Happy Halloween!!

First of all, I'm ashamed to say that Meryl and I did nothing for Halloween this year. She pulled an all nighter last night (the 30th) correcting papers of her students, so tonight she put a bowl of candy out on the porch and went to bed. Living in uptown, my money is on the (twenty something year old) neighbors taking it before the kids even get their costumes on.
This was a surprise tattoo, and it was a lot of fun. Aparently, we'll be doing one on the other side of his wrist next week.
The wearer of said tattoo owns a company that makes vinyl stickers, and we're putting together some die cut dead bird stickers, so I'll be posting those up here soon for sure.
I hope that you did something awesome, it's not a holiday I like to miss. Send me pictures of your costume!

Wolf N Moon

Many Native Americans choose to get wolf tattoos because wolves are extremely important in their mythology. Wolves are seen as teachers or pathfinders, and can also symbolize ancestors or other spiritual guides. Different types of wolves were indicative of different clans and Native American tribes, as well as commonly being used as totems.

Here are some different meanings assigned to the image of a wolf (which some believe are transferred to the wearer of a wolf tattoo):

-Devoted
-Loyal
-Fearless
-Intelligent
-Family (pack) oriented
-Attuned to the natural environment

In astronomy and astrology, the wolf is represented in the stars by the constellation known as the Dog, or Sirius, in the Pleaides. This was also thought to be the origin of the "Ancients" by several of the Native American tribes.

Some Celtic mythology depicts the sun being devoured by a wolf (the cause of night). In Norse mythology, the wolf is a sacred image to the god Odin, who was the father of all the other gods. Romans also revered the wolf, because this creature was sacred to the god Apollo, as well as being featured in the myth of Romulus and Remus.

Credits to : http://tattoos.lovetoknow.com/Wolf_Tattoos

Yup, another Skull!

Here's one of the first fully rendered pieces I've done digitially in a while. You should click on it to see the full size.

The new old image.

The Science Logic came and spread their potty humor to Minneapolis last week. I spent one of the days tattooing the whole band, but I don't have access to the band files yet, all I have is this picture of Dan's arm. It was flattering to have him ask for the tree from my old sticker. We changed it a little so that it fit his arm better, was less "scraggly", and was a black and grey piece.
I also had done a shirt design for them that they got printed, I think it looks rad, and I'll have pictures of that up soon.
Thanks for coming out kids.

Lion tattoos have two primary meanings - one is a simple appreciation of a beautiful animal; and a second is an image of fierceness, pride, and strength.

Your lion’s pose will say a lot about the thought behind your tattoo.

A lion at peace suggests confident, quiet strength.
A roaring lion shows a desire to make your power known.
A lion in battle can represent a willingness to fight for what you believe in.
A lion paired with a gentler animal, such as a lamb, shows a desire for peace.

Credits to : http://tattoos.lovetoknow.com/Lion_Tattoos

Kala - Borneo Scorpion

The Iban scorpion symbol, also sometimes known as kala, was noted particularly in Iban tattoo designs by Charles Hose (a civil officer who worked in Borneo over twenty years) and William McDougall (an English anthropologist) in their 1912 publication The Pagan Tribes of Borneo.

However, the authors note that the “scorpion” design is actually based on the highly stylized image of the aso, the mythical dog/dragon associated with protection from malevolent spirits. Hose and McDougall suggest that the Iban adopted their tattoo designs from other subgroups on the island and created their own interpretations afterwards.

In the kala design, the claws of the scorpion were originally the back end of the dog while the hooked ends at the back of the scorpion design were originally the open jaws of the mouth of the dog. Although it has no particular significance in the scorpion design, even the rosette-like eye of the dog still persists in the center.

Kala is also a protective symbol widely used in Iban Art.

More at TattooSymbol.com

My name on Juxtapoz.com

Juxtapoz Magazine's Website wrote this blurb about the "I Want Your Skull" zine that I am a part of. Right now it's on the front page of juxtapoz.com, but in case you wait a long time before you check it out, here's the exact link.

"Last and dearest to our hearts is the third ever issue of I Want Your Skull Fanzine. If you've ever read the site or the zine then you know that I Want Your Skull is all about skulls in art (and interviewing artists who draw skulls). Ask yourself how many times you've idly drawn a skull and then realize that that number applies to pretty much everyone else ever. All those skull drawings out there means that I Want Your Skull is never short of something to talk about. The current issue features a full-color cover by Justin "Angryblue" Kramer, interviews with David Witt, Doktor A, and Angryblue as well as artwork from Shawn Hebrank, Kevin Mcnutt, Jerry Vigil, J. Statts, Tyler Kline, Jeff Finley, Mike Thompson, Eric Talbot, David Tevenal, Alex Barrera, Miss Pinny, Shaun Friend, Punchgut, The Pit, Scott Benson, R.M. Hanson, Nate Nolting, Ryan August, Marald Van Haasteren, Ed Syder, and Jim Altieri. And as if that wasn't enough you also get a 7" x 7", one-color serigraph of the cover art, a full-color greeting card with art by Shawn Hebrank, and a nice poly bag with a foil sticker by JJ Rudisill. Only 300 copies were made and they're all hand-numbered. You might as well go ahead and subtract the $20 from your bank statement ($26 if you're outside the US) because that money is as good as spent. You're not walking away from this one; not if you still want us to be friends."

