Tattoo Shop Confessions

My bread and butter

2012-02-28T15:15:00.000-08:00

Valkyrie at night

Tattoo match maker

2012-02-24T14:19:00.000-08:00

Spring is on it's way!
It definitely has been picking up at the shop, and since I am down a man- Adam is in Brazil tattooing I have had to pick up some slack and Harry has been out too! I am busy tending to my own people, and fielding the new clients that have been coming in. When people come in looking for something specific, I know who they should go to. We are well rounded at this shop offering up a variety of approach's to techniques, but I think I am very intuitive when it comes to matching up tattooee with tattooer.
You can always tell when this goes wrong on peoples tattoos. A man came in earlier today that got a tattoo at a tattoo convention, needless to say his tattoo went South. It needs major correction. He said that he and his artist didn't communicate properly and now has a busted tattoo. Maybe that is what happened, miscommunication. It happens.
Yet, you need to make sure what you want is what the artist can do naturally. Don't ask for a color piece from a black and grey guy and vice versa! Don't be hasty people! There is actually a tattoo convention going on this weekend right around here. Hopefully not too many people make this mistake.

Profuse Thanks and stuff

2012-01-26T13:43:00.000-08:00

Freya

I have been going back and forth on some things since that last eclipse we had, and one thing that comes to mind everyday is my gratitude for what I have in my life. I thank Freya every time this comes to mind and repeat thank you thank you thank you. And she knows what I am referring too- It is the abundance that comes before me- The clients, the tattoos the ideas they bring to me, the money, the love, the support. I am so fucking grateful! I know I have this strong will that out weighs my logic (I have had my palm read to support this ) and I have this crazy determination that runs deep for me- I will dig a well with a spoon if I had to. But when I was putting this shop together I prayed to Freya for aid. I believe she heard my call and is still at my side. I drew this Valkyrie Tattoo poster two months ago. I made it into a window decal that graces our front door, so when you walk thru it you are blessed with good fortune. Hence the overflowing cup with Runes of awesomeness....
A little lesson on palm reading:
So on your hand look at your thumb, on the example photo here, number 1 is your will and number 2 is your logic. If one area is bigger over the other that determines if you are more logical or stronger in will.
The top part of my thumb is way longer than the base of it!

Some things I would like to tattoo in 2012

2012-01-06T12:17:00.000-08:00

Here is a list of some things I would like to tattoo more of for 2012

~Russian dolls
~Birds
~More animals such as tigers and such
~Inanimate objects
~Japanese imagery

~Designs based from textiles
~Metal band logos
~Celtic or Viking designs

~Ancient art history stuff
like She-wolf (above)
~Black and grey floral work
~Egyptian art

If you are interested in any of these ideas, contact me!

a HEAP of 1000 drawings!

2011-12-29T14:25:00.000-08:00

Maybe it is the new year that's coming on, but I am feeling sentimental!
Every once in awhile I go through my sketch file- which consists of a envelope about the size of 24" by 36".
I tend to dive into it about once a year, clean out the garbage, sift through the sketches that didn't make it as a tattoo, wish they were a tattoo...I started collecting the drawings in 2005 they are pretty much my keepers- drawings that I can still learn from. I have such an abundance I am thinking about turning them into a book. This idea dawned on me when a customer asked me what I did with all the drawings- I told her they just get shoved in a folder to collect dust and mold and their fate is basically to get wrinkly.

some wierd ones from 07

my pile

Perhaps their future is to finally be put on the skin and be brought into day light!

2011-12-08T14:43:00.000-08:00

Pocket Watch Nov/11

Here is a recent sketch I came up with for a pocket watch tattoo. And here is another sketch of that Sacred Geo piece I did that I posted on FB.
And don't forget to read that blog before this one, it is about placements for tattoos. :)

tattoo PLACEMENT

2011-12-06T13:48:00.000-08:00

I am pretty sire I have not written about this before, but the other night this idea popped into my head around 2 am and I basically could not go to sleep. I think because earlier that day someone came in and wanted a tattoo done somewhere on their arm, that just didn't work. I find myself saying the same thing over and over to people that come in.
The typical places that are difficult to tattoo and heal are : The feet, the hands (fingers and palms) the neck side and back, The elbow etc.
I tattoo on the feet all the time. I am a confident foot tattooer and as long as the client takes care of it, there is usually not a problem with this area.
But when it comes to the other trouble zones, like the hands I usually won't tattoo someone there unless they are already heavily tattooed and know the deal. That is the same rule I have for the neck too. But the reason I don't tattoo the neck is because that could ruin someone's life if they are not in the tattoo business. Having a neck tattoo puts you in a different area of society, well it used to anyway but now it looks like young people put tattoos on their necks anyway, which I think is bad form from the artist.
Now I want to talk about the arm. I see this all the time on people and it is so fucked up. When doing a big piece on the arm like a sleeve, the elbow can be the hardest spot to address on the arm. I often refer to this area as no mans land. Basically I think it is best just to do fill work around the elbow with like back ground or some subtle shading. Never put and important part of the piece like a head of a figure on the elbow. This most certainly will look like shit in a very short amount of time. The skin texture is so wrinkly there. So If you are going to do a troll I suppose that could work there. If you are not at the caliber of tattooing as say like Shige, Phillip Leu or Paul Booth just stay out of there.

Gypsy Jen

2011-11-19T14:58:00.000-08:00

Can you see the man's head in this one?

Some things I like to do while tattooing ( and for no additional cost):
~Interpret dreams (especially the re-occuring ones)
~Bio water interpretation, that is when I look into my rinse cup and see the different swirling colors from the different pigments. They usually make some interesting shapes. I've seen fetuses for example.
~Paper towel Rorschach tests. This is when I unfold the paper towel and see what ink blot pattern is made from the color and wiping.
~After I am done tattooing (I am usually very messing) I have ink spills on the floor, those also take shape sometimes and the most recent one was a single drop that turned into a skull. I tried to take a picture of it but it is elusive.

2011-11-10T18:21:00.000-08:00

Here is a picture of me from 2001. It was taken by the lovely tattoo artist Flo Amblard from Paris. We took this in San Francisco. I have more tattoos by now. I will have to post a current pic.

Diligence

2011-11-10T17:58:00.000-08:00

ONE OF MY HEROS!

This is how I feel about tattooing.
Making art or music is one of those things were you need crazy drive and determination.
Not too many people have that. Most people's actions are fleeting.
You got to stick to something till you see it through to the end.
Be passionate about what you do and have something to show for it.
Work hard at what you believe in and don't give up.
Stay focused and put the time and energy into it.
Who gives a shit what others may think.
Create and destroy, conquer and dominate!

Gandalf

2011-11-02T15:39:00.000-07:00

Does anyone want a portrait of Gandalf? This is the picture I would like to use.

just for Helloween

2011-10-27T14:06:00.000-07:00

BAPHOMET

HOLY DIVER

Here is some close ups on a sleeve on my boyfriend that I have been working on for three years now. The Baphomet was my idea. I think it was like our 3rd date or something. This piece has been a lot of fun to work on! Nothing like gettin' the demons out. For the both of us!
On the front of his arm (not pictured) we have a Medusa, you can see her arm above the pentagram- that was his idea to get her, which I love, cause you know Medusa's story right? She cursed men and they turned into stone when they looked at her! I wish I had that ability! So, I think the piece can be appreciated by men and women.

2011-10-24T17:35:00.000-07:00

Here is an article I can agree with :

http://www.livestrong.com/article/180816-non-toxic-tattoo-ink-ingredients/

I use Eternal ink. I have never had a problem with it before, and I know others that use it, that swear by it. But when it comes to any ink- there is no guarantee. Most people by now know that if someone has a problem with a certain color it is most always red. There is something in the red that can cause problems with the healing- I am not exactly sure why, but I came up with this idea- the molecular structure of the pigment red is the biggest and most potent. Plus there is other reasons. You can do a red test by putting the ink on top of your skin and letting it dry, after wipe it off and see if there is an irritation, but still I am not sure how accurate this test is.
It is a bummer too, I use red so much of my pieces...

