Introducing...Dirtbird!

Occasionally in my wanderings, I will meet not just tattooed people, but tattoo practitioners, and often those visiting from outside of New York City.

So it was no surprise, when I approached a gentleman across the street from where I work, at 31st and 7th, to learn that I was talking to an artist.

Working out of Punkteur Tattoos & Piercing in Joplin, Missouri, Derek "Dirtbird" Wieberg estimates he has 130-150 hours of work inked on his personal canvas.

With so much to choose from, he offered up this piece, on the right side of his neck:

It seemed fitting, considering his name.

Dirtbird praised the artist, Rick Pierceall at Karma Tattoo in Tulsa, Oklahoma, who has done all of his throat work.

Considering it is Two-for-Tattoosday, I'll share this photo as well:

That's not Dirtbird, but it's his handiwork! The owner of this tattoo is Shawn, who had the good fortune to be inked by Dirtbird. They collaborated on the design together.

Thanks to Dirt Bird and Shawn for sharing their tattoos with us here on Tattoosday!

Tune in tomorrow to see a tattoo from Katie, aka Mrs. Dirtbird!

FOUR TWENTY FOUR SEVEN PT. 1

FOUR TWENTY FOUR SEVEN PT. 1 from Creative Control on Vimeo.

The City of Ink family ventures into the Netherlands to partake in their very own Cannabis Cup, on an effortless journey to find out who has the best bud in Amsterdam. [Shot by Corey Davis]

Ride the Cyclone!

In college we had a game room at the Student Union.

I claimed to be a master at Arkanoid, but would occasionally play pinball. Earthshaker was fun, but there was another, carnival-themed game that would often beckon, "Ride the Cyclone!" It was, naturally, called The Cyclone.

Fast forward ten years and I would be residing in Brooklyn, home to Coney Island and the original Cyclone.

Despite having been in close proximity a number of times, I've never gone for a ride.

I was reminded of this back in September when I met Matt at the top of the escalator at the Penn Plaza Borders store.

He shared this amazing tattoo:

This is, of course, the Cyclone.

Matt is working on a Coney Island/"Carnie" theme, having lived in Brooklyn most of his adult life. Thus, the Astroland tower behind the Cyclone in the tattoo. Next up: the Wonder Wheel and the Parachute Jump, other Coney Island attractions.

He sent along a photo of the tattoo when it was initially finished:

Matt credits this tattoo to Ping at Village Rock Tattoo in Manhattan.

Thanks to Matt for sharing this great tattoo with us here on Tattoosday!

Melvin Todd: 420 Clock Tattoo

City of Ink's Melvin Todd did it AGAIN... I love this piece.. Perfect placement... Bold line work... Soft smooth shading...and it's reppin' 420.. So y'all know I'm feeling that.. Great job Melvin... Please follow Melvin Todd on Twitter @tat2king and check out his website http://melvintodd.com he now booking tattoo appointments at the Atlanta City of Ink.. Call 404-525-4465 1pm-10pm mon-sat





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Location:323 Walker St. Atlanta GA 30313

December @ COI: Corey Davis & Paper Frank

The Son of COI, Corey Davis returns to ATL to tattoo from Dec. 4-12.. He is now booking tattoo appointments please call 404-525-4465 mon-sat 1pm-10pm for info. http://IamCoreyDavis



On Dec.10th artist, Paper Frank will be having his first COI art show... Frank is also my newest student, I love this young man's drive and passion for art... He reminds me a lot of Corey Davis at his age....a new generation of City of Ink "Dripping Stars" let's welcome Paper Frank... And I hope to see everyone at his art show "Monster" Friday Dec. 10th @ 7pm-11pm (free admission no dress code) just come as yourself and enjoy the art and music...


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Something Girly This Way Comes

I met Nadya one afternoon in the beginning of October in Borders on Penn Plaza.

She shared this tattoo, which covered up a date she had initially inscribed on her arm:

Nadya told me that she wanted something "girly".

What I found most interesting about this tattoo is that when I asked her who the artist was, she told me it was her father. I can't imagine tattooing my own daughter. I would be too nervous!

Thanks to Nadya for sharing this tattoo with us here on Tattoosday.

Castleberry Hill: Street Art "Part 2"

Part 2 of the Castleberry Hill "Street Art" series...I can't wait to see more.... I hope they cover the area in art like this... Blank walls are boring and wasted space... Cover it up with art! Bomb the city of ATL Graf writers!



































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Castleberry Hill: Street Art "Part 1"

A lot of new street art has been showing up in downtown Atlanta's Castleberry Hill Art District... Here is a piece that's in front of City of Ink... These 2 artists did an amazing job.. I will be posting more of this street art series..





























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Location:Peters Street, Atlanta GA 30313

TATTOO: Abstract Thoughts (2nd Session)

This is the 2nd session to an abstract sleeve I'm working on... He wanted the "trademark MB eye" the second session I added some color...just wanted to share this with y'all... Ohhhh I'm now booking tattoo appointments for January call 404-525-4465 1pm-10pm mon-sat




















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Wake Up...

Since I have been working on my book.. I have been waking up pretty early ready and inspired for the next day of drawing...I always had a bad sleeping problem... I even went to a doctor for the problem... I started morning jogging..eatting breakfast ... But I think this book is helping my mind the most... Releasing those ideas I've had on my mind on paper is helping me sleep now...a lifestyle change was needed....being able to sleep now feels amazing... Less things on my mind to keep me up at night.



