thebadnewshughes

Katie Ryan @ Anthem Tattoo, Gainesville FL

"Conan Fights a Wizard" "Oates" "Really Hot Taco" "Mark Twain Fights a Mummy" "Superheroes at the Pool" "Old Viking Fights an Octopus" "Think About This In Your Mind" "Eating Food" "Sweet Relief"

Got my first two from Stano at Tattoo Zone in the Daytona area circa 86/87, though he's been in business since 1980. One was covered a couple years ago, but it had held lines and colors like the month it was put on, for real. (The other looks sharp to this day too, but is flat black.) Have to admit, I kind of get a kick out of wearing tattoos older than the "kids" I regularly patronize today! - - - Updated - - - Judge Dredd tattoo on shoulder, now covered Marilyn flash on chest Both by Stano

Love the tiger and black cat. Got this little dealie a few days ago from Tim Strating at Anthem in Gainesville: It's giant flying monster turtle Gamera in the style of artist Tim Biskup. Can I just say that healing in the ditch sucks? Healing in the ditch sucks.

Tim Strating @ Anthem in Gainesville FL made this cool little seasonal dude on the inside of my upper right arm Friday.

Cover up on my left forearm by Tim Strating at Anthem Tattoo in Gainesville. As always, I couldn't be more pleased.

Got this last night at Anthem in Gainesville FL, from the Last Sparrow board's own Tim Strating. Pic doesn't do the colors justice. Could not be happier.

Rumor has it he's get loaded during taping, wear the cape home, and try to fight crime.

My first tattoo was put on by Stano in Daytona. I was 17 and drove down with a couple of scary older skinhead dudes who barely tolerated me. Got the comic character Judge Dredd on my shoulder, because this sort of thing happens when a dyed-in-the-wool nerd tries to be a tough guy - "I know, I'll get a tattoo of the biggest badass in my *pushes up glasses* comic book collection!" Anyway, like 10 years later that goddamn Stallone movie came out and I walked around groaning every time anybody saw the damn tattoo until a couple years back, when I buried it under this:

All the tattoo shows are semi-guilty pleasures for me and my ol' lady, so we gave Tattoo School a try. As someone who's watched a lot of beloved cultural and sub-cultural traditions and artifacts get exploited, adulterated, trend-ified and generally idiot-ized throughout the past 30+ years, I'm fairly well outrage-proof at this point. And as a 43-year-old who's been hanging around tattoo shops since 17, I've seen and heard too much carny, sleazy shit to pretend modern tattooing is wholly some sacred artisanal treasure getting violated here... This irresponsible pile of shit TV show, however, legitimately depressed me. I'm generally happy to get out of the way of stupid people being stupid, but man... I want this show shut the fuck down, and with extreme prejudice. Tim, it's a good thing we share enthusiasms for particle physics, macrame, homemade cheeses and smooth jazz. We always have so much to chat about during tattoos - we'll never have to stoop to discussing some stupid TV program!

I'm using imagination to make Tim and Andy make out in my head right now. French kissing. And there's nothing anyone can do to stop me.

Morning after shot to show placement.

New piece from Tim S. @ Anthem in Gainesville, FL.

Devo by Sleepy Dave @ Anthem in Gainesville, FL Misfits "Die Die My Darling" tattoo by some guy named Carl, 1987-ish. At least four years too late to be getting a Misfits tattoo, yet somehow a tattoo that is older than the majority of the band's fans, go figure.

My latest lowdown, tattooed today by Tim at Anthem in Gainesville: ("death before decaf")