2011-10-11T14:16:00.000-07:00

I got into the shop this morning and straight to the answering machine and email and I have 4 cancellations this week! One person is sick, something came up etc. So, I am going to post on here, work on the website and do some facebooking.

Here is a beautiful picture form one of my clients who got a celestial back piece, stunning, I know!

Tattoo reading list

2011-10-09T13:57:00.000-07:00

Here is a list of my favorite tattoo books to further your tattoo education. Some of these books are old school... came from the era when I first start tattooing which was not that long ago but considered old school by now. They are not in any particular order and there is so many awesome books out there! Some of these books are on technique which be of interest to someone that wants to learn to tattoo. Although even if you are just a collector I think they are good books to read.
~ Bodies of Subversion (a secret history of women and tattoo)
~Sailor Jerry American Tattoo Master
~TattooTime : Art from the heart
~Vintage tattoos by Carol Clerk
~Tattooing A to Z Huck Spaulding
~Electric Tattooing by Women (Madame Chinchilla 2003) (I am in this book!)
~ The total tattoo book by Amy Krakow
~The Tattooed Lady by Amelia Klem Osterid

Constant

2011-10-05T17:50:00.000-07:00

I have been having a pretty good time the past few weeks doing tattoos on some really cool people. I have a drawing here to share that I tattooed on this guy who is/was a guitarist for a pretty well know band actually. I often get to tattoo people that are in bands or are transitioning and need to be placed in a band. I want to link people up sometimes because I believe in the need to create and creating needs to be supported! We MUST support our bands and when they are local, I totally believe in supporting that too. Ok so anyway I came up with this design- he wanted a treble clef but after talking with him I drew this ornate one with the creatures in it. It seemed to fit his personality. I will post the tattoo when I get a good healed pic of it.

I tattooed another musician who is quite talented who also needs to get another band together. I did a wonderful Norse image, It is a outline but I think it works quite well as a line drawing. I love talking with musicians about music and band dynamics! I never have played an instrument before I am sure I would suck at it, but I am so into bands! I think it would be fun to be a band therapist like Dr. Twinkletits.
When I was in high school I actually took a music appreciation class on classical music of course. My favs are Mozart, Chopin, Wagner and Beethoven just to name a few.

And lastly my niece gave me a tattoo on my hand yesterday, here it is:
I especially enjoy the blood drops from the arrow part. My niece is a good little artist.

Five rules for tattooed people

2011-09-23T13:50:00.000-07:00

Can't have this month go by without writing...
So, I want to write a short but sweet and hopefully funny piece on tattoo etiquette. I could write a book on this matter, and I have journals upon it...Maybe one day when I am not consumed by drawing and tattooing.
If you follow this blog I have written before on this subject but to keep it fresh here it goes again and forgive me because I have had a long week already and it is only Thursday evening, so basically I hope not to come off as a rant. This is sorta a addendum to my tips on getting tattoos blog. But I am going to set it up like a rules list, kinda like the one that guy had on Zombie land. Man, that movie had such an awesome intro.

Rule #1 Like Mom used to say if you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all. This would apply to if you see a tattoo you think is ugly, don't say it. It's rude and it can make someone hate their piece. In most cases loved ones will tell their spouse they don't like their others' tattoo and it is obnoxious for obvious reasons. If you need explanations why this is, send my an email I will wrap it real nicely for you. Which brings me to Rule #2 When you bring your spouse to the shop with you for support, it is best if they are quite in the back ground and YOU are the one who decides where the tattoo is going etc....
Now I would like to discuss tattoos out on public display. When I am out and about I cover my tattoos so I don't have to engage, since it seems these days that tattoos are a major conversation starter. Everyone is so wrapped up in "what's the meaning behind that tattoo?" Well, there is none, I just thought it would look cool. That's why everyone used to get tattoos, now there has to be this deep meaning behind it. Thank you LA Ink! My point is Rule #3 Not everyone wants to be asked in line at the grocery store-to be put on the spot while ten people are waiting behind you dying to be checked out. Rule #4 Don't ever reach out and touch someones tattoo ( personal space people!) And certainly don't ever touch a lady's tattoo when her man is standing by cause you will probably get punched. Don't even overly stare at a lady with tattoo's cause it's just creepy and "oh, I am just checkin' out your tat's" is a stupid excuse! Let's just go to RULE #5 If you are anybody staring at anyone, just don't do it at all, it's rude. So, basically a lot of these rules are just plan common sense, but most humans need to brush up on their manners anyway!
I will be adding to this list in the future for sure, so let's just focus on the first five and then we will build from there.

The VALkyries

2011-08-16T13:19:00.000-07:00

I may have written a thing about this before, but I compelled to write another report, on my beloved Valkyries! For your Norse mythology entertainment, if you do enjoy this read, good! Cause you should know about the Valkyries!
First off I want to start about my personal connections with the Valkyries- Valkyrie is my spiritual name. It was given to me about 4 years ago, and it was by a woman who looked at me and said " you are so Val." It never dawned on me before, but that is awesome that someone else picked up on it and named it for me. There is only a few people who call me Val actually and I never introduce myself as Val but maybe I should. The Valkyries are so damn cool!

Valkyrie actually means to choose. (Chooser of the honorable slain.) -To choose the slain that have died in battle. Ya, sorta like angels. The Valkyries choose the men that were the bravest of Warriors and ride them off to Valhalla. Valhalla is a whole other subject. The Valkyries are extremely tough and brave themselves. Valkyries are Warrior Goddess as well, and they either may ride in on their horses for extracting the Warriors or they may fly in themselves with wings attached to their bodies. The Valkyries play a vital role in the Norse mythology. I can not write about the Valkyries without mentioning Freya. She is the Queen of the Valkyries. She has her own amazing skills and attributes. And a whole other story on her next time. On the romantic side Valkyries were known to often to fall in love with mortal Hero's. Here is a lovely poem I found :

Darraðarljóð
Describing the fall of Brian Boru to Viking forces at the Battle of Clontarf, 1014

Blood rains from the cloudy web
On the broad loom of slaughter.
The web of man grey as armor
Is now being woven; the Valkyries
Will cross it with a crimson weft.

The warp is made of human entrails;
Human heads are used as heddle-weights;
The heddle rods are blood-wet spears;
The shafts are iron-bound and arrows are the shuttles.
With swords we will weave this web of battle.

The Valkyries go weaving with drawn swords,
Hild and Hjorthrimul, Sanngrid and Svipul.
Spears will shatter shields will splinter,
Swords will gnaw like wolves through armor.

Let us now wind the web of war
Which the young king once waged.
Let us advance and wade through the ranks,
Where friends of ours are exchanging blows.

Let us now wind the web of war
And then follow the king to battle
Gunn and Gondul can see there
The blood-spattered shields that guarded the king.

Let us now wind the web of war
Where the warrior banners are forging forward
Let his life not be taken;
Only the Valkyries can choose the slain.

Lands will be ruled by new peoples
Who once inhabited outlying headlands.
We pronounce a great king destined to die;
Now an earl is felled by spears.

The men of Ireland will suffer a grief
That will never grow old in the minds of men.
The web is now woven and the battlefield reddened;
The news of disaster will spread through lands.

It is horrible now to look around
As a blood-red cloud darkens the sky.
The heavens are stained with the blood of men,
As the Valkyries sing their song.

We sang well victory songs
For the young king; hail to our singing!
Let him who listens to our Valkyrie song
Learn it well and tell it to others.

Let us ride our horses hard on bare backs,
With swords unsheathed away from here!

And then they tore the woven cloth from the loom and ripped it to pieces, each keeping the shred she held in her hands... The women mounted their horses and rode away, six to the south and six to the north.

