tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19342662590901442562024-03-17T20:02:05.429-07:00TRUE NATURE TATTOOtruenaturetattoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13440116595935862799noreply@blogger.comBlogger451125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1934266259090144256.post-59420465128611866642014-06-12T23:03:00.001-07:002014-06-12T23:05:19.934-07:00Kirin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Recently finished the color on this kirin (actually the first kirin I've ever been asked to do)...<br />
Normally, I outline the whole arm first, then shade all the background, then the flowers, then the main image. I think in my excitement to finally do a kirin, I really wanted to focus on the animal and let it be the complete center of attention, so I just concentrated on its design and layout with no serious thought put into the background at this point. It was nice to change up the approach and try something new.<br />
There's definitely a trap that I fall into of over thinking some projects, to the point of getting a little overwhelmed and stressed. Not in a negative way, but there's a lot of thought that goes into laying out these larger pieces and you can get really wrapped up in all the different possibilities. Just focusing on the kirin, with no thoughts of the future, was pretty freeing mentally.<br />
Trying to take it one step at a time and trusting that you know what to do, and that the next phase will work out and fall into place. <br />
He's interested in finishing his body in a fairly traditional Japanese style, so holding off on the background right now might even be advantageous in the long run. Drawing larger sections of background at once would be a little different for me (like do the foreground on the back, sides and chest, then all the background as one). Seems like it could be a good opportunity to follow the stylistic path I've been going for, but trying to see it from different angles and execute it with slight variations. It might seem trivial, but sometimes when you've been doing things the same way for a long time, those little tweaks can really open up some new doors mentally.<br />
His enthusiasm and respect for Japanese tattooing helps rekindle my own love of this stuff and want to keep experimenting and evolving...</div>
truenaturetattoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13440116595935862799noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1934266259090144256.post-27731903590588435482014-05-26T15:31:00.002-07:002014-05-26T15:32:30.527-07:00Snake and Peonies<div style="text-align: center;">
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So it looks like it's been almost a year since I've added anything to this blog. It certainly hasn't been from any lack of working hard or fun projects to be had...but not having been able to prioritize the time or really just find the head space. Within the last year I've opened up a new studio, had an amazing trip to Japan, hosted some amazing guest artists and decided to handle my scheduling and communication without a helper (hence the horrible delays if you've tried getting in touch). All the while raising a new child (aka not sleeping much) and trying to keep up on the home front.</div>
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Lately I've been feeling pretty good about the tattooing, but that there's kind of been some component missing. I think that once you get to a certain level of comfort in your work it can become more difficult to push yourself and keep improving at the rate that you might like. It's been my experience that the older I get, those mental or technical "next steps" are kind of more subtle and less often, but more meaningful. I've realized that a big part of what's been lacking for me is the need to self reflect. I think that it should be a practice in everyone's life, and I'm feeling really ready to get back to it by keeping up on this blog.</div>
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I guess the above tattoo brings these things to mind. It was done a few weeks ago on a really great guy who came out from Utah. He's a talented tattooer from Salt Lake, and that really adds a layer onto the process. I'm incredibly grateful to everyone who's been coming to me for work, but there's something about a fellow tattooer going out of their way to get something from you that makes you feel honored. There are certain things about this job and lifestyle that only another tattooer can really relate to or understand. That coupled with the fact that I believe like energies attract (meaning that I feel that I share a pretty good connection with most of my clients) made for a very enjoyable tattoo session. It was was nice to have some good conversations about life and tattoo philosophy while getting to do a fun piece...working and reflecting at the same time.</div>
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As far as the tattoo, not that it's the most groundbreaking idea ever, but I always wanted to try and do peonies with some different colored tips. I'm always getting the request for flowers with white tips (the Horitoshi look that I love deeply and is my main inspiration), but he wanted a white snake, so this was the perfect time to try something a little different. The white tips on the flowers provides such a dramatic contrast with other colors and dark background, but would've been lost on a white foreground. Great experience getting to do a very subtly tweaked version of a classic on a really great and thoughtful person... </div>
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truenaturetattoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13440116595935862799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1934266259090144256.post-71565250061701828302013-07-08T21:23:00.000-07:002013-07-08T21:34:36.302-07:00Oniwakamaru<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is one I've been working on the last year at a fairly regular pace and don't think I've posted here before, so I'll just skip some of the progress shots and reports and get to it...</div>
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It's one of those unique, wonderful, and surprisingly more common situations where a client with no tattoos comes in that has done a fair amount of research on their own and decided to do a very large scale cohesive Japanese style piece for their first ever tattoo.</div>
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When we first spoke at our initial consultation, all he brought in was a printout of this amazing and well known image from Kuniyoshi, and told me that's what he wanted, and it was going to be a backpiece...</div>
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...pretty much a dream scenario as a tattooer. He'd done his homework, brought in a single amazing piece of reference, understood it's meaning and connected with it on a personal and aesthetic level. He told me that's exactly what he wanted, but I was free to tweak it if I was so inclined. Doesn't get any better than that.</div>
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As I looked into other images of Oniwakamaru tattoos (the childhood name of the famous warrior monk <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benkei">Benkei</a>, who's history and exploits I won't even get into here, but you should really click that link and get a sense of why he is such a famous and respected warrior) it became fairly clear that this Kuniyoshi image was by far the most used reference point (and for very good reason). There are several backpieces of this exact composition, and my idea was to base it off of this print, but do it slightly different and change the dynamic a bit. In the original, the giant carp is curled downwards, swirling under Benkei, who is upright lunging down with a dagger from above, positioned in the opposite direction. The interaction of the subjects has a very yin yang type balance to it...together they form this very flowing perfect circle of action. </div>
