JZT

Here's the tat Lauren and I designed for her forearm. We quibbled a little about it, but she is happy and planning to use it as a base for a whole sleeve.

I watched the TLC dvd about machine tuning and am wondering if I slept through portions of the class as it had many details in it that I hadn't heard about changing parts for different uses. I'll be watching it again. It was beautifully done, with Lisa's voice and Matt's fingers. I want to go back to school again.

I have been enjoying keeping up with John and Mia and Maria on Facebook. John is fulfilling my expectations for him. Mia and Maria are also doing beautiful work.
My business cards came and they are gorgeous.
Baby Josh and Jimmy have promised to build me something to work on.
I subscribed to Tattoo Revue, but still no issue. Hurry up, everybody.

Tomorrow night is my poetry feature at Cafe Lean. I'm psyched. Hope to find some tattoo victims.

Up Early

Decided to catch up on 'scapes and The Flyaways this morning, both of which I have been neglecting. I visited TLC two weeks ago. I really needed a tattoo fix and it felt like home to be back at school. I met Crispus, who Lisa is sponsoring so he can go back home to Uganda and begin a business there. I also picked up three more t-shirts; a gorilla for MJ, and two TLCs(another for myself). Talked with Matt about doing my rose in January. He will be going to Am-Jam in Syracuse and I'd love to go there. They have found a location for their second school in San Diego and a former student to operate it. I hope I can visit there someday.

Not much tattooing going on around here. I ordered new business cards, as the pink ones are not quite appropriate for TATTOOing, but they have not yet arrived. Subscribed to Tattoo Revue, also not yet appeared. Keeping up with Maria (salsa dancing in Florida), Mia (doing cosmetics in D.C.) and John in his own shop(!)through FB. Don't hear much from Michael Colon or anything about Sandy/Chico. Lisa dropped off the new shop video about machine tuning which I will be watching this afternoon, probably during the Christmas wrapping.

My own

After I worked on Josh, I wanted to keep going, so I asked J to stretch my arm while I tattooed myself. It didn't work out too well and I ended up just doing it myself. I filled in and went over some of the green leaves and then added more purple hearts, little ones, so I have 3 orange hearts for my kids and now 8 purple ones for the grandchildren. I love it. It is colorful and looks more linked than it did before. Now thinking of other stuff to add.

Josh's Brothers

After T-day

Baby Josh is coming tomorrow for his tattoo. I'm ready to go. I've been reading tattoo books about history, choosing, meaning, etc. and exploring websites. Also ready to work on myself a little as soon as I get two more hands.

No tattoo

I got my new rotary machine this week, but haven't used it yet. It is red and matches my box. Baby Josh showed me the drawing he wants on his shoulder. It is a beautiful tree. The weekend went by with no tattooing and I miss it. Reading a great book called Ink.

Boob Shot

Okay, first boob today. My daughter had a tat she had gotten in high school (I didn't know at the time, ha) that was pretty washed out. So we brightened it up and enlarged it. She is very happy. I, Ms. Self-critical, is finding flaws in it. Good thing she lives here, so I can work on it more when it heals. I'm learning, I'm learning. I'm posting it small so you can't see my colors aren't too solid



I gotta tell ya, I love this. It feels good to have the machine in my hand, to choose colors, even to do the set up. I just want to be more skillful, faster.
Doing a little touch up work on Zach tomorrow.

for Arthur

I am awed by my grandson. Zachary was the first tattoo at home today. He had me put a rope tie draped over his shoulder with an arrowhead clasp on his bicep - a bolo tie for my father. My dad died two years ago on Halloween. He was a wonderful man and I adored him, but I am a little overwhelmed with the fact that he meant so much to his great grandson. Zachary seems happy with the tattoo. I am as usual critical of myself, but happy that he is happy. He rushed off to show Travis, who approved.

Next I worked on my own arm a little, filling in a couple of more leaves. It is surprisingly easy to work on yourself and I may find myself doing more.