And more Valkyrie entertainment

Crazy amounts of lettering

2011-08-10T14:44:00.000-07:00

Shakespeare Sonnet

So when she first came to me and wanted this lettering, she handed me this typed up, so it was about two paragraphs long. She wanted it on her arm or ribs, but after I looked at the length of words, I knew that was going to be impossible. I told her that lettering has to be a certain size or else it just bleeds together and becomes illegible. I worked on it and the typed up version became a foot and half long with a foot or so in span across. It was so much bigger than what she thought it would, but this is the only way to make this amount of lettering work. I also told her I thought the only place it would work would be on her back, since it is the flattest, workable space on the body. Lettering on the ribs is really hard, it curves and keeping it on a straight line is so impossible. That goes with pretty much everywhere else on the body too. The body is an organic shape and to have something perfectly straight and type set can look really rigid on a body...This was also her first tattoo, and I think after our consulting we really agreed upon the outcome of this piece. It sucks to do lettering small, and sometimes I have to because the clients insists. Another thing about this piece is there is a liability for typos! It was so hard for me to get into a flow on the piece because I spell checked it a hundred times, and then while I was tattooing it I kept spell checking cause I was so afraid to misspell something. Anyway this tattoo was very hard for me to do. It took three sittings total to complete and we are talking about adding to it. This piece really made my wrist cramp up and I don't think I would take on another piece like that in the future. I don't want anyone getting ideas that this kind of piece just flows from me effortlessly! :)

I just discoverd that you can click on the photos and the pictures opens up larger in a new window!

2011-08-10T13:38:00.001-07:00

Hoardin' tattoos!

2011-08-10T13:33:00.000-07:00

My Hero, Lemmy. If I could have a conversation with anyone it would be him!

Here is a pic of my altar above my station

Last night during my last appointment, me and my client got into a conversation about why we get tattooed and what getting tattooed is like. I said there is so many different reasons why to get something tattooed. But later that night- I think I may have been going to sleep, I thought of one reason why I get tattooed and I think it is so I don't forget! I can look at each of my tattoos and know and remember almost exactly what I was going through at that time. I am like a tattoo hoarder!

Back in the saddle

2011-08-04T19:27:00.000-07:00

This design was inspired by a vintage suitcase!

I recently went to Portland Oregon and got back early this week. It was nice to give my hand a break from working. I was hoping my callous on my knuckle would go away since I was taking a week off from tattooing, but no such luck. It is here to stay. I gotta adjust the screws on my machine and do some other work to it. The weight of machine rests on my index knuckle and it is kinda fucking it up. That is just one of the many things on my list to do.
So, here is two pieces I completed before I left. Some nice feminine pieces that suited these ladies very well, I thought.

It has been kinda quite around the shop lately, no wierdos have been really coming in, I have not had to kick anyone out or anything. It has been pleasant. Tattoos have been gettin' done smoothly...I even had time to figure out what I am going to do with that eggplant in my fridge. I'm thinking about coating it in polenta and sauteing it...Any who back to tattoo stuff. I have not watched the new LA ink. I just can't bring myself to cause I am busy watching renovation realities. That is my guilty pleasure. I hate TV and watch a minimal amount- I get enough entertain from watching humans trying to drive down the street. That's one thing I noticed in Oregon, people can't drive for shit there! Oh, and I noticed there was a shit ton of joggers there and the guys go shirtless there and some of them should put their shirt on! I think that is funny that guys go shirtless and it's totally fine, but women can't. Wierd. Another side note you know what show I really want to see?, It's that one about guys growing there beards, I think it's called whisker something. I gotta look it up right now. I can't miss that!

Immortality

2011-07-21T14:11:00.000-07:00

Just a few months ago, I tattooed this very nice lady that had stage four cancer and she was going through her bucket list. She wanted to get a lady bug tattoo and I was all for it! We ended up tattooing a quartet of ladybugs, since she was in the choir. I also tattooed her daughter- a ladybug with mom in it and her birth year.

Well, her daughter came in and told me Mom passed away this week. It is sad but I am honored to be part of her journey. I am really happy to be a part of these things with people in their lives.
It makes me think of my own mortality. The impermanence of everything.

Freya, revered Goddess of the Vanir

2011-07-15T14:30:00.000-07:00

Here is a new painting I just completed. It is my favorite Goddess of all, Freya. She is the Queen of the Valkyries. She taught witchcraft to the women, and had a cloak that would make her invincible. This is just some of her many talents she possessed. Needless to say she is the Woman! So, My idea was to do like an old beat up photograph, like a picture a viking would keep in his possession, to look at after battle or before bed to keep his spirit alive.

Like many of my paintings it is for sale. Is someone wants it, come get it. I am now showing it at our art show that is currently on display at the shop. We have some other works on display from the other people that work here and are a part of the shop.
I say this often, but any amount of payment for a piece of art usually does not even come close to the amount of work that was put into a painting. Haggling for art is so lame. It is an insult to the artist. I could just go and on about this... It has been a long time since I have sold a painting. When I lived in San Francisco I sold a lot of artwork. Probably every other month I sold a piece. There was a great venue there for paintings. I miss that. I even got commissions there. I think I am so busy with managing my shop and staying on top of business matters it cuts into my painting time, but sometimes I get my butt in gear and can bust out three new pieces in two weeks.

So, here is the Freya piece, I put my heart into.

Thank you Freya for being by my side and blessing me with prosperity!

2011-07-13T13:39:00.000-07:00

I have been a busy bee creating some new artworks, that are not tattoos for once. I have a piece that is a found nature project. I call it Tulum Mothra. I found the moth dying in my front yard, and thought about giving it a burial but I thin it makes good reference so I shadow boxed it with a stick I found on the beach in Mexico. I am posting this pic of it that I took, and photo-shoped it. I thought it was neat that you can see my hands and camera lens in the reflection. The other piece is from my drawings for tattoos that I glued onto a old abstract painting then sealed it with resin. I have one more piece of art to show, but I will post that in a couple of days.

2011-06-24T21:46:00.000-07:00

Quite a few blogs happening this month...Perhaps I have a lot on my mind or something, or maybe June is an active month this time around...It is Friday night, I have had some beers and there is a nice tempting country band happening across the street, but I am gonna pass on that since I have already had a guilty pleasure tonight- a lot of beer. And besides I think I have had enough of people. What I mean by that is at the shop we have had quite a bit of flake outs. I personally have had a nasty patch of people not showing to their appointments which I find utterly annoying. And I was hoping it would not be contagious to the guys here, but oh my, I am afraid to say- maybe it has! Oh, Goddess forbid! Ya, I speculate people are price haggling to go for a cheap tattoo, but you remember that saying from Sailor Jerry- cheap tattoos aren't good and good tattoos aren't cheap? If not refer to the blog I wrote about that, it is in the archives. Now remember I absolutely love this business of tattooing, I live for it, but once again on behalf of all the tattooers out there, some of the annoying occurrences IE: flaking, people not knowing what they really want, price haggling, etc, totally lame! FYI.
I am going to leave it at that for now. I think my cats need to be fed or something, or I need or wash my hair. No but seriously, I am going to hear that band outside the window like I am window shopping and let it take my worries away about people not taking us seriously. We are standing by to do Epic Tattoos, by the Goddess' will!

Valkyrie turns 3!

2011-06-22T15:28:00.000-07:00

Well this month is the 3rd anniversary of Valkyrie. I was pretty determined to make it three years, but it is pretty exciting for me and kinda crazy at the same time. I have always wanted my own shop for a variety of reasons, mainly cause other shops sucked. I do have a more eloquent way of putting it, but that is just my cynical side coming out. But anyway I really would like to give profuse thanks to all the people that have supported the shop and the people that work here for the last three years. Our friends and family and the new and old clients, I can not thank you enough. We get so many referrals by all of you and that really supports us here. That's what keeps this place going. I would like to libate you all! Blessed be!

Summer Solstice merry meet!

2011-06-21T18:47:00.001-07:00

The Keeper of the mead
Came carrying out the carved flasks, 
And poured that bright sweetness.  A poet
Sang, from time to time, in a clear
Pure voice.
   BEOWULF: 493-497

Sketch work up

2011-06-21T12:38:00.000-07:00

I still have not caught that stupid gopher. He is a smart F'er! The garden looks good anyway. I will post pics of it soon. I have been growing hops which is new for me, and they are growing ok for now. Growing plants is a hobby of mine that I am really passionate about. I actually am going for a certificate in garden design. It plays a role somewhere in the background of my life and it will take years to achieve, but perhaps later into the future it could be more at the forefront of my life. Another thing that is new that I am enjoying on my days off from the shop is studying martial arts. I am taking a karate class at a friends studio that is actually in Penngrove. I can not say enough good things about this instructor. I will add a link to his information.

