Recent Blog Posts
Pistols and Wings
post a comment | posted Feb 13
Originally posted at Allen Tattoo
View larger version, or another/crappier version.
This one felt great to finish. We started over a year ago and her visits were sporadic. But today we knocked it out.
I'm slowly getting used to having partially finished work walking around. Wh...
Secret number three
post a comment | posted Feb 12
Originally posted at Allen Tattoo
Soaking it all up can be overwhelming. Just know that eventually some of it will make sense.
*eventually = God only knows. So in the words of Tupac Shakur: "girl, keep your head up."
And thus concludes our three part series.
Secret number two
post a comment | posted Feb 12
Originally posted at Allen Tattoo
Always be professional.
The South lost, but that doesn't mean you have a right to judge the guy getting a rebel flag on his throat. But you have every right to make fun of him in the back of the shop.
Not-So-Recent Blog Posts
Secret number one
post a comment | posted Feb 12
Originally posted at Allen Tattoo
When in doubt: clean.
Just when you feel safe
post a comment | posted Feb 10
Originally posted at Allen Tattoo
I've heard about, and have slightly experienced, extreme sin skin. But today I tattooed a lady behind her neck. Well, slightly at the top of her spine. The stencil went on perfect and life was good. I setup a 7 to line. As soon as my needles w...
Scale rip
post a comment | posted Feb 5
Originally posted at Allen Tattoo
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For his first tattoo, this guy picked a flesh rip from an old flash book. I took the rip and added some Dan Hazelton flare to it. His skin tear outs are incredible.
I found a good reference photo for the scales. I needed some...
It's the little mistakes
post a comment | posted Feb 5
Originally posted at Allen Tattoo
This week I had almost finished an outline and I wasn't happy. Instead of a solid, clean line, it was a variety of thicknesses and wavy.
What had happened? I concentrated on my stretch... it was fine. I wondered about my needle depth, so I set it ...
Busy, busy
post a comment | posted Feb 3
Originally posted at Allen Tattoo
I've been working hard lately. From tattooing to web design, my hands are tired. Then, when I need a mental break, I go and play Xbox. It doesn't really give my hands rest, but it takes me away for a little while.
Right after the holiday...
Full circle
post a comment | posted Jan 29
Originally posted at Allen Tattoo
The past two weeks have introduced two new apprentices in our shop. It's strange. I've never been one to easily fall into any role. But being the lowest on the pole in a tattoo shop somehow became normal. Now, I'm getting the same questions I asked...
On inventory
post a comment | posted Jan 25
Originally posted at Allen Tattoo
As work comes in, I have to constantly keep my inventory in check. By asking myself questions, I'm starting to feel close to getting a handle on things. But lately I've been realizing that I need to include time into the equation, not just supplies...