Tiki Tattoo

Yesterday, I went to the Miami Tattoo Expo. I had an appointment with my friend Pooch, who I recently married to girlStacy through the powers vested in me. I’d been wanting a tattoo to cover up two old tattoos that I had on the outside of my left leg, a blue flamey flower and the word “dork”. I wouldn’t mind still having dork tattooed on me. I still feel it, but this particular tattoo was done very poorly. Maybe someday, I’ll just get dork again in courier new which is how I should have had it done in the first place, but I digress.

Earlier in the week I sent Pooch a tracing of my leg and a photograph. I thought it was possible that he would say that it wasn’t possible to do what I wanted. Friday morning he sent back his sketch. He said it was based on a tiki that they saw in Hawaii on their honeymoon. I was beyond pleased and spent the whole day excited about actually getting the tattoo!

Here is before:

We got started around 3:30. Getting tattooed at a convention is a surreal experience. I laid there on the table while hoards of people walked by and looked in. Also, it seemed everyone there knew Pooch so there were lots of people stopping by to say hi and reminding him of what tattoos he did. He is a tattoo rock star.

After about an hour or so the outline was done and I needed a break. The break was for the restroom. Only in this instance am I able to say that I’m lucky I can’t feel my leg. I didn’t feel any of the tattooing, except the vibration of the gun when he went over my shin.

We got started again and I got cold. The place was chilly, but I think my chills were a combination of cold and lack of food since breakfast. I didn’t want to break and eat so I roughed it out, but I was shivering the rest of the time.

More process pictures:

At this point a bunch of people were stopping and saying how great the tattoo was looking. People were loving his work, as they should.

The tattoo was finished around 9:15. It took a long time, but so very worth it.

I am so in love with this tattoo. It is better than anything I ever thought I’d have.

Check out Pooch:

Altered State Tattoo – Myspace

Altered State Tattoo – Website – Lake Worth, FL

Pooch Island – His Art Website