Tattoosday (A Tattoo Blog): Skulls

Showing posts with label Skulls. Show all posts

Saturday, July 20, 2019

Josh's Astonishing Back Piece from the NY Empire State Tattoo Expo in 2018

The 2019 Empire State Tattoo Expo (@nyempirestatetattooexpo) continues today and runs through Sunday at the Midtown Hilton here in New York City!

The Hilton has A/C and it will be a great way to beat the heat, all while seeing amazing tattoo practitioners from around the world!

One of my favorites from last year was this amazing tiger back piece on Josh:

This was done by the talented Jon Davis (@jondavistattoo) out of Vessel Tattoo (@vesseltattoo) in Syracuse, New York.

Thanks to Josh for sharing this last year!

The Expo starts today at Noon and runs through Sunday at 7pm, all at the Midtown Hilton (1335 Avenue of the Americas).

Don't miss it!

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Wednesday, May 22, 2019

Hello, Dalí! Bryan's Surrealist Sleeve

Last summer, I met Bryan on the Rector Street subway platform. He was kind enough to share a full sleeve of tattoos inspired by the work of Salvador Dalí:

This section is inspired by The Burning Giraffe (1937):

Then, there's this skull:

This was based on a poster Dalí designed for an anti-venereal disease campaign during World War II, dubbed Vagina Dentata:

Of course, everyone is familiar with this Dalí image, from his famous painting The Persistence of Memory:

The bleeding roses in this tattoo

are inspired by this painting:

And then there is this last skull image:

This piece is based on Dalí's The Face of War:

Bryan credited all of the tattoo work to Chris Mason (@chrismasontattoo) at Live Wire Arts (@livewirearts) in West Islip, New York.

Thanks to Bryan for sharing all of this amazing work with us here on Tattoosday!

Sunday, April 28, 2019

Adam Tedesco's Skulls (The Tattooed Poets Project)

Our next tattooed poet is Adam Tedesco, who shared these, "two of the many tattoos of skulls" that he has:

Adam elaborates:

The top image, on my left calf, is by Chad Koeplinger (@chadkoeplingertattoo). He tattooed me while doing a guest spot at Smith Street (@smithstreettattooparlour) in Brooklyn about five years ago. I was waiting outside the shop when they opened and still had to wait about 6 hours for him to get to me. I guess getting this tattoo was really important to me at the time, even though I had no image or design picked out. I had been a fan of Chad's work for a few years at that point and felt comfortable with him tattooing whatever he thought would look best in the spot I had picked out. When he asked what I wanted I just said 'I dunno, man. Something mystical?', to which he offered 'How about a skull with crystals and an eyeball.' 'Yup, that sounds mystical as fuck,' I replied.

Chad's a monster, in a good way. I'm a big guy, it's a big tattoo, and he finished in about 45 minutes. The knee ditch kills, which is good. Tattoos are supposed to hurt.

The bottom image, on the front of my right thigh, is by Nathan Kostechko (@nathan_kostechko). I got this when he was doing a guest spot at Thicker Than Water on the Lower East Side. I don't think that shop exists anymore. [Ed. Note - Three Kings Tattoo now occupies the space] I had some correspondence with Nathan before the appointment about the tattoo, which we came to agree is a skull exhaling DMT smoke. He told me he listened to Tool and smoked DMT to help him come up with the design, which I told him reminded me of the Spacemen 3 record Taking Drugs to Make Music to Take Drugs To. While I've been sober going on two years now, at the time this was a pretty good distillation of my lifestyle.

Adam sent us the following poem, as featured in his new collection Mary Oliver, available from Lithic Press, and originally published in MadHat Lit, which is now a Russian poker website.

AT THE MOUTH OF THE CAVE

He got all messed up on the lord then brought me fishing

The best thing about people is they’re all pieces of shit
The worst thing in the world to be is a person because
people don’t realize a piece of shit is the perfect thing to be

I closed my eyes and saw six billion soft serve heads melting under an infinity of ingrown neurons
a pile of dead leaves expanding at the edge of orbit dead leaves whose life’s blood now fills the punchbowl

Us pieces of shit, we’re magic
We turn everything we touch to shit Ain’t nothing better than that

We carried our rods and empties back to the van.
I watched the waterfall disappear between
the back window’s louvers and remembered a dream
I inherited from my next door neighbor, where every
surface is too soft, and every step dents the ground and
if you get caught leaving footprints they take you away to jail

