Tattoosday in Kentucky: Taylor's Owls

I don't travel too often, but last week, I had an overnight business trip to Covington, Kentucky. I was excited to do some inkspotting outside of New York, but the bustle of the airports and the late arrival on a rainy evening didn't bode well for early success.<br /><br />However, after my co-worker dropped me at the front of the hotel in Hebron, Kentucky, so I could get an early start on check in, he was a bit surprised to come in after parking the rental car to see me chatting with Taylor, the front desk representative, as she was unbuttoning her top shirt to share these tattoos with me:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDfKAFOb9RpjpX1ml2y-Pxf3UwyiBJcT4Yrknno5WbQxl-TBYNMh1qu2bdg_FlbVWSPWOAzF-O7KEqsAtbMY9mptSMLUsVTXTvDLICWo2cM1qo3jHA2SjCSBY81oXgc5kdxoS18EEUAkA/s1600/taylors+owls+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDfKAFOb9RpjpX1ml2y-Pxf3UwyiBJcT4Yrknno5WbQxl-TBYNMh1qu2bdg_FlbVWSPWOAzF-O7KEqsAtbMY9mptSMLUsVTXTvDLICWo2cM1qo3jHA2SjCSBY81oXgc5kdxoS18EEUAkA/s400/taylors+owls+wm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />While checking in, I had noticed a flaming diamond tattoo on Taylor's wrist and, after explaining a little about Tattoosday, she happily agreed to participate, showing me these two owls which she liked a lot more than her wrist tattoo.<br /><br />She explained that she got these after going through a rough time, and that she appreciated the symbolism of owls, and the wisdom they represent. The owl is often associated with the Greek goddess <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athena">Athena</a>, who is often depicted with an owl perched on her shoulder.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjNyuQmN6o2WWBuCYCgIlM2FTPILxkcGWNnsl08gZsIDEo6c4Vra5jdvnEW2kZDKSRUErWbCn-FaIEZ28wRRA2LcOe7lSHhxi7HXDxSe9Cf6t7CU3UxUIoz18nRFHFMhy0BKch2DUkZFE/s1600/taylors+owls+detail+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjNyuQmN6o2WWBuCYCgIlM2FTPILxkcGWNnsl08gZsIDEo6c4Vra5jdvnEW2kZDKSRUErWbCn-FaIEZ28wRRA2LcOe7lSHhxi7HXDxSe9Cf6t7CU3UxUIoz18nRFHFMhy0BKch2DUkZFE/s400/taylors+owls+detail+wm.jpg" width="355" /></a></div><br />Taylor had these tattooed at <a href="http://www.myspace.com/artsink05">Arts Ink</a> in Covington, Kentucky, by <a href="http://www.myspace.com/boddhi333">Boddhi</a>.<br /><br />Thanks to Taylor for sharing her owls and welcoming me to Kentucky with some cool ink!

Tattoosday in Kentucky: Taylor's Owls

I don't travel too often, but last week, I had an overnight business trip to Covington, Kentucky. I was excited to do some inkspotting o...

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Christina's Owl and Lighthouse

