Good days, Short nights.

I think today was one of my favorite work days ever.

First, I got to hang out with Robyn from MA,

and tattoo these raspberries on the back of her neck.

I met her a few years ago at Off the Map,

and then she moved out here for a boy.

It's a small world, after all, kids.

And t's good to have some East Coasters around at all times,

otherwise you might get soft and midwesterny.

Next, Hannah finally came in to get her lady statue backpiece thing worked on.

It's been like 8 or more months since we did the first session.

Really.

And that's just not acceptable.

But I got to work on it for a solid 4 hours tonight,

and it's moving right along.

But no photos till it's done.

I'm pretty sure it's going to be one of my most favorite pieces.

Shop Adam is here at Louderhorn Inn tonight.

We're having a sleepover.

(I even brought out the old photo albums)

In less than 5 hours we are meeting up again for breakfast,

and then I'm dropping him off at the airport.

We'll miss him at the shop Friday and Saturday,

but next week he starts his full time routine at Identity Tattoo.

What?!?

I know!

So rad.

We needed more Adam at the shop,

and he had room for more of us, apparently.

Luckily I don't have to suffer too long in an Adamless shop tomorrow,

I'll be leaving early to attend a poetry reading Meryl is in.

And since it's Friday,

I'll already be dressed up.

Tired and ugly, perhaps,

but at least I'll have a tie on.

Dead and Gone

Here's Jak's tattoo from yesterday.

A continuation of the black and (opaque) grey extinct animal sleeve,

we added Eugene the Thylacine.

It's most likely extinct,

though there's occasionally the unproven sighting.

And you know what?

It's a marsupial!

Even the boys had pouches,

to securely tuck away their privates.

No kidding.

(and if that sounds appetizing,

you're probably an a-hole)

You know what never dies here in Minnesota?

Winter.

There's snowflakes hitting the ground outside right now.

Spring just got moved from "Vulnerable" to "Critically Endangered".

Uggh.

Skin to Paper

I had a super busy, fun day at the shop today,
and took lots of photos of everything,
but I left immediately after to meet up with Meryl at MCBA,
and didn't upload the pictures off of the camera.
But we worked on our new mail art project till 11:20pm,
and I'm super stoked on how it's coming out.
Here's a shot of Meryl getting it done.
Long days, kids.
I'll post some tattoo photos tomorrow.
It's well after 2am,
I just finished some tea,
and I'm headed to bed.

Puppets.

It's not easy being friends with a tattoo artist.
You'd think they'd be able to get tattooed all the time,
whenever they wanted.
You know where they rank on the priority scale?
At the bottom.
I live 10 blocks from Adam W.
I see him all the time.
I use his house like it's mine,
and put up people he doesn't even know at his place when mine's over-booked.
And the poor bastard can't even get his started tattoos finished.
I knew this tattoo needed to be worked on,
and I assumed we'd get to it eventually.
But 6 months?
That's cruel.
And guess what?
It's STILL not done.
But it's at least further along than this.
Egads.























Puppets are so dope.
You know where there's going to be a full puppet parade this Sunday?
Right outside my house.
Heart of the Beast's Mayday Parade runs down Bloomington Ave,
then takes a right hand turn into Powderhorn Park.
If you're in town,
and you miss it,
you're probably an a-hole.
(just so you know)

Skunk Apes and Alligeese.

I got canceled on BIG TIME for the first half of my day, today.
Luckily Ryan was down to hang out,
and we got to finish his skunk ape tattoo.
It's in that dreaded half-healed/half-fresh stage,
but what are you going to do?
It's a photo for my blog.
Actually, it's three photos of his ankle for my blog,
(i should have gotten four)
and I just shoved them together in Photoshop so that you could see the multiple sides of it in one big panorama.
(i hear that sometimes these stitched together images are misleading)
The teddy bear is from a different tattoo of his,
but eventually they all go together, anyway.

When Ryan came to the shop he brought the Alligoose, too.
It's no longer standing on driftwood,
but instead a 1930's hubcap.
(more swamp creature, less 80's vacation home)
I'll be repainting it's legs,
and then it'll be time for it's big photoshoot.

But the most absurd part of my day wasn't skunk apes or alligeese.
It was waking up to snow.
In late April.
I didn't like it.
And I'm pretty sure these tulips didn't appreciate it either:

















Due to inclement weather,
Easter has been delayed until further notice.