So about shop stuff. I am working on a sketch right now for a big piece to cover a clients stomach. We did a traditional eagle on his chest and the next part is to get a snake on his front. These are the two preliminary sketches I have been working on. The first one on the left was the the beginning and I ran out of paper for the top of the snakes head. I also could not figure out which angle I want the tail to land at but as you can see form the second sketch I figured that out. I still need to show my client these sketches! I am posting them on this blog first. ha.

       Here is the second sketch. I already tattooed a eagle on his chest so you can see were I marked off the tail feathers. The next step is to have him in here to see how it actually fits his body.
        I will most likely do two more drawings of this before I start to tattoo it. See how much effort goes into this! There is so much time that goes into the drawing before it even gets tattooed! I think a lot of people don't realize what it takes to get a tattoo set up. I recently heard an artist friend say fro every hour of tattoo there is three hours of draw time- behind the scenes stuff. And people think we get paid so well!
        On another note it is only 12:30 and it is already 81 degrees in the shop. That's gonna suck for me and my 4o'clock!
Well, enjoy the hot weather and Happy Summer Solstice!
and don't forget to tip your tattooist! :)

Medusa!

2011-06-14T19:28:00.000-07:00

Here' one I have been working on for the past few months. It will be a 3/4 sleeve when we are done. We only have a few sittings left. I will post the finished pics when I finally finish it. There is another woman in a frame in the inside of the arm. I really enjoy working on a design like this!

2011-06-09T19:21:00.000-07:00

Man, if one more person pulls a no show on me!!!
That's like a pet peeve of mine- it's one of the worse things that happen to me at the shop. I think I can deal with drunks that come in better than a flake. Seriously. I find it easy to tell a drunk 50 something year old man to scram easier than dealing with how I feel when somebody flakes.Yes, I charge people $50. for not giving me proper notice, but that still does not cover the time that I set aside for that person. I set up my station for them. I did the artwork for their piece...and they flake out! Totally lame. It says to me that they don't care about their piece as much as I do. Anyway don't flake out on me, cause it obviously pisses me off. Ok, I just had to complain.

2011-06-08T14:36:00.000-07:00

Finally, it is sunny around here! It's like we have had a six month winter... Things are the same ole same ole around here. Everyone is hearin' about the gopher that keeps destroying my gardens... I 've been in this battle with gophers for months now, and I'm a second away from sittin' in the dark all night with beer and a pellet gun. I know, the redneck in me is coming out but it is maddening! Ok, so anyway here is a restoration project I did today.

This was done on my friend who told me she wanted to get the same tattoo as her Dad got way back when. We think it was done in the 30's or 40's. So Dad has the original skunk. and I had to make out and trace the lines from his arm and then transfer it into a design that is readable!
Her Dads name is Jim. We made it as close to the original as possible. I put the green in on the bottom like the original has. I think it's like grass or something. I think he is holding something like a stick in his hand, but I just couldn't make that part out, so I left it out. It is the exact same size as Dad's piece too. This is a really sweet Dad/Daughter tattoo.
It is my favorite piece I have done this week!

Lettering

2011-06-01T13:41:00.000-07:00

Lettering has become increasingly popular, it seems...This is a love letter that his gal's grandparents wrote between each other. I felt that this size was appropriate for this piece. But in most cases people want or think they can get lettering- paragraphs- phrases- poems, stories! small! Doing small lettering is the worse!

COVER-UPS

2011-05-03T19:33:00.000-07:00

I wrote a blog about cover ups awhile back, and I lost it somewhere in the black abyss of technical mess ups which I do from time to time with my computer. So here I go again on this one.
When it comes to cover ups there is some educating you have to do sometimes for the person that is looking into a cover up. A lot of the times depending on the old piece, the new cover up has to be bigger than the existing tattoo. A lot of people understand that. But what I find to be the most difficult thing, is people usually don't pick the right image for the cover up. That's the frustrating part. If you are interested in getting a cover up I recommend that you stay OPEN to the possibilities and listen to your artist. Here is some guide lines:

~The new tattoo will be bigger in most cases.
~Using color to cover up usually works great opposed to black and gray.
~Don't try to cover something up with a tribal design.
~Flowers can cover just about anything.
~Don't use an image with a face to cover up something.
~If your old piece is beyond fixing, consider laser removal.
~Consult in depth with your artist about your cover up.

That being said here is the before and after cover I recently worked on. It took us 3 sittings to complete. I build up layers of colors in order to achieve successful covers, so patience is a must.I am pretty happy with how this one turned out.

If you are considering doing a cover up, this is your opportunity to do something awesome and fix a past mistake, so the best advice would be to work with someone really goo and fork out the cash for something outstanding. I have done a cover up of a cover up before! They are the worse!

Sweet emotions

2011-04-26T19:50:00.000-07:00

The last few weeks have been really special around here. I have been hearing some wonderful heartfelt stories lately. A few weeks ago, I was tattooing on this woman, and she was upset because here Grandma was in the hospital with failing health and who knows how it will go...And then there has been all these memorial tattoos that we have been doing around here. I did a really special one tonight actually, I did not know at the time that's what I was doing, but she confided that her Fiance died in December due to a freak accident. She told me the story and it was so sad! This woman is not even 30 years old. She got their birth flowers tattooed on her and told me that coincidently the flowers together meant eternal love. I totally felt for her. We touched on Death a little- which is not unfamiliar around here. It's amazing how Death comes up so often while tattooing. It's a deep subject, maybe that's why. Another gal came in tonight who I consulted with that I am doing a boat load of script on and it was this romantic kinda eerie poem, and she told me that she read that poem and her Grandfathers funeral! I can not wait to do cause I totally see it in my head and I can't wait to execute!

It is funny because through the designing of the tattoo process to actually doing the piece, I realize that I give so much of myself to these people, and at the same time while I am tattooing people they open up and tell me their stories. There is something truely magical about the tattoo chair. I am just honored.

So, I end my night with doing the clean up, put the machines to bed, which I dropped and it landed on my big toe, which hurt super bad, but at least it didn't land on the floor and get damaged, but god damn my toe hurts!

Oh yeah and another thing I heard today while working was " Don't slam Jesus down my throat " !
...awesome!

In progress...

2011-04-19T15:49:00.000-07:00

Here is my station during the working process, it usually is messier looking!

I usually don't like posting in progress pictures, but sometimes it takes forever to get a photo since it takes so many months to finish large pieces. Here is two pieces I am currently working on that I really enjoy.This first picture of the flowers is taking quite sometime. I think we have had four sittings on it already. The last one was the green and the black. We might be half way there! Maybe!

This is the inside of the piece but it wraps all the way around and has a raven on the front mixed in with the sun flowers. We also have had four sittings on it and the last one was for three hours! This guy is tough. He sits like a rock and can really relax into getting worked on. My favorite kinda sitter!

Some new stuff

2011-04-08T15:52:00.000-07:00

Here is some new pictures I took within the last couple of weeks. I did the lock design on a foot recently, but the horse I did awhile ago. I have been spending the last 4 weeks building a new website for the shop, that I am going to launch in the next 2 weeks that I am excited about. I hope to have new photos of recent work on it, but the pieces I have been working on recently are elaborate and require many sittings to complete. I am also working on a cover up that I will post asap.

