ManSkirtBrew

This thread always has the sickest work! Here's mine, just finished a few weeks ago:

Just finished my second tattoo! Dutch Cooke, Immortal Ink in Clinton, NJ. I'm a beer brewer, and grew up fishing with my grandfather, so this is a little tribute to both. As for the octopus, why not?

Sorry about that! I accidentally deleted them while cleaning up my Imgur. The tattoo is now finished, so I'll post up the completed work and link it here.

Edit: Link to post.

I'm three sessions in on my second tattoo. Here's what it looks like today (beer and clouds done just last night)--click the pix to biggify:

I'm totally in love with it. I can't get over how amazing the beer glass and octopus look.

I also dig the way the clouds frame the ship, sort of like the twisted rope in many nautical tattoos. Where I need the inspiration is finishing it off. My artist feels like it needs something to frame the lower part. He's thinking lightning bolts like this, but thinner:

But I'm honestly not feeling that. I'm having trouble envisioning anything down there that wouldn't detract from the main image, which I want to be the star of the show.

Any reference pix or suggestions to get the creative juices flowing would be much appreciated.

I haven't heard back from Chris Adamek

I know Chris is booked out at least 6mo, probably more. I've also heard email isn't always a good way to get him. You may just want to call the shop.

There are a lot of really talented artists there. I got my first tattoo done by Dutch, and couldn't be happier.

Yes, that was me. I'm in the process of getting my brewery started. And yes, I do like beer!

suddenly, i feel like having a good beer!

I can help you with that.

I finally get to compete! :)

Hops done by Dutch Cooke of Immortal Ink, in Clinton, NJ. Click the pix for full size.

-Joe

Here it is all healed up! Images are huge, so click for bigness.

-Joe

Your first tattoo is on your elbow ditch!?

Hah! That was my exact first thought.

Nice to meet you. Nice Start on your hops tat. Good luck crackin into pro brewing.

What state? Are you opening a brewpub or shooting for distribution?

New Jersey. I'm going for distribution. The laws just changed so I can operate a tasting room, so that helps a lot.

@ManSkirtBrew looks like it is healing beautifully. have any plans for the next tattoo yet?

Of course :) I'm considering two directions, both more traditional style. I love straight razors, pin-ups, and WWII nose art. I'm trying to come up with a concept, but may just tell my artist that and let him go nuts.

The other possibility is an Alice in Wonderland piece. Something really dark, like the original. Not the happy, dopey Alice from Disney.

I love the over-the-shoulder placement, so I'll probably do the other side.

Hah! Thanks for the intro, @gougetheeyes.

Another avid homebrewer here. Planning on going pro this year, in fact. Just got my first tattoo, and I also chose hops!

-Joe

Thanks! We've reached the peeling-like-sunburn part of the healing. Thought I'd keep up with the progress shots.

-Joe

Color and shading last night! Another 3 hours, but I think it was totally worth it. A little more orangey than I was expecting, but I'm guessing that will calm down a little as it heals. Either way, I love it. The shading really gave the image depth and made those leaves and cones pop off my skin.

The second pic is the day after (this morning) right after washing and Aquaphor.

-Joe

Nine days later, looks to be healing nicely. Scabbed up a few days ago, it's still itching on and off.

-Joe

Thanks! I did a ton of asking around, internet searching, and portfolio-browsing before deciding on Immortal. I'm really glad I did. I'm already thinking about my next tattoo, even as this one is just reaching the OH MY GOD IT ITCHES SO MUCH stage.

Where in NJ are you guys from?

Thanks everyone. I'm really happy with it. 2 weeks to color, can't wait!

Nice looking tattoo and welcome. You're starting up a brewery? Good luck, it's a tough business. Been a pro brewer for around five years myself.

Yep, I'm trying to go pro with my Man Skirt Brewing Co. here in NJ. I've been working my way up to 20 gallon AG batches over the years, so I've got the process down. Now I'm trying to learn the business end of things. I'm planning to do a 3bbl nano and make my wife support us with her job :)

-Joe

All right, let me try to get the pictures right in here then.

The work was done by Dutch Cooke, over at Immortal Ink in Clinton, NJ.

As I said, I've always wanted tattoos, but could never decide on what I wanted. Getting the brewery started, along with a shift in the way I look at tattoos, finally got me decided on hop vines.

These pictures are about 4 hours after the work was completed. I spent 2 1/2 hours in the chair to get this far, and have another session in a few weeks for color and shading.

I'm really pleased with how it came out, and how he made my vision fit my body. I can't wait to see it done, but I'm really, really not looking forward to shading that collarbone! Freakin' ouch. It's still a little bruised up. But it seems to be healing well--no blood, and very little ink loss on the inside of my clothes.

Comments are welcome. As it's my first, I'm still learning what to expect.

-Joe

Greetings, all. Been a browser here for a while. I finally got my first tattoo (age 37) a few days ago, so I thought I'd introduce myself and share some pictures (I'm guessing the Latest Lowdown thread is the place to do it).

A little more about me? Sure. I grew up in NYC (Staten Island, to be precise) and now I live out in the woods here in Long Valley, NJ. I'm a computer programmer by trade, beer brewer by passion. I'm hoping this year to make that passion a job, which was one reason I finally got the tattoo I've always wanted.

Cheers!

-Joe