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My idea was to try and streamline the interaction...have everything rushing down in one direction, trying to add some velocity and movement to the composition. I tweaked the fish so instead of swimming back underneath him, it is powering downwards, head up, and Benkei's legs are firmly planted around him as if he's riding him down the river. And the dagger instead of being perched high about to strike, is in line with the downwards diagonal flow kind of trying to emphasize that forwards motion and show some control on his part...like he can kill him whenever he feels like it. Not that my take is in anyway better or more interesting than the original, it's just my attempt to put a slight tweak and new direction on a classic image.</div>
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As far as the tattooing...</div>
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The first session (shown in the first photo above) was his first tattoo experience ever, and he sat for I believe a four or five hour outline...quite a welcome the world of being tattooed. He did great and was/is highly motivated to keep it going and push forwards. The initial piece was finished in less than a year, and as soon as it was, he wanted to start the back ground.</div>
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Over the last few weeks we've been drawing on the frame around the main piece with the goal of going onto the arms once it's done. We started under one armpit and are going down that side, across the butt and up the other side (and not too far down the thighs for now as he's planning on more images and going down the legs eventually)...</div>
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The last session, we outlined up the rest of his left side and across the top of the shoulders and even got to some shading.</div>
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Even though we'll be going onto the arms we've decided to cap off the background around the shoulders like that so that it can be a stand alone traditional looking piece until we dip down and start the sleeves. And in hopes it will look complete as a backpiece and ready to be photographed for a very special museum show on Japanese tattooing (which I was incredibly honored to be invited to be a part of) that will be coming up pretty soon and I will be providing more info on when I get some free time...</div>
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truenaturetattoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13440116595935862799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1934266259090144256.post-27291912504321454452013-06-12T10:35:00.001-07:002013-06-12T10:36:19.119-07:00Karashishi and Peonies (#2)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Another really fun piece I've been working on and am getting very near to completing...</div>
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I've been absent from updates for the last year, so we'll just skip ahead to where we are now. This has been done over the course of a few 2 to 2 1/2 day in a row sessions, as he's traveling quite a ways to come get tattooed and we're doing our best to maximize the time together (and it certainly helps that he sits like a rock and is able to endure that many hours in a short amount of time...especially with a style of tattoo like this that is so thick and dense).</div>
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We actually did his other arm about a year ago with a similar schedule...four trips total I think. It was also a karashishi (or foo dog as it's more commonly called) and peonies that you can see <a href="http://truenaturetattoo.blogspot.com/2012/05/karashishi-and-peonies.html">here</a>. I was really into it, as it was his first ever tattoo and he chose to go with a large traditional themed piece (as well as just being very into the subject manner). It's slightly more common these days, but still fairly rare that a first time client with no tattoos puts a bunch of research and though into images and artist selection, and commits to starting their tattoo life with a very involved piece and even having thoughts of large cohesive coverage in the future.</div>
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As we were winding up his first arm, he mentioned wanting to get going on the next one. I was happy that he was ready to keep going, and super into his idea of keeping the theme together with another shishi and more peonies. </div>
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Firstly there's the uniform look. I really admire the restraint of not wanting to do another animal or motif on the other side in favor of the pair. Shishi are often seen in pairs, mostly as statues or architectural elements guarding the entrance to Shinto shrines. The idea was to try and do a visually balanced set as sleeves. On the first arm the shishi is blue (cooler color), facing upwards, and has its mouth open (more aggressive looking). On this new arm, it's tan (warmer color), facing downwards, and has its mouth closed (calmer looking). Sort of a yin yang kind of thing, and they're making eye contact with each other when the arms are lined up together. I also tried to get some of the background elements to match up a little (without being overly deliberate) when the arms are together, so it also has a feeling of one large tattoo split between two arms. It's been a great reminder to me that when laying out a tattoo to think of the body as a whole, not just these separate pieces that won't go together if the client decides to start connecting everything (which so many inevitably do, and wished they had planned further ahead).</div>
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The other reason I was so excited to start this new side is that the design and feeling of the first was still so fresh in my head. It's very cool and unique to do a set of sleeves with a matching theme one right after the other. Myself and the tattooer friends I do have are constantly striving to improve and evolve, so what I do in a year or two from now will look similar to, but hopefully slightly different than what I'm doing now. I'm often looking at past work and thinking about what I could do to improve it or what I might have changed. Getting to do both these pieces at the same time gives them the strongest chance for aesthetic uniformity, and I'm hoping lays a good foundation for the backpiece he wants to start next...</div>
truenaturetattoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13440116595935862799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1934266259090144256.post-17151925617280076572013-06-10T17:25:00.000-07:002013-06-11T12:25:17.031-07:00Fudo Myo-o<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Well I think I might finally be ready to get back to this blog. It's been a very non stop last year with a new baby, moving to a temporary space for six months then setting up the brand new studio (which I couldn't be happier with...), and travel and reoccurring hand and back issues and basically just trying to keep up with life...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">I've definitely still been maintaining a full tattoo schedule through it all and getting to focus on some really fun and interesting new projects. Near the top of the list is this new backpiece of Mr. Fudo Myo-o. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">This has definitely been the heaviest piece I've done in a long time. Fudo has certainly been a popular Japanese tattoo motif for a long time (especially for a full back) and the more I started my preparations for the piece, and the more of a connection and understanding I formed around him, the more I can see why. And as a side note I have to say...I really do admire and appreciate it when a client wanting a large "traditional" style Japanese piece goes with one of the "classics". I think that a a lot of times people can have a desire to try and modernize some of these traditional themes, either by throwing several of them together to form more of a collage, or some how tweaking out or adding their own spin on it to make it more literally symbolic of their personal life. Not that there is necessarily anything wrong with this at all, just realizing more and more that I'm straying away from wanting to blend themes and genres. I think it's better to approach the image selection in a slightly more abstract way, understanding that no one picture can sum up your whole being. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">It generally serves to water down the overall impact and strength of the tattoo. I think this is truest of a backpiece, which has the most visual impact of any tattoo on the body.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">I've always hoped to do a Fudo backpiece, and it's been a fun, but fairly intense process getting it all together. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Firstly, he's a Buddhist icon, a protector deity in esoteric Japanese Buddhism, which lends a pretty serious air to it right up front. Neither the recipient nor myself is a practicing Buddhist, so on one level I am fairly sensitive to wanting to do the image justice (not to mention in it's on a fellow tattooer). I do believe though that it is possible to tap into the energy of the image and deity itself during the drawing and tattooing...and being respectful to its origins and importance to a lot of people, it's entirely appropriate to wear this kind of image as a Westerner, as it is a visual metaphor of some core human values that many of us strive for. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">There is a very long and rich history of the origins of Fudo Myo-o iconography that I won't even bother getting into here, but I'd highly recommend checking out the book <a href="https://www.stateofgracetattoo.com/product/ImmovablebyHoritomo/">Immoveable</a> by Horitomo. It is by far the most comprehensive book on Fudo in English you can find (not to mentioned it's packed with beautiful art work by Horitomo). Or check out <a href="http://fudosama.blogspot.com/">http://fudosama.blogspot.com/</a> for quite a good deal more information.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Basically deity images and symbols are a focal point of esoteric Buddhism, and there can be many rules and guidelines as to what needs to be included in the design (everything from number of knots in the hair, to which way the teeth are facing and many many more, each with a specific symbolic reason)...that, as well as just trying to make it a good drawing that will work well on this specific body and there's plenty to wrap your head around. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Fudo is a particularly interesting image as he is total balance of ferocity and compassion (again, I highly recommend doing some more reading on the subject). One thing I've really been realizing that I'm trying to achieve in my own tattooing is a balance between power and subtlety. Something that has immediate visual impact and strong composition, but isn't too heavy handed and has a bit of finesse and detail as well.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">I feel like this piece is aesthetically and symbolically a real opportunity to try and find this balance and I'm really honored to be able to try my hand at this powerful ancient image...</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">P.S. The above photos are the first three sessions in order. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">1. Outline the main figure minus the rope in his left hand (just didn't look right in the stencil).</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">2. Draw on flames and begin to outline them as well as new and improved rope hand.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">3. Finish drawing and outlining the flames on the right side and line in the pattern (8 pointed wheel) on the lower robes.</span></span></div>
truenaturetattoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13440116595935862799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1934266259090144256.post-3511599050819569022012-09-25T11:14:00.001-07:002012-09-26T08:59:53.980-07:002013<div style="text-align: center;">
It seems like a long time now that I've been able to update this blog. I'm starting to realize that I'm missing it, and it was becoming a pretty great tool for some self reflection and critique on how I work. I'm not a real embracer of technology, nor have I ever been the journal keeping type, but something about being able to combine the images with my rambling thoughts totally works for me. </div>
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Newborn son, moving the tattoo studio to a temporary location while my building gets remodeled (more on that another time), guest artist and friend Horimasa staying with me and working for 5 weeks, in addition to the usual day to day non stopness has really eaten up any free time I used to have.</div>
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All's well though, and I've been constantly on my toes starting and continuing some really fun projects. Hoping to catalog some recent pictures and get them up soon...</div>
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One thing that is happening this week is that my helper (I need all I can get) and I are finally ready to schedule 2013. Thanks so much to those on the wait list for their patience and understanding. With on going work and new projects waiting in the wings, it looks like a decent chunk of the year will be spoken for, but if anyone is interested in time for the coming year please feel free to email any ideas to <a href="mailto:truenaturetattoo@gmail.com">truenaturetattoo@gmail</a> and we'll see what we can do. Doing the booking a year at a time is a bit overwhelming, but seems to be the best system for me.</div>
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The new studio should be done around mid December, so we will be starting out the new year fresh in a brand new space that we're very excited about. Same building, but they're in the process of ripping of the roof and making a cool upstairs loft work space (that will have a huge deck overlooking the forest). We'll have a little more square footage and a cooler lay out. There will be four dormers in all, so each of us will have our own nook with some cool angled ceilings and views. My landlord and I have a really good relationship, and he's been letting me have a say in the layout, where fixtures and such go, and I pick the paint and flooring etc...</div>
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I really love the idea of being a building from 1905 with brand new everything. Old time soul with all the modern amenities...</div>
truenaturetattoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13440116595935862799noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1934266259090144256.post-18952584687378763462012-08-09T09:56:00.000-07:002012-08-09T09:58:51.594-07:00Peony<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So here's another from a while ago, but at least I'm finally starting to work through some of these older photos.</div>