Q & A

2011-03-14T11:50:00.000-07:00

Usually when I am tattooing I am concentrating and people ask me questions that I can't always answer or think of the answer since I am elbos deep in a tattoo. I am asked the same questions often, and here they are:

      ~How long have you been tattooing for? Since 1998. But sometimes I say; It's my first day.
      ~Whats the strangest thing you have ever tattooed? Well, there is quite a few of those. I tattooed a monk levitating on his penis before. Among some other strange things I have long forgotten.
      ~Where is the strangest place you have ever tattooed, like on a body? I have tattooed everywhere on the human body at this point. I have tattooed a head, a foot, bottom of the foot, hands, fingers, inside of lips, inside of ear.
~Why would anyone get tattooed in such odd places? I really don't know why. People are wierd.
      ~Has anyone ever passed out? Yes! It happens from time to time. You get good at knowing when people are light headed.
~ Will it hurt? Hell yes it will hurt, unless it is on your arm for 20 minutes, and if it hurts you, you are a wussy.( See the post: Hurts so good, It's on pain management )
      ~Will my tattoo fade? Yes, it does naturally over time. You have living ink your skin, that ages as you do so your tattoo will as well!
      ~Is there anything you wont tattoo? Yep, it depends on the situation with the person and it depends on the imagery.
~Does tattooing hurt your back or eyes? Yes, it certainly does. I pretty much have chronic neck and back issues. I see a massage therapist and go to acupuncture on a regular basis.
~Who does your tattoos? I am lucky to be in the business. I have me friends and co.workers do them for me. I am very lucky.
      ~ Are you covered? Yes, I totally am. I have room left on my shins. And yes, that will be covered sometime soon too.

   And here is some other questions asked, but are rare ones.
   ~ Do you get bored while tattooing? No way.
     ~ How many tattoos do you have? I always say I am just tattooed at this point. I don't count them.
   ~ Have you ever tattooed someone drunk before? Ya, and it's totally annoying.
   ~Do people ever cry? Ya, very rare though.
   ~Do people ever fall asleep? Yes, sometimes when they are laying down and getting tattooed. They get very relaxed,so it is possible to sleep.

I am sure there are more, but these seem to be the usual questions asked. And I always answer with the same thing... Enjoy!

Penngrove

2011-03-09T16:22:00.000-08:00

Sometimes people ask me about the location Penngrove. And I absolutely love Penngrove. Sometimes I am amazed at the fortune I have here- never before have I tattooed or lived in the country like this. The shop is bordered by pastures. There is cows and sheep and horses a stones throw from the shop, not to mention chickens too. Less than a block away there is a flock of turkey vultures that roost in the redwood trees, that I love to watch in the morning as they dry their wings out in that Heraldic pose. There is a ton of hawks that are always circling over head.
This is the only spot I have ever tattooed at where my customers bring me fresh eggs from their chickens, or I get fresh produce- lemons, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers...I am almost getting used to it.

The history on Penngrove is that it as an old farm town. It is at the foot of the Sonoma Mountains and it was a freight train station back in the late 1800's early 1900's. The train station was the North western pacific railroad. Penngrove was the center of egg and chicken farming back then. Not so much anymore, but it is still a total little farm town. The population of Penngrove now is 3,764. Slowly but surely getting more populated as the years go by. I found this old picture I wanted to post. It is not a very good picture but it is the only one I found. If I find more, I will post it.

Grandpa

2011-03-08T18:58:00.000-08:00

I have been meaning to write more about my days at the shop, but as always the time I have for drawing alone is a challenge, so I guess writing is the last of priorities around here... I found picture of me tattooing my Grandpa back in '01 that I thought was awesome. He past away years ago, but what a treat to tattoo him. I remember I was so nervous. He was pretty stern back in the day so I found it interesting to be tattooing him. It was such an awesome bonding experience, I will never ever forget.

If I could...

2011-02-22T11:44:00.000-08:00

If I could tattoo like anyone else it would be Filip Leu. I think his stuff is the best. I think he could tattoo anyway he wants to. He is a tattoo magician to me. Great skills that I can only hope to be like.

Hurts so good.

2011-02-21T21:20:00.000-08:00

Lately we've been talking about pain management around the shop and throwing out ideas on how to manage the pain during the tattoo. But to be frank, It f'n hurts and the best thing to do is buck up. I used to not tell people the tattoo would hurt but it usually does. Unless the tattoo only takes 20 minutes to do....Here is some reccomendations I always tell people for preparation.
#1. Always eat food first before!
#2. Get some rest the night before and don't be hungover. Unless you don't want your endorphins (natural pain killers) to kick in.
#3. Work on your breathing techniques and just try to enjoy the experience.

Those are some things that come in handy for getting a tattoo. Some people have said they have tried asprin or ibuprofen, but really that does'nt do anything. Some people want a numbing cream, which is silly becuase part of earning the tattoo is going through the pain. Especially if you aren't getting a sleeve. If you are getting a huge piece well then you have some complaining rights here and there.

I personally hate the idea of numbing creams for a tattoo. I am old school like that. I remember years ago this lady came into the shop and she was so worried about the pain and she told me she was a nurse and wanted to shoot herself up with lidacaine or something, and I was like ok, whatever so she did that and a few minutes later there was 3 little holes surrounding where I was tattooing her that swelled up and just interfered with my area I was working in. Needless to say I never did that ever again, nor has anyone ever asked to do that. Wierd.

The other thing is when you do get a large tattoo it is straining on your system to endure that pain even if you are relaxed so I always tell people to eat some food after a big piece, also the emergeC packets that have 1000 grams of Vitamin C are also totally awesome after you get a tattoo, or if you are like me, a nice cold beer will suffice! Ha!

All in all, If you are tough, you earn points and you are an easier subject to work on and your piece will come out cleaner and nicer!

Back in "57

2011-01-25T11:58:00.000-08:00

The first time I met this old timer was last summer. He wanted a fly tattooed on his leg. I think that's the first and only time I have tattooed a fly on someone. He told me that he wanted to get a lamp pole by his only tattoo that he got back in '57. He pulled up his sleeve to reveal a tattoo done by Doc Webb. I was pretty stoked! So this winter I added the pole 50+ years later!
This cat is awesome. Tattooing him was so cool. He told me he worked at San Quintin for 30 years as a guard and boy, did he have stories! I wish this tattoo took longer to do so I could hear him talk.
What a character!

2011-01-22T11:10:00.000-08:00

I will write and post new pics very soon. It's been very busy tattooing and attending classes. I am taking a color theory class, because I am getting old and remembering certain techniques somehow leave my memory so I hope to be executing some new fresh ideas for color tattoos. But I will post a short thing I wrote awhile back. It will be underneath this post. And hopefully I will get a new pic up today too!

Some people compare my job to a bartender

2011-01-22T11:08:00.000-08:00

The same as usual at the shop these days. I have heard some good stories lately while working away. I was doing a tattoo the other day and the gal had a friend with her and they were chattin' it up while I was tattooing, they were carrying on with their conversation- I love it. This is when I am tattooing with my head down hearing tid bits of whatever drama happens in these people's lives... So anyway the tattooee's friend said " Do you remember that 21 year old I made out with at the bar awhile back? (She was an older gal) And the chick I am tattooing is like ya, And the other chicks all, ya well he text me the other day and it said " Hey do you want to give me head tonight?" (Haha.) And the chick was like I haven't talked to that guy in months. Good thing my boyfriend didn't know I got that text.
Ah man, I hear shit like that all the time. Its pretty awesome.

Dio - Holy Diver

2011-01-14T16:33:00.000-08:00

this is so awesome, DIO makes me want to do better tattoo's.

2010-12-22T12:20:00.000-08:00

Valkyrie sketch
Started Tattoo Nov 2010

PEGASUS

2010-12-22T12:03:00.000-08:00

Let the artist be an artist.

2010-12-09T13:25:00.001-08:00

Some things have been coming up around the shop the past couple of months that seem to be circleing around the same thing. In blogs past, I have written an article on tips for getting tattoos, but with this latest flush coming to the surface, I think I shall expand on it. On behalf of all the tattooers and myself out there I am going to write a bit on letting the artist be an artist.

