Welcome to Paradise

I'd never been to the Paradise Tattoo Gathering before,
but this year I was convinced to go,
and it turned out a million times better than I expected.
It's way different than other conventions;
there's less public,
and it's mostly just filled with tattoo artists, aspiring tattoo artists,
and serious tattoo collectors.
There's seminars/panels all day every day on painting, tattooing, taxes, etc.
It's pretty nuts.
I took a Shawn Barber painting seminar,
met a bunch of awesome people,
did a few fun tattoos, etc.
But there were two things about the weekend that topped it all.
Amy and Jamie came out from Northampton to stay with me for the weekend,
and I got to share a double booth with Jeff Gogue, Mick Squires (of Australia), and Horien (of Japan).

I think the Amy and Jamie hangout time made everything so much better.
They brought batches of homemade vegan cookies,
and boxes of vegan chocolates.
They brought smiles, hugs, and laughs.
They are two of the best people I've ever met,
and I couldn't have been happier that they weekended with me.
They got along with everyone,
are brutally helpful,
and took a ton of wonderful photos for me.

Sharing a booth with Jeff Gogue and friends was pretty amazing.
Jeff was the keynote speaker of the convention,
and all of his art was on all of the promotional materials.
He is kind of the entire face of Paradise.
He is also one of the most inspiring people I have ever met,
and it was a huge honor to have been included in that booth.
Usually I come away from tattoo conventions with no voice,
tired, cranky, etc,
but this time I left hungrier than ever,
and full of drive.
I'm somehow even more excited to go out to Oregon in January for the extended guest spot.































I did two new tattoos during the convention.
This big leg addition is on Scout,
a fantastic artist and tattoo apprentice in Northampton, MA.
She already had the mermaid,
but we added some fish morphing into birds going up her leg.
We got all the black and grey work taken care of,
and next time we'll do the color.
She sat like a champ,
and a lot of fun to talk to.






















Todd H came and got tattooed,
and it was fun hanging out with him, too.
(as always)
He got a memorial tattoo for his friend I once met while tattooing him.
She died last year, and he wanted a piece based on her nickname,
"stubborn jungle man bad guy".
That's certainly the right way to remember the good times.

Thanks to everyone who helped made it a fantastic weekend,
especially the people at Off the Map/TattooNow who put it all on.
And for Miss Mary Bowen,
since she always looks out for me extra special...

Poke-Off 2011

So, it's a long, silly story,
but it comes down to this:
I'm involved in a Facebook Poke War with Off the Map Tattoo's Mary Bowen,
and I need your help.

If you go to her page and poke her,
and then use one of the buttons at the bottom of this post to reblog,
retweet, share it on facebook, etc,
you'll be in the running to win this antlered birdhouse.
You might not even need to add her as a friend to poke her,
but you probably should,
she's pretty awesome.
The person will be chosen randomly at the end of the war,
(from the pokes she has on her page)
even if we're on the losing side.
If we win, I'll add some more prizes.

I'll ship in anywhere for free, even overseas.
Thanks, kids.

End of the Road

Ok, here's a little pile of photos from my last day at Off the Map.
I didn't get a chance to post them that night,
because we had a big dinner out with my Northampton peoples,
OTM crew, and Megan and Joan (who came up from Brooklyn to get tattooed).
There was supposed to be some CT folks there, too,
but 2 inches of snow scared them off.
(Ohhhhhhhhhh... no I DIDN'T!!!)

Megan got the black squirrel tattoo,
(sorry for the terribly wonky photo)
and then when I thought we were done,
surprised me with the rabbit request.
It was a torn off piece of China Pan's paper menu of the zodiac.
2011, Year of the Rabbit.
She wanted it on her hand,
but that would probably just f up her whole year,
so we compromised,
and settled for elbow ditch.
Not something I normally do,
but it's China Pan and Megan.
How could I say "no"?

Joan sat so well,
(even though she was nervous)
and got this conch shell on her foot.
She's a science nerd,
which means we get along splendidly,
and I got to hear a bunch of rad facts about conches.

And finally, I left Off the Map with a little parting gift.
A framed photo of me in the frame.
And since I knew it'd be a difficult explanation,
I took a photo of me holding the framed photo of me in the frame.

