So I just spent a few days working at Magnum Opus Tattoo in Brighton alongside all of the talented folks there. I had the ‘Presidential Suite’ overlooking the studio from upstairs. Thanks to all there and especially thanks to Phil for letting me use his booth and the opportunity to work in a Devo ‘Powerdome’!
The days were all booked out, with all appointments already taken before I arrived which kept me as busy as a bee. First in was Arya having his ‘Steampunk’ Owl half sleeve finished off – I did the lines and black shading a while back (almost a year ago) and so the photos taken look a little odd……excuses, excuses (my love always says we tattooists excuse our photographs to unnecessary extents).
Arya had a piece influenced by a wedding invitation by my friend Thomas Hooper on his under arm last year too. Here it is all healed (he managed to let it scab and knock some of it off though which I’ll fix next time).
Next in was DanSturgess (name condensed) who had the rest of his forearm filled in with a “Tin Tin/Indiana Jones” map or the world. I’d like to work in to this a little further at some point.
After this was Mikey Demus and old friend who I’ve tattooed on many occasions and rarely in the same location, so sticking with tradition then……. I attacked his hand first with a sort of modern geisha with a day of the dead twist – at his request but I think it turned out well. Here he is just before all the pain kicked in….
Mikey also had a ‘Our Lady Godzillupe’ with some of my favourite stuff to do – colour mandala work – which, apparently, was the demented but fun imagining of his crazy wife. I had fun drawing up this unusual combination tattoo but I think he found it rough the jessie…… Arya, DanSturgess and Mikey all play in the Ragga/Punk/Metal band Skindred who are very cool check them out and if they come near you then go and see them live as they totally kick ass on the stage!
On the last day Stephen another old customer was in to get his palm tattooed which he sat through well. I had tattooed his other palm about 3 years ago which has stayed in pretty well but first up is the new piece.
and the pair (iPhone pic I’m afraid).
My very last customer in the UK for the next year was Fraser who travelled all the way down from Scotland to get a complex band tattooed around his elbow area – he didn’t flinch a bit……brave man.
Here’s how that sat with his other healed stuff.