I met Christina one day after work while walking outside of Madison Square Garden.<br /><br />She had this incredible tattoo, which she gladly shared with us here on Tattoosday:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FjAsN6fQi-2nYnYL8ug5bRm4EAOPhbUEpEEpNf2y7vn9nVnbsDF1ckHphbc_16FGI4Nd6rYOVsuiWuoP6BiBuong8e0x9G-r1R3_BtV8_-r97xTzxos5d6AyDJFAVbvOb7GqN-HY/s1600/owl+lighthouse+collage+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FjAsN6fQi-2nYnYL8ug5bRm4EAOPhbUEpEEpNf2y7vn9nVnbsDF1ckHphbc_16FGI4Nd6rYOVsuiWuoP6BiBuong8e0x9G-r1R3_BtV8_-r97xTzxos5d6AyDJFAVbvOb7GqN-HY/s640/owl+lighthouse+collage+wm.jpg" width="324" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>This tattoo that covers her upper left arm was actually done in two segments by artist <a href="http://www.orrinhurleytattoo.com/">Orrin Hurley</a>, who currently tattoos at <a href="http://www.daredeviltattoo.com/">Dare Devil Tattoo</a> in Manhattan.<br /><br />As for the source material behind this beautiful tattoo, Christina chose a piece of art by <a href="http://www.theburtongallery.co.uk/site/artists.php?prod_id=45">Frances Olive Esme Eve</a>:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTLqI7TbrTWvVm_8u5jIdaDLGfid83GGWoY5GXqkPcumVhDb7VcYfkq3g_-Hx9Bs9s7SoECbpm3gYEjh8uXcF4pPVchhiZ3Po2JNBfpZ2wsFNRotd8MBhh3KOlPKk7Osz7XoiYUzM/s1600/EsmeOwl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTLqI7TbrTWvVm_8u5jIdaDLGfid83GGWoY5GXqkPcumVhDb7VcYfkq3g_-Hx9Bs9s7SoECbpm3gYEjh8uXcF4pPVchhiZ3Po2JNBfpZ2wsFNRotd8MBhh3KOlPKk7Osz7XoiYUzM/s400/EsmeOwl.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><br />A closer look at the tattooed owl shows how it was changed, but you can still see that there is still a lot from the original design:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYLT9dbbzsMPLewSvFNnDD-lxMeLA1nk7Zo0MtvLc-3k82I_lG_l7E_eLTwRnNIPlvUgf95Iyf_435iGI5VZzFlSpE3cn8NaMcRO0KwFyKQBOzfv_qTG6CerlnNUlN7zBA8Pptm-6b/s1600/Owl+Detail+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYLT9dbbzsMPLewSvFNnDD-lxMeLA1nk7Zo0MtvLc-3k82I_lG_l7E_eLTwRnNIPlvUgf95Iyf_435iGI5VZzFlSpE3cn8NaMcRO0KwFyKQBOzfv_qTG6CerlnNUlN7zBA8Pptm-6b/s640/Owl+Detail+wm.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><br />The lighthouse was inspired by the <a href="http://www.portlandheadlight.com/home.html">Portland Head Light</a> on Cape Elizabeth, Maine.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbIJSZ99zHEb4fqq298uJMy5_gliwVZFWXLZg2Vz8iqK0D-VcEo0H70U2y-BqjylQr8Wvd8ZPaU5pLcvgCdPY86F0UyWdbId5rX688UJD9D4Y2IfRikTgmYu-x2oKgXRlbM6FNBoZ8/s1600/Lighthouse+detail+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbIJSZ99zHEb4fqq298uJMy5_gliwVZFWXLZg2Vz8iqK0D-VcEo0H70U2y-BqjylQr8Wvd8ZPaU5pLcvgCdPY86F0UyWdbId5rX688UJD9D4Y2IfRikTgmYu-x2oKgXRlbM6FNBoZ8/s640/Lighthouse+detail+wm.jpg" width="156" /></a></div><br />Thanks to Christina for sharing her tattoo with us here on Tattoosday.

Christina's Owl and Lighthouse

I met Christina one day after work while walking outside of Madison Square Garden. She had this incredible tattoo, which she gladly shared w...

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Timmy's Sophisticated Owl

Earlier this month, Melanie and I took advantage of having my sister's car while she was out of the country and we made an unusual shopping trip to the <a href="http://www.fairwaymarket.com/">Fairway Market</a> in the <a href="http://nymag.com/realestate/articles/neighborhoods/redhook.htm">Red Hook</a> section of Brooklyn.<br /><br />There was a gentleman in the produce section with a lot of tattoos, and Melanie pointed out one to me that she thought was cool, this owl on his calf:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZu2Syobg5eDmc7Jwxt6mU_sBafR5PVunI2AusLcgq8ZhUgDcrL3CeUIgbtlK6_nUXtMtT6phNW1mXsqOCXofbm5oQDd46XayfHs0dRTgJX7bDhZAAbzRW3cTHW_xBrSb7ZkU00ujU/s1600/owl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZu2Syobg5eDmc7Jwxt6mU_sBafR5PVunI2AusLcgq8ZhUgDcrL3CeUIgbtlK6_nUXtMtT6phNW1mXsqOCXofbm5oQDd46XayfHs0dRTgJX7bDhZAAbzRW3cTHW_xBrSb7ZkU00ujU/s400/owl.jpg" width="270" /></a></div><br />Turns out that the guy was <a href="http://www.timmytattoo.com/">Timmy</a> from <a href="http://www.timmytattoo.com/">Timmy Tattoo</a>, an artist whose name rang a distant bell. Work by Timmy appeared in one of Tattoosday's <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/2007/08/tattoosday-3-billyblog-pulls-tat-trick.html">earliest posts</a>, when I met Jackie,an FIT student whose tattoos appeared <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/2007/08/tattoosday-3-billyblog-pulls-tat-trick.html">here</a>.<br /><br />Timmy's owl was inked by <a href="http://www.garrettstattoo.com/garrett.html">Garrett Ostrowski</a> of <a href="http://www.garrettstattoo.com/home">Garrett's Tattoos</a>.<br /><br />Thanks to Timmy for sharing one of his many tattoos with us here on Tattoosday!

