concentrating

i had my first tattoo done when i was 21. the folks at iron age studios in the university loop of st. louis were responsible for breaking my tattoo cherry, so to speak. completely naive, i walked in and asked if an artist could draw something for me right then and there. citing the lack of time, the reception "dude" abrasively turned me down but directed me to a wall of stencils they could whip out in 30 minutes to an hour. not wanting to walk away without some artwork (i wanted a tattoo, damnit!), i opted for a sun since i've always had an affinity for it. and despite being my first tattoo, i never regretted it.

 

and for twelve years, i pined for another one. so i finally done did it. after everything the last month held for me, i needed something that adequately illustrated the bewilderment and journey and relative surrealism. james jean's piece, the maze, packaged all of that quite nicely for me. gordon and i adapted it a bit, but it still speaks to me greatly.

 

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original illustration: james jean

tattoo artist: gordon combs

shop: seventh son tattoo

Done