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This flower is on the sleeve I started recently that has a big hannya and shake up top. The bottom has since been outlined with a skull, another snake and a bunch more peonies (photos soonish...)</div>
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The idea for this arm is to just have almost all peonies as background (with the snake bodies intertwining between everything). Kind of like everything is nestled in a peony bush. There are only going to be a couple that are done in this style (with the white tips on the petals) and the rest that are more underneath and in the background will be darker shades. It's an idea I've always wanted to try and this is the perfect piece and client to do it. We've worked a bunch together before on a very solid whole leg piece and a few other odds and ends. </div>
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This arm was another perfect storm situation where he knew exactly what elements he wanted and the basic layout, and let me run with it from there. These are the types of pieces and people that really keep me highly motivated and wanting to push myself and set my expectations of myself much higher.</div>
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I was sort of hoping to outline the whole arm before starting any color, but time has been scarce lately for serious drawing sessions. New baby, shop moving soon (more info on that soon too), and the day to day business of life with a very full tattoo schedule means that some things just have to wait. I'm not really comfortable rushing artwork, and especially for an involved cool piece on a very dedicated client. Yet somehow all things seem to be working out how they should and life is good...</div>truenaturetattoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13440116595935862799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1934266259090144256.post-76724731980820581002012-07-25T22:06:00.001-07:002012-07-25T22:11:36.330-07:00Dragon Back<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So these photos are actually from a while ago, but I'm just starting to work through a back log of pictures from the past couple months. </div>
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We've done a couple of sessions since this, but I like looking back at every step and trying to figure out for myself what I'm putting into making these things.</div>
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This session was drawing on and outlining the right buttock and down the thigh. I had it sort of mapped out on paper and it ended up working out in real life (sometimes before starting a big piece I'll take a picture of the person's blank back, blow it up to an 11X17" piece of paper and sketch out a large thumbnail for the piece. I either then blow that sketch up to the traced out actual area and refine it, or use it as template to draw stuff on. Sometimes I really prefer this method as I find drawing a larger piece actual size from the get go you end up trying to put in too much detail and watering down the over all impact of the image. Drawing it smaller and blowing it up later almost prohibits you from fussing over the details too much as you don't really have enough room.)</div>
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Since this session we've filled in the whole lower left side with background and are moving over the middle and starting to fill the stuff from this time. More regular updates soon I hope...</div>truenaturetattoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13440116595935862799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1934266259090144256.post-82185635935961609662012-07-16T23:35:00.001-07:002012-07-17T09:56:27.538-07:00Paternity Leave<div style="text-align: center;">
Wow. Just realized how long it's been since I've updated anything on here. Past few weeks have been a whirlwind as my my new son was born on June 11th! I've already got an amazing 7 year old daughter, and now the family unit is all balanced out with this great new little dude. Couldn't be happier with how it all worked out and we're all feeling super blessed and looking forward to the next phase for our little crew. Here's my scene these days:</div>
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That's Sparrow in the background. My wife came up with her name early on in pregnancy and we both instantly knew that was the one. This time around it took a while to really wrap our heads around a name. For several months I was having this feeling like the one I was looking for was right in front of me and I just couldn't see it. Then thankfully one day it finally came...Enso. Not sure if it's really been used as a name before (I'm sure there's plenty on Enzo name confusion in his future) or if it makes a ton of sense, but we really dig it and I think it's going to work perfect for him.</div>
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An Enso is a Zen brush stroke of a circle:</div>
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I've always been very attracted to and interested in Zen Calligraphy and shodo in general (stylized Japanese calligraphy). I don't know a ton about it on an academic level, but I've always really connected with it pretty strongly on a visual level, and enjoy trying it in my own way. I've spent many late nights just drawing simple pictures/shapes/and words with brushes or brush pens and getting really lost in it for hours. It can be super meditative and the flow of your hand can really help tap into a good stream of consciousness that ends up on the paper. Really more about the process than the result for me (nice break from the pressures of tattooing where the result has much more importance).</div>
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An Enso is sort of an embodiment of this mental space...a quality I strive for and value.</div>
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Here's a description lifted from Wikipedia:</div>
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Ensō (円相) is a Japanese word meaning "circle" and a concept strongly associated with Zen. Ensō is one of the most common subjects of Japanese calligraphy even though it is a symbol and not a character. It symbolizes absolute enlightenment, strength, elegance, the universe, and the void; it can also symbolize the Japanese aesthetic itself. As an "expression of the moment" it is often considered a form of minimalist expressionist art.</div>
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In Zen Buddhist painting, ensō symbolizes a moment when the mind is free to simply let the body/spirit create. The brushed ink of the circle is usually done on silk or rice paper in one movement (but the great Bankei used two strokes sometimes) and there is no possibility of modification: it shows the expressive movement of the spirit at that time. Zen Buddhists "believe that the character of the artist is fully exposed in how she or he draws an ensō. Only a person who is mentally and spiritually complete can draw a true ensō. Some artists will practice drawing an ensō daily, as a kind of Spiritual Practice."[1]</div>
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Some artists paint ensō with an opening in the circle, while others complete the circle. For the former, the opening may express various ideas, for example that the ensō is not separate, but is part of something greater, or that imperfection is an essential and inherent aspect of existence (see also the idea of broken symmetry). The principle of controlling the balance of composition through asymmetry and irregularity is an important aspect of the Japanese aesthetic: Fukinsei (不均斉), the denial of perfection.</div>