Forever.

Tim (from SuchLuck and Parking Block Publishing)
visited MPLS this weekend,
and I gave him a little mail/mail-art inspired tattoo.
We tucked it around a few other tattoos on his wrist,
and I think that pretty much finished off that sleeve.
We've been internet friend for 6 years or so,
so it was cool to have brunch and hang out irl finally.






















Speaking of mail-art,
after 10 years of sending art through the mail,
Meryl and I finally committed to a name for what we do,
and even set up a little blog.
We'll only post after we assume that everyone has received it,
as to not spoil the surprise of getting mail in the first place.
Four-Letter Press.
(or, Four-Letter Qress if you're rushing)

Meryl's Mom and Jim are also in town this week,
and they brought with them raspberry bushes from the farm.
We planted a whole row of them in the backyard,
and look forward to them producing some fruit in the next year or so.

It's kind of Spring here now,
but it snowed on Friday,
and there's plans for more snow tonight and tomorrow.
Not my plans, of course,
but it's happening all the same.
So we're having a little fire in the backyard tonight,
(a la albie rock)
and hopefully that will deter the snow gods from spiting us again.
I mean, it's late April.
Enough already.

Lumberjack

I'm still tattooing,
even though I've only posted one other finished piece in the last month.
The shop has been super busy lately,
and I'm behind in every possible thing one can be behind in.
So here is this.
More soon.
xxoo.
s

30 and a day.

The Cucch stayed at the Louderhorn Inn all week.
Monday to Monday.
Vegan Pizza Day (at Mayday Cafe) to VPD.
Scones and coffee started our morning every day in between.























Having Albie Rock as a mutual long time friend,
and both being from CT,
we got some stuff in common.
For sure.
But matching toothless green japanese dragons?
"We GOT they".















The day after my big birthday celebrations a bunch of us went out on bikes and enjoyed spring.

Adam doesn't even notice if you lend him a bike that doesn't have brakes.
(he wouldn't have used them, anyway)
He just sails along sipping his Pamplemousse.






















This side of Powderhorn Lake is so pretty and nice and full of Spring.
If you go to the west side of the lake,
there's all the dead stuff from Winter washed up on the banks.
So if you like dead birds,
your birthday weekend is that much more complete.

















Back to work tomorrow,
and the party is over.
It sure was a weekend, though.
Thanks to everyone who made it so special.

Dirty Thirty.

I turned the big Thirty yesterday,
and to celebrate a very adult-sounding milestone,
my friends and I brought the thunder.
The most immature,
embarrassing,
and self-destructive thunder there is.

First I got busy doing a "Goonies" chestpiece for the Cucch,
who came back to town for this week of bikeriding vacation time.
While that was happening,
Meryl and Rebecca and Adam M crowned me the Birthday Princess (again),
and decorated the shop,
and even my car.
They had made vegan cake the day before,
and it was a super nice birthday workday.












































After work,
12 of us headed to T's Place for a birthday dinner for some,
and a terrible idea eating challenge for the rest of us.
The competition was to see who could eat an entire 2-person veggie combo plate by themselves,
(never before attempted)
and under 30 minutes.
You weren't required to eat the extra basket of injera,
but you had to wear the pink birthday bib.





















































Adam M did that first in under 11 minutes,
but he soon realized that the Cucch and I were upping the stakes silently (and disgustingly) as we went.
So he took the initial win,
but then threw in the towel while we attacked everything in sight.
The Cucch finished everything,
including the entire extra injera basket,
all within 16 minutes of starting.
I followed a stomach-busting minute later.






















We then found out that I was to be given a free birthday mango juice,
so the Cucch and Adam also ordered some,
and we raced those down, too.
And since it was only 10:15pm at that point,
and we hadn't had vegan ice cream since the day before,
(and were not yet vomiting)
everyone drove to St Paul for Izzy's.























Thanks to everyone who rocked out so hard.
I have the best friends around.

The Tattoo Of The Lips That's

the tattoo of the lips that's

Wing Tattoo

Wing Tattoo

Wing tattoo designs are most popular tattoo designs in the world. The best part of wing tattoo designs is their versatility, that they can be combined with any tattoo designs.

