hey all.
Have done my second tattoo! Oh yes, I am hurtling through now.....(err, not.)
My lovely friend Matt was my second willing victim. He chose a little fish, drawn by his son. I kept asking him for it, so I could check it out, but he couldn't find it!
So, my second tattoo was done as a walk-in, with no heads up...
It was great. Went through the whole thing from chatting it through, tracing it up and getting on with it.
I wasn't nervous this time..i had a few minutes to get my stuff together, I did some pigskins in the daytime, it was on a hulking great man, not my tiny little sister, my machine worked..it was great!
It came out really cute..I don't have a pic though. Matt changed his mind about the position, so the background was all covered in carbon. As soon as he sends me a photo with it all nice and clean, I will post it.
Felt brilliant while I was doing it. I completely forgot it was a friend's leg and it just became a drawing I was working on. Had to make a few additions along the way, filled in a few bits, added a few bubbles......afterwards I just wanted to get on and do another one!
Have a few more friends booked in for more in the next few weeks - have two little projects to work on.
My beautiful mate Phoebe wants an Art Deco rose (can't say where) and Ben has got a spare bit of skin "between my flaming skull and my spider web" and is happy for me to design something....brilliant!!
So, two down, thousands to go.
Found this guy today - BROM. Graphic artist, his work has been tattooed many times, twisted little fucker. Check him out. Click on his pic. Going now, got loads of drawing to do.
xxxxxx
Saturday, 26 February 2011
Monday, 14 February 2011
Do you remember the first time.........
So, i have popped my cherry, broke the mold, no going back now.
That was an experience!
Nothing like running a SPACE party for 10 4yr olds to take your mind off scarring your sister for life! Up until 1.30pm I was dressed as a Thunderbird, running dance contests and picking party poppers out of my hair.
Then, quick change, grab the sis and walk down to the town.
I didn't think I was nervous, until I realised that I kept sighing and breathing heavily....
When I got there, I was all ready to have a quick whirl on the old pigskin, when the Tattooist came upstairs and told me that I was not allowed a practise! As he put it, "You've done 25 birds on pigskin and it's not going to be the same, so just get on with it!"
I did look to Kelly, for reassurance, but fuck me, she agreed with him!
Nerves kicked in, my machine wouldn't work......my gloves were too small, i could feel the sweat building up in the gloves.
Meanwhile, my poor sister is lying on the couch, hotpants on, at the ready.
I started, the line kept running out, machine lost power. The tattooist came up and fiddled with my machine - usually I would do it myself, but it seemed that the only things I could focus on were holding the machine and breathing.
Swopped the machine to another one....and that did the same! Was getting seriously pissed off with the machines and myself by now! My hand is shaking like someone with motor neurone disease, the Tattooist is telling me to calm down machine is making a weird noise.....
Rose came upstairs and gave me the best bit of advice I had heard all day - "Sometimes you've just got to grow a pair!"
Suddenly, the machine made it's proper noise. I did one line and it came out black, even and straight! Something clicked in my head and my hand stopped shaking....
After that, it was ok! I managed to cover up my first crap line with some shading, gave it a cute little beak..
I even went in for some shading on the wing and tail. I really got into that...and even managed a little chat with someone who came in to get some work photographed.
So, it's over. The first one is done. I think i will probably still be terrified the next time I do one. I learnt that I was not actually worried about hurting my sister, just giving her a shit tattoo....once I stopped over thinking and just drew, it was much easier
and i have learnt that my sister is even more brave and patient than i thought she was.
Today I learnt that Rose hates figs. and dates.
So, you see, it's a steep learning curve.
xx
That was an experience!
Nothing like running a SPACE party for 10 4yr olds to take your mind off scarring your sister for life! Up until 1.30pm I was dressed as a Thunderbird, running dance contests and picking party poppers out of my hair.
Then, quick change, grab the sis and walk down to the town.
I didn't think I was nervous, until I realised that I kept sighing and breathing heavily....
When I got there, I was all ready to have a quick whirl on the old pigskin, when the Tattooist came upstairs and told me that I was not allowed a practise! As he put it, "You've done 25 birds on pigskin and it's not going to be the same, so just get on with it!"
I did look to Kelly, for reassurance, but fuck me, she agreed with him!
Nerves kicked in, my machine wouldn't work......my gloves were too small, i could feel the sweat building up in the gloves.
Meanwhile, my poor sister is lying on the couch, hotpants on, at the ready.
I started, the line kept running out, machine lost power. The tattooist came up and fiddled with my machine - usually I would do it myself, but it seemed that the only things I could focus on were holding the machine and breathing.
Swopped the machine to another one....and that did the same! Was getting seriously pissed off with the machines and myself by now! My hand is shaking like someone with motor neurone disease, the Tattooist is telling me to calm down machine is making a weird noise.....
Rose came upstairs and gave me the best bit of advice I had heard all day - "Sometimes you've just got to grow a pair!"
Suddenly, the machine made it's proper noise. I did one line and it came out black, even and straight! Something clicked in my head and my hand stopped shaking....