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The ensō is also a sacred symbol in the Zen school of Buddhism, and is often used by Zen masters as a form of signature in their religious artwork.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Sorry for the ramble. Point being basically alls well with the little guy and family, but there's been no real time to keep up on everything other thing (like this blog). With the way the schedule's been the past few years, this whole time was already booked before my wife even got pregnant, so there's been a lot of shuffling and adjusting of the appointment book. Thanks to all for their understanding with missed or changed appointments, my helper Darci who sorts it all out for me all the time, and most of all my wife for putting up with how much I work and how much it takes of me to make it happen. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Hopefully in the next week or so I'll be able to sift through the tattoo photos of the past couple months and get them updated. Getting close on some super cool ones, and been starting some new stuff I'm really excited about...</span></div>
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<br /></div>truenaturetattoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13440116595935862799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1934266259090144256.post-42782600264002885622012-05-31T21:10:00.001-07:002012-05-31T21:10:30.462-07:00Tiger Sleeve<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm sure I've said we're almost done before, but seriously, we're almost done...</div>
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This was one of those classic ones for me where I'm convinced I can finish a much larger area that is actually possible for me in the allotted time (i.e. thought I'd finish the whole tiger during our session time). Once I get into something I tend to have a fairly methodical approach, and I always forget that the style I prefer to do things takes a lot of time. Ideally, there is minimal skin showing at all, dense black and color, tight little air spaces (leaving a small strip of skin between the color and the outline to give a little more pop to what is essentially a 2D image) and on and on. I've realized it's just not an approach that can be blasted through and still maintain the look I'm striving for. </div>
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I'm glad that my clients enjoy me and the process (I think/hope) and appreciate what goes into these things. It can be an unexpected lesson in patience and endurance for a lot of people, not to mention seriously challenging their previous comfort levels. These things are a serious commitment, and I genuinely hope that they're getting a little something more out of the experience that just a tattoo...</div>
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Mr. Tiger Guy here is a great example of someone I think has evolved and grown a bit through his two or so year tattoo journey so far. Understanding his connection the the experience and enthusiasm for the art really helps me stay focused and motivated...</div>truenaturetattoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13440116595935862799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1934266259090144256.post-18447088528409934912012-05-25T23:20:00.001-07:002012-05-25T23:20:08.071-07:00NY Convention<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3GZExk8j8Akgq1rSpIrjCcADDt73zrLWIOiqV22xtlK573B_WUFuH7lGSfegH5YC4Zr3eELlE_yc8SU-G-7tsSt336Xx35v2ypTh-yn2U3d0GbeSvMQBKMEEsmZijqfSR5y5V-gWVYnFX/s1600/_untitled_+4318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3GZExk8j8Akgq1rSpIrjCcADDt73zrLWIOiqV22xtlK573B_WUFuH7lGSfegH5YC4Zr3eELlE_yc8SU-G-7tsSt336Xx35v2ypTh-yn2U3d0GbeSvMQBKMEEsmZijqfSR5y5V-gWVYnFX/s320/_untitled_+4318.jpg" width="121" /></a></div>
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This piece was the majority of my time at the convention.</div>
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Friday I had a bunch of fun doing swirling clouds around the forearm of a super cool dude I know (got caught up in chatting and didn't get photos) for about six hours. The above piece was pretty much most all of Saturday and a big chunk of Sunday (it's a really big tattoo, he's like 6'4" or more in real life and built like an ox). Saturday we outlined everything, and finished the koi and the pink peony I believe (seriously, it was non stop and it's kind of a blur). He had a fairly good sized tattoo on his upper arm that we were able to cover very successfully and still have everything flow nicely.</div>
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On Sunday we added the water and finished the flowers. Eventually we'll add more black background around everything and really give it a traditional looking half sleeve silhouette. He really wanted a half sleeve done in a weekend, but I just couldn't bring myself to cut the corners to make that happen. When you're on the road, you're usually dealing with limited time constraints. Folks tend to want to get as much as possible while they can, and too often it can be tempting to choose quantity over quality. I'd rather leave him with this portion finished in a way that I'm proud of and was done right with intention and focus (and we're the only ones that know it's gonna get more). Also, I feel like the biggest virtue that big tattoo projects teach you besides perseverance is patience.</div>
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He hadn't gotten tattooed in a very long time, but did perfectly. Couldn't have asked for a better guy to work with on this one. I think we're both very motivated to continue on with this one and on to the other side...</div>
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And as a really great added surprise, Horitoshi came to give us a surprise visit! When I first got to NY, I found out that he had just decided to come to New Jersey a few days after. He was so good to me when I stayed with him in Japan, and has been such a big influence on me, that I was really bummed that I wouldn't be able to make it over there (full schedule of work) and he wouldn't be coming to the city. Then on Saturday they decided to show up unannounced and surprise us (Shunho, who I was sharing the booth with) with a short visit...</div>
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It was a really great show and I'd really like to thank the folks who helped us out around the booth. And an extra big thanks and debt of gratitude to Bill and Junii Salmon for entrusting the Diamond Club booth to me and trusting me to represent them in their absence. Very big responsibility and honor in my world...</div>truenaturetattoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13440116595935862799noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1934266259090144256.post-15660673841903090392012-05-25T22:34:00.000-07:002012-05-25T22:34:09.811-07:00NY Peonies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Just starting to get settled back in from a whirlwind work trip to New York.</div>
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Had pretty much the best trip ever and can't wait to go back next year. I was very honored to get an invitation to be a guest artist at NY Adorned for a few days and had an amazing experience there. It's very high energy shop with an extremely talented and down to earth crew of tattooers. I felt completely welcomed and really enjoyed my interactions with everyone there. It was an interesting experience for me as I usually work in a private room where it's pretty much just me and the client. To be in a big open space working alongside all these great tattooers non stop all day was hugely motivating and helped push me a little further than usual. </div>
