat embodied how she wanted the tattoo to look in to Artfreek Tattoo in Providence, Rhode Island. She and the artist Brian Mullen collaborated on interpreting what she wanted the piece to embody and she was very happy with the end result.
The tattoo was completed in two short sittings that spanned four hours.
Work from Artfreek has appeared previously on Tattoosday here.
Thanks to Lindsay for sharing this fabulous tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!
This lovely tattoo, on Lindsay's upper left arm, is punctuated by this part of the tattoo on her biceps:
The picture tells the story and the words, all meaning a form of "peace" in Hebrew, Arabic, Sanskrit, and English, punctuate the images just inches away.
Lindsay took a class on world religions at the University of Rhode Island and this influenced her greatly. She wanted the tattoo to focus on the beauty at the heart of religion, and to disregard the conflict that so often plagues religious dogma.
Lindsay feels that the tenet of peace is often lost and this is her way of expressing how it means so much, but is forgotten in relations with people of different backgrounds.
She brought a picture that somewhat embodied how she wanted the tattoo to look in to Artfreek Tattoo in Providence, Rhode Island. She and the artist Brian Mullen collaborated on interpreting what she wanted the piece to embody and she was very happy with the end result.
The tattoo was completed in two short sittings that spanned four hours.
Work from Artfreek has appeared previously on Tattoosday here.
Thanks to Lindsay for sharing this fabulous tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!
Friday, October 14, 2011
Tommy's Geisha
Last week I met Tommy, who has six tattoos, one of which he shared with us:
He brought three or four pictures into Regino Gonzales when he was at Inkstop Tattoo and he came up with this design. Regino is now at Invisible NYC.
The line work took two and a half to three hours but he had to stop because, in Tommy's words, "I'm a bleeder". He came back after he healed for another two and a half hours of shading.
Tommy had a lot of nice protrait work and this piece seemed to just jump off of his left arm.
Regino's work has appeared previously on Tattoosday here and here.
Thanks to Tommy for sharing this great tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!
He brought three or four pictures into Regino Gonzales when he was at Inkstop Tattoo and he came up with this design. Regino is now at Invisible NYC.
The line work took two and a half to three hours but he had to stop because, in Tommy's words, "I'm a bleeder". He came back after he healed for another two and a half hours of shading.
Tommy had a lot of nice protrait work and this piece seemed to just jump off of his left arm.
Regino's work has appeared previously on Tattoosday here and here.
Thanks to Tommy for sharing this great tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!
Monday, October 10, 2011
Larry's Tattoo Burns at Both Ends
Occasionally, but not too often, I do venture out of the city to places far, and not so far, away.
Fourth of July weekend, I was up visiting friends in Woodstock, New York.
On July 3, we found ourselves at an outdoor flea market and I met a couple of inked folk, including Larry who has "a lot" of tattoos.
When asked to choose one, he offered up this piece on his forearm:
The image, of a candle burning at both ends, reminds him that life goes by quickly. The "No Tomorrow" is a spin on the carpe diem, or "seize the day" philosophy.
The tattoo was done by JR Maloney at Vanguard Tattoo in Nyack, New York.
Thanks to Larry for sharing his tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!
Fourth of July weekend, I was up visiting friends in Woodstock, New York.
On July 3, we found ourselves at an outdoor flea market and I met a couple of inked folk, including Larry who has "a lot" of tattoos.
When asked to choose one, he offered up this piece on his forearm:
The image, of a candle burning at both ends, reminds him that life goes by quickly. The "No Tomorrow" is a spin on the carpe diem, or "seize the day" philosophy.
The tattoo was done by JR Maloney at Vanguard Tattoo in Nyack, New York.
Thanks to Larry for sharing his tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!
Jim Commemorates a Trip To Greece with His Brothers
I mentioned yesterday that I had gone up to Woodstock on the 4th of July weekend, where I spotted some upstate ink.
At a flea market, I met Jim, who had this amazing tattoo on the back of his calf:
And a wider, three-paneled view:
Jim had gone on vacation to Greece for thirty days with his brothers and he wanted to commemorate the experience.
They had stayed on the island of Ios, and Jim took several photos he had into Jake Parrington at Lowell Ink in Lowell, Massachusetts.
The end result was this amazing tattoo that captures the scene of their vacation. One of Jim's other brothers got the same tattoo. Note the three figures hiking are meant to represent Jim and his two brothers.
Thanks to Jim for sharing this great tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!
At a flea market, I met Jim, who had this amazing tattoo on the back of his calf:
And a wider, three-paneled view:
Jim had gone on vacation to Greece for thirty days with his brothers and he wanted to commemorate the experience.
They had stayed on the island of Ios, and Jim took several photos he had into Jake Parrington at Lowell Ink in Lowell, Massachusetts.
The end result was this amazing tattoo that captures the scene of their vacation. One of Jim's other brothers got the same tattoo. Note the three figures hiking are meant to represent Jim and his two brothers.
Thanks to Jim for sharing this great tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Sunday, September 25, 2011
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