Kristen's Trilogy of Knots

The 34th Street Platform for the A Train has been very kind to us here at Tattoosday, even more so this summer than in years' past.Take Kristen, for example. She generously offered up this small portion of her corporeal canvas:Estimating that she is at least a quarter covered by ink, this "trilogy of knots" was the artist's response to Kristen's request to attach the cobwebs on her elbow to the

Kristen's Trilogy of Knots

The 34th Street Platform for the A Train has been very kind to us here at Tattoosday, even more so this summer than in years' past.Take Kristen, for example. She generously offered up this small portion of her corporeal canvas:Estimating that she is at least a quarter covered by ink, this "trilogy of knots" was the artist's response to Kristen's request to attach the cobwebs on her elbow to the

Happy Bloggiversary to Me!

Three years ago today, Tattoosday was born.On July 31, 2007, I put up a post on BillyBlog, featuring a tattoo on a co-worker named Sephora.The idea was to post a weekly tattoo on Tuesday, and use this is a vehicle to expand my horizons a bit; meet interesting people and learn about tattoos.There was one problem. I enjoyed it too much. There weren't enough Tuesdays in the week. I was impatient and

Happy Bloggiversary to Me!

Three years ago today, Tattoosday was born.On July 31, 2007, I put up a post on BillyBlog, featuring a tattoo on a co-worker named Sephora.The idea was to post a weekly tattoo on Tuesday, and use this is a vehicle to expand my horizons a bit; meet interesting people and learn about tattoos.There was one problem. I enjoyed it too much. There weren't enough Tuesdays in the week. I was impatient and

Nick Remembers Billy, I Remember Siki

My first tattoo was modified from a piece of flash at Body Art Studios by an artist who goes by the moniker "Siki". Shortly thereafter, Siki left the shop and went on his way.My friend Pete knows who he is but, until recently, I hadn't met anyone with ink from Siki, other than myself.Then, I met Nick on the R train one day after work and, while discussing his many tattoos (he "lost count after 45

Nick Remembers Billy, I Remember Siki

My first tattoo was modified from a piece of flash at Body Art Studios by an artist who goes by the moniker "Siki". Shortly thereafter, Siki left the shop and went on his way.My friend Pete knows who he is but, until recently, I hadn't met anyone with ink from Siki, other than myself.Then, I met Nick on the R train one day after work and, while discussing his many tattoos (he "lost count after 45

Jessica's Feather for her Mother

I met Jessica on the express platform at 34th Street earlier this month.She shared this gorgeous peacock feather tattooed on the upper right section of her back:The piece is an homage to her mother, who loves everything peacock, and has countless items, like bracelets and other jewelery, that emulate the vivid colors of these beautiful birds.She credits this tattoo to an artist known only as

Jessica's Feather for her Mother

I met Jessica on the express platform at 34th Street earlier this month.She shared this gorgeous peacock feather tattooed on the upper right section of her back:The piece is an homage to her mother, who loves everything peacock, and has countless items, like bracelets and other jewelery, that emulate the vivid colors of these beautiful birds.She credits this tattoo to an artist known only as

Michelle's Tattoo Takes Your Breath Away

Michelle has a lot of ink, twenty-one tattoos, all told, but when I stopped her in Penn Station, she chose to share this one with us:Boldly planted on her upper right arm, Michelle explained that she paraphrased and pared down a longer quotation to read, more simply, "Live for the moments that take your breath away". I believe she was referring to the saying, "Life is not measured by the number

Michelle's Tattoo Takes Your Breath Away

Michelle has a lot of ink, twenty-one tattoos, all told, but when I stopped her in Penn Station, she chose to share this one with us:Boldly planted on her upper right arm, Michelle explained that she paraphrased and pared down a longer quotation to read, more simply, "Live for the moments that take your breath away". I believe she was referring to the saying, "Life is not measured by the number

Timmy's Sophisticated Owl

Earlier this month, Melanie and I took advantage of having my sister's car while she was out of the country and we made an unusual shopping trip to the Fairway Market in the Red Hook section of Brooklyn.There was a gentleman in the produce section with a lot of tattoos, and Melanie pointed out one to me that she thought was cool, this owl on his calf:Turns out that the guy was Timmy from Timmy

Timmy's Sophisticated Owl

Earlier this month, Melanie and I took advantage of having my sister's car while she was out of the country and we made an unusual shopping trip to the Fairway Market in the Red Hook section of Brooklyn.There was a gentleman in the produce section with a lot of tattoos, and Melanie pointed out one to me that she thought was cool, this owl on his calf:Turns out that the guy was Timmy from Timmy

