There's a New Man in My Life

I am super excited to show you all the new addition to my left arm.  I have been quite excitable with the run up to my appointment with the one and only Paul Dobleman.  This guy is AMAZING!  I seriously, seriously mean it.  There has not been one piece of work from him which I have not liked.  So you can imagine how much I wanted to be tattooed by Paul.

I first came across Paul at The London Tattoo Convention two years ago.  When a friend I was there with got tattooed by Matt Howse who works at the same parlour as Paul; Spider Murphy's.  I myself subsequently also got tattooed by Matt last year when he kindly squeezed me in as I didn't get my act together to make an appointment.  They were super busy and I did push him back so I'm super grateful that he did that for me!

Coming home last night all wrapped up.

Here he is.....

He may have a girl in every port but when he's with me he's all mine!

This was Matt's work from last year's London Tattoo Convention

I seem to have a thing about tattooing on the back of my body, aside from my actual back.  First my ankle, then my neck and now my arm!  I'm not sure if I will be attending this years Convention but I'd sure love to go just to even catch this gorgeous lady...

Janet Fischietto - The 30's Circus Burlesque Lady 

Are you going to any Tattoo Conventions this year or have any ink coming up?  I always love discovering new artists.  I have a few more designs in mind on my list to have done at some point but not all of them are assigned to an artist as yet so suggestions are most welcome.


Toodles for now,
Alison xxx

This Time I Got Tattooed!

Heyhey

Yes, so I mentioned in my last post that I got myself a new tattoo last weekend.  I attended The London Tattoo Convention for the second time which was in its 8th year.  Last year I attended without the intention of getting tattooed as it was very last minute plus I already had two new ones completed earlier on in the year.  One being my arm which was started in Dec 2010 and finished in Jan 2011 and my ribs which I had last summer as a birthday present to myself.  I actually had it done the day before my birthday.  So it's been a while since I was last inked.  I was definitely itching for another.  Especially when you have a list of all the ones you want!  The only thing keeping me away is the cost.

I went knowing that I wanted to get tattooed and by whom.  Unfortunately I was too late when I emailed the guys at Spider Murphy's Tattoo a couple of months ago; they were already booked up. My only chance was to turn up super early to try and speak to them, flutter my lashes and somehow sweet talk them into tattooing me.  I'm happy to say something did the trick and the lovely Matt Howse squeezed me in between two of his pre-booked appointments.  It was either Matt or Paul Anthony Dobleman that I had wanted so I was one happy girl indeed.

Here I am being very ladylike with skirt hitched up high awaiting the needle.  I'm sure at some point I probably flashed everyone my stocking tops & suspenders but I was obviously way too preoccupied and in pain to notice!  When choosing my outfit that morning the only thing I thought about was making sure the back of my neck was accessible.  I very nearly wore a tight pencil dress!   

Tada! This is the new piece.  More boudoir inspired goodness to go with my arm.

There will definitely be more on this theme soon if I can help it.

How do you like it?  I am really happy with the design.  I just love how you can tell an artist what you want to incorporate and they can whip up a drawing just like that.  I hadn't really pictured how the juxtaposition of the lipstick and compact mirror would work coming out of the rose but Matt has got it spot on.  Pretty much everyone who has seen it since has commented on how it is very "me".  I love that all my tattoos reflect who I am as that is exactly what I feel they should be.  They are now a part of me.  Not everything that is me but part of who I am.

I have to add, this has got to be the most painful session I've had.  I'm not sure if it was because of where I was being tattooed, Matt or I had just not expected that amount of pain?  It was definitely worst than my ribs which wasn't too bad for me but I was told beforehand it's one of the worst places pain-wise.  Oh well, it's over with now but just a warning for those thinking of getting something in that area too.  A rum and coke was on order straight after that!

Apart from getting tattooed and going round to all the booths to look at artists works and at work we went to this years pop-up cinema to watch the preview of Tattoo Nation.  The final cut is still being made for release early next year.  I didn't end up seeing any of the stage performances as a few were the same as 2011.  Lucky Hell the Sword Swallowing Showgirl was the only performer I really wanted to see but she didn't perform on Sunday.  Sad face.

I came across a photo of me on Flickr here but not any of my full outfit.  I never come across any of the photos that other people take of me when I'm out and about at events etc.  Here are a few of the photos that I did take myself...

Tattooed legs above all by these guys at Scapegoat Tattoo Co who are amazing!

Would love to get tattooed by them one day.

Some lovely flashes which I want to pick up.

Matt and Paul at their stand

Official poster painted by Paul this year

Amsterdam Tattoo Museum 

Normans actual business card

That was pretty much the day.  Spending the whole day there is fun but tiring.  I leave you here with a photograph of the girls and I at the annual pre-convention party held by The Family Business where we got just a bit tipsy!

Take care,
Alison xxx

Norman "Sailor Jerry" Collins

Today marks the anniversary of the legendary Norman Keith Collins' death (January 14, 1911 - June 12, 1973).  Most people best know him as Sailor Jerry; the tattoo artist.  Born in Northern California, Norman started to learn the art of tattooing from Gib "Tatts" Thomas in Chicago during the 1920s.  When he turned 19 years of age Norman joined up with the United States Navy.  With them he travelled the seas wide across the Pacific, China and Japan before finally settling down in Hawaii in the early 1930s.  It was here that Norman opened up his Sailor Jerry Tattoo Parlour in Honolulu's Hotel Street.  Having been fascinated with Asian art and culture through his travels and seafaring ending up in Honolulu's Chinatown just felt right to him.  With all the hustle and bustle of sailors passing through and Chinatown feeding his interest in their culture it was a good mix of the two things close to his heart.

