This Weekend- Ryan Westfall!

This weekend, December 6th and 7th, Ryan Westfall of Old Soul Tattoo will be Tattooing with us at the shop. You can find his work at www.oldsoultattoo.com. Contact us at the shop, or better yet, stop in and get something nice!

Japanese-Style Tattoos

As promised, in the spirit of catching up with my current work, here are a handful of Tattoos I was asked to do in a Japanese style over the past few months. I appreciate each clients interest and dedication. Both illustrating and Tattooing in this style have proven most enjoyable.

It's Been Too Long

In the past few months we've had so many awesome things going on around the shop that I had neglected to post any current tattoo photos. Sorry about that. Kind of. In any case, to make up for it-here's a barrage of classic-style tattoos that I was fortunate enough to have been asked to do. Thank you to everyone involved! I would also like to reiterate that I enjoy working in this style, and have plenty of hand-painted images ready for tattooing, along with even more great reference materials. I also enjoy tattooing in a Japanese style- which will be shown in the next post, so stay tuned…

This Week's Guest

Mr. Kevin Stress of Red Tree Gallery in Columbus, Ohio will be visiting the shop on this Friday, November 8th. Kevin is a great Tattooer and Painter, and specializes in the Japanese style. To see his art, check out www.kevinstress.com. For inquiries or appointments, email kevin@kevinstress.com . Better yet, stop into the shop on the 8th and check him out!

This Week: Staygold!

We're happy to announce that this weekend (October 11th, 12th, and 13th) our long-standing friend Sagent Staygold will be blessing our walls with his presence. Come on in and get a nice, classic-style tattoo from this guy- or just stop by and say, "Hi.". We're always glad to have Sage around, and it's bound to be fun...

We're 6! Get A Shirt!

The new shop shirts are in just in time for our 6th anniversary! They are available in limited quantities, sizes S-XL in both Men's and Women's styles for twenty bucks in-shop. This round features art by Mr. Andy Blair. As you can see- they came out killer!!

More Guests!

This month we are happy to host our good friends James Hunter, September 5th and 6th, and Eric Brocious, September 19th-22nd! Both of these guys are great tattooers, and excellent people. Stop in and set something up if you are so inclined, or pop in while they're here for a walk-in! You can find their work on Instagram, Facebook, or in our guest artist links at the website: www.flying-tiger-tattoo.com. Have an awesome day!

Traditional-Style Tattoos

Traditional-style Tattoos are characterized by bold, well-spaced lines, black shading, and simple, bright fields of color. Although usually associated with the military designs from the two major World War eras, just about any image can be drawn this way. Aside from the look and feel of these designs being great, they are tailor-made for longevity in the skin, and preserve a tradition that no one in my profession could exist without. Shown here are some recent works of mine in said style. I enjoy making traditional Tattoos very much. If you would like this type of Tattoo, please put me in your service! Thanks!

Ushi Oni!

The Ushi Oni is one of many strange malevolent beasts from Japanese folklore. Part spider, part cow, and all Demon- it's sole purpose is to reek havoc at sea, terrorizing fisherfolk and destroying seafaring vessels. Of course, it is rare that someone would even see the fabled creature and live to tell the tale. Fortunately, we came through unscathed, and have the photo to prove it!

Sleeve of Masks

Merlin's sleeve of Oni masks has come along nicely! After four long sittings, save a few small polishes, it's pretty well finished- and it's another great example of how the combination of good subject matter and dedication make for the best Tattoos. Pictured, you'll see four devilish masks, each representing some gnarly aspect of the personality, surrounded by storm clouds and lightning. While themes like this are usually named for five masks in Japan, I had been told at one time or another that the wearer's face is meant to be considered as one of those five, so we rolled with that concept as well. At first, this imagery may seem pretty negative- but it is important to remember that masks are wearable or removeable at will. Self-mastery through adversity is the real underlying notion.

You Blew It....Again.

  This coming week brings our old pal Nick B. down to the shop from Fort Wayne, Indiana! He'll be doing really nice traditional style tattoos from Monday, July 29th to Thursday, August 1st. If you'd like one of said really nice tattoos, I'm afraid you're a bit late this round. Nick B. has booked up! Stop in and see him, though! You can talk with him about next time, and get his contact info...if you're lucky.
  Right after Nick leaves James Hunter will be coming down from northern Ohio to put some awesome illustrations on willing skin. Want an appointment? Stop in and put your money where your mouth is! Links to James' work, as well as any of our current artists or guests, are easy to find at our website: www.flying-tiger-tattoo.com. Thank you, and have a wondurful day!

Catching Up!

In light of being waaaaay behind on posting new photos, here are some nice ones I've finished in the past few weeks. A set of Pharaoh's Horses, a Broken Lantern, a folky revolutionary-period Snake, and a leaping Tengu Swordsman- all on some of my favorite visitors! Cheers, Fellas! I've got to get back to it....

New Friends!

 Flying Tiger Tattoo is both delighted and proud to welcome Meghan Dietz aboard our staff! You may have already caught her at the shop making super-nice Tattoos. Her regular hours will commence after she visits the Cleveland Tattoo Expo this weekend with Nate Hudak and Andy Blair, and you can see samples of her work at our site: www.flying-tiger-tattoo.com. Stop in and get a really good job done on your design!
 Also, our friend Eric Brocious will be visiting the shop this week Friday through Monday! He's coming all the way from Sunny PA, some come by and get something cool from him if you have the chance! You can see his work at: www.ericbrocious.com. Have an awesome day!