Niki's Memorial for Elizabeth

Last week I was down in Chelsea when I spotted Niki from a distance. She appeared to have a colorful Madonna-like tattoo on her right shoulder, so I changed course and caught up to her only to discover this lovely tattoo instead:This lovely photo was supplied to me by Niki, as my own camera's battery had run out of power and my BlackBerry photo seemed inadequate:Niki explained that, after her

Niki's Memorial for Elizabeth

Last week I was down in Chelsea when I spotted Niki from a distance. She appeared to have a colorful Madonna-like tattoo on her right shoulder, so I changed course and caught up to her only to discover this lovely tattoo instead:This lovely photo was supplied to me by Niki, as my own camera's battery had run out of power and my BlackBerry photo seemed inadequate:Niki explained that, after her

Jim Commemorates a Trip To Greece with His Brothers

I mentioned yesterday that I had gone up to Woodstock on the 4th of July weekend, where I spotted some upstate ink.At a flea market, I met Jim, who had this amazing tattoo on the back of his calf:And a wider, three-paneled view:Jim had gone on vacation to Greece for thirty days with his brothers and he wanted to commemorate the experience.They had stayed on the island of Ios, and Jim took several

Jim Commemorates a Trip To Greece with His Brothers

I mentioned yesterday that I had gone up to Woodstock on the 4th of July weekend, where I spotted some upstate ink.At a flea market, I met Jim, who had this amazing tattoo on the back of his calf:And a wider, three-paneled view:Jim had gone on vacation to Greece for thirty days with his brothers and he wanted to commemorate the experience.They had stayed on the island of Ios, and Jim took several

Larry's Tattoo Burns at Both Ends

Occasionally, but not too often, I do venture out of the city to places far, and not so far, away.Fourth of July weekend, I was up visiting friends in Woodstock, New York.On July 3, we found ourselves at an outdoor flea market and I met a couple of inked folk, including Larry who has "a lot" of tattoos.When asked to choose one, he offered up this piece on his forearm:The image, of a candle

Larry's Tattoo Burns at Both Ends

Occasionally, but not too often, I do venture out of the city to places far, and not so far, away.Fourth of July weekend, I was up visiting friends in Woodstock, New York.On July 3, we found ourselves at an outdoor flea market and I met a couple of inked folk, including Larry who has "a lot" of tattoos.When asked to choose one, he offered up this piece on his forearm:The image, of a candle

Lil' Miss Sunshine

I spotted Christina on a subway platform and she let me take a photo of this tattoo above her outer right ankle once we got on the train:Our time to chat was limited, so all I learned from Christina was that this was a self-drawn self-portrait that a friend tattooed on her four years ago."Lil' Miss Sunshine" is her nickname.And yes, the sun refers to her as "That Crazy Ass Bitch".Thanks to

Lil' Miss Sunshine

I spotted Christina on a subway platform and she let me take a photo of this tattoo above her outer right ankle once we got on the train:Our time to chat was limited, so all I learned from Christina was that this was a self-drawn self-portrait that a friend tattooed on her four years ago."Lil' Miss Sunshine" is her nickname.And yes, the sun refers to her as "That Crazy Ass Bitch".Thanks to

Pete's Tribute to a Magical Grandfather

Last month, as I wandered despondently down my street, mourning the loss of my camera, I saw Pete standing on his stoop in the afternoon heat, without a shirt. He had a really cool tattoo and I talked to him about it, taking a picture with my BlackBerry.Alas, the image quality wasn't good enough, I thought, to post here, so I waited until I saw Pete again, almost a month later, when I had my new

Pete's Tribute to a Magical Grandfather

Last month, as I wandered despondently down my street, mourning the loss of my camera, I saw Pete standing on his stoop in the afternoon heat, without a shirt. He had a really cool tattoo and I talked to him about it, taking a picture with my BlackBerry.Alas, the image quality wasn't good enough, I thought, to post here, so I waited until I saw Pete again, almost a month later, when I had my new

Preston's Invaders Take Tattoosday

I met Preston in early May on the train platform at West 4th Street.I spotted his tattoo and we talked about it.After along wait, we finally get to see this, one of Preston's five tattoos, here on Tattoosday:These are,of course, images from the original Atari Space Invaders, one of the forerunners that was the first video game to truly take the world by storm.Preston told me that these symbols

Preston's Invaders Take Tattoosday

I met Preston in early May on the train platform at West 4th Street.I spotted his tattoo and we talked about it.After along wait, we finally get to see this, one of Preston's five tattoos, here on Tattoosday:These are,of course, images from the original Atari Space Invaders, one of the forerunners that was the first video game to truly take the world by storm.Preston told me that these symbols

Shannon Shares Her Wieners!

At the end of May, I met Sherry, who shared her love of her home state of Texas with this tattoo here.In an ensuing email, she asked if she could send her friend Shannon my way to share her ink. "Of course," I replied, and was directed by Sherry to Borders, where Shannon worked. "Ask to see her wieners," she said and added, parenthetically, "(it's G rated, I promise!)."The Borders in question is

Shannon Shares Her Wieners!

