Tattoosday (A Tattoo Blog): Celebrity Portraits

Showing posts with label Celebrity Portraits. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Olenna Tyrell and a Glass of Wine (2019 NY Empire State Tattoo Expo)

Earlier this month, I met Jayne at the 2019 NY Empire State Tattoo Expo (@nyempirestatetattooexpo).

I was walking past the booths and stopped dead in my tracks. The tattoo Jayne was getting was still in progress, but we chatted and she sent me a photo of the finished product after the weekend was over.
This is the tattoo:

In case you don't know, this is a portrait of Olenna Tyrell, a much-beloved character, portrayed by Diana Rigg, on Game of Thrones.

Jayne summed up her experience of the tattoo:

Inspired by the grace, wit and grit of Lady Olenna Tyrell, I wanted a portrait of her for several years. I entrusted my vision to Francisco Sanchez (@franciscosanchez_tattoo), co-owner of Dark Age Studio (@darkagetattoostudio) in Denton, Texas, to design and ink the tattoo. The result, detailed black and gray with the pop of deep red, captures the badass Tyrell matriarch, always ready to share a glass of wine.

This is the tattoo in progress, when I first happened to meet Jayne:

Jayne also noted:

"The wine glass is straight. Just had my arm bent. Drives me crazy bc it looks like it's jacked and Frank did such a great job, I hate there to be any concerns with his work."

Thanks to Jayne for sharing her awesome tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!

If you are seeing this on another website other than Tattoosday, without attribution, please note that it has been copied without the author's permission and is in violation of copyright laws. Please feel free to visit http://tattoosday.blogspot.com and read our original content. Please let me know if you saw this elsewhere so I contact the webmaster of the offending site and advise them of this violation in their Terms of Use Agreement.

Friday, July 20, 2018

Remembering Chester

Chester Bennington (@chesterbe) from Linkin Park (@linkinpark) died a year ago today.

Earlier this month, I met Nicole at the Summer Vibe Tattoo Convention on Long Island and she shared this fascinating dot-work tribute to the singer:

Nicole was a huge fan of Linkin Park and Bennington and got this tattoo the night after he died. It's a huge thigh piece that appears differently, depending on the angle you;re viewing it. She credited the artist Ilya Cascad (@ilyacascad) with the work, noting it was seven hours in the making.

Thanks to Nicole for sharing this amazng tribute with us here on Tattoosday!

Monday, March 26, 2018

Princess Leia, by Carlos Rojas (Tattoosday Goes to Philly)

Last month, at the 20th Annual Philadelphia Tattoo Arts Convention (@villainarts), I met Chelsea, who shared this classic image of Carrie Fisher's character Princess Leia from the Star Wars saga:

This image is based on Fisher's portrayal of Leia in the original Star Wars film.

Chelsea credited the work to the talented Carlos Rojas (@crojasart), from the Black Anchor Collective in Hesperia, California.

Thanks to Chelsea for sharing this amazing work with us here on Tattoosday!

Wednesday, March 7, 2018

Princess Leia Portrait by Mike Carro (Tattoosday Goes to Philly)

Last month, at the 20th Annual Philadelphia Tattoo Arts Convention (@villainarts), I met Frank, who shared this amazingly lifelike tattoo of Carrie Fisher's character Princess Leia:

This image is based on Fisher's portrayal of Leia in Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi.

Frank credited the work to Mike Carro (@mcarrotattoo) from Undead Ink (@undeadink) in Oceanside, New York.

Check back ~~tomorrow~~ in a few weeks for another Princess Leia tattoo that I spotted at the show!

Thanks to Frank for sharing this amazing work with us here on Tattoosday!

Monday, February 26, 2018

Nick Shares Some Work by Paul Acker (Tattoosday Goes to Philly)

We're still celebrating my trip earlier this month to the 20th Annual Philadelphia Tattoo Arts Convention (@villainarts) earlier this month. Check out this back piece on Nick:

This amazing back piece was created by "horror tattoo artist" Paul Acker (@paulackertattoo), owner of The Séance Tattoo Parlor (@theseancetattooparlor) in Bensalem, Pennsylvania.

Nick also credited Paul with the amazing portrait of Albert Einstein on the back of his head:

Thanks to Nick for sharing his work with us here on Tattoosday!

