Bodhidharma

Here is the beginning stage of what will eventually be Jason's Japanese style bodysuit, which I am very grateful to have been asked to work on. In this chest panel are the Daruma dolls on a wind background. Daruma is the Japanese name for the Indian Monk Bodhidharma, who, through his works and meditation, brought Zen to China, where it is said to have spread from, and also formed the basis of the Shaolin teachings of Kung-Fu. These dolls are used to represent goals and wishes, one eye being painted in for the initial thought, and the other eye to be filled in when the goal is completed. They are burned in great piles at the Daruma Festival each year. I admire Jason, not only for his choice of subject matter and style, but for his patients, endurance, and dedication throughout the process so far. Thank you!

Life and Death

One (or two, rather) of the best subjects for tattoo art. It's all about change.

Owl Be There

 Tonight was pretty freakin' sweet! Not only did I get to tattoo this awesome owl, but I got a better picture of this nice schooner as well! Maybe I should have shaved the leg, though.....

No Need to be Koi, Roy!

I've had the great fortune of having customers ask for some larger Japanese-style tattoos lately! It has turned out to be a nice chance to challenge myself, and to study art and tattoos from another culture. Myth and folklore are some of my favorite things to research- besides tattooing- so for these works, the process has been particularly awesome! Here are two photos of Japanese style Koi- one with a simple water composition as background on a chest panel, and the other depicting part of the heroic tale of Kintaro the Golden Boy on an upper thigh. Bushido!

Shin's Are In!

Chris came by and got this sweet Indian Lady tattooed right on his shin. The design is a Sailor Jerry original, and you can see why his art is so highly revered- even today! Good pick!