~ ~ ~

Born in Upstate New York, Poet and video artist Adam Tedesco is a founding editor of REALITY BEACH, a journal of new poetics. His video work has been screened at MoMA PS1, &Now: A Festival of Innovative Writing, No Nation Gallery, and the New Hampshire Poetry Festival, among other venues. His poetry, essays, and interviews have appeared or are forthcoming in Fanzine, Fence, Gramma, jubilat, Laurel Review, Powder Keg, Prelude, and elsewhere. He is the author of several chapbooks, most recently ABLAZA (Lithic Press, 2017), ISO 8601:2004 (Really Serious Literature, 2018), and Misrule (Ursus Americanus, 2019). His first full-length poetry collection, Mary Oliver, was published by Lithic Press in February of 2019.

Tuesday, March 19, 2019

Rosie the Dead Riveter

Sometimes posts sit idle in my draft folder for ages, for one reason or another. This is one example, from a woman named Adele, who I met at a Wegman's in New Jersey in the fall of 2017:

Unfortunately, the front part of the skull is blurry, but you can really tell from the photo on the left what a great tattoo this is.

It was a busy Sunday in Wegman's, so we didn't have much time to chat, but the post sat under the misleading moniker "Rosie the Dead Riveter," because the bandana on the skull reminded me of the famous "We Can Do It" poster from the World War II era.

I do know from my notes that Adele is a truck driver and loves skulls, and that the artist is Thom Boyle (@tattoofrenzy) from Tattoo Frenzy in Amityville, New York.

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

Monday, September 24, 2018

Sour Head on the Q Train (Tattoosday Plays the Alphabet Game)

We're continuing our subway experiment, trying to get through all of the lettered trains, in alphabetical order, in one day. We're in pretty good shape, having just finished on the N train. You can see the master 2018 Alphabet Game post here.

At 12:56 PM, I jumped from the N to a northbound Q train (there is no "O" or "P" line) and then, three minutes later, switch to a southbound Q at Lexington/63rd.

It was on the Q that I met Katie, who had a lot of tattoos, and was kind enough to share this awesome piece on her thigh:

Katie obviously likes sour things, as represented by this cool skull design with lemons. She credited the artist "Purple" from Devils Ink Tattoos (@devils_ink_tattoos) in East Harlem, New York. It was Purple's design, she told me, noting he is"great with skulls."

I love this design, especially because I had never seen anything quite like this before.

Thanks to Katie for sharing her cool tattoo with us here on Tattoosday, as we continue on with the Alphabet game!

Wednesday, September 12, 2018

Two Cool Tattoos on the F Train (Tattoosday Plays the Alphabet Game)

If you're just joining us on our subway journey, we're recapping our subterranean adventure on the rails last month when we attempted to "play the alphabet game," finding tattoos on every lettered train, alphabetically, over the course of a single day. Please check out the master post here to see the master post.

We are up to the F train.

After spotting the old ladybug tattoo on the E train, I rode the E down to West 4th Street, where I planned to switch for the F train.

10:07 AM, waiting for an F train at West 4th.

At 10:18 AM, on the F train, I struck up a conversation with Ivan between the Broadway/Lafayette and Delancey Street stations. Ivan used to be a piercer, so he had worked in tattoo shops and accumulated some cool tattoos. I initially took a photo of this piece on his leg:

Ivan credited the artist Sinsentido (@sinsentido10) who works out of Circus Tattoo (@cricustattoomadrid) in Madrid.

After the train had rolled into Brooklyn, Ivan asked to share another piece, this one on his neck:

This cool skull on his neck was done by Needles (@darthneedles) at Red Rocket Tattoo (@redrockettattoo) in Manhattan. Needles has decades of experience and his work has appeared on Tattoosday multiple times over the years (see some of it here).

Thanks to Ivan for sharing his cool tattoos with us here on Tattoosday, as we travel the New York subways!

Monday, September 10, 2018

Black And Grey on The D Train (Tattoosday Plays the Alphabet Game)

Continuing on our subway journey (the whole trip is summarized here) ...

Next up is the D train.

At 9:36 A.M., I got off the C train at West 4th Street to transfer to a D train.

At 9:43 A.M., I got on a northbound D train.

After just two minutes, I met Mike, who shared a trio of tattoos that are really quite good, all from East River Tattoo (@EastRiverTattoo):

Actually some of the work at East River, like the scorpion above, was done by a visiting artist. The scorpion was done by Spider Sinclair (@spidersinclaire), who works out of Two Hands Tattoo (@twohandstattoo) in Auckland, New Zealand.