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Leo in Black and Gray (Tattoosday Goes to Philly)

Earlier this month, at the 20th Annual Philadelphia Tattoo Arts Convention (@villainarts), I met Ryan, who was sporting this cool celebrity portrait:

That's Leonardo DiCaprio (@leonardodicaprio), on Ryan's thigh, captured in his role as Calvin Candie in Django Unchained by the talented Mark Vincent (@markvincentattoos) from Iconic Tattoo Company in Downington, Pennsylvania.

This amazing likeness garnered 2nd prize honors in the Black and Gray, Medium, category during the tattoo contest on day 2 of the convention.

Thanks to Ryan for sharing this cool tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

RBear Shares Two Amazing Portraits

Back in October, I met a gentleman named RBear at the Union Square Greenmarket. He had some amazing tattoos, including these two portraits:

The top portrait is Fred Rogers, who was the face of the beloved kids' show Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. RBear credited this work to Eric Marcinizyn (@ericmarcinizyn). At the time RBear got this piece, Eric was working out of Shane O'Neill's Infamous Tattoo in Middletown, Delaware.

The second portrait is of a young Barbra Streisand. This piece was crafted by Victor Modafferi (@victormodafferi) at Bullseye Tattoo in Staten Island.

Thanks to RBear for sharing these amazing portraits with us here on Tattoosday!

Saturday, June 18, 2016

Alicia's Heart (Tattoosday in Virginia Beach)

Last August, I was in Virginia Beach, visiting family, and I decided to swing by a couple of tattoo shops. I mentioned Ghost Ship here, and I also swung by Red 5 Tattoo.

The shop was bright big and spacious and I snapped a few photos. However, before I share those, Alicia, one of the shop staff working when I walked in was kind enough to share this pretty fantastic U2 tattoo that hearkens back to the cover photos from the band's Joshua Tree album.

It's pretty self explanatory, with the message “My ❤ belongs to 4 Irishmen” alluding to U2’s country of origin.

I believe this is the source photo:

The recording of my interview with Alicia was deleted, and she no longer work's at Red 5 Tattoo. I did send a message to her to retrieve the name of the artist who inked this tattoo, but I never heard back. So it will have to stand alone.

UPDATE: Red 5 informed me that the tattoo was done about 10 years ago by artist Chris Garcia (@ChrisGarciaTattoos).

Check out some photos from Red 5 Tattoo below.

The Sign Above the Entrance

A Very Bright and Clean Reception Desk

The Waiting Area is Huge and Airy

Artist Portfolios Could Be Viewed In This Interactive Display

Thanks to Alicia for sharing her awesome tattoo with us here on Tattoosday! Be sure to stop by Red 5 Tattoo if you’re ever in Virginia Beach! Website here.

Thursday, May 26, 2016

NERDS!

I met Emily last August in front of Federal Hall.

She has a lot of tattoos, but shared this one with us:

This tattoo on Emily's upper arm is tiny, maybe a little larger than a quarter, but it packs a punch!

This is "Ogre," portrayed by actor Donald Gibb, from the film series Revenge of the Nerds.

Emily explained that this was something she used to say back and forth to her friend Vinny Romanelli (@vinnyromanelli), the talented artist from Red Rocket Tattoo in NYC, that did this mini-portrait on her arm. Vinny is no stranger to Tattoosday, as his work has appeared previously here and here.

Thanks to Emily for sharing this fun tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!

Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Diana's Homage to The Breakfast Club

Last month I met a woman named Diana outside of a office building on Broadway in lower Manhattan. She had some lovely black and grey tattoos on her arm, all done by her boyfriend, Javier Rodriguez, at Euphoria Ink in Roselle, New Jersey.

Check out this portrait from The Breakfast Club:

That's Brian Johnson, as portrayed by Anthony Michael Hall. Diana said that he was her favorite character in the film and that she totally related to him.

The owl above him is a separate piece representing wisdom.

She also shared this lovely tattoo of Marilyn Monroe:

You can see more work by Javier on his Instagram @JavierTattoos.

Thanks to Diana for sharing her cool tattoos with us here on Tattoosday!

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Suzanne Rocks Iconic Tattoos (by Tommy Montoya and Chris Torres)

I met Suzanne at the NYC Tattoo Convention in June and well, when I saw her, you know I had to ask:

Yes, that is a Jimi Hendrix tattoo and, as a fan of the late great guitar maestro, I rarely turn down a chance to post one when I see one.