This may be hard for some clients, that are a bit controlling, or think they have the best ideas for a tattoo,- but clients and artists that specifically do not know what it is like to do a tattoo or draw one should basically leave it up to the tattoo artist.
There is a lot of things about the skin and body that artists and people that don't tattoo, just don't know about. Not too mention that there is this whole world of needles, pigment, tubes, stretching the skin- all the technical stuff that goes along with tattooing. And here is the big one for tattoos; What would it look like in 5, 10 or 20 years from now? That's what goes on in our tattooers mind while are constructing a design for a tattoo. All the while, trying to come up with what our client has asked for.
So, as you can imagine, it takes great contemplation and concentration on coming up with a striking tattoo that will knock everyone's socks off.
To be frank, I believe that if my clients tell me what they want in the simplest of words, with perhaps a piece of reference that they are going for, I can take it from there and design something lovely with the freedom to create it as I please. I have some clients that are exactly like this and the piece ends up having better energy.
Sometimes I have clients that are really picking and I am always up for the challenge, but they do not know what it is like to actually tattoo. They do not know skin tones like I do, and sometimes, I have to tell them I would recommend doing something elce.
Another thing that happens for some clients that are getting a big piece done, and they only come in a couple times a year or even once a month, they will change their mind about coloration or throw in a whole other idea to this mix. This is really tough. It is hard to make it flow in this case, but when it's someones body, you aim to please. So stick to the plan, and don't bring in a new idea or reference material for something completely different. Your piece can look all over the place if that was your approach to the design. Being concise is key!

I would prefer a viking funeral but this may do.

2010-12-03T17:50:00.000-08:00

Winter time musings

2010-12-01T13:51:00.000-08:00

Winter is just about here and the shop has finally slowed down...Now there is time to finish incomplete drawings that have been shoved to the back that are all crumpled up, or I may even break my painting fast which has lasted way too long...Or better yet, I myself can get that tattoo I have wanted for so long. I have wanted this viking ship tattooed on my thigh with a boar in the sail. I swear I am going to do it soon. I will show you pics. I am doing it next month, I just decided. And ya, I'm scared cause I am old now and am sensitive. I think once your body is 75% tattooed, it really starts to kill. Pain adds up over time.

So, I was reminiscing on what I could write about, and I was taken back to the time I was tattooing in San Francisco. (I have a lot of memories during those days, hella bad ones and good ones too)But I worked at this shop on Gough street, which was in the ghetto. The projects were across the street, but then you go up 2-3 blocks and your in this this nice restaurant/bar strip with nice folks walking around. Well, I worked there for a year with this guy Pickens who is by far hands down my favorite artist I have ever worked with, I might add.
And one day I was working in the shop and I look at our door and in our stoop there was a crack head huddled, crouched down smoking crack. It was a big plume of stagnant smoke that filled the small entrance way and I ran up on the door from inside and kicked it and told him to get the fuck outta there! I was so pissed! I could smell it even. There was this nasty smell of crack that was lingering. I believe that is when I really got into smudgeing- burning sage and using other herbal sprays to clear out negative energy stuffs. That was the first time that I started thinking, this shop is not going to last very long apparently. That was also the shop with the prostitute that came in there, that I previously tattooed at another shop, and she did not recognize me cause she was a heroin junky.
Well months after that crack smoking event to my shop entrance, The shop was robbed at gun point. All they got was my buddy's digital camera. Ha! But that's when we decided to call it quits on that shop. It was kinda a bummer cause I did like that shop. It was just 2 of us, and we ran it. It was really mellow, and we listened to Metal. I remember that we put a pool table down in the basement. There also was a beautiful coffin in the basement. And I actually had a photo shoot in that coffin. There was a big screen tv down there with a stereo, so I could put on some loud death metal and enjoy the coffin. Yes, I have a morbid side. I will have to dig up the photo's to see if I can post one of the coffin. I will add that to my list of things to do while I am enjoying the slowness. I also had 3 cancellations for the week, so I shall have some spare time indeed!

Lost touch

2010-11-10T18:40:00.000-08:00

Ok, I have not blogged in a while now, but I was having all this website drama and it is sorta worked out for the most part now...I hope anyway. I am moving the blog back to blogspot since that seems to be more stable. So I plan on writing tidbits again. And I will have time now, since it slows down a bit here in the fall and winter. So, stay connected!
Above is a picture of a finished tattoo of that sketch I posted a few blogs back!

Decompressing...

2010-11-10T18:35:00.001-08:00

Wowie! What a week. Or I should say, wowie, what a crazy past few weeks. It has been one tattoo after another. Drawing, tattooing, sterilizing, emails, phone calls, consultations, scrubbing the toilet. Yes, I did that today. Somebody has to do it. Anyway, I have been plugging away. It is a lot, but I live for that shit. Not the toilet bit, though. Maybe I should find someone that will trade for cleaning that for a tattoo.

The past few weeks I have been tattooing a lot, and still lately, a lot of women have been coming in for pretty elaborate work. It is incredible. Last week I started a back piece on a gal, and I think she sat for 4 hours outlining it. That is better than I can do. Fuck sitting for more than 2 hours!

I have been having a great week, enjoying doing the tattoos, and sharing stories with the people that I tattoo. It has been kinda intense. I have heard stories of affairs, anxiety dreams, job losses, Alcoholism... And I can relate. I also am an open book, I say. I chalk it up to- this is normal life stuff. Or typical life stuff. Sharing these stories can only help one another. Can't pretend it's not really happening.

I really do enjoy this closeness, bonding with another human. I think it is better, than to not. That is my outlook on life in general. But I understand that while doing a tattoo on someone, there is a special connection happening. Holy shit! I am so lucky! I can't believe I get to do this everyday. But yes, it is hard. It takes a lot of energy for me. To hold that energy of taking care of someone, for being so responsible of the outcome of their piece and experience while under the needle. I take this seriously, I really do. The clients deserve the best, and if I do not deliver, I will beat myself up for days.

I am trying to stay on track here, and have a focused article here, but I have had a long day, I have not eaten much at all, and to finalize my day I am drinking a stout, and a lot has happened in the past few weeks. It can be a challenge to wrap it up in a nice little package here. Ya, I should be drinking water, since I have been dehydrated and have had a headache for days too. Ha! Whatever. The pain we cause ourselves, or put ourselves through. But, I would like to say that I would not want it any other way. Blessed be. Good nite and I love you!

keeping your tattooed skin healthy

2010-11-10T18:33:00.001-08:00

I have some simple tips that will help keep your new tattoo looking fresh and radiant, and some helpful ideas to keep your older ones healthy. It is easier for me to give advice on this than take it for myself, but I hope to set a good example here. So I have been making an effort to preserve my tattoos and I have found some things that really work.

If you have a new tattoo, please follow or read the aftercare instructions I have on the blog here.

Once your tattoo is healed, hopefully, it will live happily ever after in your skin. With all the toxins going around in the world these days, your skin could be the first to react since it is the largest living organ on your body. (maybe your intestines are second? I'm not sure) So anyway back to skin, Always, always wear sunblock. This is important. When you are in the sun all day or even mild sun exposure, make sure to lube up with the sun block. It will keep your tattoos brighter, but since tattoo's that are colored or black, I think they attract more sun rays to your skin, doing more damage to it. It is possible to get skin cancer in your tattoo, so protect it. The best thing is to keep it covered with your clothes, but if that's not an option invest in a good sunblock.

Next, is if you have dry skin over or near your tattoo, which so many of us do, such as eczema,psoriasis, etc. you need to invest in a good lotion. There are some lotions that are awesome for this and I recommend Aveeno, or Curel which are not totally organic, but for all natural and organic spend the money on Alba. Its a blue and white bottle called very emmolient. If your tattoo is dry and itchy, the last thing you want to do is scratch all over the top of it shredding your top layers of skin. It can puff up the lines or various spots on the tattoo causing a raised effect that can come and go during the life of your tattoo. This also can happen due to sun exposure. Another possiblility to keep your skin nice is by taking supplements vitamin E or C. But you need to talk this over with someone to make sure that's the right supplement for you. You can also tone your skin with witch hazel. It's affordable and it works awesome.