Of course this is a very very brief insight into the life of Norman "Sailor Jerry" Collins.  He was much more than just a sailor and tattoo artist.  He was an innovator for the tattoo industry.  Setting the standards high in both his craft and the way he worked.  SJ didn't lose his sea-legs altogether when he set up shop but remained a sailor to his death working as a skipper on a large three-masted schooner.  As they say - Once a Sailor.  Always a Sailor!

My personal growing fascination with tattoos and tattooing has led me to all different places including The London Tattoo Convention last year.  My own tattoos also seem to attract a lot of attention which I am still getting use to.  I had my very first tattoo ten years ago and since then have added a few more to my body.  Currently I have a list with a number of designs in mind including a big thigh piece which I am holding off on for the moment.  I'm hoping that Valerie will again work on this piece for me; that is if she can fit me in!  My last piece was made a year and two days ago, haha I am literally counting down the days.  You can tell I'm craving for my next.  They say it's addictive and I guess it is!

My own classic style tattoo - 6yrs old

Right this very moment if you happen to be in London you may well have come across the pop-up bar Sailor Jerry - 'Hotel Street' on Charing Cross Road.  It opened up in April and will be around until mid July (not very long) so be sure to swing by if you are in town.  I have frequented the bar a couple of times and probably will do so many times again before it disappears for good.  During the day you can grab yourself a coffee, some merchandise, as well as view some of Sailor Jerry's original flashes on the 2nd floor exhibition.  In the evening the bar starts to flow and music plays.  Bands and events run on various dates which you can find out about via their FB page or on their website.  I highly recommend a visit.  It's rather cute!

Blurrry pic of me with the wall of flashes...

The Bar where I am yet to try 'Hotel Hooch'

Hmm... I have always wanted an anchor and a pair of swallows but just haven't figured out where I want to place them on my body.  Maybe I'll have something small inked very soon.

Until next time... Make mine a large Rum and Coke with Lime.  Cheers SJ!
Alison xx

London Tattoo Convention 2011

Well, this Saturday gone I went to my very first tattoo convention!  I have been wanting to visit one for some time now having seen both the London and Brighton ones advertise over the years.  Also from back when I was still performing burlesque I had been asked to perform at a convention, although I cannot remember if it was the same one.  Maybe it was but it was at the London Olympia and I was already engaged so could not perform unfortunately.

The London Tattoo Convention was again being held at The Tobacco Dock in Wapping for the fourth year running.  I had intended on having another tattoo done at the convention but one thing or another led me to decide against it for this time.  Maybe I will have one at next years event if I attend again.  They had a free bus running to take you to the tobacco dock from Tower Hill which was great as we weren't really sure how to get there.  Although the bus journey only seemed to take 5 minutes.  The inside of the the bus was all bubblegum blue and pink loveliness!  Kate took some photos of me in the bus but I haven't seen them yet.

Once inside we went to explore all the different artists, rooms and booths.  There were so many people to see but of course there were plenty of time to do so.  Even though I had already decided not to have one done here this year I was still on the look out for a good artist.  They are hard to come by, the ones you really love.  It is for life after all.

A lovely looking gal with her man having some work done.

The boys - Thom and Fred as we sat down for a wee drink.

Kate and I messing around.

Kate with her newly dyed 'apricot' hair which I love!

On our way in the lovely gorgeous Vanessa Lake walked pass us, and here she is at her calendar signing.  I also love her hair!  Again, another thing that makes me misses mine.  I still haven't figured out what to do with it yet since my last post.

After Fred decided who he wanted to have his tattoo work by we spent the evening drinking and watching performances in Vince Rays Voodoo Crypt and on the main stage.  If you happen to come across any photos of me at the convention I would love to see them.  I had my picture taken on several occasions as I seem to at such events.  There are lots of random photos of me floating around the internet and I have no idea where.

This strong girl  held on for at least 5 seconds like that.

The Fuel Girls breathing flames on everyone.

After a bit of much needed food, especially for Fred we went on our way to Spider Murphy's Tattoo booth.  Now if I were to have work done by anyone else other than Valerie I think it would be them.  I especially liked Pauls work.  I believe they will definitely be back next year so who knows.  Or maybe I will be lucky enough to visit them in their home town of California.  They had their amazing book on sale at the convention but it was a little steep to even consider purchasing at the event.

Here's the artist at work.

The result of £120 well spent!

I wasn't sure what to expect going to a tattoo convention and not having tattoo work but it was fun.  It was great to see all the different artists at work, all the people there to watch, the performances and the general atmosphere.  There was a room of traditional tattooist which looked interesting and very painful.  The food wasn't great but ho-hum.  I didn't buy anything from the stalls but there were quite a few.  There was even a wedding ceremony apparently.  I would go again but have to add that £34 for the ticket is probably a little dear.  Overall it was a thumbs up and a good first visit.

I have to apologize as I am a bad blogger and as usual forgot to take an outfit shot.  Probably forgetting because other people were taking pics of me so didn't end up taking much myself.  Here is one last pic of Kate and I with my staple faux bang and some white roses on the side.  I was wearing my new Vivien of Holloway leopard sarong dress with some nude seamed stockings and a pair of 6 inch black leather, wooden heeled sandals.  This was accompanied by my burgundy faux croc skin vanity case handbag.

Maybe I will see some of you there next year.  Toodles xx