It was satisfying to lay out the materials and get to know them. Everything is set up pretty efficiently and I'm good to go. Small problem with the machine cutting out. Can't figure out why.

I ordered and rec'd the correct number of needles. And the spirit masters. Duh. And the sharps container I forgot the first time. Tech Guy helped put them away.
Lauren found a new butterfly so I can do a coverup on her old one. The list is growing.

Zach wondered what my dad would think of the tattoo thing. I must admit, I'm not sure. He always supported everything I did, tho, so, maybe. (We all know what my mother would say.) I love you, Zach. You, too, Dad.

Damn the Health Department

I called today and was told that I cannot get a tattoo artist permit without being "affiliated" with a shop. What the heck?

My stuff arrived finally on Wed. night at 6 p.m. T-rex, the Tech Assistant, eagerly tore open the boxes and packages, arranged the ink, filled the cabinet drawers per my instructions, and was ready for me to start tattooing. His father also stopped in and asked the same question. Would I be ready to tattoo him this weekend? Answer is no. I want to practice up. Sounds like he wants a whole sleeve and I need to start out on smaller pieces. And, now, I have to straighten out the AlCo permit thing. I'll have to ask Lisa.

My power source is a lovely red. I goofed up the needle order and had to send for more. Finally found the spirit masters, right where Lisa said they were. That should all be here on Friday.

Had dinner with Tom tonight. He is very interested in what I'm doing and I appreciate that. He is a good friend.

Grrrrr...

The UPS man did not leave my stuff today because I was not here to sign for it. I had seen him at work yesterday and told him I was at the library. He is there every day. The dummy. Tomorrow I'm waiting at home for him. He's supposed to be here early.

Per Lisa's suggestion, I am finding it no problem to perform at least one tattoo operation every day. My list of potential victims is growing. My first is going to be myself. I need more leaves on my arm. We'll see how that goes.

T-rex, my new Tattoo Tech, helped me lug in and scrub up the white chest for supplies. He also unpacked the scanner. Tomorrow he is anxious to unpack the UPS delivery and put stuff in the drawers.

I found tons of flash sites and free fonts on the web. Heard from Maria in Michigan a couple of times. No response from the guys. Linda Hladun was in the lib yesterday and we talked about Matt doing her baby portrait.

Spending money

The credit card is sizzling. Ordered ink, disposable tubes w/needles, gloves, green soap, power, clip, pedal (a round one) from Unimax. Ordered one rotary machine from Virtual Village to try it out. Got the scanner, etc. yesterday. Now for the dollar store for the odds and ends. Gosh, I'm frightened. Must tell the kids no Christmas this year. Took myself out to breakfast and ran into Dave Raynsford, who was more than happy to chat about Elf Project and show me his tattoos. Eli and I went to the park, then to Heather's where Jack pulled the Snowy Owl trick. I told H. she must design her own tattoo. She has some fantastic white/silver roses on wine glasses. I wish someone would invent a lasting white. Once again the day has gone by without housework. I need help.

Murder

I dreamed last night that I murdered some strange old man with a pair of scissors. God knows where that came from.

When I got home last night I re-read the whole TLC website, looked at everyone's tattoos. Found my mistakes and want to go back and fix them. The butterfly needs a little more black on the right bottom. The Screamer needs more purple, but that's understandable. I'd certainly never touch her again. I found I really like the devil's head with the flames I did the first week. I'd suggest some shading, some color in the drawing the Fainter came in with. There's a little mistake (I missed the orange under the robin's wing) in the wedding piece. Like the tree but could have done the coils more delicately. The minister's Kathy has a clunky A. Would like to dude up the old eyeball. The cover up on Jim worked okay but still hate the subject.

Would also like to fix up my own leaves a little bit. Maybe I'll try it when I get my supplies, which I will work on ordering tomorrow. Need to bathe Eli today. His ears are all oily from the medication. The house is a wreck from two weeks of neglect. And, I want to start drawing, subscribe to a couple of mags. Then, finish The Last Child and psych myself up to become a library person again.

