Seriously, it's still a bit hard to post these - it's me learning rawdog. I've a long way to be able to achieve what's in my head. But the challenge of learning this medium to do so... is exciting.

This one was fun. I'm still slow, but Glendon sat like a champ. Also, feel free to read about what I learned during the process and view a slightly larger version of this in the gallery.

So, this week, I'm going to draw the above image of my French Bulldog and tattoo him on my leg. Why my dog? Not sure. But he is kinda cool. I'll detail the (traumatic) process once it's all over.

Oh, and I went down to Indy on Wednesday for my second back session. Word of advice, call your tattooist before hand and verify the appointment. I'm an idiot and came a day early. I had to repeat the 6 hour drive the next day.

But, dang... it was worth it. I'll post a shot later.

View two larger images: Big vertical image / Slightly different view.

It was a slow day at the shop and one of the guys I work with, Chris, encouraged me to go for it. So I taped up a couple versions of my little bulldog, Oliver, and went for it. Was I nervous? Absolutely. But once I got in the zone, the pain didn't really matter. I just wanted to come up with a cool tattoo I could live with.

It really helped to prop up a couple of pre-rendered images near my ink for reference. (Upside down because that's how I was viewing it)

I'm big on positive/negative space so I tried to apply my interest into the piece. Also of concern was the altering direction of his hair patterns. I really learned a lot by drastically shifting the position of the 9 mag... which helped in trying to create a texture.

Two more shots to show my body position: Shot one / Shot two

To have an attentive and sustained presence... I have to make an effort to rid myself of concerns and distractions.

The Vietnamese Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh tells of a visit from Jim Forest, a Christian leader. After the two enjoyed dinner together, Nhat Hanh prepared to customarily wash the dishes before serving tea and dessert:

So they finished dinner and Nhat Hanh said he would wash the dishes before getting the tea. Jim offered to do the dishes, while Nhat Hahn was preparing the tea; but Nhat Hahn said, "I am not sure you know how to wash dishes." Jim laughed at him and said, "Of course I know how to wash dishes. I've been doing it all my life." "No," the monk said, "you would be washing the dishes in order to have your tea and dessert. That is not the way to wash dishes. You must wash dishes to wash dishes."

So, it'll take time, but It would be wonderful to: tattoo to tattoo. It's approaching each piece with resolve. Sure, I will be learning something during the process. Yes, I need to build up a portfolio so I can make me some money. Both are welcome byproducts. But when I'm in the skin, I look forward to being directly focused on the process of creating that tattoo; pure creativity out on a limb.

* I post this a risk of sounding a bit cheesy, but it's new to me so I indulge.

I'm trying to figure out a balance between learning and upkeep. In doing so I see that I've been slacking on the cleaning end. So I cleaned like a madman yesterday.

In doing so, I remembered the magic cleaning solution my grandma uses:
Toothpaste.

Tables, tiles, chairs, ink sinks, rust (or whatever) on porcelain, and 90% of other back room materials can be scrubbed incredibly clean with toothpaste. Start off with nonabrasive toothpaste; I just rub it in with a paper towel. If the mark won't lift, jump over to the more abrasive toothpaste with baking soda.

I don't usually do this, but I'm working on a new site for Monte Agee and I've got some questions for you. The above image links you directly to the hidden, in-progress gallery page on the site. Feel free to look around. I'm trying to figure out what information should go on the index page...

Comments on Allen Tattoo are minimal here and to the point. I love that.
So I've got some questions... what do you love about tattoo artist sites? What do you hate? Is there anything an individual artist site should have and most don't?

Being so involved in a project keeps you incredibly close.
I'd love to hear what you have to say so I can step back and represent a tremendous artist like he deserves.

"The most important tool the artist fashions through constant practice is faith in his ability to produce miracles when they are needed. Pictures must be miraculous: the instant one is completed, the intimacy between the creation and the creator is ended. He is an outsider. The picture must be for him, as for anyone experiencing it later, a revelation, an unexpected and unprecedented resolution of an eternally familiar need."

Some of us from the shop will be headed to the Inkin' Lincoln Tattoo Jamboree. Wow, I can't believe they call it that: a jamboree...

If, for some reason, you'll be attending, drop by the Bluebird Tattoo booth and say "hello".

Last night I put together a portfolio of artwork and saved them as .PDFs. This morning I ran to Staples and had it and some display pages printed up.

On to the shop. Kissed my wife, Ashlee and little Xavier gave me a slobbery hug - which is easily the best thing in the world. I haven't been away from my newborn yet, so that'll kinda suck.

Clean tubes, grips and get the banner ready... we're headed out early.

Oh, and what's at four o'clock? Tee time.
I'm horrible, but it'll be fun.

No posting until Monday, I'll be at the jamboree. Ha.