January 2011 In Progress.

On the way...2 sets of designs for late spring...
12 sheets total.

Homework!

The month after my daughter was born, I started re-painting old Tattoo Flash, as have many Tattooers before me. I chose some of my favorite designs and some of the most inspirational old-timers that paved the way for kids like me. I tried to do a sheet for each decade from 1900 on. I did a lot of different styles of tattooers, but all of it flash that was on a wall at some point. This stuff should all be in museums by now, and I wanted that feel of the old sheets on the wall. Not a laser copy, or some bullshit digital file that you will find here, something tangible. It was very challenging, and I have learnt a lot along the way. I have finished 11 sheets in all, and I think I'll just keep doing this every once in a while. It's fun, and a great way to keep myself challenged.

 

 

 

Top to bottom:
Feature wall,
Owen Jensen compilation sheet 1,
Owen Jensen replica sheet 2,
Sailor Jerry Collins compilation sheet 1,
Sailor Jerry replica sheet 2.

Watercolor on paper, all roughly 11 X 14.
Lined with India Ink and calligraphy pen, painted with various inks and watercolors.
All painted by Jeremy Riley, Tattoo Union, 2010.

Bender, Eben.

These are a couple of really fun tattoos. Eben Bender is a multi-talented man, and this all started with the idea of doing a "Tug Life" tattoo. In the end, we left out the lettering, and we opted for the straight design. He got a train to fill out the stomach shortly after.
Thanks Eben, that ruled.
Even if it doesn't say it, these tattoos ARE tug life. That is one Gangsta stomach.