Finis

Last day of school. I overslept. Badly. No time for coffee. Or pills. Or shower. Or dog walking. Barely time to be clothed.
We had a motivational speaker - Lisa, giving us the Final Pep Talk before giving us our "diplomas". I will probably have to call her for another injection of pep when I get complacent. Matt arrived in disguise, complete with glowing cigarette and gorgeous hair. Michael and John were anxious to get to work (on each other). Sandy had a new baby picture. We women were ready to buckle down and work. I had fun putting Diane's wedding date on her back with two flaming hearts and a robin. Maria put a duplicate on her partner's back. Sweet Maria carefully compared our colors to make sure we worked alike. I never thought of it.

Lunch was very good pizza and a root beer. Not many afternoon tattoos. Did a final clean up; I perfected the foot floor mop. John put the leaves that I had drawn on my hearts. I complimented John on his talent, his business acumen and his skills.

Everyone has done such a wonderful job. Sandy got his fingers tattooed with Love Life. John got mucho revenge on Michael with a excruciating piece on his neck - Lady Liberty and the Twin Towers. Michael was dying while the rest of us were kind of chuckling over his moans and groans, but only because he seems so determined to cover his whole self with ink, all black, of course, no color.

Maria's dad drove ten hours from Michigan to pick her up. She was the first to leave, reluctantly, shedding a few tears, for the ride home. John is driving to Ohio in the morning. Michael and Sandy are being picked up and Maria will be on a ten o'clock train. I am so glad to have gotten to know all of them, all special in their own unique way. I think we all loved it and nobody made me feel like the little old lady.

I can't believe it's over. I had so much friggin' fun. If I never do another tattoo, it was worth it just to go to tattoo school. I feel like a different woman than I was two weeks ago. I started out a 62-year-old poetry-writing grandmother who works in a library and I entered a whole new world. Goodbye, Jeff, and all.

John is going to sing

Lauren came to the studio with me today and we put Eeyore on her leg. He looks like he has had a few because I goofed his eye up. Sorry, Laur. I felt awful. Not a great testimonial for the day before "graduation". The rest of him turned out good. She was entertained by meeting the tattoo crew. Michael and John were at it again, with John the victim. See picture.
Michael took his turn being tortured again with a koi on his hand. I suggested he stick his poor hands into the freezer for a few minutes. They have been taking a beating the last two days. The best news is that John is going to rip off his shirt tomorrow and sing us a chorus of How Great Thou Art, his and my favorite hymn.
Zach and Gabby stopped over, but it was pretty mobbed and they didn't stay long. We did find a good arrowhead which I will make into a bolo for him.
I drove L home at lunchtime and came back to do a really ugly piece that looked like a bad chunk of the Sistine Chapel on a guy named Jim. I'm not even posting the photo.
At ten to five, Mia whipped out the Chinese character for beauty on Maria's ankle. She will do one for me tomorrow. I will call Matt to have him put that orangy rose on my calf. I would like someone to dude up a few leaves on my arm if we have time.
I am having some thoughts about approaching a hair salon to rent me some space in the spring. Just a small spot I could drop in and out of, work by appointment. Here in V'ville would be nice, maybe a couple of days or nights a week, depending on how the winter goes. I'll get busy this weekend and start ordering supplies.
I cannot believe tomorrow is the end.

Some Mornings are Diamonds....

It was a diamond morning. I was feeling it. Great client. Married 25 years, getting his wife's name and boys initials on his calf. I was rushing because he told me he was off to the World Series game in the afternoon with his kids. Worked well -my lines were steady, my colors filled in well, and I got a hefty tip. Then the revelation that Tom was the Rev. Mr. Thomas Gregg of the West Charlton Presbyterian Church. We both had a chuckle over that. I went to Wendy's for lunch and came back ready to tackle anything.

