I finally got to get a good picture of a tattoo I loved working on. It's a clipper ship done with freedom. Meaning... she let me do my take instead of traditional style. I was incredibly happy (yep, incredibly) with the way this healed. It may even be the first time I noticed an area of grey that I didn't deem patchy.

I got to sneak in another session on the top half of the murder sleeve. There's so much more to do, but it feels good to chip away at it.

Also, I've had a lot of emails about this one... it'll take awhile, but I'll keep posting the progression.

"The best reason to paint is that there is no reason to paint...I'd like to pretend that I've never seen anything, never read anything, never heard anything...and then make something...Every time I make something I think about the people who are going to see it and every time I see something, I think about the person who made it...Nothing is important...so everything is important."

- Keith Haring, June 15, 1986

I got to watch Luis, our apprentice, tattoo for the first time. It was incredible. Who knew I'd be more nervous... he sat down squared and approached the task head on. I'd like to ask him a few questions and catch him in the middle of the process.

More later...

Today is my second day doing a guest spot in Chicago. I've never done a guest spot, so the process is new. Even tattooing outside the shop is completely foreign. All I need is to observe. Let me watch, and I'll figure my gig out with whatever you supply. The act of tattooing is one thing, but more and more I realize how we all differ in going about getting to that point. Some stick to a rigid routine, while others work off the cuff. If I think about the two, I'm sure I land somewhere in between. There are a few necessities, but I don't really mind impromptu either.

It's really just a matter of me setting up; which is not really a big deal. But figuring out different products and having them match what I know just takes time.

The first day I came in, spread out at a station and pretty much shut my mouth. The guys were kind enough to answer some questions and I slowly got the feel for their system. Now I just need to watch even more.

And, here's the thing... I don't really need any other system. Tattoo artist seem to be pretty self-sufficient (well, minus artistic validation). I could easily go in, and do what it is that I do. But, come on. It's only wise to sit back and soak up as much as possible. Everyone has an interesting take on approach and execution. (You know, getting ready and then doing the damn thing) Everyone has something to offer. My part, right now, involves jumping into their waters without leaving a big wake. I'm certainly I won't instantly fit in. But it's not about that. Maybe that'll happen in passing... but I'm trying to figure out how to both learn and give.

I'll keep you updated as I learn more doing this.

I took a couple of days off for a buddy's wedding in Portland. It was a little difficult separating my default mental state for those days (i.e. family, tattoo, then sleep). Once I arrived, I had to make a conscious choice to push away the mental daily grind.

Anyway, so I made it there and life is good. The company was great, the air was beautiful, and I really don't mind wearing a tie every now and then.

As much as I know I need to take a break while I tattoo. I need to step back and have a break from the whole picture as well.

I've been at Bluebird Tattoo for two years. I remember the first few months filled me with cleaning and observing. Every day I itched to know more; to be thrown into the thick.

Now I am where I wanted to be... right in the middle of learning. So what have I noticed about my process lately?

1. A walk-in hasn't made me balk (worried, confused, or hesitant) in months. Finally!
2. My stretch is stronger. Much stronger and it can last just as strong for the duration of the tattoo session. My left thumb still gets sore at the end of the day, but it's perfectly manageable.
3. Based on the skin, I instinctively adjust my machine speed. It's amazing to me how we just know based on feel and sound.
4. This one may be incredibly obvious, but it helps. When I feel more resistance, the customer is usually hurting more. So I stretch even more.
5. I'm slowly developing a color vocabulary. I see a color and can figure out the steps (i.e. colors to mix) to get there.
6. I beginning to know my weaknesses. By sight, it's easier to know if a line isn't strong. And I'm close to knowing when to back off.
7. I'm able to let go and know that, someday, my client will come back for a next session. That's the nature of the large pieces and I've swallowed that.
8. My ability to guesstimate time is getting closer. My world is taking on the semblance of real scheduling.
9. Pricing is still difficult. But because I can kinda figure out how long I'll take, I'm getting much closer.
10. Around 85% of the time I can pay attention to whoever I'm tattooing and respond accordingly. Nice.

In addition to my regular schedule at Bluebird, every Wednesday I'll be tattooing in Chicago at Insight Studios. The guys are great, the talent is strong, and the place is gorgeous. Come visit.

Contact: insightstudiosonline.com - (773) 342-4444

I'm always looking to learn, so branching out a bit will be a good experience.

A good handful of photos are posted in the end of this gallery.

This one was fun. I didn't deviate from the original album cover too much. But we zoomed in on the child and faded the foliage instead of making it all tribal like.

On a side note, I can't speak highly enough for Sigur Rós. Their body of work is gorgeous, landscaping, and difficult to explain.

I'm not sure how, and I'm not putting too much confidence in the airline industry, but I am finding my way to Hell City this year. I've a couple of pieces that'll be up in the Scratch Art Gallery, so that's a good enough excuse for me to go.

But, really. Do I need an excuse? Just look at the attending artist list... it's incredible. With so many talented artists, I'm going to have sit down and schedule out my booth walking. That and figure out a way to observe a load of guys from a distance, learn a little something from each, stay out of the way, and walk away without my mind being overwhelmed.

I'm excited to figure it all out.

Please pardon the delay in posting. My little one had surgery and I went slightly dark (minus the Twitter in the side bar) to spend time with family.

I'll resume soon.