Another thing is if you ever get a mosquito or other bug/spider bite or poison oak on a tattoo, the worse thing you can do is scratch at it and mess with it. You need to treat the bite and perhaps cover it and really work on getting it healed. This has happened to me before on my arm. I had gotten bitten and I scratched it and it made my tattoo blow up two inches around the bite. It really pissed off the tattoo. So be sure to treat that right away.

I hope you find this helpful, If you have any questions, or anything to add to this for that matter, please email me.

Thanks, and take care of your tattooed skin!

Art therapy

2010-11-10T18:31:00.001-08:00

Some clients/friends call and tell me, they need to get tattooed asap. They say that they need the therapy. Meaning, ( I think) that they enjoy their new piece, it makes them happy, but I think the "therapy" part is because during the tattoo process, most of the conversations between the client and me, end up getting pretty deep. Relationships, family, health, money, etc. most always come up. A lot of relationship/break-up/divorce stuff comes up a lot! They will tell me about their hardships with it, and I listen, but sometimes, I can't help but put my 2 cents in. I have heard it all before many times, and I do have some in put by now... some recommendations for people and their situations...It just depends on how I read it and if I think they are open to it.

There is a certain amount of sharing too. I get emotionally invested with my clients sometimes. Some clients come in every 2-3 weeks for a year or many years at time. We get to know each other after awhile... I too, share with my clients some of my personal endeavors as well. I am pretty much an open book here. During the tattoo process, I believe we are in sacred space. Veils come down. There is a certain amount of vulnerability. But for me and my ever growing opinions, (I think it's just me getting older) I can't help but relate on some levels with them, especially when it comes to matters of the heart. Some of the stories I hear are outrageous, but being in the field of tattooing, I have ran with a wacky crowd at times so nothing surprises me. I can divy out my share of craziness. That is all in the past, of course since I am pretty grounded at this point. I only fly when the Valkyries call! or when I drink to much of my man's home brew.

Anywho, I think people that let their guard down when they get tattooed is a special thing, and I always keep the confidentiality, unless you have such a great story, you might find my writing about it. Sometimes if you are lucky, I will offer you a tarot card reading that might aid in your transformation. Otherwise you can offer me money and I would be happy to read your cards. I am an amateur at it, but It's fun. There is no shortage of witchiness, here at Valkyrie.

I really do think there is a lot to get out of your tattoo session. It's not just an awesome piece of art you will wear till your grave. There is something much deeper happening. I think being in pain is good for people sometimes. It is humbling. It gets you thinking about what really matters. And it is funny to be in pain sometimes. I always tell people not to laugh when they get tattooed and they always ask why would I laugh? Duh, its funny when you are in pain that you subjected yourself to and there is nothing you can do about it.

I think that there is a lot of release you can get through the tattoo process. Either way I enjoy working with people and hearing their stories. I don't mind having light or heavy conversations while tattooing. And once we are done, I won't think you are crazy.

same pants...again...

2010-11-10T18:30:00.001-08:00

Man, it's been crazy busy around here, and I have been wanting to write for weeks! I am currently working on a blog about cover ups right now and I really really want to post it, but it is not quite ready and I need to be patient. I am really excited about it, but my photo's are not ready. So that's the hold up with that on that one. I have some other things I want to write about and share too, but it's been so busy around the shop now that summer has kinda bloomed. People are coming in left and right. And you know I love it. I like it when it is hectic. It adds to the challenge of drawing for people, sterilizing the shop, getting a lunch break, consulting with people, petting the cat...etc.

So with all the busyness around here, you know I've been wearing the same pants a few times through out the week. Which reminds me, last week I ruined a pair of pants cause I spilled ink all the way down my leg- purple ink. I was thinking I should just wear scrubs to work. All of my jeans are like scrubs now, I guess anyway. But I think the scrubs would be more comfortable.

So, it's been full around here. people coming in for large pieces, small pieces, foot tattoos... I've done quite a few of those the past couple of weeks.

I think I've been working 10 hour days the past month. Leaving for work at 10:30 am and leaving at 8:30. It has been a good work load, and I am totally enjoying it. The only bummer is that I have not had time to get tattooed myself. But I think hopefully I will get tattooed next week. I will post a pic when that happens. It kinda hurts me now since I have spent many years getting tattooed but we will see how I do!

OK, I am off to think about and write a new article that is actually important.

Burning a lot of sage...

2010-04-22T21:26:00.000-07:00

It has been getting really busy around the shop lately, and since I have been sick I have not been able to tattoo in 5 days, which is Hell to me, but it is what it is...
There has been a lot of new people coming into the shop that are lookin' to get some work done and my cold has been bogging me down, so I thought I would burn a new kind of sage to see if that will lift my spirits. It is sage and red sandalwood mixed together. It should create a nice vibe in here...
I have some new things I would like to post, but since I have been so busy and I feel like I have been rushing on my last couple of blogs- this one might take more time to get out there. I want to share with you some drawings I have been working on for a gal, that I think will make a great tattoo...This is the first sketch. I usually do 3-4 more before I am satisfied with the sketch. So I am sharing with you, the very first run. This is a pheonix that is going on the left side of the body. It will go from under the breast, to the hip and onto the top of the thigh area. This is a very big piece and will take many hours to complete. I will post another drawing of the pheonix once it is complete.
I am off to burn more sage!

Thou shall not commit adulthood.

2010-04-15T21:25:00.000-07:00

So, ever since the Jesse James/Sandra Bullock cheating drama has happened, it has sparked some gossip. Weeks ago when it first happened, some people asked me what I thought, since tattoos were involved. I thought about writing about this for fun awhile ago, but I have been very busy at the shop, and after my tattoo I did today, I decided to write a bit on it.
So, this is what I think...
First off Sandy and Jesse are idiots. I'm sure Sandy is a sweetheart, but she should know better. um...hello? Jesse is a chopper/car builder, tattooed and his ex-wife was a pornstar! Red flag(s) like all over the place. Jesse is an idiot because he will never score a woman like Sandra again. What a douche.
Ok, now we get to talk about the chick he cheated on Sandra with. That porn star looking tattooed model Michelle. She's a tard too. When people get caught cheating, one always says "I thought he/she was divorced" ya, right...So, I saw some pics of her cause I had extra time on my hands and wanted to indulge in some celeb gossip, and came upon her photos. Her face is tattooed, which I think looks pretty bad and her tattoos don't scream personality to me. I did not spend too much time looking at them, but it looks like M & JJ would make a lovely dis- functional couple. I am sorry Sandy, but you are out.

So, here is my tattoo of the day. It is lettering that we put in between some other tattoos. There is a bigger picture on facebook that you can check out.
I will be blogging more soon, but am in the middle of a brand new website that will be unveiled soon, so my blog will be moving there!
and remember, don't be a cheater!

Money Money Money

2010-04-06T15:51:00.000-07:00

Good Tattoos aren't cheap
and cheap tattoo's aren't good
~Sailor Jerry

Hey everyone, I wanted to write a little bit about money-when it comes to tattooing. I don't want to go off on this one, so I would like keep it sweet and simple.
First off every artist and shop is different so prices will vary. Most shops have a minimum price for tattoo's and most shop have an hourly rate- which doesn't mean much. When people call the shop and ask for the hourly rate it doesn't mean much, because it actually comes down to what you want to do. It is also discouraging when bargain hunters come through the door, people even call the shop bargain hunting. I recommend going into the shop, talking to someone about what you want to do and getting an estimate from there.
Everyone handles getting a tattoo differently, and sometimes during the tattoo process things can go quicker or longer than expected, so it is nice for us artists to have some room there. So it wont be uncommon to get a quote that is in the range of say, a couple hundred dollars.
For people that are heavily tattooed, they are usually experienced in this matter, and can go through the tattoo process and not even have a budget. That's always nice, because for us artists, it's always nice to draw something without a budget in mind. It's nice to work on a piece, take your time, and give them the price in the end. That gives the artist a lot of freedom. Shops for the longest time used to be a cash only business, but now plenty of shops are equipped with credit card machines, which is great for expanding budgets on tattoos that need be.
When it comes to starting a multiple sitting tattoo like a half sleeve or full sleeve, a certain amount a preparation goes into this. Yes, you will pay a lot for it. But If you plan on coming in every 2-3 weeks or even once a month, it could be set up to where you don't break the bank. What I want from my clients is consistency. If I work on back piece once a month for a couple hours, I can still get the piece done in a reasonable amount of time, and it keeps the flow going on the piece. Momentum is nice on a piece!
and yes, you should probably tip.
if you answer yes to all of these questions, then by all means tip your tattooer!
do you tip you bartender?
do you tip your hair stylist?
do you tip your waitress?
Now, if your tattoo session came to $400. or $500.
I don't think it's necessary to tip 20% if you can not
afford it, Do what you can if you are so happy with the service
and you know that they took a lot of time on your piece.
so much for sweet and simple!
until next time!

