irezumi

This is an old photo of a Bali mask he did on my friend John, he has extensive work from Tux as well. This is the flyer he gave me when we met; I looked really puzzled at 1991 when it was still October or November 1990 but I realized that he was printing them for the upcoming year. Or he was time traveling. Yup

He's the best ever. Such a nice guy. Yeah I have a whole bunch of friends working the show from all over but I'm not tempted at all. It's such a hectic show that it's overwhelming. In past years what I've done is fill a station in the Museum while some of those guys work the show. - - - Updated - - - I think I mis-spoke when I said that; he worked with Elio for a little bit up north between closing the OG shop and re-opening after finishing school. Nick and Thom are to be credited for teaching him.

Oh wow that's rad, I hope you get lock those down! Yeah I met Tux when he was finishing up his BFA, which was the same year that I started my fairly brief period at MICA before becoming an art school dropout. That's also the same year I met Dana Helmuth at MICA; we became fast friends as well.

Yeah I think that's fair to say. We did met on school grounds so that connection was made before walking into the shop.

No, wasn't Crazy John's. Had some generic name that I can't recall, this was in '92 or '93. @Bunny Switchblade I'm a little younger but not by leaps and bounds hah. I didn't meet Charlie but I did poke my head in there once to see what it was like. I wasn't as wowed as I was at Tux's; his shop looked like part antique shop part mystical shrine part tat shack so pretty much anything with wood paneling wasn't as interesting.

I'm gonna get a battle royale of a squaw pinup vs asian pinup vs latina pinup.

.... Is that Buddha pitching a tent?

And the person that made it as well.

<<<<

^excellent!

Unquestionably so. Dan would be the first to agree. Just look at this shirt; although he drew this after Dan started to develop his own style you can see where a lot of his early influence came from. Sorry for the huge pic; I can't figure out how to edit photobucket on the smartphone app.

That's awesome. I would've loved to have visited 222.

I didn't really work with him as an artist or front desk; He let me tattoo myself there a few times and let me hang around whenever I wanted and answered any question I had. I was at his shop as much as possible between the years of 1990 to 2000. I feel lucky to have been in that situation because he was extremely gruff to just about everybody, especially other tattooers. Had a big opportunity not fallen into my lap halfway across the country I believe that would've been my first 'job'. There were only 2 people in that whole time that he set up machines for and the other person was my roommate at the time. There's no right/wrong 'what I should've done/chosen to do' at that time just decisions made and where they take you. I don't regret moving away from Baltimore at a turning point like that but sometimes I do wish I had been able to spend more time there at his shop at a crucial time like that before he passed away. I still talk to his widow fairly frequently and she tells me that she knows he would be proud of me now. I plan to see her again when I go to Bmore for a guest spot this summer, and have set up a visit with Nick and Thom as well during that same trip. Nick also had a big hand in showing Tux the ropes as did Thom and Elio. I recommend getting some artwork from Nick; he's a super rad guy and an amazing artist. - - - Updated - - - There's a certain not-to-be-named somebody here that has some great photos of Tux & Thom recently purchased that I've never seen before; I'll let them post them if he/she wants to after that person sees this thread. - - - Updated - - - One of the somewhat little-known people in Bmore worth knowing about is Tattoo Charlie Geizer Charlie Geizer Although his shop has changed hands and is no longer part of the Geizer family the shop is still there (in the red light district, of course)and worth a visit if the old flash is still up. My favorite part of Charlie's shop is the painted screens he had done. Screen painting, an old Baltimore folk art tradition, has themes that are usually quaint country scenes and whatnot but Charlie's screens are HUGE and are Bmore landmarks including 2 (3?) huge clipper ships. They're on the second floor so it's really difficult to get pictures of them. Bunny, you need to get someone to let you go into the offices across the way from them and explain how unique, special and part of Baltimore history they are so you can photograph them. edit; for the sake of a rough idea of what I'm talking about I used google street view. Not as good as actual photos but you get the idea. I also feel compelled to give context of where it's located. For a short period of time as a young lad I worked at what used to be a carry-out greasy spoon where that Subway is now. Memories.

Japanese Art Motives - Maude Rex Allen - Google Books Start at page 151; I see a thorough list and translation of the treasures but nothing about a drum. Good book by the way; the Chinese art motives/symbols book is also crucial.

Early/mid 90s. I have plenty more than that from him but no internet photos, sorry.

I'll bet none of the people writing these things are heavily tattooed or know close friends that are. The opinions of outsiders means nothing to me.

Nah I knew you'd have some good input here. Bunny just gave credit to one of my favorite spots on the east coast. Lansdowne was one of the last of the outlaw skate parks. An old park made 40 years ago even before the heyday of the 70s explosion, it had all of the lines of a huge wave style park with big snake runs, massive hips and banks. Self-governed and self-policed that spot was a forgotten hidden gem in the back of an old classic blue collar neighborhood, ruled only by locals, rippers and burnouts. In other words, I felt right at home. Pads and helmets were shunned and the type of concrete was burlier than 8 grit sandpaper. The bails there were unforgiving and bloody and best healed by pouring beer on the open wound. Each day would end on the top side of the park watching the sunset with every skater sharing beers and smoking joints. That place was so rad. Imo, the worst thing that happened to that place was rehabbing it and reminding people that it's there.

I can't recall who I heard it from but brokeback girl has to be the best term for that ever.

Yeah that was pretty clever

No problem. No U in Bolder Ink though just fyi.

Shameless bump for good buddy Dan Nelson @ Greenpoint Tattoo in Brooklyn

Ishmael Johnson in Ft Collins, and both Rising Tide and Bolder Ink in Boulder. - - - Updated - - - From your description of tattoo ideas I would say that Thidemann @Mammoth or Brian @Bolder would both be good choices to consider.

Hello fellow Coloradan Denver shops worth noting; Landmark, Lifetime, Mammoth American, Th'ink Tank

Probably not a lot to find out there besides logo tats, but let's still try to keep it interesting and original-ish instead of a exact duplication of the Santa Cruz hand or something. @Graeme inspired thread after reading of his recent skateboard purchase. Of course there is the Grime one, definitely one of my faves Not a shameless plug, just an awesome tat to share by Pee Wee The above having been said, I still feel compelled to include this Jim Phillips one from Dave Regan That's all I have at this moment, it's been a busy morning. I'll post more as I recall seeing or finding good ones.

I have a holiday version available...