I had a super successful trip,
and enjoyed it greatly.
Thanks tons to Maynard House and Off the Map,
I couldn't possibly have been treated any better.

Maptastic

Thanks to Chloe for modeling this guest spot shirt for me.
I'm not sure if that's her dead bird face or her sexy face,
but she's always awesome;
and other than Star Wars,
we have a lot in common.






















In fact, the whole shop has been so great,
and it'll be a bummer to leave.
(it's also 20 colder in Minnesota than here)

I spent a bunch of hours tattooing this today.
That's a upright bass scroll that the branch is turning into.
The idea is to finish the tree-bass below the lizard, eventually.
Sometime when I'm back in town....






















I still have one more day at Off the Map before I head back home,
and two exciting pieces left to tattoo,
but here's (almost) everything I've done so far.

Over-Mapped

Having this much fun is hard work.
I want to get a tattoo or two from the day up on the blog every night,
but it's working till late, then dinner with friends.
Then once Maynard House settles in for bed,
I'm doing drawings for the next day and responding to emails,
and before you know it, it's 2 am.
Thanks to Tyrant for driving up to Northampton tonight;
he, Amy and I went out for dinner
after I got done putting the finishing touches on her chest piece.
I started my day off doing this ferns tattoo,
so it was black and grey all day.






















I also made shirts for this guest spot,
but haven't taken any photos of them yet.
I'll get off my lazy butt tomorrow and get that done.
But 2 am is here again,
so I'm off to get six hours of sleep before another full day.

Outside the Box,

and Off the Map.
Day Three.

Amber cracks me up,
she's the best kind of kookie.
And she always has rad tattoo projects for me.
A squirrel and a spool of thread on a 5 cent stamp,
done under her (super skinny) arm.






















I'm enjoying this guest spot more than any of the previous ones.
It's split half and half with old clients and new ones,
and it's really working well out that way for me.
I feel really fortunate to have such a dedicated clientele who are willing to wait around till the next time I'm in town,
and even more flattered whenever someone new decides I'm the one they want to get tattooed by.
(especially when looking through the extensive OTM guest artist list!)
It's been an inspiring few days here already,
cause there's always some big ideas being tossed around in this shop,
and someone painting,
or drawing up a sleeve for the next day.
And Mr Riegle always has a new hard drive of music to tell me about.

I am making plans while I'm here.
New year, new ideas.

Still Off the Map

Day two at my Off the Map Guest Spot was a good one.
I tattooed my two favorite kinds of clients,
librarians, and the colorblind.
(someday I'll meet a colorblind librarian,
and we'll be best friends)

This was Carolyn's first tattoo.
The photo is super dark,
I'm hoping to get a better one soon.























Next, Mr Bruton came up from CT to get a ram (goat?) skull tattoo,
and I used only subtle variations of earth tones that he can't even see.
And after I beat his arm into submission,
I went and did a touch up on his foot.
Nice.
(i bet that was a fun hour drive home)























Tomorrow switches gears from birds to squirrels.
Lots of drawing and tattooing going on,
and I'm hoping to get in a little painting, too.
I only have 6 days every 6 months or so out here,
so you have to pack in as much as possible.

Mapping it Out.

Maynard F'n House.

Back in it.

Warm vegan cookies when you walk in the door.

(starting the year off right)

Today was the first day of my Off the Map guest spot.

So good to see everyone again,

and to get to work after some holiday time off.

My two clients today were both badasses,

and both are celebrating birthdays this week!

Happy Birthday, kids!

Started the day with Mr Hart.

He got some hurricane side-stomach action,

and sat like a champ.

Here's a red and hurty looking photo:

Then Virginia drove up from the Bronx,

got this bird tattooed on her ribs,

and then drove all the way back home.

Day one down, five to go.

I have a few more bird tattoos to do,

a couple squirrels,

some ferns,

and a skull or two.

And that'll pretty much wrap it up.

If everyone sits like these two,

it'll be an awesome week.

Wrapping up the year.

