house of ink...

While trying to figure out my new camera, I took some photos of the tattoo shop. I really like this shop, and it has some unique and interesting qualities...
...this religious shrine above the spiral staircase...


"thou shalt not whine" ...I think this sign needs to be much bigger!
...some lettering and decorative paintwork I did on the spiral staircase...

...wall of random shit posted in the drawing room...
...the venetian blinds of names...
...sign I painted by the cooler...
...some lettering on a cabinet...

my first watercolor attempt...

I've never used watercolors, and never really had any interest to, but yesterday while at the tattoo shop, I started messing around. I did all the lining with a brush also. I liked the vibrant colors a lot!

my custom made tattoo machines...

My friend and co-worker, Kevin Riley, made me a set of badass custom tattoo machines. He adjusted the weight balance to compensate for my lightweight disposable tubes I use. They're my favorite machines I've used to date and cant wait for my second set he's building me to arrive! I really appreciate the small details such as the 'MA' stamped into the frame (Matt Atomik), and the use of a Jamaican coin as the tube key. I love them.
...and here's some recent work done with those machines...

...tiny real fire skull done as filler on a guys arm. My pinky finger is in the shot to show size comparison.
'JB' the third came in to make it official on his arm. Blockbuster style!

mean green striping machine...

I striped this pickup for a friend. I decided to use green to match the interior color. I laid it out all over the interior also. I always like finding stripes on the inside where they're usually hidden unless you know they are there.

photo safari at longwood botanical gardens...

I accidentally wandered into the backstage area where a live outdoor theatre performance was being held. I didn't even know why these people were dressed in 40's attire, but I got off a few photos before I was kicked out. This pic is my favorite because the woman to the far left is holding a magazine that reads "I love bacteria"
This last photo was taken just after I was kicked out of the backstage area where the actors were. I actually wandered onto the far rear of the stage set and took this pic a moment before I was grabbed by a stage hand and directed out of the scene. I like this photo because it looks like two people are about to be abducted by an UFO.

late summer holiday...

Realizing that I hadn't done very much this summer except work on art and tattoo, I decided to take a late summer holiday trip while the weather was still beautiful. I brought my posse of hermit crabs with me and headed for the beach among other destinations...
The above photo was taken at the Norfolk Museum of Modern Art. Photography was not allowed but I got off a few pics with my cell phone...
...this stained glass piece was huge, and very beautiful...
...some of the sculptures there were amazing, and these photos will serve for great black and gray tattoo reference...
...ninja platter...
...and another sculpture that had me in awe.
A good friend and I went to a Thrill Kill Kult show.
This is a self portrait taken with my celly at Six Flags.
This badass dimensional sign welcomed riders to the Possessed roller coaster at Dorney Amusement Park.
This hallway is located in the Virginia Beach Aquarium.
Zoltar knows...

Dstroyr...

I've just returned from my late summer vacation to find a package full of badass stickers and stuff from artist Jon Chase at DSTROYR clothing! I have been a big fan of the art and clothing he's creating for a while. What I really appreciate about his designs is that they have a unique style all their own. They're striking and simple, usually in black and white, and convey attitude and movement very effectively. I also admire the fact that his designs don't follow the same path as most other clothing brands where old english lettering and overused filigree is used to no end. While other popular clothing brands are starving for new ideas or reverting back to played out styles, DSTROYR is killing it with some of the best graphics out!

Before I left for my trip, I sent him a bunch of atomik stickers for a trade, and he responded generously! Thanks Jon, and everyone should check out his site- dstroyr.wordpress.com