Then there's this neat skull and fern design, by Mike Adams (@mikeadamstattoo), currently out of Frederick, Maryland.

Last was this piece, proclaiming "Life's Short" and burning the candle at both ends:

This was done by Duke Riley (@dukerileystudio), one of East River Tattoo's resident artists.

Thanks to Mike for sharing his awesome tattoos with us on the subways!

Monday, August 6, 2018

Amber's Convention Ink

Back in June, I spotted Amber (@xxskinnyfistsxx) walking near Federal Hall in the Financial District. She was kind enough to share a couple of her tattoos, including this really cool one on her thigh:

Amber has gone to a bunch of tattoo conventions and really takes advantage of the events allowing you to research and experience the work of loads of amazing artists. She has a specific aesthetic that appeals to her and has found some great artists that way. At the Philadelphia Convention earlier this year, she met Beau Guenin (@beauguenin), who tattoos out of Masterwork Tattoo (@masterwork.tattoo) in Indianapolis.

After meeting Beau, she decided to fly out to get tattooed by him at the Chicago Tattoo Convention, where he put on this massive skull and rats piece over a six-and-a-half hour stretch.

She noted that he also does a lot of frog tattoos, and he is known as "the frog guy" to many. Check out his Instagram to see some more of his work.

When she was at the Philadelphia convention, she was getting tattooed, as well. She described walking past the booth of Rich Wren (@therichwren) from Relic Tattoo (@relictattoo) in Horsham, Pennsylvania. She had trouble deciding at first, because he had a lot of great "weird monster stuff going on." She ended up with this really unique witchy lady on the back of her calf:

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

Saturday, July 21, 2018

Skull Time (2018 Empire State Tattoo Expo)

I posted this on Instagram (@tattoosday) last week when attending the NY Empire State Tattoo Expo (@nyempirestatetattooexpo), but I wanted to get it up on the official Tattoosday site as well.

I never caught the name of the woman who got this on her thigh, but she was kind enough to allow me to share it:

This piece was freshly-inked by Zach Smith (@profet_ink) from Profet Ink Tattoo Studio in Glen Rock, Pennsylvania. You can watch Zach at work on his YouTube channel here.

I like the combination/juxtaposition of the skull, the rose, and the Roman numerals of time. It's just a really cool design and masterfully executed.

Thanks to Zach and his client for sharing this cool tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!

Wednesday, July 11, 2018

Anthony's 'Dead Marionette'

Earlier this month at the Summer Vibe Tattoo Convention on Long Island, I met Anthony, who had recently got this amazing tattoo on his leg:

The artist, A.D. Pancho (@ad_pancho) calls this "Dead Marionette" on his Instagram page. Check out his Facebook page here, as well. He does some amazing work!

Thanks to Anthony for sharing this work of art with us here on Tattoosday!

Tuesday, July 10, 2018

Heidi's Leg Tattoos

Earlier this month at the United Ink Summer Vibe Tattoo Show, I met Heidi, who shared this amazing work on her leg:

She credited the work to Big Joel (@tattoosbybigjoel), owner of Notorious Tattoo Company (@notorioustattooco) in Centereach, Long Island.

Thanks to Heidi for sharing her leg with us here on Tattoosday!

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Belle and Dan from Birmingham

Back in February, on an unseasonably warm winter afternoon, I met Belle and Dan outside of Grand Central Station. They were visiting from Birmingham in the United Kingdom, and they shared some of their amazing black and gray work:

Belle's patterns were complimented by this Beauty and the Beast tattoo:

Dan shared this skull/wolf combination:

Belle credited her and Dan's work to Jay Price at Inkskin Tattoo Studio in Tipton, just northeast of Birmingham.

Thanks to Belle and Dan for sharing their work with us here on Tattoosday!

Friday, February 23, 2018

Kelsy's Dinosaur Skull Illustrates a Point (Tattoosday Goes to Philly)

Toward the end of my day at the 20th Annual Philadelphia Tattoo Arts Convention (@villainarts) earlier this month, I met Kelsy, who shared this cool tattoo:

It's pretty self-explanatory, stating "Women Inherit the Earth" with a dinosaur skull crisply illustrating the point.

Kelsy credited Alicia Thomas (@aliciathomas_art) from Boston Tattoo Company (@bostontattoocompany) in Somerville, Massachusetts with the work.

Thanks to Kelsy for sharing this new tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!