After that, it was ok! I managed to cover up my first crap line with some shading, gave it a cute little beak..
I even went in for some shading on the wing and tail. I really got into that...and even managed a little chat with someone who came in to get some work photographed.
So, it's over. The first one is done. I think i will probably still be terrified the next time I do one. I learnt that I was not actually worried about hurting my sister, just giving her a shit tattoo....once I stopped over thinking and just drew, it was much easier
and i have learnt that my sister is even more brave and patient than i thought she was.
Today I learnt that Rose hates figs. and dates.
So, you see, it's a steep learning curve.
xx
TOBY
Toby is put out that he is not mentioned in the blog. Toby is the tattooists son. He is good at computer games and likes cars. He likes hanging out with his friends and annoying me. Toby likes it when I bring cakes to work and make him drinks...which he never actually drinks.
Toby is 30.
xx
Toby is 30.
xx
Friday, 11 February 2011
What I have learnt this week......
I am too old for a canal boating holiday with "the crew"
1980's replica Russian tanks, in cute Russian boxes, aren't worth anything.
The colours of the snake in the Jungle Book are rubbish for a tattoo.
It is embarassing to stand in the middle of George Street making a film.....
Carboning a snake the right way around is not as easy as it sounds..
My hips are ample enough to hold a blunderbus....cheers Boss, oh you of the Olympian physique!!
If a tattoo needle splays out at the end, it doesn't hold the ink and you can't make a line.
Lots of my friends are willing to have me tattoo them. This I find the most amazing fact of all.
I should go - it is late, I have to transform my dining room into an intergalactic wonderland for a 4yr olds birthday party and tomorrow -
I AM DOING MY FIRST TATTOO.
My beautiful, brave sister is letting me tattoo her - in fact she asked to have my first tattoo. I can't work out if she really loves me or if she is somewhat - special.
Will let you all know what happens in the next few days. Wish me luck.
Oh and Kelly - thank you for my little pink lightening bolt...I Love It. xx
1980's replica Russian tanks, in cute Russian boxes, aren't worth anything.
The colours of the snake in the Jungle Book are rubbish for a tattoo.
It is embarassing to stand in the middle of George Street making a film.....
Carboning a snake the right way around is not as easy as it sounds..
My hips are ample enough to hold a blunderbus....cheers Boss, oh you of the Olympian physique!!
If a tattoo needle splays out at the end, it doesn't hold the ink and you can't make a line.
Lots of my friends are willing to have me tattoo them. This I find the most amazing fact of all.
I should go - it is late, I have to transform my dining room into an intergalactic wonderland for a 4yr olds birthday party and tomorrow -
I AM DOING MY FIRST TATTOO.
My beautiful, brave sister is letting me tattoo her - in fact she asked to have my first tattoo. I can't work out if she really loves me or if she is somewhat - special.
Will let you all know what happens in the next few days. Wish me luck.
Oh and Kelly - thank you for my little pink lightening bolt...I Love It. xx
Friday, 4 February 2011
That Friday Feeling...
Gooood day.
Have found (Rose showed me!) some really cool new pin up girls.. have a look at my practice pigskins, my favourite one is in there. Am thinking of changing that one into a mechanic...
did some more pigskins and actually - upon thinking about it, I left my pigskins in a carrier bag in my bay....I really hope it's cold in there tonight or that sweet, sickly aroma I was talking about might be even stronger by tomorrow!
Mind you, it will have to compete with some of the aromas coming out of the back room today....boys, you know what I'm saying!
So, am building on my flaming dice tattoo on my right inner wrist.
Flames or wings....or wings with flaming tips.....decisions decisions...
They have decided to redo the nice old bay windows in the shop - part of the Spring spruce up. New flash books, new sign, oh yes siree, we are brushing up and looking sharp!
Have been asked to do some murals on the white walls, nautical tattoo theme, ships, swallows, compasses, pirates and wenches.....nice!
Gotta go ...have spent most of my evening faffing about on facebook. Want to do some drawing, have a shower, plan a special saturday outfit and snuggle in my cupcakes pyjamas......
Will fill you all in on my day tomorrow.........xx
Have found (Rose showed me!) some really cool new pin up girls.. have a look at my practice pigskins, my favourite one is in there. Am thinking of changing that one into a mechanic...
did some more pigskins and actually - upon thinking about it, I left my pigskins in a carrier bag in my bay....I really hope it's cold in there tonight or that sweet, sickly aroma I was talking about might be even stronger by tomorrow!
Mind you, it will have to compete with some of the aromas coming out of the back room today....boys, you know what I'm saying!
So, am building on my flaming dice tattoo on my right inner wrist.
Flames or wings....or wings with flaming tips.....decisions decisions...
They have decided to redo the nice old bay windows in the shop - part of the Spring spruce up. New flash books, new sign, oh yes siree, we are brushing up and looking sharp!
Have been asked to do some murals on the white walls, nautical tattoo theme, ships, swallows, compasses, pirates and wenches.....nice!
