Hump Day!!!!

Awesome Ink

Skin: Unknown

Artists: Unknown

Photographers: Unknown

In progress

I'm in the process of painting this nice panoramic. Still have to work on first girl's face and then buildup skin tone. Doing well so far. More to come

New Design

Not Too Late for Hump Day

Hump Day Ladies and Gentlemen

Don't get your panties in a bunch...unless you like it like that...perverts:) enjoy

Model: Unknown

Photographer: Unknown

Underwear by: Unknown

Please feel free to leave any comments and correct me on any credits that are due.  Thank you internet for the wonderful picture

Sternum to Navel Tattoos: Acute Execution

New rise in tattoo trends have led to neo-traditional and traditional styled tattoos being tattooed as a beautification symbols, attracting primarily to the breasts, stomach and navel regions of these female bodies.  

These attractive tattoos have become more and more popular in younger collectors resulting in a tsunami of women getting these to sculpt their bodies and bring attention to a more attractive part of the body than just the breasts. The middle ribs and sternum are not a simple walk in the park when it comes to tattooing.  However, the individuals taking on these endeavors are raising tattooing to a more sultry while sophisticated level.  The placement of these brilliant tattoos eludes to the most feminine forms, the breasts, while exacting the fortitude of saying, "Don't fuck with me." These pieces almost seem like they become trapped between two of the most sultry forms of a woman, her breasts and navel. This is acute in bringing tattoos for beautifying to the next level. 

New definition for utility of beatification tattoos:

Placement is to uplift the body, form with it and enhance it. Form and design go hand in hand with utility. No need to make it complicated...she's all the beauty there needs to be.  The artist's job now is to only elevate her and embrace her.

Genius happens in smallest of moments but will echo through time.  This is how you design timeless tattoos.  The End

Hump Day

Favorite Day of the Week: Wednesday?

Model: unknown

Photographer: unknown

Hiney: Words can't describe 

Gents and Ladies: Tattoo Etiquette

Basic Shop and Tattoo Etiquette 

1) wash your damn hands!! This means all individuals.

2) when thinking about your next tattoo; have a decent idea in mind as far as what you want to get, where, how big and decide whether you are open to interpretation or not.

3) if you are not open to interpretation; find a "Flash Shop." These are tattoo studios where the artists are known for copying or tattooing anything directly from any flash, drawing, ect to accommodate their clients. (This is also filtered into mainly lower end studios, however, there are many good studios where the artists are willing to accommodate your wants and needs within reason.)

4) when you are open to "artistic interpretation" find what is known as a "Custom Studio." These are usually higher end studios where the artists are known for their "styles" and being able to custom design any concept you have.

5) when seeking out a location to get tattooed, check out the individual artist v. the studio.  Artists tend to travel and guest spot in custom shops and you may have to wait if you are searching for a particular artist. Remember, getting what you want from who you want is worth a lot more than merely settling for a second rate scratcher out of your home town.

6) when "shopping" for an artist; look at their portfolios (both art and tattoos) if they don't have at least their tattoo portfolio available, leave. Check for consistencies in line work, style, design, color fill, and shading. A not so trained individual will be able to tell the difference if an artist is attempting to lie about their portfolios and sneak in some slightly different tattoos, done by someone else, claiming they were the artist. It's sad, pathetic, and it happens more than you think (especially with second rate and inexperienced artists.)

7) after finding an artist, make a consultation appointment to hash out your design. This is also where you may be required to make a deposit. Be prepared and educated about your design.  As surprised as you might be, not all artists take pride in doing a reputable tattoo that is correct in imagery, depiction, proportion, meaning, spelling or symbolism.  Take care to make sure you get your design correct.

8) work with and take care of your artist and they will take care of you. 

9) be polite and patient. You will see this reflected towards you if you give it out.

10) tip each session. I recommend a minimum of 20% tip.  The artist will appreciate your appreciation and will likely anticipate your next session together. 

11) don't be cheap.  If your tattoo is going to be out of your budget with your artist. Let them know and save up for it.  Don't look for a deal.  Most artists worth getting tattoos from are very old school and would more than likely turn you away than give you a discount.  Remember, your getting a tattoo is someone else's lively hood.  They treat it as such.

12) feel free to ask questions but don't be disrespectful.

13) don't bring your mother or your significant other to watch your tattoo. This should be your tattoo, ergo your experience.

14) wash your damn hands before you follow the steps for your aftercare process.

15) wash your damn hands again.

Not a Hump on Hump Day Gents and Ladies:

Model: unknown

Underwear: unknown

Photographer: unknown

All the same: very impressive. Thank you 

Happy Hump Day

Model: unknown

Photographer: unknown

Underwear: perfect

Ladies and Gents: Guess what Day it is...

Happier than a camel on Hump Day

Gentleman's Advice: the Only Relationship Advice a Man will Ever Need

I grew up as a confused child.  Not in my sexuality but the role of sexuality, affection, attraction, and appearance v. personality in relationships.  

