So, homie Andy, aka. Tuff came through to finish off his shoulder piece. The saying is significant to him because it encompasses his insatiable and positive outlook on life. This is his first tattoo, and he sat through it like a champ.

Check out this piece I finally got to finish today:

Tonight, I had the pleasure of watching Ivie and Derek‘s band 9 yrs at the Silver Dollar. These guys put on a great show, and have now whet my appetite for their first album that will be coming out soon!

While watching their band play an energetic eight song set, I became reminiscent of the time when I was just entering highschool and joined a couple bands. I need to find some pics I used to have of when we’d play at the Kathedral for Supernova shows. My band used to cover songs like Metallica’s Orion, Black Sabbath’s Paranoid, Tool’s Sober, and a few NIN tracks too. And then it became more about partying like a rockstar, and less about making music. I really miss playing guitar. I still wake up in the morning singing. I’ve also got a set of turntables collecting dust in my laundry room. Something needs to happen with these things.

The purple Reverb building at Queen St. West and Bathurst is now being demolished to put in some more shoebox stacks, also known as condo’s, which is a strange thing to realize. Alot can happen in ten years. Just another reminder to really make the most out of the next ten!

Trip on this lil custom ting I did into the early hours of last Sunday. Does this face look a lil familiar? That’s cause it’s the face you see on your papes, zags, or rollies. This is on my friend Inked Kenny. You can also see the lettering of his brand that he had me tattoo across his shoulders awhile back. This guy’s got some work on him done by The Dutchman out west, that could be almost as old as I am! I love old tattoos!

I’ve been keeping busy with workworkwork, so expect more updates and some dope shit to check out. Til then.

I promised some announcements.

Here’s the first one: My wife, Mikka‘s photography has been selected for an upcoming show at the Leslie Lohman Gallery in the art and food mecca of the world, bright and busy, NYC. One of the two shots that was chosen by the gallery includes Yours Truly done up in drag. You can peep the photograph here. It’s the one with the one where I’m lying down. Despite totally tripping on the fact that someone may actually purchase this shot, we’re pretty stoked, as that shot made two dreams come true: Mikka had the opportunity to do a shoot in her style and receive recognition, and I finally got to explore the taboo world of drag. That week in June is going to find her in NYC accompanied by her wonderful Papadukes, while I’ll be in sunny Los Angeles to reach the Iron n’ Ink convention in Longbeach, as well as attending a huge shop opening after wrapping up my convocation ceremony here at the University of Toronto. Hard work really does pay off, doesn’t it?

With finals about to rear their ugly head in my direction, I had the opportunity to work with Scarlet O’Neill, who is so talented and driven. She is in the process of putting together an installation called Inked, and revolves around, you guessed it, tattoos and every individual’s unique stories behind their chosen ink. If you are tattooed, doesn’t matter how big or small, and have always had the desire to have yourself shot by someone who has an incredibly crisp vision, please do not hesitate to get into contact with her. From what I have seen of the shots so far, I love what she has done and I am anticipating checking out the rest of the flicks. For a preview of what she was able to capture, you can go and peep it here

Here are images of a tattoo I did on Emily and Nikki. Emily has a knack for getting pieces in outrageous spots, and this side of the head bird was no exception.

Nikki came to me wanting a really beautiful and elaborate halfsleeve. What she had envisioned was a native woman caught in a moment of sheer ecstasy (her idea, not mine, surprisingly) surrounded by flowers with a dreamcatcher in the background to showcase her Native background. Her native name literally translates to “wildflower woman,” so this is what I ended up doing for her. As you can see, it’s just the line work, but I’m pretty happy about the foundations I’ve laid down, and she’s just as, if not more stoked than I am on it. We’ve got quite a few sessions to go, but I can already tell this one’s gonna be a doozy.

Stay up, My People.

Check out the new ink I blasted on two of my peeps from way back in my high school days that are finally being dropped into the gallery.

With the longer days and prolonged sunshine exposure starting to take full effect the tides are starting to shift. Strolls around the downtown core are exhilarating and people are not only starting to come out of the woodwork, but are emerging with relatively positive attitudes. As I prepare myself to be leaving Toronto in the near future, I find myself really appreciating how great of a city it is when you’re spending time getting to know more about those you love.