Black & Blue Tattoo

Another lovely time with a good friend this week. Dana and I met to walk at Ellis Creek and saw swans and geese in Water and the air. Much needed catching up and inspiration between us artists. Check out her work @danadavisart I am wearing one of @kotori_murphy custom non fog masks, which I took home, even though I ordered it to keep my tattoos precise. X

Finally got to see my very good friend Junkyard. She was one of my first friends and people to tattoo on this continent about 30 years ago. Here we are wearing masks, my custom fit tortoise mask by Kotori Murphy sold by and @Kotori-Murphy. Junkyards ‘Bo-Mask’ by Catherine Opie sold at Moma! Both are for good causes! Spend a fantastic afternoon together! Xox

Niko finally was able to have his inspirational Grog tattoo finished. There were so many month between our first and last session. This tattoo helps him remember that he can do things he thought he couldn’t after a bad shoulder injury. He is mighty enough to carry this mighty now Nordic Warrior Tattoo! X #grogstrongjaw #shouldertattoo #shoulderworkout #redandblack #blackandred #healing #intention #thicklines #circle #circletattoo #bayareatattoo #sf #sftattooartist

Tiro and I worked with his scars and older tattoos to create a cohesive and modern feel for his modern mind and body. We worked over many month and he was always pleasant and ready to do what it takes to move forward. I am impressed by your perseverance and relaxed attitude every time! Thank you for your generosity on many levels, Tiro! #scars #transandinked #remade #blackandred #blackandredtattoo #redandblack #leatherpride #leatherboy #smart #smartcookie #perserverance #armtattoo #torsotattoo #bayareatattoo #sanfranciscotattoo

Incredible realistic painting by @andrew.snow of my client and friends @art_by_afisher tattoo. I had a really enjoyable time and Andrew was a stud getting tattooed until I wiped the tattoo down with COLD water... Small additions were done since then, but I swear I will get a bottle warmer for you for the hopefully near future! Miss you! Xox #tattoo #tattoopainting #painters #backtattoo #muscles #muscleman #stud #artist #decorativetattoo #trade #more #sexyoldermen #gay #myclient #myclientsrock #bayareaartists #femaletattooartist #studly

Torrey crouching down and enjoying the view from a hill near her home in El Sobrante. One of the pics from our photo shoot with @hisnameisricardo taken earlier this year. I am showing it in back and white here since the contrast is so appealing. You mostly see the lemon tree tattoo, we later added the extended roots, going into a woodblock piece for her daughter, Bauhaus style. The lemon tree symbolizes home and she and I both have planted one in our yards since the Tattoo ap...peared on her back.... Torrey is a science teacher and nature lover, parent and friend. We have worked together for many years. It is always a huge discovery for me to collaborate with her. I visited their family home after the shoot and was in awe of the rustic and beautiful space they created. The garden has grown a lot since then and their kid seems to be always reading and playing/learning. It takes a village.... which very few of us have these days... even more respect for this amazing and bright being! Love you, Torrey and thank you for all your trust and inspiration over the years! Xox See more

Nina came back for a collaboration of an abstraction of a Russian stacking doll tattoo. We had worked together a few years back and were inspired by Alexander Calder and her grandmother. This time we worked with red and black as well as Calder as the base influence. We both are pleased with the result. #matryoshka #russia #childhood #childhoodmemories #redandblack #redandblacktattoo #blackandred #blackandredtattoo #abstractart #abstracttattoo #upperbody #mask #masktattoo #dollface #dolltattoo #russianstackingdolls #grandmother #grandmothertattoo #memorialtattoo #tattoo #bayareatattoo #bayareatattooartist #abstraction #repeatcustomer #calder #alexandercalder #collaboration

More of Mike, Hannah and Torrey earlier this year. I am very happy, they all got along and even enjoyed each other and the shoot, so it seems! Thank you again Ricardo for the inspiration and collaboration! When can we do that again? .... x #groupphoto #grouptattoo #eastbay #bluehair #yellow #yellowpants #torso #torsotattoo #three #threesome #triple #oneman #allgenders #bayareatattoo #sftattoo #besttattoos #besttattooshop #intimate

Robert had been inspired by my wood burning post from May 19th. I created the burns during isolation in my backyard wood after a bbq family dinner. We worked together to come up with this inspired piece ‘carved’ into his skin. I am delighted we used red with black. Thank you for your creativity and trust! #woodburning #circle #circles #redinktattoo #redink #redandblack #armtattoo #cuts #disection #healing

Joey came to me to get something just for himself, his personal logo, a symbol of his own! It was a relieve to see this awesome young man transform as he stood up and saw his tattoo on his arm. Thank you for your trust and vision! Xox

Rocio and I have given each other some solace in these challenging times. They asked me to add a moon to howl at. After all, they were raised by wolves... over two decades ago through an apprenticeship at @blackandbluetattoo with Natalie Chandler and I! Rocio is still connected with us and honors us as their mentors, Family and friends. I know I can speak for Natalie, when I say, we are very proud of Rocio, who owns and runs Diving Swallow for over a decade now. A true Gift to know Rocio always! #moon #wolf #moontattoo #belly #bellytattoo #stomachtattoo #stomach #apprentice #artphotography #blacktattoo #blackwork #black #corazon #razon #growth #raisedbywolves

Joe has been thinking about a tattoo for years that would incorporate and honor his family name on his mother’s side. We collaborated to create this image of St. George directly on his body. It is so satisfying to give my clients finally what they have been patiently waiting for.... this one is more figurative then what I am usually comfortable with but it seems these times have been steering me to be more open to working outside of my comfort zones. #stgeorge #blacktattooart #blackandgreen #firsttattoo #coronatattoo #figurativetattoo #horse #horsetattoo #dragon #lance #lancer #goodoverevil #victory #family #familytattoo #mother #motherson #celtics #wiking #bayarea #bayareatattooartist

Remembering this photo shoot with the photogenic and smart Hanna! Really love showing her art in all angles. What a beautiful day we had. Thank you again Ricardo for taking the photos. Would love to work together again! #outsidephotography #naturetattoo #armpittattoo #tattoomodel #abstractart #abstracttattoo #abstracttattoos #colortattoo #colortattoos #bayareaartists #bayareatattoo #sanfrancisco #sanfranciscoartist #sanfranciscotattoo