What's more, she credited the amazing Tommy Montoya, who tattooed this at the Wooster Street Social Club on an episode of NY Ink. More specifically, it was on the episode "Last Man Standing."
Suzanne told me, "Jimi said, 'When the Power of Love Overcomes The Love of Power, The World Will Know Peace!' "

Her other arm hosted a piece also from an NY Ink alum, Chris Torres, who actually did this piece when he was at Inborn Tattoo.

That, of course, is Janis Joplin.

Chris Torres now works out of Brooklyn Tattoo a few days a week, as well as at his own private studio. His Instagram is here.

I also snapped a shot of this piece on her back, also by Torres, of this iconic image:

That's from the cover of The Allman Brothers Band album Eat a Peach

Suzanne explained:

"The Eat a Peach for Peace Tattoo was a quote by Duane Allman who passed on years ago but, I had the pleasure to meet him when he was still playing, in Atlantic City Steel Pier Ballroom. I was all of 16yrs. old. Got to hang with him and famous roadie Reddog. What a treat! They were super friendly and gentleman from the south and unfortunately, 3 months later he was killed in a motorcycle accident. I got the Tattoo in memory of Duane, an Amazing guitar player and legend."

Thanks to Suzanne for sharing her awesome tattoos with us here on Tattoosday!

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Three Tattoos, Three Artists, Courtesy of Alice from New Zealand

I knew Friday was going to be a great day when I got off the subway at Whitehall Street and waiting at the corner was a woman with tattoos named Alice.

Alice is part of our ongoing international theme, as she hails from New Zealand. She was kind enough to share several of her tattoos with us, starting with this portrait of Christoper Plummer from The Sound of Music:

Alice credited Michele McLaughlin at Jackson Street Tattoo in Wellington, New Zealand. She got this because The Sound of Music was her favorite childhood movie.

You may notice a tortoise shell in the lower corner of the photo, which is part of this tattoo just below:

No story there, just that she liked the idea of a sea tortoise. This was done by an artist with the moniker Nursey, from Dr. Morse INC Tattoo, also in Wellington.

Finally, I spotted a feline on Alice's left thigh. I just had to ask:

We're seeing a lot of memorial cat portraits these days. This one is in memory of Alice's tabby Vodie, who was a rescue cat. Kev from Tattoo City in Wellington was the artist who inked this lovely work.

It was great meeting someone from New Zealand, to be sure. I don't recall ever having featured work from that country before, and to find a contributor who had work from three talented artists was quite a bonus for me.

Thanks to Alice for visiting New York City and being so kind as to share her work with us here at Tattoosday!

This entry is ©2015 Tattoosday.

Saturday, April 25, 2015

The Tattooed Poets: Chantele Theroux

I'd be remiss if I didn't share this Canadian poet's tattoo:

This is Chantele Theroux, who told us:

"I had my Johnny Cash tattoo done (at Pagan Tattoo of Edmonton in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada by Sean Tracy) to honour the artistry and work Johnny Cash brought to the world. He sung about (and advocated for) the underdog, the prisoner, and very noble but unpopular opinion. He was a rebel with a cause and his life changed mine."

Chantele is the poetry editor for an online publication called Rebelle Society. She sent us the following poem "show me your tattoo," which originally appeared on the site here:

What’s moved you, sailor?

Shaken you,

taken you

to bleed it out through process,

exquisite pleasure and pain…

(I want to know you.)

Because the needles dragging through you,

they carried the ink

that dripped the colors

of your hurt and delight

into art…

Now coursing through your veins,

deep inside your body,

beating forever from your heart…

(Your pulse sounds amazing…)

What wounds do you wear?

Or is it joy that you share?

The mystery of milestone

in monument and shrine,

your stained visceral visage,

a chaotic collage,

only you’ll truly see,

and ever know.

(I love your style…)

Because those words, these snapshots,

your times drawn eternal,

these etchings of essence,

show me you’re bold

and you’re raw enough,

to share you with the world.

(I adore your courage..)

Or was it rebellion

a now-faded reminder,

of youth drunk on juvenile

design and desire,

now your proud symbol of regretful whim.

(Your life’s been gorgeous…)

If you dare, be bare,

hold your scars deep within,

You’ll be nude, never naked,

like many stained souls have been.

Stay closed, picture perfect,

your form in façade…

since diving within,

means baring your sin,

and not settle for sinking,

but choosing to swim.

(Dead men tell no tales, my dear…)

Because this your life,

your one wonderful, wicked ride,

be it in ink or blank canvas,

no one here gets out alive.