Wing Tattoo

You may even add wing tattoo designs to an existing tattoo designs that you might have etched on our body. There are many styles in which wing tattoo designs can be etched on your body.

Wing Tattoo

Let us see the best of wing tattoo designs along with the different wing tattoo meanings.

Wing Tattoo

Wing tattoo designs are very popular in women and look gorgeous when these wing tattoos are etched on a woman’s back.

Wing Tattoo

Wing tattoo designs on a woman’s back is a symbol for her true love affair with freedom. Wing tattoos also symbolize the spiritual connection of human with divine when they are combined with an angel tattoo.

Wing Tattoo

Being symbols of love, peace and freedom, wing tattoo designs are one of the most recommended tattoo designs for women. So let me give you few ideas on wing tattoo designs for women.

Dove Tattoo

Dove Tattoo

There are a number of birds which are chosen to make a tattoo. However, one of the most beautiful and meaningful Tattoo Designs are the dove Tattoo Designs.

Dove Tattoo

They are beautiful winged creatures, which have numerous symbolic meanings, including religious beliefs, everlasting love, etc. attached to them.

Dove Tattoo

Almost every culture has a different meaning attached to the dove tattoos, although the universal meaning of peace and love remains. If you are the peaceloving kind, then peace dove Tattoo Designs are the most appropriate tattoo design for you.

Dove Tattoo

There are many interpretations of a dove tattoo. For some a dove can signify peace, freedom, happiness and also love. Some people perceive a dove to denote aspects of after-life.

Dove Tattoo

There are others to whom a dove can mean purity of soul, while on the other hand a soaring dove depicts the journey in the spirit world.

Dove Tattoo

It is also seen as a symbol of a soul freed from its physical form and is soaring onto its everlasting destiny.

Winning.

The Poke-Off War has expanded past it's original Facebook borders.
Off the Map Tattoo has received some pokings from real life people in the real life mail this week,
and they'll continue pouring in.
C'mon.
Stamped and delivered.























And better than that even:
having friends who aren't afraid to get all guerilla style for you.
Just give Amy and Jaime a little hint of what you'd like,
and they know how far to take it.
A little tiny paper "poke" sticker wasn't enough style for Jaime,
so she turned to sheet metal instead.
(obviously)
And then smuggled that shit in behind enemy lines.
Here's a little photo of it,
taken by the always amazing
(even when she's losing)
Mary Bowen.
























You know what happens this weekend, kids?
I turn 30.
Years old.
yup.
You know what I want for my birthday?
Victory.
That's it, and you can help deliver it.
Click this Mary link,
go to her page,
and poke her, please.
You might have to friend her first,
you might not.
But that's the easiest birthday gift ever.

Upper Lip And Registered

upper lip and registered

Music Tattoo Designs

Music Tattoo

Music Tattoo Designs Music has been a part of all cultures all around the world. Isn’t it natural to have tattoos inspired by music? Well there are a number of music tattoo ideas, which you can make use to make your tattoo stand out.
Music Tattoo Ideas

Music Tattoo

Don’t both these quotes speak volumes about music? If a person is in a lousy or a bad mood, the sight of musical symbols will turn his mood into a pleasurable one. That is primarily the reason why people use music tattoo ideas, to make their tattoo designs. There are others, who opt for music tattoos, because of their love of music, either as a musician or an enthusiast. There are some small music tattoo ideas, which are very commonly seen. They include the treble clef, the staff and not to forget the notes. If a musician decides to get himself a musical tattoo design, we will choose designs, that reflect his own part in the musical process, such as musical instrument, such as guitar, drums, etc. or choose to get musical notes.

Music Tattoo

Cool Music Tattoo Ideas
A music tattoo idea is a way to reflect, a person’s individual style and love for music. You can opt for an image, which represents music and get a tattoo designed around that image. We will now see some music tattoo ideas for girls and guys.

Music Tattoo

Music Notes
This is by far the most chosen music tattoo ideas for women and men. Musical note is one of the ways to reflect a person’s general love for music. It can also represent any particular style of music, ranging from hip-hop to any musical instrument, such as drums and guitar. The very shapes of music notes lend themselves easily to make cute music tattoo designs. You can be creative and incorporate music notes to make different designs. For example, you can design a music note tattoo to look like a heart or place a musical note inside a heart. Peace sign can also be incorporated into the shape of a G clef. Angel’s wings coming off the sides of the music note, also make for an interesting tattoo design. A group of music notes and stars placed together form a great music constellation and a wonderful tattoo design. If you wonder, which is the most commonly used music note, it is not doubt the treble clef. Bass clef is also used, but it is not as common as the treble clef.