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I had one client a day for the four days, and put in a lot of time on each of them. The peonies above were this guys first tattoo. He sat great and was a real pleasure to interact with. All of my sessions there went really well, and everyone I tattooed was a seriously great person and pleasure to work with.</div>
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I was sort of hoping to get this all done in one day (very wishful thinking), but the reality of doing peonies in this style (bright white tips, color edged up in rows between the white, little air spaces in the leaf veins etc.) is that they take a very long time. Most of the ones I've seen done by friends of mine in the Horitoshi family (whose style I'm emulating in these) take 3-5 hours each by hand poke. My friend Horizakura who I was staying with was joking with me that he thought machine work would be faster than that, but with this look there's no real shortcut or time saving with a machine. It's all about following a stylistic formula and making sure every part of the process is perfect...</div>
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Big thanks to everyone at the shop for being so welcoming, Horizakura and his wife for putting me up for 9 days, and an extra big thanks to the owner Lori for all of her advice and inspiration.</div>truenaturetattoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13440116595935862799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1934266259090144256.post-36080254253135126222012-05-11T00:43:00.000-07:002012-05-25T21:54:09.747-07:00Karashishi and Peonies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Finished...<br />
I think it was seven sessions in all, and that's not too shabby for something in this style. I'm very pleased with the result, and very much looking forward to starting the other side whenever the schedule opens up. He sat like a champ every time and healed up great (even after a hiking trip in Yosemite right after a two day marathon session).<br />
I've been fortunate to have Bill and Junii Salmon as teachers and mentors, and through them become good friends with the Horitoshi family. This style is my version of what I've tried to distill from them over the years. Although not every project is best suited to this look, and I'm open to exploring different things, this style of tattooing is closest to my heart and what I really strive to improve upon and move forward with...</div>truenaturetattoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13440116595935862799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1934266259090144256.post-76136840518813415342012-05-11T00:33:00.002-07:002012-05-25T21:28:00.538-07:00Dragon Backpiece (Cover-up)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Really enjoying exploring a new background look on this one. It struck me a while back while looking through Kuniyoshi's Suikoden series (<a href="http://www.kuniyoshiproject.com/">http://www.kuniyoshiproject.com/</a>) that I really dig the style of background he was doing on his representations of the famous bandits, and it's strange that you don't see it more in tattooing.<br />
His drawings are widely considered the most important influence on Japanese full body tattooing. Although you do see this more stippled look occasionally, it's not really too common.<br />
I think it has a really strong folky look, and I've really wanted to do it on a larger piece. Also, since this was a pretty big cover up, the misty style clouds were going to work the best so it was a perfect opportunity.<br />
Been taking it easy the past couple sessions with all the shading, but next time is outlining over the right butt cheek and down the thigh...</div>truenaturetattoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13440116595935862799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1934266259090144256.post-8413961015441005482012-05-11T00:24:00.000-07:002012-05-25T20:52:39.012-07:00Dragon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Finished up the last little section of shading...or so I thought.<br />
As I was putting up these pictures, I realized that I totally forgot to do the last claw. Dragons have four legs and I got three on there. I guess I could cheat and just say that the fourth claw is tucked under the body or something, but it really needs to be popping out somewhere on the front there to really balance it out.<br />
Guess I need to call him and have him came back in for a few minutes. Besides that it all worked out...</div>truenaturetattoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13440116595935862799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1934266259090144256.post-91233661054843404052012-05-11T00:23:00.000-07:002012-05-25T20:42:40.889-07:00Peony<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Right in the pit.</div>
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I haven't tattooed an armpit in years, but it went as smooth as possible. For some reason I thought it would be much more difficult (not that it was easy), but it is just skin after all, and if you start tripping out about the location that's certainly not going to help...<br />
She sat great and it healed in just a few days. Very positive outcome for a pretty unique spot to get tattooed...</div>truenaturetattoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13440116595935862799noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1934266259090144256.post-32535376075693884162012-05-11T00:21:00.002-07:002012-05-25T20:38:48.488-07:00Kingyo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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At the end of the second day of shading, we threw this little guy on her hand.<br />
She'd asked for it last time, but we didn't really get around to it. This visit, she walked in the door and I think the first thing she asked was if we could do her hand this time.<br />
I don't take doing hand or neck work very lightly at all, so it really has to be the right combination of client and image. After having known her for a couple years combined with the amount of tattoo work she's already got, I was super comfortable doing it.<br />
Drew it up on the spot and it felt good to capture the moment and go for it.<br />
I'm really happy with how it fit on the hand and ties in to the rest of the arm without having to bring the background down all the way.<br />
For a hand tattoo, I really like seeing some skin around it. I think that helps set it off, and not just look like they pulled their sleeves down and have stumpy arms...</div>truenaturetattoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13440116595935862799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1934266259090144256.post-49991718596479883492012-05-11T00:20:00.002-07:002012-05-25T20:31:08.663-07:00Koi Sleeve<div style="text-align: center;">
I've been really busy and not able to update much new work lately, and I'm heading out to NY tomorrow and won't be keeping up on any regular updates from the road.</div>
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Instead of rambling on about how the tattoo went, I'll just post some pictures minus the play by play...</div>
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<br /></div>truenaturetattoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13440116595935862799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1934266259090144256.post-79869726337523699912012-05-09T21:34:00.001-07:002012-05-11T00:27:01.947-07:00Tiger<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Not too much commentary here.</div>