Only 3 more work days before I head East,
and after a bunch of family visiting,
I'll end up at Off the Map Tattoo the first week of January.
I'm booked to do so many awesome tattoo ideas while I'm there,
and I couldn't be more excited.

I colored in Adam M's alligator tattoo yesterday,
and luckily the shop was closing right as we were wrapping that part up,
so I didn't have to figure out what to do with the background/waves yet.
(phew)
I mashed two photos together to show off the whole thing
(and it also helps look more like a thigh now)
since it wraps around quite a bit.

Juniper berries.

Nice and cute for some ribs.
Her first color tattoo, even,
after quite a lot of black and grey work.
I think I could do animal and plant tattoos exclusively,
and never want for anything else.

400.

This is my four hundredth blog post.
Which sounds like a lot,
until I realized I've been writing since early 2007.
And then I just felt lazy.
Ha.

Casey had the big wedding this weekend,
and all the family came out from everywhere for it.
It was on a riverboat on the Mississippi,
and everything was really nice.
I found out that there's a kind of pretend lighthouse
hanging out on the shore of the river in MPLS.
I mean, it's real, and has a light,
but if you need it for navigational purposes,
you should probably not be driving. anything. (ever)

Here's Meryl looking all matron-of-honory,
and timed just right for the lighthouse.



Also, the next guest spot at Off the Map has been set!
January 2nd-7th, 2011
I'll be starting to take appointments this week,
but I'm booking it slightly differently this time.

If you want to get tattooed,
email me your idea with all relevant info:
size, black and grey or color, body area, etc.
Preference will be given to tattoos that best fit my style,
and I'd like to work in 4-6 hour blocks of time.
Once we set a date,
you'll have to call OTM and give them a deposit.

I just realized I didn't book my stay at Maynard House yet,

so I'm off to do that.

email me if you want in.

shawnhebrank@gmail.com

Not to be trusted....

Who's a big, fat liar?
Me, of course.
Big and fat and lying.
I didn't post here for 10 days,
and as soon as I do,
it's only to break my promise.
Here's the latest "dead birds are sexy" shirts
(that I made for my Off the Map Tattoo guest spot)
Thanks to Jessica for showing it off.
I have a couple left,
but not enough to sell online.
If you are at Identity Tattoo,
and I happen to have your size,
then it's meant to be.
Otherwise, you should have visited in MA.



And speaking of shirts,
Sunday was the 11th.
Never Quiet, Never Soft always has something for you,
every month, on the eleventh.
This time, it's an old favorite coming back
for all of you that missed out before.
Go check it out.

The final blog post about my trip.

I promise.
I'm back in Minneapolis,
but my Off the Map Tattoo visit is still lingering.

I took this photo with a borrowed camera,
and got it emailed to me yesterday.
Yeah, that's an elk with 192 points.
(too bad the antler war has been over for a year or so)
Tree Cutter Doug drove up from VA overnight for that tattoo,
and slept in a rest stop before his appointment.



I'll be back at Off the Map sometime in 2011,
but we haven't figured out the dates yet.
Looking forward to more fun (but with less fever) then.

Some of the week's work.

Big Dean doesn't mess around,
especially when it comes to inside jokes.
Getting your friend's portrait tattooed on you?
That's pretty hardcore.
Implying that your friend is a dummy...
being manipulated by an actual dummy?
That seems like some line crossing action to me.
(and of course I was glad to help)



Camille came all the way out from Texas to get this tattoo,
which is beyond flattering.
It was her first ever, and she sat like a rock.
Her and her husband entertained me with stories,
instead of it being the other way around.



The week was kind of a blur.
I did work on Todd's sleeve (below) and Megan's chestpiece,
got to meet some awesome new people,
and hang out with a bunch of old friends.
Kelly Doty is kicking so much ass out here in MA,
it's inspiring and humbling at the same time.
Keep an eye on her, for sure.
(she apprenticed at Turnpike while I was there)



I'm less sick right today,
which is great,
but I leave MA behind tomorrow.
Only two days of visiting in CT,
and then we fly back to MPLS.
These visits/working vacations are nuts.
Never enough time,
and too many people/tattoos to fit in.
Anyone I miss will just have to come visit me in Minneapolis.

