A new skill set

It's not one giant leap. It's more like eating an elephant: one bite at a time. So here are some things I'm noticing:

1. My left hand is more sensitive. When I stretch enough, I'm beginning to feel what vibration should and shouldn't be present. It's beginning to tell me depth.

2. Being able to tattoo is a craft, a skill, a trade. It's an artform with tradition. And, surprisingly, with each tattoo I really feel a sense of respect for those that have gone before me.

3. I have been told that shading will "click". And when it clicks... it'll be better than sex. Now I'm not so sure about the extremity of that claim. But I had it click last week. And it was beautiful.

4. Three times I have felt in touch with the beautiful hum of my liner; once with my shader.

5. As I'm creating an outline, I'm starting to understand (slightly) the skin. Instinctively, I'll find myself easing depth because I'll feel a greater possibility of blow out. Oh, and I had no clue that some people have a lesser division of wrinkled elbow skin on the top of the shoulder!

6. My wife, Ashlee, knows if I've completely finished a tattoo. I guess the high is in my voice when we talk on the phone.

7. It's way more engrossing than juggling. But not nearly as frantic as disarming a bomb. What a wonderful mental zone.