Shannon Shirley

Ive drawn since before I can remember, I kinda dont get the questions. I took instructions as a kid, I now know, all one needs is motivation . So, get motivated. this is the escense of art, everyones mind,hand,thoughts and feelings are different. the truer you are to yourself the better the art. posing isnt good. I have always in my life, tried to get those that ''cant draw'' to do so. because representationalism is where its at. bad art doesnt exist, unless its a lie. lies arent good. Do you.

nice attempt at advertising.....

I made a halfass bs promise to not add more tattoos to my neck shortly after starting to date this girl, not really meaning it because I thought it was just pillow talk ("I love your neck, let me just have that one spot" "Sure babe"). Lesson learned about how serious that promise was, I figured it was fairly obvious I'd get more eventually.
When I said I was about to do that (phone call, naturally) I got the DONT YOU FUCKING DARE DO THAT and after some bickering I got the FINE GO AHEAD AND DO IT (which never really means 'fine' but we all know that, I just heard all I wanted to hear)and never lived it down. Years later even after we aren't together if it comes up she'll still say how much she hates that bird hahah

I think this would be a good option:

we love walk-ins...happy holidays...

Coolest thread in a long time

I didn't really work with him as an artist or front desk; He let me tattoo myself there a few times and let me hang around whenever I wanted and answered any question I had. I was at his shop as much as possible between the years of 1990 to 2000. I feel lucky to have been in that situation because he was extremely gruff to just about everybody, especially other tattooers. Had a big opportunity not fallen into my lap halfway across the country I believe that would've been my first 'job'. There were only 2 people in that whole time that he set up machines for and the other person was my roommate at the time.
There's no right/wrong 'what I should've done/chosen to do' at that time just decisions made and where they take you. I don't regret moving away from Baltimore at a turning point like that but sometimes I do wish I had been able to spend more time there at his shop at a crucial time like that before he passed away. I still talk to his widow fairly frequently and she tells me that she knows he would be proud of me now. I plan to see her again when I go to Bmore for a guest spot this summer, and have set up a visit with Nick and Thom as well during that same trip.
Nick also had a big hand in showing Tux the ropes as did Thom and Elio. I recommend getting some artwork from Nick; he's a super rad guy and an amazing artist.
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There's a certain not-to-be-named somebody here that has some great photos of Tux & Thom recently purchased that I've never seen before; I'll let them post them if he/she wants to after that person sees this thread.
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One of the somewhat little-known people in Bmore worth knowing about is Tattoo Charlie Geizer
Charlie Geizer
Although his shop has changed hands and is no longer part of the Geizer family the shop is still there (in the red light district, of course)and worth a visit if the old flash is still up. My favorite part of Charlie's shop is the painted screens he had done. Screen painting, an old Baltimore folk art tradition, has themes that are usually quaint country scenes and whatnot but Charlie's screens are HUGE and are Bmore landmarks including 2 (3?) huge clipper ships. They're on the second floor so it's really difficult to get pictures of them.
Bunny, you need to get someone to let you go into the offices across the way from them and explain how unique, special and part of Baltimore history they are so you can photograph them.
edit; for the sake of a rough idea of what I'm talking about I used google street view. Not as good as actual photos but you get the idea. I also feel compelled to give context of where it's located.


For a short period of time as a young lad I worked at what used to be a carry-out greasy spoon where that Subway is now. Memories.

I used to work as a shop manager, and quite a lot of people overestimate their pain tolerance... Like a guy who wanted a full-day session for a full sleeve, but passed out and threw up after 10mins. They managed to get linework on his(skinny) upper arm done.. Or a girl who cried the entire time, needed breaks every 5-10 mins (as long breaks!), and some who are completely unable to sit still and just scream. Tough guys almost always pass out.
It happens. Especially with first tattoos, I never set up long sessions(more than 3hrs), because we never knew what to expect!
I've gotten to the point where I don't bother acting tough anymore. I'll sit through 8hrs and sit still, but I will bitch and call him an ass when it hurts bad the entire time :P To be noted; I mainly get tattooed by artists I know well, so they know it's coming and have fun with it. One of 'em calls it flirting. When I get inked by people I don't know, I try to be more pleasant. Try. I told off Ryan Eternal too after 5hours. Pretty sure I said I hated him and hoped he stepped on a lego by then... Luckily he just laughed! :P
But I have never seen anything quite as bad as that video... But I believe it could be true!! The right kind of person... That could probably happen!!

