My right side is finally done. During my last session we finished off the color inside the koi on my ribs. 
At my next session we will be doing some touch-up work on my back, for the most part trying to fix a few areas where the red did not take. Although it will be a pleasant change from getting my torso tattooed, the back is no picnic, especially the second time around.Speaking of my back, I was able to get a copy of the February '08 issue of Skin and Ink. When Shinji told me they had a "big" picture of me, I didn't think he meant a full page picture! Now I can proudly say I've had a full page nude photo of me in a Larry Flint publication. I also like that my sweet tribal armband is forever immortalized there. Doh!
In other news, on Friday I went to check out some art at Saved Tattoo here in Brooklyn and had the pleasure of meeting John Reardon. He immediately recognized my sleeve as Horizakura's work and came over to chat with me. After a few minutes of trying to compare Horizakura tattoos (John's upper left arm was done by him) without taking off more clothes than would be appropriate in public, John said "You know..I think there is a picture of you in my book!" 
He pulled out a copy of his Complete Idiots Guide to Getting a Tattoo and sure enough, there I was in the section on Japanese tattoo! John was nice enough to give me a copy of his book, I'd recommend checking it out if you are thinking about getting a tattoo but don't really know where to start.Yesterday someone asked me, "Isn't it a little weird to find out you are in a book or magazine? Shouldn't they be asking your permission?" Actually, I'm OK with it. It's not a picture of me really, it's a picture of Horizakura's art work. He should be able to display it wherever he likes. I wouldn't even have a picture of it published outside of this website without asking him first.
6 comments:
Mike, Your tattoo looks great! Congratulations! I've been following your blog for a few years now and am finally taking the plunge myself. I had my initial consult with Shinji last week, and what a guy! We'll be doing 7/10 sleeves. I considered 5/10, but the work you guys did looked too damn cool to stop above the elbow. So I guess I kind of like the idea of showing off the work when I wear a t-shirt, but I'm not too sure about how coworkers will handle it. And I'd like to think I don't care, but it kind of makes me nervous. I know you agree on the look, but do you have any after thoughts on the impact of getting something so - visible?
Thanks for the updates! - Justin
Hi Justin,
I don't have any regrets about the 7/10 sleeves. I work in an environment where I have to wear a long-sleeve shirt every day, so the only real impact for me is I can't roll up my sleeves anymore. Working in finance, I'm not sure I would have gone for that length of sleeve if I wasn't sure I could hide it. The industry is a bit too conservative for that.
-M
Mike, I tried to email you without going through the blog, but wasn't sure if the email was the same or you remembered who i was(meta ken 8/3/05) The right side looks great. I am curious if you went with any shunga pictures hidden under your arm? Or plan to for the other side. Maybe you could do a spin on Hokusai's "Tale of the Fisherman's Wife" with a Koi instead of an octopuss. Good luck with the left.
I recently came across your blog, and was impressed by your presentation. I started suiting up around January, 2006. Although I do not have a web page as nice as this; I have been documenting the work since nearly the beginning. Jared, at Apparition Ink in Salt Lake City, Utah, is doing the work, and we are in the undertaking of a munewari soushinbori style suit with nine-tenth's sleeves and fully sleeved legs. I must say the timeless style is perfect for large scale tattoo. Too bad we only get one skin...
Jason: sorry I didn't respond to your email. I didn't realize that was you. No, I haven't done anything in my armpits - yet. It seems to me like one of those things I'll consider when the rest of me is covered but I'm hungry for more work!
Josh: thanks for the comment. Best of luck with your piece. Full legs, eh? I've considered getting the legs done after this but I'm not sure yet. We'll see how I feel when the currently planned work is finished. If you have a web site or a blog, I'd love to see it.
Mike,
If you like, you can see some of my work on myspace. Myspace.com/gaijintattoo
I must say, of all of the tattoo I have had; the knee is the worst yet. Although, I have not started my chest... The colored tattoo is several years old, but you'll see that there is much black and gray coverage. This is the blueprint for Jared's work. This Tuesday, we are either going to finish my left arm, or start my chest. Honestly, I'm NOT looking forward to doing my chest... whatever.
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