Today I made a little tattoo of a ferocious wolf. I hadn’t done a wolf in a while and I had quite a good time tattooing it. Watch out little red riding hood, you sure are looking good, you’re everything this big bad wolf could want… *OWWWWOOOOOOOO.
My friend and co-worker Tim McAlary came by yesterday and picked up a gangster skull rib-shot, immediately after I finished I wanted to grow me some braids. Tim brought some bad-ass flash he had printed up and gave it to me as a gift, what a gentleman. It’s probably the nicest hand-painted flash I have seen in a while. Check out Tim’s work at www.goldrushtattoo.com
I have finally put together another pin-up sketchbook, it has over 40 pages of pin-up designs and drawings. If you would like to order a copy of my new pin-up book #2 you can get it from my eBay store now at www.ebay.com/saltwatertattoo or you can come visit me at any convention I do and get one from me there.
I’ve tattooed this Prick more than most of the people I’ve had the pleasure of pricking. His name is Mike Brophy and he’s a fuck’n rock star, him and his friend Tito have been making a unique combination of ¬†music for a while now and have single-handedly created an entire subculture of ‘pricks’ here in Southern California. Here are a few of the tattoos Brophy has collected from me and check out his daily updated lifestyle blog at¬†http://pricksforlife.com/blog/
Jeez Mikey, you’re wearing a beanie in EVERY photo…
During my South-East Asia travels I sat down with the infamous Travellin’ Mick and did an interview in Singapore. I’m a little late on getting this post out, but hey I’m a tattooer, I take my sweet ass time. If you would like to pick up a copy check this link out www.totaltattoo.co.uk
It’s no mystery that I love old tattoo machines, I’m regularly searching far and obscure places for a small electromagnetic treasures, and every once and a while one comes to me. This time around it was Big5, owner of Union Electric Tattoo in Wilmington, who contacted me about an Owen Jensen set-up he acquired and was willing to trade for a couple of brand new hand-mades. We were both happy with are new toys,¬†I love doing the trade thing. A very special thanks to Big5, I hope your new machines make you money for a very long time – Tim<
I am off to Indonesia to live on a boat for a little bit and surf until my arms fall off. Yes yes, I know, I can feel the jealousy from here. I will have some amazing photos for you all when I get back. For now, let me just gloat by showing you some pics of my future trip starting in ONE DAY.
I am so proud to be a part of this website. Two amazing tattooers got together and created something great, a website that sells proper flash and prints from extraordinary artists. OK OK so maybe I’m not up on the site yet, but I WILL be, I SWEAR IT!! Anyway, if you want the best flash and prints the world has to offer then you know where to find it. Here is what they have to say about themselves:
ABOUT TATTOO ELITE INTERNATIONAL
We are an international tattoo flash and art work Distribution Company established in April of 2003 by award winning artists Henning J√∏rgensen from Denmark and Mike Rubendall from the USA. It was a concept recognized through years of traveling for a high demand and low availability for exclusive flash or artwork from the leading tattoo artists in the industry.
Fortunately we have had a unique opportunity to form a company consisting of artwork from some of our closest friends as well as many of the top tattooers in the world. All artists have achieved international status and are responsible for bringing tattooing to the next level. With the utmost pride and sincerity we present to you Tattoo Elite International.com
So after 2 years of sticking to my solid 3 designs I have finally decided to add a machine design I have been sitting on and adjusting for a while. It is a very strong average weight frame with a more sleek contour to the design, and it’s measured to run exactly the way I personally like to tattoo. The Shaders are fast and strong, and the liners are a slightly longer stroke and very accurate. I call it The ‘Hood-Rat’, bitches beware.
If you would like to be the owner of your own personal Hood-Rat, please refer to my eBay store:
http://stores.ebay.com/saltwatertattoo
I must be sick in the head or something, ’cause most tattooers loathe doing tattoos that you would need an eye loop for, but I seriously love them. Something about the concentration involved while using a special needle, my favorite tube, and a specific machine to bust out mini-tats just makes me all warm and fuzzy inside. My Wife’s friend from Hawaii came to visit us for the weekend and during her trip I did a small rose behind the ear, now all my wife’s friends are hatin’ on her for getting tattooed before them and I just found a note in my tattoo station saying this:
The RVCA Artist Network Program, commonly referred to as the ANP, is an ongoing program which aims to showcase the talent of accomplished as well as unknown artists who inspire our generation and push the boundaries of creativity; providing something of substance and culture.
To RVCA, an artist is not someone who just paints a picture, or writes a song, but someone who is dedicated to sharing with the world their life, emotions and soul through innovative and creative ideas. RVCA and the ANP were developed to shake the very foundations of the business, by giving back to the artists and providing a voice for their creative growth.
