Inspiration

Once in a while I put up a non tattoo related picture or video that I feel really shows some aspect of myself that I'm into or connect with.

This pretty much sums it all up.
 If ever I wanted to express what my idea of total happiness and inner peace is, you're looking at it...

Suikoden Back Piece

More detailing...

We've got a few more appointments to finish the main figure then it's time to discuss the background.

Always very smooth and relaxed sessions.  We both stay very positive about the whole thing and "in the zone" while working.  Very cool piece to be able to do...

Mermaid

Fun one to draw and tattoo.

She has another woman on the other thigh with flowing robes and long hair (done by an old friend of mine Hector Fong at Tattoo 13 in Oakland) and wanted a companion on this leg.  I traced out the area of the existing one, and the initial idea was to sort of match the exact shape and style of that one, but as a mermaid.

Then she came in one day before her appointment to visit a friend getting tattooed and saw a Mucha style art nouveau woman I had drawn on the wall.  She expressed how much she liked that sort of style and it kind of stuck in my head, so I went home, scrapped the original concept drawing and drew this one up at the last minute.  It was great for me as I really enjoy this style a lot myself, and consider Mucha (who is the inspiration for her style hair and face) one of my favorite artist/designers of all time...

Hagoromo Tennyo

Here's the current status of this one. 

Lately we've been meeting every couple weeks in the morning and doing like one hour and some change sessions.  Works nice for both of us (especially with the back injury I'm still trying to work and live with) and helps me be very present with whatever small section we are focusing on that day.

Started in on some of the more ornate detailing in the border of the bottoms.  Wanted to give her a little sneak peak at some of the more detailed patterning to be worked in eventually.

Slow and steady...

Chrysanthemum and Swirls

Really perfect session.

She knew exactly what she wanted and the basic placement, lucked out and drew it on in one shot with no changes, and the tattooing went very smooth and she sat great.

Has kind of a nice softer look to it that I'd like to start trying more often...

Phoenix

This was another appointment cut short by the back pain.  I actually drew most all of the feathers going down the leg, but only tattooed the initial spray just at the end of the bird's body.  

You have to contort your body a bit to get to some of those spots and angles wrapping around the leg, and it just wasn't happening...

I am happy with what we did accomplish though, and I've been learning to embrace the turtle ethos-Slow and Steady...

Goldfish/Peonies/Water

Got all of the leaves and cherry blossoms finished up.  

Still have to cap off the shoulder area and fill in the flowers and fish, but it's starting to come together.  I felt bad hoping around to so many different sections of the arm, but she did great.

I just starting working a little after the back injury, so some sessions are being dictated by how long I can comfortably work.  I've had to throw in the towel after an hour or so on quite a few recently (which can be frustrating) but long term health needs to be a priority right now.  No use pushing it, and I'm very appreciative that everyone is so understanding...