A little rose for the lady.

Stephanie worked a full shift before coming and sitting for 5 hours, and had only eaten a bagel all day. And let it be said, few people I have ever tattooed have sat as well as she did. Also, did you notice it's on her ribs???
(Notice: It is not a competition to see who can come in the most overworked, sleep deprived, and starving, and then sit for the longest, roughest tattoo. We want to see you in your best shape. Plus, she already won.)

Good Tattoos Ain't Cheap

I am dedicating this article to the 2 different kinda people in the world. The first, those who want to have a good tattoo but at cheap cost. The second, to the scratchers who tattoo at home and think they are the best in the world and think that they are so undergound and everyone worships them because of some linework done which looks like a 5 yr old kid has done it.

All I can say to them is, "You can go and fuck yourself."

There is a saying, "The bitterness of a poor-quality tattoo will linger long after the sweetness of a cheap price is forgotten." Or in other words, " Good Tattoos Ain't Cheap, Cheap Tattoos Ain't Good".

I am sure everyone is aware of that phrase or have seen it in tattoo parlours everywhere. But I still wonder, why is that everyone wants a cheap tattoo.

I have encountered 100s of them walking in over the past few months, bargaining the price of tattoos like they are bargaining for fish in the market. This is a Tattoo Parlour for God's Sake!! And to those who don't know what that means, You need to wake up !!

I know I sound kinda pissed off at this issue. Well, every professional tattoo artist should be, and would agree with everything I have to say in here.

Quote by Karen Hudson

"If you really want a tattoo from a particular artist, why are you going to let a price tag hold you back? You do realize you'll be wearing this tattoo for the rest of your life, right? If you don't think that's worth a few extra dollars, don't get it! "But I can get the same tattoo from my buddy for half that price!" Fine - you go see your buddy and don't come looking for a shoulder to cry on when you end up with a lousy tattoo or get some kind of disease or infection from improper sterilization."

I have customers who wanna bargain a $100 tattoo, all the way down to $20 !! Are they high on some cheap drug which cost them only 5cents? God !! There are even some who show off their badly done tattoo, ( probably done free by some scratcher cum junkie ) and say, "This big one only cost me $10". Damn right, its only $10 because it comes along with HIV, HEP B, Permanent Disfigurement to the skin that bloats up. "3D EFFECT", Literally. Man, You really got a good deal !!

"Don't choose any artist based on price alone. Look at the portfolio. Ask around to see if they have a good reputation for good work. Check out the competition and compare quality, not prices!"

You only get what you pay for. Don't expect a good quality tattoo even if its a professional when you bargain prices all the way to the ground. You piss us off, we will make you pay for the rest of your life. I am very sure you don't want to be tattooed by a pissed off tattoo artist do you? And don't come running back saying the tattoo is badly done. Don't expect the whole cake when you only pay for a slice.

But on the other hand, there are also artist who charge alot for a tiny tattoo where you can get triple the size elsewhere, still with good workmanship. Why is this so? Number one reason - We all have rents to pay !! Some places have higher rents - They have to charge higher for the tattoos too. And seriously, I have seen some bad tattoos (Not once, but many times) which cost a bomb, done at "famous" tattoo shops.

The best part - Tattoo Artist Wanna-bes, have their own shop, acting all professional but charging more than half the price lesser, than that I am charging. I have 2 kinda people in this kinda situations.

Firstly - Comparing prices. Saying, "I did this in that shop, the guy only quote me $80". Where I would charge maybe, $150 for the size and design but I would do it free if I were to do in that quality !

Secondly - People who regret. Saying, "I did this in that shop, the guy spoilt it. Can you do something bout it?". I would be pleased to do what I can do to the badly done tattoo, but sometimes I do turn them down, cause they are way beyond coverups at times.

If a person can pay so much for something which is not permanent, why not pay for tattoos which will follow you till grave.

By now, I am very sure to piss alot of people off who read this article.

Remember - Only those who are guilty gets pissed off. So, if you are pissed off, get off my fucking blog !! Hehe !!

la Moustache and Watch

La Moustache, a 6.5 x 7 inch 3 color screen print on nice 10 x 10 paper.
Image and printing by me and meryl.
Super limited addition of 8, signed, numbered and titled.
Only 5 left for sale. $25
Want one? Email me at moustache(at)shawnhebrank.com


and here's a watch I painted with watercolor.

You Can Judge a City by the Quality of Its Drag Shows

It's true, and Minneapolis has one of the finest in the country.
Heather and Lori came for a few day visit from Massachusetts, and we hit the "Gay 90's" club on saturday night for their 3 hour show. It was amazing. I wish we had pictures from the night, but alas. We'll have to go again.
The next day we went to the shop and I gave Lori this drag queen pin up.
4 hours total, and she did great.
Thanks for visiting guys, we had fun.