back to blogging...

Im going to try this again... everytime I say that I am going to keep up on this I fail miserably... but this time I mean it, for now.

Tat Taz!

http://www.tattooertaz.blogspot.com/

this site is awesome!


i made one.


http://www.tattooertaz.blogspot.com/

new painting.

new painting completed... "Immaculate Deception". Thats all i have for you, been a rough week, I could rant for hours... but fuck it. enjoy the painting.

Violent Torpedo Of Truth Chicago

Well me and the lady just got back from an awesome 2.5 day road trip, it is always awesome to get out of town for a couple days. This time we took off to Chicago to see Charlie Sheen... Yeah we did it, and yeah it was awesome. First, let me start out by saying that Chicago is probably the worst place I have ever had the displeasure of driving in. I am pretty sure the state if Illinois will give anyone a license to drive. We got in late Saturday, and checked into our swanky ass hotel... Check out Hotel Monaco if you are ever in Chicago. After checking in we went for a little walk, and went to The Emerald Loop for a drink, trying to get a Strongbow Cider on tap... but we had to settle for Magners, the bartender put it on ice, totally killer. Dont really drink anymore, but I am a sucker for some cider. We called it a night. Sunday was the show day, we went to Gino's East to try some traditional Chicago deep dish, than we checked out the Magnificent Mile, and Anna did some shopping. Also the Pirates one again... score!

Now it was show time we took to the theater with no idea what we were in for, the spectacle outside was crazy with fans, and news crews. We went in, bought a $4.00 cup of water, and took our seats...

What I witnessed changed my thoughts on Mr. Sheen. I am pretty sure we are not witnessing a public meltdown, but quite the opposite, he is actually winning, and speaking his mind, while it might not be the norm, it is the truth. I think most people, just cant decipher what he is trying to say. With that being said, I think most will be disappointed that this is not some freak show, but just a man speaking his mind in a colorful manner.

The crowd was rude, and I think they were expecting this freak show, no one would be quiet and let him talk, and I could see his frustration. The "girls" behind us were probably the worst examples of life on planet earth, and I am pretty sure they are the reason why aliens would want to eliminate us. I heard about the disastrous Detroit show, which probably was due to the crowd, and not Mr. Sheen. Im glad we went, and have found a new respect for Charlie Sheen. I hope I'm not wrong.

Team Sheen!

Tattooers For Japan

Tattooers For Japan

For the entire month of April 10% of all tattoos that I do will go to relief efforts in Japan. I will also be doing the TATTOOERS FOR JAPAN heart logo (props to Shawn Hedley for the design) for free with a $50 donation. All of the donations will go to the Tattooers for Japan’s choice organization. The International Rescue Committee. This particular charity group is working closely with Peace Winds Japan.

So stop into the shop and help out some people in need. Help put the soul back into tattooing. Japan has been a huge influence on what we as tattoo artists do.

Charlie Sheen... banging 7 grams

Started and finished a new art project this weekend... WINNING! Inspired by the words of Charlie Sheen this week, and from watching "Exit Through The Gift Shop" (highly suggested viewing). 7 original Charlie Sheen stenciled paintings, 7 being the number of grams banged, and also the number of quality sprays I made until my stencil was worthless... these are 8x10 spray paint on illustration board. $20 bucks each... you can stop into the shop to purchase one, or email me, or call American Tattoo to see if any of them are still available. the phone number at work is 412-828-8661.

I will also get some nice scans of these and post them up, asap.

I Love TATTOOING....

I do, i really, really love what I do. Not very many people get to be happy at work everyday, and genuinely love what they do. With that not many get to be able to be as flexible with there schedules as we can... So why do some people treat tattooing like it isn't a "real job". Many of us have busted our asses to get where we are, and I have only been in this for about five years, I can only imagine how some of the veterans feel. What I am getting at is the lack of respect that is shown to tattoo artists. Now dont think I am getting high and mighty, I'm not saying get down and kiss our feet... just a basic PROFESSIONAL respect and understanding. Most of us treat our clients with a professional courtesy, I think it is ok for us to ask the same in return. So since I am all about lists, here are a few things you could do, to show the artist in your life a little something.

1. SHOWER... no one wants to tattoo your dirty ass, do not come from the gym, do not come from doing yard work, or house painting, digging ditches, running a marathon... you get the picture. Take a shower, use some soap.

2. DRESS APPROPRIATELY... we do not want to fight your clothing to properly apply your tattoo, enough said. Put some thought into it, dress comfortably and with an idea on where your tattoo is going. Also, dont wear that $300 designer top that we could ruin with ink.

3. LEAVE YOUR KIDS AT HOME... a tattoo studio is no place for children, it is really boring for children. Also you need to be with the artist and be focused on getting your tattoo... not babysitting. Also flash is expensive, and kids like to color on it.

4. NO DRAMA... leave your drama at home with the kids... no one wants to hear you fight with your significant other.

5. HAGGLING.... im not going to come into mcdonalds and ask for ten cents off of my burger... or try to make a deal with foot locker on some jordans, if you asked they would laugh and tell you to fuck off. What would you do if a tattoo artist asked you for a hook up.

I could go on forever, and this is seriously the longest tattooing related rant i think I have ever been on.... so I will end with the big one....

NO CALL NO SHOWS..... i think this is the holy mother of being disrespectful. Not only is it highly inconsiderate, but can ruin someones week... Some of us work by appointment, and do not get paid to just be at work... we rely on our appointments and tattoos as our income, sometimes budgeting on what we believe we will be taking home that day. We love what we do, but it is still a job. One of these "no call no shows" can wipe out a huge block of someones day... for example today (probably the reason for my rant)... I had one of these for my noon appointment, I had blocked out 3 hours for it.... as the time went by I watched that entire block of time waste away... a time that with proper notice i could have filled with another appointment, and not wasted my morning.

sorry if you are still reading.
im done.

Valentines Day....

Well it is another Valentines Day, celebrate some love people!

Holy Shit....

Wow I am probably the worst blogger ever... I haven't written a damn thing since November. Oh well deal with it, I tattoo, paint, and spend time with my family, leaving me very little time to blog, and by the time I am done with all my interesting conversations throughout the day, I come home and tell them to my lady, which leaves me with nothing that I really want to write about. But ill share a few things...

First... I finished a new painting for an upcoming art show at Artform Gallery and Tattoo, it is all about the word Fuck, should be interested, but my painting is all about the ABSOLUTE WORST TIME TO SAY FUCK. Ill post a picture after the show opens, here is the flyer.




and Second.... I am working on my first book, I am two weeks into it, and it is definitely quite an ambitious project... right now it is 50 pinups in 50 days, I don't have an actual title yet. I decided to sketch a pinup a day for 50 days, pretty self explanatory... at the end of the 50 days, I might turn some of them into completed renderings, who knows... its only been 14 days, here is a sneak preview of a sketch....




thats enough for now see you next time.