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Was able to get the majority of the stripes done in the time we had, and I'm looking to finish it next time. The tiger is going to be black and grey, so I'm feeling like I can make it work to get it all done in one more. We shall see...</div>
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After that comes the rest of the elements to this piece:</div>
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Rocks, misty clouds, moon, two chickens and a rooster.</div>
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Usually my approach is to try and outline everything first and then fill in, but for some reason on this one I'm feeling like finishing every component as we go. Not sure why, but I'm just going to trust the intuition and go with it. "Do not question what you do not understand" I've been told...</div>
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Not sure how I feel about that one, but I am working hard and just be present to enjoy the ride...</div>truenaturetattoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13440116595935862799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1934266259090144256.post-9169551106603127642012-05-09T21:15:00.002-07:002012-05-11T00:29:02.385-07:00Peony<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Long time no update...</div>
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Running a tattoo studio is as hectic and fun as ever, and I've been gearing up and getting excited to get out of town to NY soon (which I'm booked up for already, so it's super cool that I can really concentrate the energy on just a few folks who are looking to get some serious work in a short time). Not to mention all the construction we've got going on next to the studio, and the big impending move coming up...<br />
Also just about a month out from child number two, so the home front is non stop as well.</div>
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Through it all I remain fortunate to be busy with high energy fun work on great folks though, and that's really what it's about.</div>
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Finished up this flower the other day. We drew it on and grey shaded it before this color session. I feel like that gives it kind of a richer tone that provides more depth and prevents it from getting too "loud" with the color. And it's fun for me as it's a totally different approach to the peony for me (gotta keep experimenting and trying to figure it all out I guess).</div>
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It's a companion piece to a large chrysanthemum on her other shoulder that also has some fairly deep hues but still feels colorful.</div>
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She's one of the twice a month folks for most of the year, and we're getting to the point where we've got a few different projects going at once. It can be really nice to hop around to different pieces and not stagnate to much with one thing. Always look forward to our sessions and hearing what's coming next... </div>truenaturetattoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13440116595935862799noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1934266259090144256.post-13999993230756476242012-04-25T09:57:00.002-07:002012-04-25T09:58:10.947-07:00Hannya and Snake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The first session on this new sleeve.</div>
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We recently finished his whole leg (koi, skull, flowers, toad etc.) and he was back to start the arm a couple weeks later. As with his leg, he had a very clear idea of the images he wanted for the sleeve. He brought in great reference, expressed the color tones and vibe he was going for very well, and now it's pretty much in my court. It is a very ideal kind of collaboration for me. He's got a great eye (which is really one of the most important traits to have in this business I think) and understands good design.</div>
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There will be another snake on the bottom of the arm wrapping through a stylized skull and lots more peonies (oh yeah, and we're covering an old arm band). I'm thinking the look we're going for here is going to be minimal background at best, and really fill the open spaces with snake body and flowers. He's talking very dense and very dark color scheme, and I'm digging it all the way...</div>
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<br /></div>truenaturetattoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13440116595935862799noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1934266259090144256.post-71425636253604473782012-04-23T21:16:00.000-07:002012-04-23T21:16:01.615-07:00Karashishi and Peonies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Only a couple of weeks in between visits this time. Day one we colored in all of the rocks and did the peony on the elbow. I can't really remember how long it all took, but it was a long day. </div>
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the flower on the elbow isn't especially big, but it was a challenge. It can be a tricky area to pack it in solid and get things nice and tight. Also not the most pleasant place to get a tattoo like that, but as always he sat like a champ (almost too well...made me feel wimpy for getting a little tired toward the end).</div>
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Normally long days can be a bit of a strain on me, and generally I prefer 2-3 hour sessions tops, but that's been changing a bit. It's really the mental strain that gets to me after several hours. Depending on what you're working on and where, it can take all you've got and then some to stay 100% focused and in the zone for 6 plus hours...</div>
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I haven't been sleeping too well lately, and the week leading up to this session I was up late watching lots of documentaries on life in Zen monasteries in Japan. Not the most action packed viewing for most, but I really find it relaxing and incredibly interesting. To see the amount of focus and awareness they bring to every single task, not to mention the extremely rigorous zazen practice (seated meditation performed several hours daily), is very inspiring. It serves as a reminder to really shed layers of my self and the world around me and just tattoo, and gives me a high mental standard to aspire to.</div>
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Day two was a shorter session. We colored in the top and final peony. It was a perfect and managable session that was a nice follow up to the previous marathon day.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhMwydPRGgWUpMGwjbaYNgaBTpZN-Wmrw9KzblMayBN-ipj-aRwpVjs_uag-zB2qnerQPAR3GPEwxKig_7OVQdUtiL1v6V9g8lCQB3UXfZbzCa9f6td9dmlxuS69Gt6OsHQIgCshxpf8tA/s1600/P1040797.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhMwydPRGgWUpMGwjbaYNgaBTpZN-Wmrw9KzblMayBN-ipj-aRwpVjs_uag-zB2qnerQPAR3GPEwxKig_7OVQdUtiL1v6V9g8lCQB3UXfZbzCa9f6td9dmlxuS69Gt6OsHQIgCshxpf8tA/s320/P1040797.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX2bmeklDVtGGu7xEBMlomwG4wI-FDyU5nwFEv5sZpdqvhJZwcWz-yw3nT_z9Dsnaf1I6Yjqjwv5POspoEdYtqm_retJHZLiCl5mMJBfs4oMDy8X630xSnbRvjF75NU0a0sIq4uQzGYW86/s1600/P1040796.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX2bmeklDVtGGu7xEBMlomwG4wI-FDyU5nwFEv5sZpdqvhJZwcWz-yw3nT_z9Dsnaf1I6Yjqjwv5POspoEdYtqm_retJHZLiCl5mMJBfs4oMDy8X630xSnbRvjF75NU0a0sIq4uQzGYW86/s320/P1040796.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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The plan for next time is finish the whole shishi in one go. That would make it a total of seven sessions for this arm...not bad at all. Also, he put down a deposit to start the other arm and we're gonna do another shishi and more peonies. They're often represented in pairs, and to be able to do two matching sleeves of this theme as someone's first ever tattoos is pretty cool in my book...</div>