2010-03-31T19:08:00.000-07:00

Not too much went on today for me. I got up this morning, kinda tired, so I decided to wear the same pants to work as I did yesterday, figuring no one would notice. When I got to the shop, I wanted to burn sage in the place, since I like to do that often. It clears out the evil yucky spirits. I took it outside and stood in it for a minute hoping to cleanse myself from vampires, and when I turned the door knob to get in, it was locked! So 30 minutes later I finally got back in. Just in time to prepare for my appointment. I tattooed on my good friend client Joe for a few hours today and we talked about some interesting things...It inspired me for my next blog for tomorrow. So, I will be writing about money tomorrow. I am too tired to do it tonight, so please read the blog tomorrow night.

Tips for getting Tattoo's

2010-03-29T20:27:00.000-07:00

I am really excited about this topic. All artists are different and there are many different ways to approach this, so we will talk about a few to get it going...
You want to get a tattoo, and you want to go to an artist you have never worked with before or this is your first tattoo and you are not sure exactly how to go about this, but you think you are educated cause you have watched LA ink or the other tattoo programs...But here is some things that would benefit you and your artist you are going to be working with.
First of all do your HOMEWORK! There is so many ways you can do this now. Thanks to the internet you can look up all kinds of shops in your local area and see online portfolios. You can also do it the old fashioned way and go into a tattoo shop around town, look at the portfolios, and just check out the vibe. Portfolios are very important. When you go into a shop take your time and look at the artist's books, don't flip through absentmindedly (its rude) and when you look at a portfolio it shows you care about the kind of work you are getting. When you do meet an artist that you are connecting with, set up a consultation with them.
Here's the steps for your consultation:
If you have reference material that you have collected over the internet or from books, bring them in with you. If you don't have any reference to provide but you love the artists style, then simply explain what you want to do and keep an open mind that you are giving them freedom to design your piece as they see fit.
When bringing in reference material, I recommend keeping it down to a few images that you like or don't like to help explain what you are interested in. I don't recommend bringing in a butt load of printouts- this is too confusing to decipher- or us artists will think you want a backpiece.
I think making an appointment for your tattoo is nice, because it is all planned out, and there will be a step by step process for it. If you are going to an artist that has a wait for appointments, that could be a good thing because they are probably spending a lot of time with each client.
This doesn't mean walking in for a tattoo sucks. This could be a lot of fun to think about a tattoo you want to get for 5 minutes or an hour. It's spur of the moment, out on a whim, Fuck yea moment. But if your going to do that then make sure to go to a shop that you have been to before, or have a referral to. Otherwise it could end up being a cover up!
Here's some tips for the tattoo session:
Eat before you come in!
Take a shower if your stinky.
Don't be drunk or on pills.
Don't talk on your cell phone all crazy.
Definitely don't bring your kids.
or un-supportive spouses either.
and have fun!

XOXOX, VALKYRIE

The events of today...

2010-03-27T16:58:00.000-07:00

I wasn't sure what I was going to write about today but there was a few things that came to mind, but as the day unfolded it came to me....This was my day:
It all started by doing a lovely pomegranate piece on this lovely gal. We had a really nice time. A nice conversation about relationships and other worldly things... oh yes, and we talked about our cats too.
Then this older woman came in that I tattooed a few months back that said her boyfriend wants her to get her tattoo touched up. I took a look at it, thought it looked great. But if that's what her boyfriend wants for her tattoo...
I plan on letting my opinions fly on this blog, but I'm going to skip that one! ...Actually, I'm not. When your tattoo belongs on your body, it doesn't matter what your boyfriend or girlfriend says what they want. It matters what you think of your piece...Right? This happens alot more than I would like it to. I'm going to stop there.
Another woman came in that wants to get a goddess piece started on her back with some beautiful floral work...and another consultation for a young girl who wants a plumeria for her very first tattoo. Quite a few women came into the shop today with ideas. I think its great that so many women are getting tattooed. Hell yeah!
The consultations I had today- some very successful some a little rough, it occurs to me that I really want to write about the process of getting the tattoo that you really want!
After all these consultations, at the end of the day I was finally able to crack a beer and let my hair down...It was a nice day to end off the week.
I look forward to writing tomorrow evening about tips on getting tattoos from the ground up. We will be talking about how to be really prepared for your piece!

Why do you get tattooed?

2010-03-26T11:18:00.000-07:00

First things first- Why would anyone be compelled to get a tattoo? Well, that all depends really. When I first started tattooing in the late 90's, it was still that biker kinda way of tattooing, but with the brand new, new school trend happening (bright color). People were getting armbands, and tribal work and suns...that kind of stuff. People were getting them cause it was rebellious and underground, but tattoos are cool, so plenty of people wanted one. Now, I have only been tattooing for 11 years now, and I didn't notice a heavy spiritual up rise for tattoos until about 6 years ago. Now people want these really deep meaningful pieces that connect them to their spiritual beliefs, for a variety of reasons- personal empowerment, protection, prosperity, etc....I think a big part of getting a tattoo is for self expression. I think people have this deep need to express and individualize themselves. We all know what happens if you don't get to express yourself. You turn into a crazy person! So, anyway, I think people want to commemorate whats happening to them in their lives... Since it seems as though having tattoos is more acceptable now, than the past, (media? hmm) it seems easier for people to get tattoos and show them off with out them looked down upon. I definitely think there is a huge part of getting a tattoo to be different- although tattooing has become a huge part of fashion now...There are a thousand reasons why to get a tattoo, it is a personal preference. I always say to each their own.
Either way, for some people taking a lot of time and thought is what is necessary before getting a tattoo. On the other hand, if you want to do it, do it. I never cared about what people thought about my tattoos. I think it's nice that we have something in our culture that is creative and fun to do, that we can still indulge in and enjoy.
Now that we've talked about this, we can get onto another subject. I'm thinking about digging into my archives for a story from the tattoo shop, or I might write about tattoo etiquette for tomorrow...

The birth of Valkyrie tattoo shop confessions...

2010-03-25T20:30:00.001-07:00

Good evening! Welcome to the birth of my new blog series- Tattoo shop confessions. Some of you may know that I have been wanting to write about this for sometime now, so I am going to start this blog and see how you all respond to it. So, thank you for taking your time to read, and please let me know what you think.
So, I will tell you a little bit about me and the shop to get you caught up and then we can let the stories roll!!
Ok, I did my first tattoo in 1998. I got into tattooing when I was 17-18 years old, and I have been hooked ever since. I absolutely live for it. I had a shop before in Santa Rosa, Ca where I learned alot, but in 2003 I went to San Francisco and got a shop job there that really opened the whole world of tattooing for me. That is where I really learned how to tattoo, or really learned what tattooing was all about. After the SF trip, I headed back to Sonoma county and opened up Valkyrie Tattoo in little ol' Penngrove. That was in 2008. More about all this later, let's get to the good stuff!
With this Blog, I am going to be writing about the sh*t that goes down in the tattoo shop. I will write about the people that come in there, what they get tattooed, where and why- all of those details...What I think about it...I also will be writing about tips on getting tattoo's, pricing, designing a piece, etc. I also will put up pictures of their piece's and drawings of the pieces, so you all can see the behind the scene stuff. I am so excited about all this and I am not sure where to start! My plan is to blog every day. So please stay tuned!!