Music Tattoo

Lyrics
Lyrics is one of the hot favorite music tattoo ideas for men. Opting to get a piece of lyrics meaningful to you is very common in music tattoos. There are different ideas to pick up lyrics. The lyrics can have certain symbolism in a person’s life or it can be something a person is fond of. Along with the lyrics, you can also get star tattoos, heart tattoos or some other tattoo designs made to make the tattoo look attractive.

Music Tattoo

Musical Band
If you have a particular musical band that you are fond of, you can use the logo of the band to make a music tattoo. This is one of the music tattoo ideas, that is commonly seen with both men and women. You can change the logo a little to suit your taste. For example, if a logo has rough edges, you can ask the tattoo artist to soften them, etc. Changing the color combination of the logo is also not uncommon.

Music Tattoo

Musical Instrument
If you are in particular fond of a musical instrument, then you can get it tattooed. Some people opt for a particular musical instrument, because they are fond of a particular person who plays the instrument.

Music Tattoo

Music tattoos can be made on any part of the body. But they are often wrist tattoos, sleeve tattoos, ribcage tattoos, etc. Celtic tattoos, tribal tattoos, etc. also can be used to make the music tattoos look different. When you are looking for music tattoo ideas, it is better to be open to ideas, so that you have a unique tattoo design. At the same time, reviewing your tattoo ideas will also help in making the tattoo look attractive and also unique.

Snowflake Tattoos

Snowflake Tattoos

Snowflake tattoos are very beautifully made and can look the best in any shapes and sizes. Scientifically, there are many designs of snowflakes and every snowflake is unique in it’s own way. Thus snowflake tattoo meanings are that they stand for uniqueness and differentiation.

Snowflake Tattoos

The reason why no two snowflakes are the same, is because the conditions in which they are formed are so unique and variant that every second they fall gives them a different shape. This is mostly why people get these snowflake tattoos  done, because they symbolize uniqueness in the sense that no two individuals in the world can be the same.

Snowflake Tattoos

Many a times, this also relates to the fact that when you see a snowflake in the first glance it looks very similar to the others, but when you look closely there are differences.

Snowflake Tattoos

The same way you can’t generalize people as everyone has their own unique qualities which define their differentiation from others. Take a look at the following ideas for snowflake tattoos to see if you like any.

Snowflake Tattoos

Snowflakes are very pretty as they are a compilation of 2 to 200 ice crystals arranged in amazing structures. Each one is unique and has it’s own design, so if you want a tattoo design you are really going to have to look for it. Snowflake tattoos are very creatively done by the tattooers since there are so many minutes details which are involved in the drawing. Many people like to get these Tattoo Designs as they are the simplest ones and can be inked on any part of the body. Especially for beginners, snowflake tattoos would definitely make the best design!

Bicep Tattoo ideas

  Bicep Tattoo

Tattooing is an art of imprinting permanent designs on the body. This body art was basically invented for non-verbal communication and personal identification. But these days, tattoos have become a style mantra and are popular all over the world. These tattoos are very flexible and versatile, both with respect to design and placement.

Bicep Tattoo

Tattooing is a painful procedure and the intensity of the pain depends on the body part where the tattoo is carved. The bicep is one such body part that causes less pain while tattooing.

Bicep Tattoo

Thus bicep tattoos are considered as some of the best tattoos for someone who is getting a tattoo for first time. So, if you are going to get your first tattoo, then here are some outer and inner bicep tattoos ideas.

Bicep Tattoo

Heart tattoos are the best bicep tattoos for women and men. Heart tattoos are very versatile as they can be used for expressing various human emotions like love, friendship and betrayal. These tattoos can be paired with other tattoo designs like wing tattoos, name tattoos and banner tattoos.

Bicep Tattoo

A sacred heart tattoo, broken heart tattoo, tribal heart tattoo and Celtic heart tattoo are some of the popular heart tattoo designs. These tattoos fit perfectly on the biceps and hence, are ideal bicep tattoo ideas.