Well, what I got was anything but what I wanted. Seemed like a nice polite soft spoken lady who wanted a lower back piece in black and purple. We prepped her up, got a good position and with the first swipe of the liner, she started groaning. Then moaning. Then whimpering. Gasping. Twitching. Swearing. My lines started tracking maps all around her design. I didn't really lose it until he husband came over to watch. With him hovering behind me, I started to sweat and bite my lip. Matt came by and I rolled my eyes and stared hard at him so he'd get the idea that I was in big trouble. I knew this was going to be a two hour tattoo which could easily turn into four hours or a total breakdown by the tattooist. Dear Matt whipped off the tribal section and left me with the color work. By the time I was done she was screaming in her husband's arms for me to stop. The whole shop was watching. It sounded like sex. By the time I was done, I was trying to hurt her.

The Kiss, The Kiss

Pain and Ambience

John and Michael were plotting today, resulting in an application of SELF MADE to Michael's fingers. Oooh, hurt. We've been coin tossing for designs. I beat out Maria for a great tree, which took me four hours to finish. A nice woman named Lee talked about her husband problems
while I was putting it on her calf. It looked good on her, I was happy, but photograph shows up the flaws. I could have worked longer touching it up. All those coils were confusing, (Lisa helped) but my magnum work is getting better and I found I like using the 3 liner. I would rather be delicate and having to widen lines than make mistakes with fat lines. Here it is:



We have taken the prize for the quietest class Lisa has ever had. Everyone is so pleasant and funny, and, yes, quiet. Maria tells me they went to the SUNY art gallery over the weekend. No bowling. I took a picture of Michael's kiss, but didn't get Chico's yet.

Matt talked about shop ambience this morn. I am envisioning mine. Sunny. It must be sunny. Female friendly. Plants and paintings. Lots of color. I wouldn't be comfortable in any of the existing shops I know of. And, I don't ever want to work for someone else. After 62 years of practice, I like making my own rules. I don't have money to redo this house to meet the health department regs, so I am puzzling what the best step would be. There is just no room here, even for supplies. After school is over, I must be able to keep in practice.

I am enjoying conversations at school. Fodder for a book.

Ah, the weekend

...was not nearly long enough to do all the things that I had planned. It didn't help that I was dreaming about tattooing. Waking or sleeping, it was on my mind. Spent most of Saturday on this blog, then crammed laundry, groceries, and eating into Sunday. Didn't even take time to read the newspapers. Or bathe Eli who hides under the bed everytime I run the water in the sink. Feel worst about not working on all the drawings I have going on in my head. I think I could make great flash and I want to give it a try. Stayed up for Brothers & Sisters last night, then finished my Michael Connelly book, hated to waste time sleeping.

Cold, sunny Monday morning, coffee at Stewart's, then straight on to Neverland. The Lost Boys, Chico and Michael, arrived with wonderful kisses on their throats. Matt had done a gorgeous color portrait on John's leg. Mia found a fantastic red and black piece she wants Lisa to do on her. Said she got to go to Crossgates, and some of them tangled with a nasty waitress at the local pub over the weekend. Oh, yeah, Sandy had taken his cornrows out, banded his hair back like a hydrangea bush on the back of his head. I loved it - he has a huge amount of hair.

That reminds me, a very cute blonde came in today with pink hair extensions, also cute. Michael grabbed her up and fixed up the shamrocks behind her ear. Michael has been grabbing every piece that he can. The boy is a tattoo maniac. And he is good. He did a couple of repairs today that were excellent. And - he got to do a boob. Maria wasn't feeling well and left early. The rest of us got more boring stuff. I started out lousing up my first piece with ugly fat lines, but I recovered as I warmed up and by the afternoon, voila! My masterpiece!


I am so happy with this. 99% my own. Good lines, good color. Feeling much better.

Got all my weekend questions answered when Matt went over the machine details. And some interesting insights on pain from Lisa. Some people like it.

Saturday

Woke up this morn, planning on rainy day in bed with Eli and Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch, but got snagged by the computer. Now almost 5 p.m. and I have worked on my 'scapes blog all day. No laundry, no groceries, no clean bathroom, but I am a happy blogger and ready to send the link out to the world.