Jessica's Heart Flutters With Birds

Above, I mentioned a man with a heart on his outer left bicep.

Later that same day, I met Jessica on the R train.

A California transplant now living in Brooklyn, she had this beautiful heart done at the Philadelphia Tattoo Arts Convention:


It's your standard heart on the sleeve motif, but this piece is a little more biologically correct and features two small birds holding a ribbon up around it.

Jessica wasn't sure of the name of the artist on whom this work was based, but the end result was a tattoo that recalled the original piece, although not copying it.

This tattoo was inked in a little over an hour at the convention by Rick Lohm at Scarab Body Art Studio in Syracuse, New York.

Work from Scarab has appeared previously here on Tattoosday.

Thanks to Jessica for sharing her tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!

Off to my first day of school :)

off to my first day of school :), originally uploaded by daniellehampton.

Hank and Lance in San Francisco

Lance and I Japan Town, originally uploaded by hch3.

Missing my darling, but stoked he's having fun! If you're bored and want to check out what HOTW is up to, you can visit Hank's flickr or the band's blog!

Hank Flickr

HOTW Posterous

Skeleton Emerging

I met Javier outside of Madison Square Garden back in July and he shared this incredible tattoo on the back of his right calf:


He had the idea in mind and took it to Uccio, a tattoo artist in a shop in Salamanca, located in western Spain.

This amazing piece has an incredible three-dimensional feel, with a skeleton emerging through the torn flesh of Javier's leg.

Thanks to Javier for sharing this amazing tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!

UPDATE:

Javier was kind enough to clarify for us that the shop where this was done is called Stres Tattoo in Salamanca.

He also sent me images of the sketches upon which this amazing tattoo was based:




Thanks to Javier for the update!

Night before School

Tonight is my official last night of summer and in a way, I couldn't be happier! I loved this summer- it was full of many wonderful trips and amazing memories. But as much as I loved it, I am really excited for this year. I have no idea what it will bring, but I am ready for it! I spent today in my classroom, doing my seating charts and making copies. Luckily Jenn was there too so it was a fun afternoon. I feel very blessed to work with Jennifer. She is one of my closest friends, and our classrooms are right next door to each other! It's ideal- we started at the high school at the same time, and even met on the first day of orientation when we sat next to each other on the bus over to our training session. It's awesome to be able to work with not just her, but a few other ladies who have become great friends of mine over the past five years at the high school. It's great to look forward to work everyday!

I have the next month or so planned out in my classroom, so I don't have much to worry about other than getting to know my new kids. I wouldn't say I'm nervous, but it's a weird feeling to know that tomorrow I will have 150 new little 15 year-old kiddos staring at me, us knowing nothing about one another. Once I get comfortable with my classes its wonderful and never awkward, but put yourself in my shoes on that first day and imagine how odd that is! Eek.

Hank is still on tour, and played a fest last night in Half Moon Bay, which is outside of San Francisco. Tonight they're going to Portland maybe? I always forget. Regardless, he'll be home in a couple of weeks, yahoo! I miss him terribly.

This week should be awesome. I have spinning and yoga classes this week that I am super pumped about. As for now, I'm off to prepare my food for the week! During the school year I always pack my food and will prepare it on Sunday evenings, and put it into little tupperware containers I can put into my lunch. Tonight I am making quinoa tabouli, hummus, fruit salad, and veggie soup. It's a lot of work for one evening, but then I don't have to worry about it for a whole week and I can be assured I have a healthy, homemade lunch everyday.

Well, I hope all of you have an awesome Sunday evening!

in my classroom today- don't mind my weird hairdo! ;)


some awesome vintage READ posters I found in the back of my closet! Very cool.

Chris' Koi on His Inner Arm

I ran into Chris in Penn Station and spotted this colorful tattoo:


He had this tattooed on the inside of his upper arm because it seemed like a more original place to have it done, as opposed to going straight for the outer bicep. Here's a different perspective with the koi angled down:


He originally just wanted the flower, but everything else was added for the purpose of flow and artistic continuity. The detail and color are remarkable:


The tattoo was created by Jack Kowalzyk at Primal Graphics Tattoo in Albany, New York.

Work from Primal Graphics has appeared previously on the site here.

Thanks to Chris for sharing this awesome tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!

Oh yes

Reason #287393 it's great being a high school English teacher? Justification for Edward Cullen on my bulletin board!, originally uploaded by daniellehampton.

Reason #287393 it's great being a high school English teacher? Justification for Edward Cullen on my bulletin board!