I recall being caught by my biological father and mother multiple times masturbating as a child. The first time, I was 8 and my father said it was ok; nothing to be ashamed of.  But I was to do it when there was no one in the house and always be sure to clean up after myself.  Fair enough. The next time occurred six or so months later and my father did a complete religious 180° turn. I was beat and then given a talk about how, masturbation was a sin and I was going to hell for "making love" to myself.  This double standard advice continued throughout my childhood until I was eleven.  And, all coming from a man who maintained such a mishap of an adulterous marriage that hypocrisy is an understatement of the infidelity involved in my biological parents' relationship.  My father always considered hisself a fair and human minded man.  He often related that looks were not important and it was always about what was "inside."  He also relayed that "God" told him whom he was going to marry.  All this eventually failed to suffice as any virtuous developmental or relationship advice.  My father was a man who constantly cheated on my mother and then after finally divorcing her, remarried three months later to a hefty woman whom represented a mirrored gluttonous, tragedy that my father had become with a bipolar personality. After a year, he divorced her and then remarried a third time only several months later to another "healthy sized" woman with who knows what problems.  

During this time, I realized how full of shit my father's advice was considering his mangled view and taste in people.  After losing respect for my biological ancestry and loathing my existence as a product of two inherently twisted and unhealthy people; I continued to observe and take note from other people whom I saw representing a wholesome relationship and constantly interviewing to see how these people seemed so successful in finding each other and staying together.  I found that it has always been a touch of luck, a big factor of timing, and valuing the character if each other.  

This as nice as it was, was of little use to me as I was  trying to find someone like myself (but more nice) and needed advice detecting such a wholesome person.  So, I diverted unknowingly to a film that set me with a solid base that I now believe is a good measure to how a man may find his self a reasonable, down to Earth, considerate and caring person to spend time with.  The film is "A Bronx Tale". The relationship advice in this movie speaks such volumes that all maturing men should be required to observe these words of wisdom if we are not given the advice by our mentors.

The advice comes after the question of how do you find out if a "broad" is a good woman and the "One."  The answer is reflected through various crude solutions by the main character's childhood fiends.  The solutions come in the form of "tests."  After the character Sonny dismisses these ideas, he tells C, the main character, The Door Test. The following is the dialogue explaining the test and the value therein:

Sonny: Alright, listen to me. You pull up right where she lives, right? Before you get outta the car, you lock both doors. Then, get outta the car, you walk over to her. You bring her over to the car. Dig out the key, put it in the lock and open the door for her. Then you let her get in. Then you close the door. Then you walk around the back of the car and look through the rear window. If she doesn't reach over and lift up that button so that you can get in: dump her.

Calogero 'C' Anello: Just like that?

Sonny: Listen to me, kid. If she doesn't reach over and lift up that button so that you can get in, that means she's a selfish broad and all you're seeing is the tip of the iceberg. You dump her and you dump her fast.

This of course only advises the men directly but can be taken for both parties in a relationship.  (Take note to self evaluate before taking initiative to find an individual of such virtue)

This advice has helped me straighten out my own understanding of people and the relationship I hoped to have held.  Taking a notice of people's simplicity and their base actions helped me relate on who I wanted to be as a man and how to find that type of individual.  It's a good bit of advice for any person seeking assistance in the "love" department.  A great thanks to Chazz Palminteri. Thank you for many life lessons from The Bronx Tale. Many more to be featured.

-A Gent's Advice

Hump Day: Alright Gents and Ladies

Model: unknown

Photographer: unknown

Gents and Ladies:

It's Hump Day.

Enjoy 

Motivation Monday: Inked Pose of the Day

This nouveau traditionalism style has sprung open the gates and unleashed its overwhelmingly simple yet timeless imagery on the masses. Take note of simple contrasting colors. Traditional tattoos are very clean and are tattooed using only primary colors and black.  Nouveau Traditional tattoos use various contrasting colors (secondary and tertiary) besides the primaries. This is a major difference between the two. Take your pick. One style started the American industry, the other is reviving it. Both are equally appreciated and timeless.

Artist: Unknown

Model: Unknown

Photographer: Unknown

Symbol of the Week: "Satanic" Cross

The Satanic Cross:

As well many of us westerners know, the cross is a sacred symbol among Christians and inherent to young individuals trying to find a tattoo design with meaning. A cross tends to be the default for many individuals just starting their collections, however there has been a gap in communication to the mass populous on religious tattoos.

The upside down Latin cross: (see image A)

Image A

This cross has been taken by pop culture (and the masses) as the satanic cross for simple reasons. People have commonly thought that since this cross is inverted, it represents the inversion or opposite of Christ. That is however not the case. Though reasonable as this thought may be it is incorrect and actually quite the contrary. The inverted cross is still and actually a popular Christian symbol as it represents the death of St. Peter.  St. Peter also known as Simon Peter was the first "pope" of the Catholic Church. St Peter was martyred in 65-66 AD. When he was crucified, he pleaded that he be crucified upside down as he did believe himself worthy to be killed like that of Jesus, his Lord. (See image B). There are many speculations as to how he had finished dying as suffocation for crucifixion was typically the fatal consequence however as St. Peter was inverted, suffocation took longer. Some speculate that he was burned on the second day but did not die and then finally beheaded on his cross on the third day. 

Image B

Even so, the inverted cross represents a dark martyrdom but is not related to the true satanic symbol. The real satanic cross is represented below: (see image C)

The Satanic Cross is a variationof the  alchemical symbol for sulfur that represents fire and brimstone. The sulfur symbol was placed above the Nine Satanic Statements in the Satanic Bible in LaVeyan Satanism, and is commonly used in rituals performed by Theistic Satanists. It can also be interpreted as a combination of the Lorraine cross and the mathematical symbol for infinity, or a phallic re-imagining of the cross, with the infinity symbol representing a scrotum. It is often interpreted as a symbol of Satanism, because LaVey adopted it from the Cross o Lorraine or even the Patriarchal cross, which is also a symbol of Christianity and Hermeticism. Hermetic alchemists of the Renaissance used the emblem as a symbol of earth and spirit by combining the square earth cross with the cross of Christ. When drawn symmetrically, it symbolized the hermetic maxim, "As above, so below".

Ergo a simple inverted cross has no significance as a satanic symbol and in fact is used by the papacy as a symbol for the Pope, referencing St. Peter.  

Tattoo of the Day

Tattoo by Alexander Grim

Hump Day

Hump Day.... 'Nough said.

Model: Unknown

Photographer: Unknown

Aftercare Solutions: Baker's Health Up and Coming

As Tattoo Artists and Collectors alike, we all continue to find a better solution for aftercare that can speed up the healing time and make it easier to heal. 

Many ointments and aftercare balms have made leaps and bounds in the industry. H2Ocean, Tattoo Goo, ect. have paved the way for aftercare. Basing their solutions with a water based formula; this allows the tattoo to breathe more easily and heal more readily. This is a great solution especially with individuals with sensitive skin.  Solutions like these have allowed us to take better care of our tattoos and allow them to heal with a more vibrant look, keep clean, and heal better than just using an over the counter, non-scented, petroleum free, water based lotion. The only problem that arises with ointments is keeping your tattoo clean and free of contaminates. This is not a fault of the collector but a necessary measure that has to be taken to ensure healthy recovery. It is unfortunate that aftercare kits still require you to go through an intensive cleaning your tattoo at least twice a day with antibacterial soap.  And further still, there are no solutions that are all-in-one tattoo recovery solutions however there is a new up and coming product that has shown to make healing a little less intense. 

Baker's Health is a mobile company based out of Colorado and Florida. Headed by Carol and Rob Baker, a mom and son organization, have created a formula and product comprised of only natural ingredients that allow the health conscious and industry savvy to salivate.  Their product is labeled a "Tattoo Salve" which is different then a balm or lotion. A salve, you mix it as you apply which activates and changes the chemical composition as you apply it to your tattoo.  This product was originally intended as a wound salve and after success with healing and cleanliness of the wound, Carol and Rob were able to modify their formula to fit a tattoo sensibility.  This salves helps alleviate the painful edge and swolleness a tattoo has after being done; while coating the tattoo, it helps draw more blood and thus more cells to the dermis increasing efficiency in healing time.  The main ingredient in this is the vitamin E that helps heal the skin more readily.  All of their ingredients (all natural) are all listed on their label, the only thing they don't tell you is the composition. The ingredients are: Infused Comfrey Oil, Cocoa & Shea Butter, Beeswax, Propolis, Vitamin E Oil, Tea Tree and Lavender.

Though there are discrepancies between professionals about what products and ingredients heal better, this is a product not to go with out trying.  The feel and effects of this product happen to be quite nice.

The uniqueness of this salve is its lasting effects after use.  It helps keep color resilient and vibrant while helping reduce scars (for those tattoos done by a not so experienced artist) It not only works as a tattoo healing ointment but also a safe, general healing ointment for everyday cuts, scaring, and wounds. It compares to the healing potency of H2Ocean and Tattoo Goo. But adds a little something extra.  Carol an Rob themselves are the most down to Earth owners and hard workers you can meet. They label each of their products "Please Enjoy & Use by:" the expiration date. You an find their products online at www.bakershealth.com or at Woven Inks: The Traveling Gent In Denver.  Feel free to call Rob Baker with any questions as he will be more than happy to discuss any questions and fill your orders as needed.

www.bakershealth.com

Rob Baker

303-359-5678

Hump Day Tattoo

Model: Unknown

Hump Day:

Fucking hell... The weekend cannot come fast enough for most of us. Whether your busy at your 9-5 or just cruising through the week getting to tattoo/ be tattooed like most of us; there's nothing better than Happy hour and a little "hump" on our Wednesdays to keep us going for a couple more days.  

Redundant.

End note: I hope you all get to have a drink and fuck tonight. Thank you for reading.