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Bonus inner arm shot:</div>
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<br /></div>truenaturetattoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13440116595935862799noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1934266259090144256.post-81442802294225432932012-04-15T21:33:00.001-07:002012-04-15T21:33:37.800-07:00Tiger Sleeve<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz76srBURBw1pSOtjvZVtVdOvSCcnPun8xWHufwnabKgpcB9nTOkR6HQseSxK1-YEusg4-3fB8IqxrdYfFM_jS-vOTEREwBG5rdaqzX_wJyIWJJoSZZvHsjZ9PeFpkFdgwf9-MHObzPgnt/s1600/P1040786_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz76srBURBw1pSOtjvZVtVdOvSCcnPun8xWHufwnabKgpcB9nTOkR6HQseSxK1-YEusg4-3fB8IqxrdYfFM_jS-vOTEREwBG5rdaqzX_wJyIWJJoSZZvHsjZ9PeFpkFdgwf9-MHObzPgnt/s320/P1040786_2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSUPrZwTiBO0AoYyz30qTGPgx_JwO_s8VjFUisc9cmHAzWxpQZwBij_G1zygOU1qq1Lwk-Eagzmps6LCPHGlDy0WFMpnPlOwPu-heyU34qZwucr0vJtAxCGgVc4Fz_hb7PKfDEbU-SGphK/s1600/P1040787_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSUPrZwTiBO0AoYyz30qTGPgx_JwO_s8VjFUisc9cmHAzWxpQZwBij_G1zygOU1qq1Lwk-Eagzmps6LCPHGlDy0WFMpnPlOwPu-heyU34qZwucr0vJtAxCGgVc4Fz_hb7PKfDEbU-SGphK/s320/P1040787_2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEims0aE3ffdKqLMsUSjEm72AI31vqO75DwFfsFo6JIWrvlLFKx4WghVEariZDBOjw0_d6-lguzvPtd3QmE1bjSBfINHIOQcvtOhSh5p9EBril89BcAOrgS3g6yPAlXELdjkz0CAfVzIupc9/s1600/P1040788_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEims0aE3ffdKqLMsUSjEm72AI31vqO75DwFfsFo6JIWrvlLFKx4WghVEariZDBOjw0_d6-lguzvPtd3QmE1bjSBfINHIOQcvtOhSh5p9EBril89BcAOrgS3g6yPAlXELdjkz0CAfVzIupc9/s320/P1040788_2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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And the bottom tiger is colored! (minus the tail...)</div>
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Originally my plan had been too go through and do all of the bamboo leaves for this session. The logic was that I'd have all the same color out and I'd just get into a rhythm and knock em all out at once.</div>
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Then I realized that although necessary and productive, that would be a really boring session for the both of us. That morning I just had a tiger stuck in my head and couldn't shake it, so that's where we went with it. I had told him about the all greenery day before and he was cool with it, but he's been such a great client that I wanted to stoke him out with a little surprise change of plan. I'm sure it's been much more fun looking at this than a bunch of leaves (although I did get a few in there).</div>
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Looking forward to seeing this again soon, as those warmer ochre/orangey/goldish tones tend to look better healed in when you can see the different shade variations more...</div>truenaturetattoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13440116595935862799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1934266259090144256.post-70367839015164071312012-04-15T21:11:00.000-07:002012-04-15T21:38:30.707-07:00New York Trip 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrTbWbxFRUd3s5wU87MAfwuoNzwO7FEj-bsMcWjdDvLuyDSAaOTkPAI_Z7xV4gzC-S_1QT-vmvkcMHA2QCFPp97Ttytjv3JYQmFsI8Pi_xem1Ieb84n2MeyNvClSt3ynPaC3-zWFO95Yj/s1600/new-york.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrTbWbxFRUd3s5wU87MAfwuoNzwO7FEj-bsMcWjdDvLuyDSAaOTkPAI_Z7xV4gzC-S_1QT-vmvkcMHA2QCFPp97Ttytjv3JYQmFsI8Pi_xem1Ieb84n2MeyNvClSt3ynPaC3-zWFO95Yj/s320/new-york.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It almost that time of year again...</div>
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I'll be working in New York from May 13th through the 20th. I've been going almost yearly for the last ten years or so and working with The Diamond Club (Bill and Junii Salmon, my tattoo family). It's always been a blast travelling and working with them, and I've got tons of great NY stories and memories.</div>
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Unfortunately, this year Bill and Junii won't be attending, so I will be representing the Diamond Club in their absence. For me this is a huge honor, and I really appreciate their trust and faith in me. At the booth I'll be joined by my friend Shunho from the Horitoshi family in Tokyo. We had a great time working there together last year, and are both very excited for this year as well. I'm looking forward to seeing a lot of familiar faces and having fun diving back into the craziness that is the NY show.</div>
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As a huge added bonus and honor as well, I'll be flying in a few days early and guest spotting at New York Adorned (<a href="http://nyadorned.com/">nyadorned.com</a>). It has an amazing reputation and has been home to so many amazing tattooers over the years (I've always really dug the vibe of the place and been amazed at the volume of high energy and cutting edge tattooing that's come out of there). It was very surprising and humbling to get the invite, but I'm super excited and couldn't be happier...</div>
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I've got a few days booked already, but if anyone out there is interested in some work, feel free to email me <a href="mailto:truenaturetattoo@gmail.com">truenaturetattoo@gmail.com</a> and we'll see if we can make it work.</div>truenaturetattoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13440116595935862799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1934266259090144256.post-39423767072419436432012-04-12T23:51:00.001-07:002012-04-12T23:51:41.337-07:00Good Luck<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Once in a while I am told that I can do whatever I want as a tattoo. I have never been comfortable with the karmic responsibility that went with that freedom (although I appreciate the trust), but I finally took someone up on it.</div>
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For some reason, this one just clicked for me...for better or worse. Right person at the right time with the right vibe.</div>
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At first, I had no idea what to do, but then I remembered a conversation I had with his wife about his lottery dreams. He's got a little weekly ritual for buying lotto tickets and although I don't partake in that kind of thing, I understand people putting their energy and hopes into it.</div>
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I wanted to create a good luck charm for him to bring in those big dollars, so this is what I came up with.</div>
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The frog (a symbol of increasing wealth in some Asian lore) is riding a uchide no kozuchi (a magical Japanese mallet that grants wishes) and holding a hoju (sacred/lucky pearl) with seven pieces of gold scattered about. The idea was to inject maximum good fortune mojo into one piece and have fun with it. I get to do so many cool and interesting tattoos, but it's usually a serious type approach, and I really needed a break from that. There are some thought out symbolic forces at play here, but basically it's just kind of light hearted and fun.</div>
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Color next session...</div>truenaturetattoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13440116595935862799noreply@blogger.com3