Q & A

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

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

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.