This picture is of work done a few weeks ago on my left arm. As you can see, there's a large koi swimming up my bicep, with a few rocks and leaves near the bottom edge. This appointment took a little longer than usual since Shinji didn't have a drawing for the koi prepared, but I was still surprised how quickly he was able to sketch it. I came in and he took a few measurements, and about 30 minutes later the sketch of the koi was complete and Shinji was ready to start tattooing. I'm glad my tattoo is starting to have some symmetry, it always bothered me to have one half of my body completely bare and the other half completely covered. I figure I have about 2 more outlining sessions and the entire outline will be complete.
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
This picture is of work done a few weeks ago on my left arm. As you can see, there's a large koi swimming up my bicep, with a few rocks and leaves near the bottom edge. This appointment took a little longer than usual since Shinji didn't have a drawing for the koi prepared, but I was still surprised how quickly he was able to sketch it. I came in and he took a few measurements, and about 30 minutes later the sketch of the koi was complete and Shinji was ready to start tattooing. I'm glad my tattoo is starting to have some symmetry, it always bothered me to have one half of my body completely bare and the other half completely covered. I figure I have about 2 more outlining sessions and the entire outline will be complete.
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8 comments:
Hi Mike,
I've been checking out the progress of your tattoo's for some time.
It's always been very interesting to read your perspectives throughout the creation of your developing munewari.
Of course it goes without saying that Shingi's work is truly wonderful, congratulations.
I will be coming to the end of a pair of three quarter chrysanthemum sleeves with chest very soon.
My artist is Marco Serio over at Invisible.
He quite gifted, has a tremendous aesthetic and is a great guy to boot.
The plan is to start my back next and we've agreed that Oniwaka Maru fighting the carp will be the subject.
I'm eager to see what he has in mind, it's always a tremendous surprise!
All the best and continued success with your piece.
Dmitri
Cheers, thanks for the comments. Good luck with that tattoo, sounds like you have a long road ahead of you. Pop back by later and let me know how that progresses if you get a chance. Oniwakamaru (lit. "devil-child") - is that the childhood name of the famed warrior-priest Benkei? There are some fabulous Yoshitoshi prints of him in action..
Funny, I was just talking about Invisible only 15 minutes ago - my girlfriend is getting some work done by Regino Gonzales.
Mike,
I've been following your blog for sometime, and i love seeing these updates. Things are really coming together! I finally got my name on the waiting list for Shinji. I was told that it's probably a year or so wait. Keep us updated on the work!
Cameron
Oniwaka Muru is indeed the name Benkei went under as a child.
You certainly know your woodblocks; the Yoshitoshi prints were in fact the inspiration for back piece; I think they're amazing !
Thank you for permission, I'd be happy to give you updates as we go along.
Best of luck to your girlfriends project.
Reginos work is really superb, I have no doubt it will be beautiful.
All the best,
Dmitri
Looks great, Mike! Just found this video on the Horitoshi family. Thought you would be interested. http://www.starlighttattoolasvegas.com/stnews.php?id=12
Hi Mike
I've been following your progress for some time and I'm about 50 hours into my own suit with Shinji. I have a quick ques on healing if you don't mind. On your arm(s) in particular, have you had raised tracts in the deeper areas of the water stripes? I mean the darker part before it gradiates into the slightly lighter bit as it nears the next stripe. In most of the deep black areas I have, raised ridges or clusters of bumps remain, even past 4 weeks of healing and I was just wondering if you've experienced similarly long healing in the deeper black areas.
thanks
In response to the question about healing: the worst spots for me were probably the inside of my right bicep, and under my right tricep where it meets the armpit. On my bicep there are patches of skin that really never healed right, for ages they felt like they had little scabs embedded in the skin and now they are pockmarked and scarred. On the spot near my armpit, there were several small hard lumps which would not heal. At one point, Shinji actually went over them again when he saw they weren't healing - hurt like hell but the spot finally healed the next time around. But those areas were the exceptions. My "normal" healing time is probably about 3 weeks. I'm probably at 80-90 percent by 2 weeks. But everyone is different. Ask Shinji about it at your next appointment if you're worried, but as long as the area is not an angry red color, hot or oozing pus I think you're OK (but I'm no doctor!)
Hi Mike
Thanks for your reply regarding healing. If by imbedded scabs you mean these blackhead looking things, that obviously aren't blackheads, then I have some of those too. My main problem area is the inside elbow where it kept cracking during the healing and is now raised scar tissue in some parts. I think aloe vera is helping it come down a bit so we'll see. I think I'll be hitting my armpit area in the next week, which may prove interesting. I guess it shouldn't be a surprise that this invasive puncturing can lead to some scarring although I wish it wouldn't mar the design.
Cheers,
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