Visitors From Afar

Hey! This Friday and Saturday, Jimison of Epicenter Tattoo in West Virginia will be coming by to grace the shop with his awesome abilities in the realm of traditional-style tattooing. Come by and get something cool to wear! Just stop in- he'll be here! Also- don't forget- Andrew Wesley Bennett of Rising Tide Tattoo in Newark will be here the week of the 17th, and of course, a big huge thanks to Jemola from Resurrected Tattoo in Syracuse, NY for hanging out and making some really killer art last week! Hooray!!

Current Events

 This month we will have two great artists filling in while folks take vacations. Jemola from Resurrected Tattoo in Syracuse New York will be here from June 5th until the 8th, and Andrew Bennett of Rising Tide Tattoo in Newark, Ohio from June 17th until the 23rd. These two make excellent Tattoos, and are great fellows to boot. If you'd like to wear some of their work, stop in while they're here, or contact the shop.
 We've still been having a lot of fun tattooing this Spring. Here are a few designs from the past couple of weeks:

Queen of the Bear Hunters.

I've said it before- lady-heads make great tattoos. Animal-heads are arguably just as cool. When they're combined, though, the design becomes so powerful and strange that you won't find many other comparable images. Josh's forearm- a warrior-lady clad in her slain bear headdress, tribalesque jewelry, and adorned with blue roses to each of her sides- is a good example of what makes this true. Besides this image being really fun to apply, Josh sat through the design in it's entirety easily, and left me to the details. This is how Tattooing should be!

Springtime Tattoos!

It has been a great Spring so far! Lot's of friends passing through to visit and work, as well as some fun travels and tattoo work for everyone at the shop. Here are a few tattoos from the past month-or-two, themed for the season:

Just A Reminder...

In the next few weeks we have three great artists visiting the shop. This coming weekend, starting April 12th, both Ben Mcqueen of Mass Avenue Tattoo in Indianapolis, IN and Jemola of Resurrected Tattoo in Syracuse, NY will be in the shop. Then, on the 18th and 19th of April, Derek Jimison of Epicenter Tattoo in West Virginia will be here as well! Feel free to come by and check out any or all of these guys' work, or contact the shop if you'd like to get an appointment.

 I've also gotten behind on posting some photos, so here are a bunch of awesome designs I was asked to do just before we left for Pennsylvania....

We're Back!

We have returned from our travels, and the Electric City Tattoo Convention in Scranton, PA was good to us once again. I've never been so honored to work among such great and talented people! Big thanks to Woody and everyone from Electric City Tattoo, as well as all of the folks who got Tattooed by us, and everyone who attended! Here are a few of the Tattoos I was fortunate enough to do:

Coming Up!

  A lot of good things are happening this Spring at the Tattoo Shop! Firstly, we will be closed Thursday, March 21st through Monday March 25th. "Closed?!" you may ask, " How can that be good?". I'll tell you how. During that time we will be visiting our friends in Scranton, Pennsylvania for the Electric City Tattoo Convention. We'll be at the Scranton Hilton Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with shirts, flash, and awesome Tattoo designs ready for your patronage. Come see us if you can! It's a great show run by great people!
  After that, we have not one, but two talented guest artists coming to visit in April! On the 12th, 13th, and 14th Ben McQueen of Mass Avenue Tattoo will be here. You can check his work out at www.benmcqueentattoo.com and contact him at ben@benmcqueentattoo.com. Then on the 18th and 19th our friend Derek Jimison of Epicenter Tattoo will be around! You can see his work at www.epicentertattoo.com and hit us up for a spot at 1-513-841-2653. Come check these two out, and have an awesome Spring!

Mark of the Beast(s)

Last week I got to finish two large Japanese beasts! The first few photos are from Vince's arm- a Lion-Dog leaping down through storm, rocks and peonies. The last is Josh's Phoenix- which I was happy to complete after a long hiatus on his part. Thanks to the both of you for your persistence and good taste in imagery! Mythological beasts are some of my favorite things to tattoo, especially in a Japanese style. Come see me at the shop if you'd like to wear one!

Gator!

Andrew's Dad has been asking him for years, "When're you gonna get a Gator Tattoo?!" He finally did it, Andrew's Dad! I hope they both enjoy it!

Nick B.'s Coming Back!

Our Old Pal Nick B. will be back in the studio from Tuesday, February 19th until the 23rd! If you'd like a tattoo from him, email mfnickb@gmail.com. I'm sure the times will go fast, so you may want to hurry! Do it!

Where Eagles Dare...

Ethan finished the Eagle we started just a month ago! Two fell swoops and that was that! This particular image is an example of how scale and placement can really make the difference between a nice design and a striking one- and it proves once again that anything with wings makes a tough tattoo!

Back To It, Then...

The New Year has come and we're back at it! Thanks to everyone who has been patient enough to wait  for us while we all had our respective times off for the season! It's not as if we've been completely static, though- here are a few flicks of some fun Tattoos finished just before the Holiday break: