Left arm after 2/25/05 session. 

2/25/05 - Funny day

It has only been a week (6 days actually) since my last session. Usually I have to wait 3 weeks, so this was cool. Time to start some purple on the left arm. Must have been something in the air because everyone seemed pretty funny. Lots of talk about past adventures. Fun stuff. Some strange dude came in talking up a storm and trying to get in with the AC guys. Christopher might have a new friend if he comes back. We didn't get as much done as I think Chris wanted to, but it was a very entertaining evening.
Total Time - 15.25 hours

Right arm after 2/19/05 session. Purple and yellow goodness. 

2/19/05 - New Colors

Went in expecting to have more background work done. Christopher decided to start on the right arm flowers. Purple is the color of choice. The flowers have the background patterns flowing through them, so only parts will be purple. Artcore was very busy too. There was an art opening that night so lots of cleaning going on. I picked up two bitching' magnets. Going back next Friday for a quickie. Got some time from Ian and we are going to split it up over a couple different days.
Total Time - 14.25 hours

Sides of both arms as of 1/29/05. 

Right arm after 1/29/05 session. Black background ink is new. Some of the red has been touched up also. 

1/29/05 - OUCH...

I don't know what is up with my right arm. It wasn't happy to get ink today. Maybe it was something I ate, or the humidity, but it was pissed. Luckily it seems to calm down afterwards. Anyway, Christopher started in on the background with black. He also worked on the red, giving parts a second "coat". He did this off the clock, which is really damn cool! Props to Chris(tine) too for giving me the rest of her gift certificate! Thanks! It has been only a day and I'm ready for the next session. Only 2o days to wait!
Total Time - 12.25 hours

Chris' new tats! 

1/22/05 - Chris' new tats

Chris(tine) used her b-day gift today. She had a cool old serving tray with a flower design on it. She thought some of the flowers would look good on her ankles. Christopher did the work and they came out AWESOME. I can't wait for the color on my arms now! I SO wish I could have my arms done. Some day...................

Day after 1/08/05 session. 

1/08/05 - Left arm time

Chris went with me again today. This time she remembered the stuff she wanted to show Christopher for her ankles. As for me, today was left arm day. Christopher put in the grey lines to show where the background colors will change. He also started on the shading in the background. Looks good. Funny, but a day after a session I'm ready to go back. Photo soon. Total Time - 10.25 hours

Day after 12/5 session. Red has been filled in and some grey lines added. 

12/05/04 - Red Again

Dark and stormy night in Seattle. Christopher finished up the red on my right arm as well as laying in some grey lines. Those will help in showing where to change colors and make up another design on top/behind the flowers. It looks crazy right now, but once the other colors start getting put on it will look amazing. Bishop took a look at it and asked Christopher about what he was planning. It was cool to listen to him talk about what he was going to do. I still can't totally explain it to anyone, but I can see it in my mind. Anyway, I'm off for a month, then go twice in January. I'll post another pic soon. Total Time - 8.25 hours

Day after 11/15/04 session. Red getting filled in. Christopher says it will be the only solid color. 

Questions

Lots of questions from people at work. I'll try to post them and some possible answers.

Q - Why?
A - This one really depends on who is asking and the tone. Usually the answer is that its something I've wanted to do. Or it can be just because I can. Sometimes the answer is because I hate myself (for people who have a sneer when they ask).

Q - Does it hurt?
A - For me not that bad. For you it might be awful. Everyone feels pain differently. It stings during tattooing, and feels kind of like a sunburn for a day. The thing that bugs me the most is about a week later when it starts to ITCH. That sucks.

Q - How long until it is done?
A - I'm not sure. Christopher is the artist and when he says it is done, its done. This isn't a quick project and I wouldn't want him to rush it. I am also getting both arms done at the same time so it will take longer.

Q - How much does it cost?
A - Lots. Art is expensive.

Q - Have you shown your mom?
A - HELL NO! I'm waiting for the right time. Yes I'm a puss. A 38 year old puss.

11/15/04 - RED, RED, and more RED

Went in today for 2.25 hours of "mowing the lawn" work. Christopher wanted to get some of the boring work out of the way. All the flames need to be filled in with red, so we started that. The left arm has the most so we got those filled in and started on the right ones. The left arm didn't really bother me at all. When we switched to the right one though, MAN! Definitely felt it. Chris says that many people will feel more pain when switching from one side to the other. Very strange. Also apparently I don't bleed. Not very much anyway. We still have about half of the red to finish on the right arm. Christopher also mentioned that red is a hard color to fill with because your skin starts to redden from the tattooing. It makes it hard to see if the color is completely covering. There might be areas that will need to be hit again. Photo above. Total time - 6.5 hours

Outlines on both arms. Ready for some color. 

Left arm with outlines complete.  

Sunday 10/24/04

I went in for a short session. Christopher put the outlines on my left arm. Next time the color starts! Two days later (Tuesday) I'm really liking where its going. With outlines on both arms I can get a good grasp of what it will look like. Christopher was explaining what is to come next and I can't wait! I'll try to post photos later today. Total time - 4.25 hours

Work done on right arm 10/9/04. Photo is one and a half weeks after.