INK EXPOSED MAGAZINE LAUNCH

So My Inked members Can you believe it, South Africa is getting so exciting and alternative, Big up to Mrs Bird and the Crew of Inked Exposed Magazine for they are Launching a New Alternative / Tattoo / Piercing Magazine Now if you are in any means Tattooed or just have a higher outlook on life please support the Guys

Sunday, 9th of August 2009
Starts: 14h00-lateEntrance: R50 if you have a tattoo or alternative piercing/ R60 if notLocation: Aandklas
FREE cocktails: 14h00-20h30
DJs: goth/ebm/industrial/metal/alternative/odditiesGiveaways! Glühwein! Mayhem! Dancefloor!Loads of Prizes!Ink Xposed magazine launch!Great promotions.

Michael's Mythical Sleeves

I generally avoid featuring full sleeves here, because of the limitations that posting them has - it is difficult to fully capture the artistry in the work. But, on occasion, the tattoos are so amazing, I can't resist.

Such was the case with Michael, who shared portions of both sleeves with me. Here's a sliver of his right arm:


To fully capture the magic of this tattoo, here's a fresher, professional collage, courtesy of the artist Stacey Sharp:


Michael was proud of the fact that this tattoo took second place in the "Best Sleeve" category in the 2007 Philadelphia Tattoo Convention.

And although the top section of his left arm is still "under construction," the bottom half is no less spectacular:


The detail and shading is just absolutely phenomenal:


Michael, a professional make-up artist, explained that he embarked on these sleeves when he was going through a rough patch in his life and that, as a water sign, the creation and depiction of an aquatic dragon, helped mark a spiritual process that gave him strength while enduring life's trials and tribulations.

He estimated that the right, award-winning sleeve, took approximately 36 hours in total work and that his right sleeve is fifty hours in, and counting.

What's interesting about this post, aside from the brilliant tattoo work, is that I have a nice online friendship with the artist, Stacey Sharp, and that she provided me with her prospective of these sleeves. Generally we only hear from the host.

Stacey works out of Inkpulsive Custom Tattoos in Ronkonkoma, New York.

Stacey comments about her work on Michael:

Some interesting info about Michael's arms...

"The WaterDragon (right arm) was drawn on his arm at a moment's notice. He was only looking for 'a little something to add to his armband'. Took about an hour to draw on with a marker and another hour to outline. All of the blue background was done in one shot, 4 hours, including elbow and ditch (Michael advises to NEVER do those two areas at the same time). The lighter water swirls were added at a later date. The entire thing took 36 hours to complete. It's also the only tattoo I've done that has a 'Title'- A warm thing in a cold place. His species is WaterDragon. His proper name is Fathom... but sometimes we fondly refer to him by his nickname: The Sea Chicken!

The dragon on his left arm is Random. That's her name. Why? Because she is. :) Fur and feathers take much longer to detail. We didn't keep track of her time like we did with the WaterDragon. She's more of an Air/Fire combination... where the WaterDragon is more guarding, silent sentinel, she's the fun, spontaneous side. Whimsical."

So there you have it, an additional perspective, from the artist. It's interesting to get an additional point of view that expands on the notes I've scribbled down in the street.

Much thanks to Michael for enthusiastically sharing his work with us here on Tatoosday! And an additional thank you to Stacey Sharp for contributing her thoughts as well, in addition to granting permission to using the photo collage of the right sleeve.

Stacey's work has appeared on Tattoosday once previously, a much smaller, whimsical piece, here.

Old Vs New

My Inked Crew how are you, So I found some old design work I did ages Ago most of it dating 8-12 years ago (Can you imagine) So I am scanning them and then I will rework them providing you with the old and a newer version of these old drawings I hope you like it. The first one I have for you today I will call it

Service to the slavery of opened regression and violent manipulation 1998 version

This design deals with destruction that needs to be laid out before we can become a better community and all the death and darkness that lies from here in our souls and hearts and the blood leaking from our cities So herewith then find the revamped

Service to the slavery of opened regression and violent manipulation 2009 version

As the eye beholds the blood that drains the violence we spread to cleanse our veins our cities bleed our hearts light in desire a tearful dream of shadows burning within my soul I wish to destroy your cherished demise feel my hatred through the wrath of my mind in vain again bleed your skin our next generations feed bleed for dried emptiness bleed for me again please die alone be my own

So Guys I hope you liked it Well see tomorrow I we might do the same as I found Quite a couple of old designs excellent and remember get INKED