Sunday, February 18, 2018

Marcela's Gorgeous Tattoo (Tattoosday Goes to Philly)

I met Marcela briefly at the Philadelphia Tattoo Arts Convention (@villainarts) last weekend and she was kind enough to share this stunning black and grey artwork on her thigh and hip:

She credited Andres Ortega (@Ortega_ink) from Knucklehead Tattoo (@knuckleheadtattooshop) in Glendale, Arizona, with this amazing work. Marcela estimated that it was about 15-20 hours in the making. You can actually get a better view of the piece over on Ortega's Instagram here.

Thanks to Marcela for sharing this stunning tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!

Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Nichole's Amazing Back Piece (Tattoosday Goes to Philly)

Last weekend at the 20th Annual Philadelphia Tattoo Arts Convention (@villainarts), I met Nichole, who shared this astonishing full back piece featuring a Tibetan skull:

This is the handiwork of Lou Hansen (@lhansenart) from Dollhouse Tattoo Parlour (@dollhousetattooparlour) in Glendora, New Jersey.

During the judging on day 2 of the show, this beauty won 2nd place in the "Female, Color - Extra Large" category. Congratulations to Nichole and Lou Hansen for the honor!

A hearty thanks to Nichole for sharing this amazing work!

Sunday, December 3, 2017

Some Belgian Ink in Manhattan

Back in September, I met a couple on the steps of Federal Hall in lower Manhattan. They were visiting from Belgium and, between them, had quite a few tattoos. Kenny and Ineke were kind enough to share their work.

First up is this shot of Ineke's head:

Ineke credited the patterns on her scalp to Erik El Santo (@erik_el_santo) at Dagger Moon Tattoo (@daggermoontattoo) in Hasselt, Belgium.

Kenny shared this amazing work on his chest:

The skull and cobra were done by Don Porto (@tattoodonporto), from Inkhouse in Geel, Belgium.

Thanks to Kenny and Ineke for sharing their amazing tattoos with us here on Tattoosday!

Sunday, November 12, 2017

Jess and Josh Share Some Ink

Back in June, I met a couple from Great Britain on the steps of Federal Hall in lower Manhattan.

There names were Jess and Josh, and they both were kind enough to share some of their tattoos with us.

Check out this really funky witch on Jess' arm:

Jess credited this to Marie Cox (@lady_fts) at Folklore Tattoo Studio (@fts_tattoo) in Tamworth, Staffordshire, which is near Birmingham, England.

John shared this piece on his leg:

This work was also done at Folklore, but by Adam McDermott (@admcde).

Thanks to Jess and Josh for sharing their tattoos with us here on Tattoosday!

Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Alyssa Helps Us Celebrate Día de Muertos

The annual Día de Muertos, or Day of the Dead, holiday has begun and what better way to mark the occasion on Tattoosday than with a sugar skull?

This beauty belongs to Alyssa, who I met near Bowling Green in lower Manhattan back in September.

Alyssa told me she got this tattoo to mark the ten-year anniversary of her mother's passing.

The tattoo was done by Eddy Ospina (@eddyospina) at the former Wooster Street Social Club. Eddy is currently calling Scharf & Sons Tattoo home, in Merrick, Long Island.

Thanks to Alyssa for sharing her awesome sugar skull with us here on Tattoosday!

Thursday, September 14, 2017

A Moth and a Rose on the F Train (Tattoosday Plays the Alphabet Game)

And the Alphabet Game continues...

1:05 P.M. After a bathroom and pizza break at Penn Station, I'm back on an E train to catch an F at West 4th Street.

1:13 P.M. On an F train at West 4th, southbound.

1:16 P.M. I meet Adrien, who shares a couple of great tattoos from Kings Avenue Tattoo (@kingsavetattoo) on the Bowery in Manhattan.

First is this cool moth:

Adrien told me that this tattoo by Grez matches one that is also on another Kings Ave artist, Becca Genne-Bacon (@beccagennebacon) who, incidentally, tattooed this awesome black rose on Adrien, as well:

Thanks to Adrien for sharing these cool tattoos with us on Tattoosday!

Remember, you can check out the whole Alphabet Game experience here.

Thursday, September 7, 2017

Mat's Spectacular Skull

I stopped to talk to Mat on Broad Street earlier this week after noticing he had some nice tattoos on his arms.

However, he surprised me with this magnificent work on his whole torso:

Mat, a pastry chef from France, credited the work to Lucky Sailor Tattoo (@luckysailortattooparlor) in Nice.

Merci beaucoup to Mat for sharing this great tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!