What a lovely way to burn

I am one sick dude.
There's no thermometer around for proof,
but I'm pretty sure I've got a fever.
(and I've been beating up the Maynard House's lavatory pretty bad as well)
But I'm booked solid at Off the Map Tattoo,
and I'm not one to call in sick.
Ever.
(what am I, an a-hole?)

Here's a couple of tattoos I've done out here so far.
The owl was photographed at a weird angle,
so the head looks a little warped,
but it's fine in real life.



And more black and grey book themes:



I'm four tattooing days down,
with only two more to go.
But I saved the longest days for last.
Wish me luck.
I could use it.
Luck, and a few more rolls of toilet paper.

Under the Water and Off the Map.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my good buddy Amy B in Northampton today!!!
I hope the Maynard House is full of birthday cards and presents and vegan cupcakes that someone else made you.
Meryl and I send you lots of well wishes for this next year of your life.




I don't know what kind of jellyfish this is.
I wanted to use color reference, but I forgot to get some nice pictures ahead of time, and the shop computer only prints in black and white.

It's a colorful addition to Chef Jeff's otherwise muted water creature sleeve.


Also,
It's time for booking my next visit at Off the Map Tattoo.
I won't be working there until November, but now's the time to pick your day and get your deposits in.

Here's how I'm doing it this time.
I'm working seven days straight, Monday through Sunday,
November 2nd - November 8th.
I'm splitting each day into 2 four hour sessions.
The first one is 12 noon to 4 pm, and the second is 5pm to 9pm.
Clients filling up a 4 hour session have priority over those seeking shorter time slots.
Of course, longer sessions are possible as well.

Please email me for availability, and once we have set a date, you will be required to call the shop and leave a deposit within a week.

There will be new shirts, of course.
New stickers, new art cards.

It's only an hour from Wallingford CT, so come visit even if you're not getting tattooed.

Got Places to Be

Here's a picture Big Dean took of me while I tattooed him at Off the Map.
Maybe it's because it was the last day I was there and I was tired, but I look so sweet and peaceful.
In every picture of me, you can do a "Where's Waldo" type hunt for the Dr Pepper can.
(Even in tattooed portraits of me.)
The story of that tragedy just made it to some new website called TattooBlog.
They sent over 10 average questions, but I sent them back a little creative nonfiction instead.
You can read the short version of the Great Antler and Crutch War of '08 all over again here.

I'll be visiting the winner of said war, JR Tubbs, his beautiful family and FX Tattoos in OHIO late January for a 3 day adventure. I made up an arrival announcement card.

Get ready, Ashtabula.
Lock up your pop. (soda)
JR's gonna be vegan the whole weekend, Sophie's turning 5, and I will try and top the Philly Convention in pure absurdity and volume.
Really.
January 30th, 31rst, and Feb 1rst.

While I'm discussing travel days:

I'll be headed East for the Holidays December 23rd - January 2nd.


That means I'll be at Identity Tattoo till December 20th. (the 21rst and 22nd are a Sunday and Monday, so the shop is closed).
I'll be back in the shop January 3rd.

(then there's a Dark, Dark, Dark show January 4th. Meryl and I just bumped into them at Seward while they were home visiting, and are so excited for the show. They are on tour, so check the link to see if you're lucky enough to be near one of the tour stops.)

There's a lot going on before I take another trip East. Email me, call, or stop by the shop if you're wanting to get tattooed while it's still 2008.

Thanks Giving

I am sitting in Northampton by a roaring fire after a day of friends, family, and two massive vegan Thanksgiving plates, each one eaten in a different state.

I'm thankful to my most amazing hosts ever, who not only took care of me during my stay here, but also let me borrow a car to drive into Connecticut for a big family Thanksgiving dinner. It was nice to be on the farm, eat some amazing food prepared by Meryl and Casey, take a walk and play some cards.

I then drove back to MA, and arrived just in time for a second plate of food.

Thanks to Gabe and the wonderful people of Off the Map Tattoo for hosting me this week.

Thanks to everyone who drove up from Connecticut to get tattooed by me.

I don't have photoshop on this computer I'm borrowing, so these pictures will be resized and fixed when I return to MPLS.



and