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Happy Thanksgiving!

In honor of the holiday, I am sharing this, my newest tattoo, located above my knee on my right thigh:

This was done at Hand of Glory in Brooklyn yesterday as part of the shop's $75 Thanksgiving Tattoo Special and was sponsored by Troll Skin, produced by Skin Actives Scientific.

For those of you just tuning in, check the pre-post here, which includes all the Thanksgiving flash designed for the occasion. I asked readers to vote on which tattoo to get, and this one sneaked out a narrow victory over the traditional Native American profile.

I like this design because it combines a lot of traditional tattoo elements and delivers an image with a sociopolitical subtext. We have the traditional American flag and handshake designs, but the added element of crossed fingers serves as a reminder that, despite apparent good intentions, there was subsequently a historical betrayal of that initial good will.

But that's just one perspective, of course, and the Thanksgiving holiday focuses on the positive in our society. The mere existence of the tattoo reminds me to be thankful, which I alluded to in my original post.

I was fortunate enough to have Brian Faulk as my artist again. He had inked my Friday the 13th tattoo last August, and I appreciate that he works quickly and concisely.

Brian Faulk at Work

It was nice, also, that this design was one of his contributions to the flash sheet, as he was kind enough to embellish slightly on the original design, and it always seems better when an artist is tattooing his or her own design. As for the idea behind it, he was trying to represent graphically a broken treaty. I'm extremely pleased with the end result.

In consideration for their sponsoring this tattoo, I will be exclusively using Skin Active's product, Troll Skin Aftercare over the next two weeks as the tattoo heals. I can already say I am pleased with the aftercare cream because it is a lot less messy than the ointment I am used to using within the first 72 hours after getting a tattoo.

I'll report back then on how their product held up compared to the regiment I've followed in the past.

I want to thank all of the readers who voted for designs, and for everyone who reads and supports the site.

And thanks again to Skin Actives for helping make this tattoo possible, to Brian at Hand of Glory, and to my family, at home in Brooklyn and across the U.S., for their support

Mari's Prayer, with a Twist of Math

I met Mari in front of Madison Square Garden on a sunny day in October. How could I not stop and ask her about this tattoo?

Mari explained that this is an Ananda prayer, that her friends were meditating on it for a week.

The text, which is attributed to Sri Paramhansa Yogananda, reads:

Make me thy butterfly of eternity.

I burnt my past. I ignored the foreboding seeds of sprouting destiny. I waded through the strewn ashes of past & future fears.

I am the eternal present. I tore to shreds the cocoon of ignorance with the sharpness of my will.

I am thy...butterfly of eternity, sweeping through immeasurable time. The beauty of my nature-wings I spread everywhere, to entertain everything. Suns & stardust are spread on my wings. Behold my beauty! Cut all the silken threads of thy shrouding folly: follow me in my flight to myself.

The butterfly symbolizes transformation, a phase everyone goes through at one point or another in time.

Also among her twenty-two tattoos is this formula at the top of her arm:

Mari explained she loves math and generalized that, with this equation, "you can generate anything in the universe". In theory, at least. Here, it gets a little hazy for me. Part of this tattoo contains "f(z) = z^2 + c" which is described as a complex function. Then there is the part that equates the square root of -1 to the value i. This is a formula for an imaginary number. I'm bowing out here, knowing there's no way I'll be able to explain this part of the tattoo adequately. Readers are welcome to try in the comments section, below.


Mari's work was inked by Kevin at The Tattoo Shop in Lansing, Michigan.

Thanks to Mari for sharing her tattoos with us here on Tattoosday!

Julia's Pin-Up

I met Julia briefly in a Hudson News in Penn Station.

The flash of color on her foot caught my eye:

Julia explained that she is a visual artist that likes to do pin-up illustrations. This particular design she wanted to be transformed into a tattoo. She brought it to Morgan Reed at Electric Lotus Tattoo in Boonton, New Jersey, and he made some slight adjustments that resulted in this lovely tattoo.

Work from Electric Lotus has appeared on Tattoosday before. This link will show you what else we have featured from their shop.

Thanks to Julia for sharing her pin-up girl with us here on Tattoosday!

Four Twenty Four Seven [Trailer]

Follow the City of Ink family as they venture into the Netherlands for the first time to partake in their very own Cannabis Cup, on an effortless journey to find out who has the best bud smoking in Amsterdam. Starring Miya Bailey, Corey Davis and Samba Sillah. Coming 11.29.10 at www.creativecontrol.tv

...Corey Davis

SOMEWHERE OVER THE POND EPISODE 4

SOMEWHERE OVER THE POND EPISODE 4 from Creative Control on Vimeo.

City of Ink walks through the streets of Downtown London to discover a Hip-Hop Karaoke event.

Tuki Carter & the Art Battle

I alway miss Tuki's Hollyweerd shows because of work but Saturday night I got off work early to see Tuki in action in this art battle...I did it last year so this time it was my brothers turn.... I get excited when I see Tuki doing art... I know music is his passion but it was art that brought me, him & City of Ink together...art was something we did for a living to feed our families we never knew it would grow into an art lifestyle movement all over the world...i'm very proud of Tuki Carter....oneday I will own one of his paintings.....here is a look at the painting he did for the battle step by step...amazing talent he did the painting the sameday as the event (like always) me & Tuki are planning our very first artshow together I'm excited about that!!























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