Timmy's Sophisticated Owl

Earlier this month, Melanie and I took advantage of having my sister's car while she was out of the country and we made an unusual shopp...

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Sean Shares a Host of Traditional Tattoos

I ran into Sean at the Foodtown in my neighborhood and when I stopped to talk to him about his tattoos (he has nine), I ended up with photos of several pieces, all of which reside on his left arm.<br /><br />Most of the designs are traditional tattoo subjects, all of which were inked by <a href="http://www.eliquinters.com/">Eli Quinters</a> at <a href="http://www.smithstreettattoo.com/">Smith Street Tattoo Parlour</a> in  Brooklyn. Work from <a href="http://www.smithstreettattoo.com/">Smith Street Tattoo</a> has appeared previously on Tattoosday <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/search/label/Smith%20Street%20Tattoo%20Parlour">here</a>.<br /><br />First up is this amazing lighthouse:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN1hZi6fBLc6Z5rfvEUQzDd1EObTSxQPqp8YH1BuTO3gq7ZzvLPw0yvvEVWl_A6kBoCj6PiCWkC4d4BhvHQFO1umTyzPx8RM4EI2j2j3bgNG0E60s0JcGak5abDmvE9hb_cRRYmgJp/s1600/Sean+Lighthouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN1hZi6fBLc6Z5rfvEUQzDd1EObTSxQPqp8YH1BuTO3gq7ZzvLPw0yvvEVWl_A6kBoCj6PiCWkC4d4BhvHQFO1umTyzPx8RM4EI2j2j3bgNG0E60s0JcGak5abDmvE9hb_cRRYmgJp/s640/Sean+Lighthouse.jpg" width="224" /></a></div><br /><br />Sean explained that this tattoo is for his mother, as this tattoo is based on her "favorite lighthouse," the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fastnet_Rock">Fastnet Lighthouse</a> on the most southerly point on the coast of Ireland.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzh9X8Wep0XfXLEbqFhgB0mKOsKbIgt9cyrXKumZy267z4nps77tc6mqT4OAj6E4i9zZqhdVNakNX2ScByEinEQgQGbP2WF02TY2d8B2aGXcXTMtwIdD2_c375FNJSIoOJHn5DkCwL/s1600/fastnet_lighthouse_rocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzh9X8Wep0XfXLEbqFhgB0mKOsKbIgt9cyrXKumZy267z4nps77tc6mqT4OAj6E4i9zZqhdVNakNX2ScByEinEQgQGbP2WF02TY2d8B2aGXcXTMtwIdD2_c375FNJSIoOJHn5DkCwL/s320/fastnet_lighthouse_rocks.jpg" /></a></div><br />Then there is this owl tattoo:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7BkYF3IiFUsZZwuvEIaPdqJJQpYNdrp5tVXlV-TPgCmowhOv2hE1AT2Ca-h3WirMAD-aOd6jBu9zJjYLWCwO-478VYcRLVbek6eb4feiLpG1T8G1xNED5HN-D0QzobjmkXBVy_H4Q/s1600/Sean+owl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7BkYF3IiFUsZZwuvEIaPdqJJQpYNdrp5tVXlV-TPgCmowhOv2hE1AT2Ca-h3WirMAD-aOd6jBu9zJjYLWCwO-478VYcRLVbek6eb4feiLpG1T8G1xNED5HN-D0QzobjmkXBVy_H4Q/s640/Sean+owl.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><br /><br />This was done for no other reason that Sean has always liked owls. If you love owl tattoos, be sure to head over to <a href="http://owltattoos.blogspot.com/">this site</a>. <br /><br />Then there is the elephant tattoo:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjySX0-7_-1bxDsWIaNZ0QlwXBvcezXG7dOjYbmNb2TvTQW7pkr21fbFg3VOP_a2sfcSQr9rLAFs_Np76tZ9k5aslTVBq0uHHbq9jQg-zmrVBNrhsDbY9Wk1blh6yqjnFBpAMZV1VS/s1600/Sean+Elephant+Left.