Gotta go ...have spent most of my evening faffing about on facebook. Want to do some drawing, have a shower, plan a special saturday outfit and snuggle in my cupcakes pyjamas......
Will fill you all in on my day tomorrow.........xx
Thursday, 3 February 2011
Eye Ache.
Tattooed my poor pigskin for 3 hours today. Got eye, hand and neck ache!
Lightweight!
Someone was asking me about how you tattoo on pigskin, so here goes;
Place on desk, on some kitchen paper. Give it a good clean with dettol, to get rid of the grease...(nice! Apparently, this is very similar to holidaymakers who come for a tattoo and tell you they don't have any suncream on...but they do.)
Carbon up with design of your choice. Then tattoo as normal. Apart from, it's completely different to an actual human.
It is good to stretch. It makes a bit of a row if you push too hard and don't get the throw*
on your machine right, because then it presses into the stainless steel worktop. I am reliably informed that this doesn't happen with real people.
Pigskin smells - it's a subtle, sweet smell which at first, is not unpleasant. However, 3hours of pulling it, leaning on it and generally warming it up, produces a sickly, cloying stench, guaranteed to make you feel bilious.
Pigskin doesn't wriggle, wince, complain, question you, tell you how much better you could be doing it, scratch, move in any way, whimper or complain afterwards. It is also, perfectly flat.
But it also can't tell you when you are going in too deep, pushing or churning the fuck out of it whilst trying to colour it in.
Am going to try and find a tube, to wrap the pigskin round to make a little false arm....there's nowt creepy in that, is there? Maybe I'll just carry on and make a pigskin man......I can sit him on my sofa and tattoo him in front of the telly.....
Anyhoo.......
But today, i did a few things i liked. Some shading on my sister's bird came out nicely. Some lines on a woman's head were good and I did my first cherry blossom. ( all these are in my pigskin slideshow....click on the pic on the right.)
Sven and I had a little singsong to the radio. Rose gave me a nosestud. Good times.
Am there Friday and saturday, can't wait.
*Throw - technical term!! Means how far out of the grip, the needles protrude - and so how far they can dig into YOU!!
xx
Lightweight!
Someone was asking me about how you tattoo on pigskin, so here goes;
Place on desk, on some kitchen paper. Give it a good clean with dettol, to get rid of the grease...(nice! Apparently, this is very similar to holidaymakers who come for a tattoo and tell you they don't have any suncream on...but they do.)
Carbon up with design of your choice. Then tattoo as normal. Apart from, it's completely different to an actual human.
It is good to stretch. It makes a bit of a row if you push too hard and don't get the throw*
on your machine right, because then it presses into the stainless steel worktop. I am reliably informed that this doesn't happen with real people.
Pigskin smells - it's a subtle, sweet smell which at first, is not unpleasant. However, 3hours of pulling it, leaning on it and generally warming it up, produces a sickly, cloying stench, guaranteed to make you feel bilious.
Pigskin doesn't wriggle, wince, complain, question you, tell you how much better you could be doing it, scratch, move in any way, whimper or complain afterwards. It is also, perfectly flat.
But it also can't tell you when you are going in too deep, pushing or churning the fuck out of it whilst trying to colour it in.
Am going to try and find a tube, to wrap the pigskin round to make a little false arm....there's nowt creepy in that, is there? Maybe I'll just carry on and make a pigskin man......I can sit him on my sofa and tattoo him in front of the telly.....
Anyhoo.......
But today, i did a few things i liked. Some shading on my sister's bird came out nicely. Some lines on a woman's head were good and I did my first cherry blossom. ( all these are in my pigskin slideshow....click on the pic on the right.)
Sven and I had a little singsong to the radio. Rose gave me a nosestud. Good times.
Am there Friday and saturday, can't wait.
*Throw - technical term!! Means how far out of the grip, the needles protrude - and so how far they can dig into YOU!!
xx
Wednesday, 2 February 2011
Angelique Houtkamp
Found this book ages ago.
Didn't buy it.
Saturday tattooist turns up at work.
She has it.
Realised I can't live without it.
Return to bookshop.
It has gone.
Stalk the bookshop, infect it with the stench of longing. Worry the shop assistants.
Book comes back in stock.
I buy it, with barely a trace of my elation seeping out.
Get outside the bookshop.
Cry a little bit.
Click on the "Tattoo Mystique" pic for a link to Angeliqu'e website - a queen amongst women.
(p.s recognise my week 4 pigskin in there.....)
x
Didn't buy it.
Saturday tattooist turns up at work.
She has it.
Realised I can't live without it.
Return to bookshop.
It has gone.
Stalk the bookshop, infect it with the stench of longing. Worry the shop assistants.
Book comes back in stock.
I buy it, with barely a trace of my elation seeping out.
Get outside the bookshop.
Cry a little bit.
Click on the "Tattoo Mystique" pic for a link to Angeliqu'e website - a queen amongst women.
(p.s recognise my week 4 pigskin in there.....)
x
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)