Hahaaha this thread. I've been drinking too much (..forever) and now seriously toying with sobriety. Thank god my wife was there as my handler this weekend at a friend's wedding and got me back to our hotel before I could fight the entire place because my sunglasses went missing. I'm a gem sometimes.

Careful not to over-moisturize, although it is probably far enough along in the healing that it doesn't matter. Also, don't freak out. It'll probably stop being red. Tattoos bring out the nit-picky side of newer collectors, but you'll be fine, as @gougetheeyes mentioned.

lets not get into a pissing contest. these quote reads as someone who thinks walk-in flash pickers and getting names are somehow less important and of a lower stature than someone who comes in as a regular to sit for a few hours on a sleeve. if you didnt mean it that way, fine, no big deal, move on. this back & forth shit is tiring.

gimme a sick titty tat-blaster. in old english. but in white ink. is 1 corinthians 13 too long of a verse to get?

ease up buddy. it's ball busting, and everyone i know does it to each other. especially when a client uses a slang term that makes us cringe.
also, there isn't anything wrong with $100 pieces of flash, and anyone who looks down their nose at someone who walks in and picks something off the wall gets less respect from me than someone who thinks less of that person.

thats real nice of you to say tim, thank you. the shop i worked at before Frith st was owned by a non tattooer and at the time, i left with a real sour taste in my mouth. i wasnt sure about dante since i didnt know him but all i heard was good things from well respected tattooers and really, i was stoked to work at frith st, even for the one day a week i was started on. immediately i realised that this man knew and cared about tattooing more than i did then and probably even now.
He has been part of the tattooing 'scene' for many years now and well respected pillars of the scene call him friend. i'm proud to work there, to call him my boss and to be his friend. there's always an exception to the rule and as a shop i do feel we are one.
I've been long trying to buy my tattoo supplies from either people i know care about tattooing and from tattooers themselves. everyday is an ethical matter in tattooing, every choice you make affects tattooing and i have learnt to pick my battles carefully so to speak

What about non-tattooers selling all of us tattoo equipment? Some will speak strongly against those who don't tattoo owning shops and swear off ever giving them money, but then will make an order with a non-tattooer owned supplier and unknowingly act hypocritical. I think in tattooing these days, in my opinion, we need good people who care about the business and who bring something positive to the table of tattooing, tattooer or not(although tattooer preferred). I just came back from working at Frith Street Tattoo in London, I watched a bunch of very well known and respected tattooers work there in the last two weeks, not to mention the incredibly talented crew that are residents their. The owner, Dante, is not a tattooer, but he is a good human being and cares for his employees as if they were family. I am proud to say I worked there and as far as Dante(the owner) goes, I would take a bullet for him.

years ago I had tattooed a few different developmentally challenged people, and at first its a little different and odd,but after your done they always seemed more happy and satisfied than your usual customer. Tattoo's can and do bond us together in many different ways. these "special needs" people need to feel special and ok , just like everyone. I have also tattooed a few physically challenged people ,who have passed a long time ago , they to deserved that same respect, to feel special and ok.

nice attempt at advertising.....

WTF? Now I know everything...Right?

WTF? Now I know everything...Right?

WTF? Now I know everything...Right?

WTF? Now I know everything...Right?

WTF? Now I know everything...Right?

WTF? Now I know everything...Right?

learning from what others prefer is not necessarily a good thing. that's called a ''bandwagon''.

Oh yeah....that's what im talkin bout....another star is born. We've got oil embargos , howzabout tattoo kit embargos. You ever look at "Lucky Supply's'' tattoo kits? ya gotta love it.