(Pillage and plunder with me?)

~~~

Chantele also pointed us to a Johnny Cash article called "Johnny Cash: Life, Love & the Magic of Being Your Badass Self" that she wrote for the same publication here,

Chantele Theroux is an editor, poet, and writer based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Her works express the resonance of personal creative force driven to reflect the brilliance buried in the dark and shadow of the soul. Reveal the rock 'n' roll of your soul and it will be the exquisite end of life as you know it. Visit her on Facebook or at chanteletheroux.com.

Thanks to Chantele for sharing her cool tattoo with us on Tattoosday's Tattooed Poets Project!

If you are reading this on another web site other than Tattoosday, without attribution, please note that it has been copied without the author's permission and is in violation of copyright laws. Please feel free to visit http://tattoosday.blogspot.com and read our original content. Please let me know if you saw this elsewhere so I contact the webmaster of the offending site and advise them of this violation in their Terms of Use Agreement.

Monday, September 22, 2014

Paulie Wears Gene Proudly on His Sleeve

For quite some time, I have been passing by a street vendor on Wall Street who has been sporting a pretty cool tattoo.

I usually see him around lunch and he's often busy selling sandwiches, so I always balked at bothering him when he was busy.

Finally, a couple weeks back, he had a break and so I introduced myself.

When I told Paulie about the site, he was happy to share this tattoo on his left forearm:

That is, of course, Gene Simmons, the bassist from the band KISS known for many things, including his long tongue.

Why does Gene grace Paulie's arm?

"I've been following KISS for the longest time ... He's like a mentor to me ... what he has, we have something in common ...Gene's always working, always working, even when he's retired, always working to make the money, and I like that."

And what do they have in common? Paulie showed me:

The best part of the story, for me, was finding out who did this tattoo. Paulie told me it was a guy named Siki, aka Siki Boy or Siki the Kid, from Brooklyn, who was coincidentally the artist that did my first tattoo back in 2003.

So if you're walking down on Wall Street and you see a guy with Gene Simmons staring up at you from his arm, say hi to Paulie and buy a sandwich from him. They're pretty damn good!

Thanks to Paulie for sharing this cool tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Matt Shares George Carlin with the World

Not many tattoos stop me in my tracks, but that's just what happened when I was walking down 4th Avenue last week and spotted Matt outside of a laundromat with this awesome tattoo:

This fantastic tattoo of the late great comedian George Carlin is by far one of my favorite portraits of a celebrity I've ever seen inked on flash. Perhaps being a huge fan has something to do with it.

Turns out the fan with the tattoo is Matt Huff, tattooer and piercer at Brooklyn Ink, where Joe Mags laid this portrait down. The fact that the image was so immediately recognizable to me speaks volumes of the quality of the work.

Later, in an email, Matt gave me a detailed rundown of his relationship to the tattoo:

"There are several reasons that I decided to get my George Carlin portrait. I suppose the best place to start is my own personality, and how I will crack a joke about anything, no matter how lighthearted or serious it can be. George Carlin was someone who was a part of my life from when I was a little kid watching Shining Time Station on PBS, to being an adolescent who thought the 7 dirty words skit was edgy and rebellious, through my angst filled teenage years. I've carried the 'bullshit is everywhere' attitude my whole life, and learning the ability to brush it all off and laugh about it have been an integral part of my transition into the person I am today. I figured if there was a person who I quote almost daily, that I should pay homage to, it would be him."

I couldn't agree more - I cut my teeth as a kid in the 70's sneaking peeks at Carlin doing stand-up on HBO specials, an despite never seeing him perform,. I did meet him twice at book-signing. This signed photograph hangs in my bathroom:

Who cares if my name isn't Wayne, it's as funny as hell.

Here's a classic piece of Carlin that I still love:

Thanks to Matt for sharing his George Carlin portrait with us here on Tattoosday. If you hadn't guessed by my gushing, it is truly an honor!

Sunday, July 6, 2014

Kristin Shares A Drawing by Her Father

Last month I met Kristin on Murray Street in lower Manhattan and she shared this tattoo on the back of her calf:

That's W.C. Fields and Kristin explained why he's inked on her leg:

"My father drew the picture and ... Ryan Reyes [formerly of Asylum Tattoos] tattooed it ... My dad was a huge W.C. Fields fan and he drew his likeness constantly. He was an artist and he passed away a few years ago and I got in in memory of him and that's my dad's signature right there [on the bottom right]."

Thanks to Kristin for sharing this cool tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!

Tattoosday (A Tattoo Blog)