Tuesday, September 16, 2014

My Knuckle Got Lonely

New York has largely defined the woman I have become today. It's possible that one day we will live far off in another land, and I will look at my NY inspired ink, and be reminded of the ole days.  But for now, I wear them proudly in my city streets.  Also, The New York Yankees were a huge part of my childhood, and I have carried on the tradition into adulthood.  Living in the city, also makes it much easier to see games at the stadium!  I watch MLB from April to September, always with the glimmer of hope that my team continues into October.  I'm always working on a home project, cleaning or organizing while the game is on.  Sometimes I pay attention with such intensity, but I can also just keep an eye on my team while multitasking.

Phil Rizzuto was a constant voice in my home during the hot summers in upstate New York.  Don Mattingly was my 80's hero that could never be, and the stories of the players before my time made The New York Yankees seem like gods of sport.  So I thought it would be fitting to honor the player of my generation, #2 Derek Jeter.

I don't think I'm alone in getting inked at poignant or transitional times, and I noticed that I had consistently sat down in a chair right before I started a new job.  With no intentions of getting a big piece right away, the notion struck me before I started a 6 week gig, this past Spring.  I literally woke up that morning, and decided my Yankee knuckle tattoo was lonely.  I had the impulsive idea of a playing card heart with 2 small dots (for #2), just the thing to adorn the original knuckle perfectly! 

I wanted to check out Daredevil's new location on Division Street anyway, so here was a reason.  I've been to the old shop 3 times in the past, (all great experiences) and thought this was simple enough that I would take any of the artists that were available. Kyle Markiewicz from St. Louis, MO was the guest artist that week, and I was very happy to have him give me this adornment! 


Thursday, August 29, 2013

Birthday Butterfly!

Another birthday, another tattoo...

My wonderful & amazing boyfriend, Ronnie took me to the Jersey Shore to celebrate my 35th birthday, last weekend.  Asbury Park has become our favorite local get-a-way, and we have shared many memories and celebrated anniversaries there - so we can always find an excuse to go!  We stay at a really unique modern renovation, The Hotel Tides & never pass up a meal at Langosta Lounge.

But the "must-do" when we visit the shore, is to make a stop into Electric Tattoo & visit my favorite guy, Tom Yak.  Saturday is "walk-in" day at the shop for all of the artists, but be sure to get there before noon - the list fills up quickly.  I asked Tom for more of the same, "American Traditional", bold and beautiful.  He always delivers clean lines & a design that will stand the test of time!  I love this piece, and I can't wait to keep going on my right sleeve.

The picture below is fresh ink in the shop, note the blood & red swollen area.


Healing nicely.... 5 days later.


Monday, June 10, 2013

Matching Sugar Skulls for Día de Muertos

I started a position at a new company this past Fall, after 10 years of commitment to my first "real" job after college.  This was a huge move for me professionally; I had become comfortable in my work life, despite all the chaos going on in my family and personal life.  This move was not only upward, but an opportunity to be a part of a new and growing organization.  I had a couple ideas in mind to "mark" this moment in time, but the 2nd week of my new adventure was overshadowed by Superstorm Sandy.

My long time friend Jeremiah, and I had talked forever about getting matching skulls.  I found this time to be the opportune moment to celebrate Día de Muertos.  There was a lot of suffering around us, but I could still feel the positive energy.  The city started pulling together just like another time Jeremiah and I knew all too well.

This was also an opportunity to get inked at Brooklyn Tattoo, owned by Adam Suerte.  His shop was running a Day of the Dead special, and this was our chance!  Patricia Mazza took care of Jeremiah first; with a larger, black & grey version of what I got.


It cost a little extra for the color, but worth it!  I love this piece on the inside of my right arm - once I fill the outer side, it will be time for more Salt & Pepper!

Salt & Pepper

After moving my main blog, StellaBella to wordpress in 2012, I forgot all about this little piece of documentation I had also been working on.  Here we are in 2013, and I have been tattooed since!  I spoke last about my 3rd and least favorite "Friday The 13th" tattoo.  Right before that one, I decided to tie my right arm together, with an American traditional technique called "Salt & Pepper".

More like dots, asterisks, and plus signs, it's the filler in between my favorite style of tattoo.  After watching myself on NY Ink, I noticed all of my negative space in particular.  I had been adding small pieces around my original piece, but now I needed some cohesion.  My main man, Tom Yak and I had talked about it before, so he was happy to start tying it together.  I also requested an LTD to forever remind me the name of the episode I was on. 

Friday, August 31, 2012

My 3rd Friday the 13th & Tom Yak cover-up

The 13th year that I resided in NYC, was a year that included 3 Friday the 13th; which is rare.  I have participated in 2 Friday the 13th tattoo events - and I had it in my head that I should round it out with one more.

2012, like 2009, also includes 3 Friday the 13ths.  It landed in January, April, and July.  In January, Ronnie & I were in Boston, MA, and I struck out trying to find a shop participating.  In April, we were in Orlando, FL - need I say more, no shops around.  I did walk into the H&H shop on the Universal Walk and talk to the guys there, but I mean... come on.

So this July, when the day arrived again, I had to wait in the house for Time Warner to arrive all morning.  When there is a window of time, they always show up in the last quarter - Annoying.  Hand of Glory was not participating this time around, and I wasn't going to have time to get to Dare Devil, without being there all night.  I also had to be in Midtown by 6pm.  Let's just say, it was not going to go right - no matter what I did. I guess it was an unlucky day this time.

I found the list of 5 shops in Brooklyn that would be running the special, and I chose what I thought was the best flash piece.  It was a simple pair of traditional cherries, and I thought it would go nicely on the back of my right bicep.  I knew nothing of the shop listed previously, and I honestly didn't have a good feeling after walking into Gristle Tattoo that afternoon.  It looked brand new, and as if no one knew what was going on.   But I gave it a shot, if all else failed - I would go to my man, Tom Yak.  He would fix whatever mishap occurred... exactly what happened.


The above was the advertised flash, by the female artist in the shop, Brittany Bauza.  Since this shop was allowing the 18yo Jersey girls to get 2, count 'em 2 tattoos at a time... she was occupied.  This set of Jersey girls were coming from the other "new" shop down the street, that also allowed them to adorn themselves with 2 $13 pieces of garbage ink.  The shop manager handed me over to the guest artist instead.  This is what I ended up with:

 
I know, I know...what do you want for a $13 tattoo?  But I have participated in 2 other 13th events, and received clean line work, and shading.  Where is the shading?  As I was being tattooed I could feel his hand shaking, and knew the lines were not clean & barely scratched the surface.  I have enjoyed participating in the tradition of Friday the 13th in the past, (started by Oliver Peck in Dallas, TX) - I just need to be more selective in the future, I should not have rushed myself into this one...

I went to Electric Tattoo during our recent trip out to the Jersey Shore, and Tom fixed me up right!
All in all, tips included - this tattoo cost me $60, and I gained 2 Tom Yak t-shirts in the process.  It was done originally on Friday the 13th, but fixed during a great Holiday vacation!  I feel like my focus going forward will be on bigger pieces, and I have finished my fun with little fillers - who knows, I might want more later.
Thanks again Tom (and for the t's too!), looking forward to starting the back piece soon!


Sunday, February 19, 2012

NY Ink Part II "Living The Dream"




Here is the photo from Megan Massacre's website.   The show aired on 2.16.2012, and my segment is the last one.  It has been an honor to be in the company of Ink tattoo customers such as Lloyd Banks, Anthony BourdainMethod Man, Marky Ramone, John Forté, and most recently Tito Puente, Jr!