At the end of May, I met Sherry, who shared her love of her home state of Texas with this tattoo here.In an ensuing email, she asked if she could send her friend Shannon my way to share her ink. "Of course," I replied, and was directed by Sherry to Borders, where Shannon worked. "Ask to see her wieners," she said and added, parenthetically, "(it's G rated, I promise!)."The Borders in question is

Venus Flytrap Takes Manhattan Cape Fear

I met Tim earlier this month, along with a bunch of friends, and he had an amazing tattoo that I wanted him to share:This piece, which is located on his upper right arm, took about twelve hours and features a large mutant Venus Flytrap attacking Cape Fear. Tim is from Wilmington, North Carolina, and this tattoo is a nod to his hometown, with a twist of disaster movie thrown into the mix. It's a

Venus Flytrap Takes Manhattan Cape Fear

I met Tim earlier this month, along with a bunch of friends, and he had an amazing tattoo that I wanted him to share:This piece, which is located on his upper right arm, took about twelve hours and features a large mutant Venus Flytrap attacking Cape Fear. Tim is from Wilmington, North Carolina, and this tattoo is a nod to his hometown, with a twist of disaster movie thrown into the mix. It's a

Recap of Matty No Times Fundraiser at Yes Gallery

My trip to the Yes Gallery in Williamsburg on Saturday for the launch party of the Matty No Times benefit was complicated by the weekend suspension of the G train.Rather than a 1-transfer commute from South Brooklyn, the trip involved a lengthy trip on the R train which took me through Manhattan and into Queens, where a shuttle bus skirted me back to Brooklyn. Are you kidding me?But I didn't want

Recap of Matty No Times Fundraiser at Yes Gallery

My trip to the Yes Gallery in Williamsburg on Saturday for the launch party of the Matty No Times benefit was complicated by the weekend suspension of the G train.Rather than a 1-transfer commute from South Brooklyn, the trip involved a lengthy trip on the R train which took me through Manhattan and into Queens, where a shuttle bus skirted me back to Brooklyn. Are you kidding me?But I didn't want

Sugar Skull Sunday: Hannah and Her Family

I met Hannah in Penn Station one afternoon after spotting this amazing sugar skull on her upper left arm:Here is a broader glimpse of the tattoo:Hannah has over twenty tattoos and told me she wanted this piece to have alot of different elements in it. The gold tooth was a must, because Hannah loves pirates.Gold teeth in sugar skulls are not necessarily unusual. Chainsaws, however are a bit out of

Sugar Skull Sunday: Hannah and Her Family

I met Hannah in Penn Station one afternoon after spotting this amazing sugar skull on her upper left arm:Here is a broader glimpse of the tattoo:Hannah has over twenty tattoos and told me she wanted this piece to have alot of different elements in it. The gold tooth was a must, because Hannah loves pirates.Gold teeth in sugar skulls are not necessarily unusual. Chainsaws, however are a bit out of

Where I'll Be Tonight - Matty No Times Benefit

This is where I'm heading tonight. It should be amazing!More info at Tattoosday UK and Needles and Sins.

Where I'll Be Tonight - Matty No Times Benefit

This is where I'm heading tonight. It should be amazing!More info at Tattoosday UK and Needles and Sins.

Welcome to the Machine

I met Paige over by the New Jersey Transit section in Penn Station late last month and she shared this, one of her five tattoos:It's a biomechanical piece that helps illustrate her as a machine. Her plan is to ultimately turn it into a sleeve with an apocalyptic bent.She had this done at Lola's in Bogota, New Jersey. Work from Lola's has appeared previously on Tattoosday here.Thanks to Paige for

Welcome to the Machine

I met Paige over by the New Jersey Transit section in Penn Station late last month and she shared this, one of her five tattoos:It's a biomechanical piece that helps illustrate her as a machine. Her plan is to ultimately turn it into a sleeve with an apocalyptic bent.She had this done at Lola's in Bogota, New Jersey. Work from Lola's has appeared previously on Tattoosday here.Thanks to Paige for

Sealed with a Snake

I spotted Steve one day, and got him to share this rattlesnake tattoo on his right arm:Steve has three tattoos and is bass player for a band called S.W.A.K.He came up with the design and had Gary, owner of Shotsie's Tattoo in Wayne, New Jersey, complete the process. Thanks to Steve for sharing this tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!

Sealed with a Snake

I spotted Steve one day, and got him to share this rattlesnake tattoo on his right arm:Steve has three tattoos and is bass player for a band called S.W.A.K.He came up with the design and had Gary, owner of Shotsie's Tattoo in Wayne, New Jersey, complete the process. Thanks to Steve for sharing this tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!