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjySX0-7_-1bxDsWIaNZ0QlwXBvcezXG7dOjYbmNb2TvTQW7pkr21fbFg3VOP_a2sfcSQr9rLAFs_Np76tZ9k5aslTVBq0uHHbq9jQg-zmrVBNrhsDbY9Wk1blh6yqjnFBpAMZV1VS/s400/Sean+Elephant+Left.jpg" width="262" /></a></div><br /><br />He has this piece because "elephants never forget". <br /><br />I know we posted a sugar skull yesterday, but here's another one:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQSMvEJVPIVNdhSGpWlBMj9xu0zAF7bA8Q1tb2PqVJjo1oHVuwXEXCJ9FYE7TkGrkBCqInTsQjMEGLM2-UJ1afgaBzL9LGy6py3I-iM1EjLr0on8NL1B5AEKZ5e6iNsdEfsVJ6Nw8/s1600/Sean+Sugar+Skull.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQSMvEJVPIVNdhSGpWlBMj9xu0zAF7bA8Q1tb2PqVJjo1oHVuwXEXCJ9FYE7TkGrkBCqInTsQjMEGLM2-UJ1afgaBzL9LGy6py3I-iM1EjLr0on8NL1B5AEKZ5e6iNsdEfsVJ6Nw8/s640/Sean+Sugar+Skull.jpg" width="369" /></a></div><br /><br />This was all Eli's design. Sean gave him free reign and likes the fact that it is unusual in that there are not a lot of colors in it, like one sees in most sugar skull tattoos. For all that have appeared on Tattoosday previously, check <a href="http://tattoosday.blogspot.com/search/label/Sugar%20Skulls">this link</a>.<br /><br />There is also the traditional female figure, not modeled after anyone in particular, just done in a traditional style:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgponM_DV3a53BktuOx0yb4hR1oYG2n4zZGdDFG42l95nR7Uhy4q2OVxK5CsYhCe6tRH_NKHy2Jo4wcwXtawQAWojWpaCz13_BhyphenhyphenjTtPbAkF_OJgtqpWRzWVUiizqBTUd_uWQqoTAAX/s1600/Sean+woman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgponM_DV3a53BktuOx0yb4hR1oYG2n4zZGdDFG42l95nR7Uhy4q2OVxK5CsYhCe6tRH_NKHy2Jo4wcwXtawQAWojWpaCz13_BhyphenhyphenjTtPbAkF_OJgtqpWRzWVUiizqBTUd_uWQqoTAAX/s640/Sean+woman.jpg" width="288" /></a></div><br /><br />And Sean's last tattoo is this bat:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP5gsRJfsRa1kOvnyD6VsaVIXRJBBHK3jPFGQlKArtbE4M3Fxy6bciBDLMFHwpsshOn9mD7htphfBJySK9eGxgZUDEp2Ddmmh_5Nyp3lWB68wZLU2SNV3MZk2f8RGZgbIYx0gZG0DZ/s1600/sEAN+BAT+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP5gsRJfsRa1kOvnyD6VsaVIXRJBBHK3jPFGQlKArtbE4M3Fxy6bciBDLMFHwpsshOn9mD7htphfBJySK9eGxgZUDEp2Ddmmh_5Nyp3lWB68wZLU2SNV3MZk2f8RGZgbIYx0gZG0DZ/s400/sEAN+BAT+collage.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />He told Eli that he "wanted something spooky" that included the moon. Quinters free-handed this piece, starting with a white <a href="http://www.sharpie.com/enUS/Home/default.html">Sharpie</a> and then finished with a darker Sharpie before finishing the tattoo.<br /><br />What's neat about all of Sean's tattoos is that they flow nicely together, as readers can see elements of many of the tattoos on the borders of the photos of specific designs.<br /><br />Thanks to Sean for sharing these amazing tattoos by Eli Quinters with us here on Tattoosday!

Sean Shares a Host of Traditional Tattoos

I ran into Sean at the Foodtown in my neighborhood and when I stopped to talk to him about his tattoos (he has nine), I ended up with photos...

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