Red Wave Series

http://www.unicyclebrand.com/

A little closer...

It's raining... hard. It's the kind of rain that comes straight down and extra wet. My little koi pond is cresting and the floor in my back room at the shop is soaked and swelling because the the door is level with the alley so the water seeps in. Pretty major fix; we have to clear all the cabinets out, replace the floor, install a new door, and raise the door jam an inch or so. Thousands of dollars I don't have or want to spend on that. Other than that, I like this kind of rain. It slows things down and brings life in a little closer. Being a frequent flyer, (I stopped counting this year after 30 flights I had taken by August) I always think about how the mood changes depending on the weather. Be it fog, rain, snow or whatever, it creates mood like warm lights or candles in the evening, or that cool light that comes in the windows in the morning, and up high enough it's always just bright sun. When you take off in the rain in a commercial airplane you always end up above it all in the beaming sun. Honestly, I prefer the weather. I like the fog, the rain, the mood. I guess I get the feeling its all just an act when I know that up above it all, the sun is as steady and constant as it's always been. We just happen to exist in that ever so thin realm between the clouds and the earth. Lucky us, we get the mood changes, the ambience. So let the curtains close on the scene of fall and open to winter, with the mood of reflection as this year wraps up and I think about how one year ago I was going to the doctor for anxiety, sleeplessness, chronic pain and mild depression, four prescriptions and 29 pounds heavier than I am as of this morning, my doctor said I should try daily exercise for 6 weeks... "Um... yeah... that's not gonna happen doc." too busy, too hard, and exercise is so tiring, ha ha..." He said, "Ok, no problem, heres some meds then." I tried those for a few months, and honestly, they made things worse in my mind, I felt broken, I felt like a mental patient, which I was, I was taking medicine for my moods, my anxiety, my stress and pain, I was mentally "ill" and if that isn't a stressful thought, I'm not sure what is. I'm normal, just like everyone else, we all get a little under the weather physically and mentally, once I acknowledged that it's ok to catch a cold, and it's normal to get a little mentally ill, I decided I'd try and do what you'd do for any sickness. You try and take care of it. I exercise now, since the end of June. I'm off the meds for a few months now. I still take half a xanax at night when I go to bed so my mind doesn't spin out, and I hope to wean myself off that ASAP. I also enjoy some wine most evenings too, but one step at a time right? Heading towards a healthier mindset, it's ironic to me that a healthier mind takes work physically. I've never been one to exercise, ever in my life until this year, and now I wish I had my whole life. I feel better physically and mentally. I still stress out, I still get anxious, I still have a restless night now and then but not nearly as bad as a year ago. I started with just stretching for ten min in the morning and maybe ten pushups and fifteen sit ups. In June I tried running at the track and couldn't even run a full lap. Now, I'm mtn biking, circuit training, learning how to box... I can do 150 burpees and five hundred jumping jacks and I'm leaving tomorrow morning to run my first half marathon with a hurt foot and jacked up knees, but whatever, I'll hobble it if I have to. I only say these things as an encouragement to anyone reading that feels defeated, depressed, or otherwise discouraged about themselves. We all go through that. I've met a couple people that seem generally just happy and satisfied with themselves and I envy them, but that's not normal... normal is us, stressed, moody, people that have their struggles, whatever they are... I didn't expect this blog to go this direction, but it is what it is, and again, I am where I'm at, so... guess I'll just enjoy the mood of this wet rainy day, and take some Aleve for my knees and foot. I hope you can enjoy the mood of wherever you're at, and take a step towards a healthier you, be it mentally, physically, or both.

Been a while...

It's been a long time since I have posted anything. I've been busy and pretty overwhelmed with life like most people. I think about blogging almost daily but never feel like there's much to say. I've been told I'm nihilistic but I don't think I'm quite to that level. I do believe we should try to live by standards and morals and though we fall short, we should still try. Honestly, I do struggle with the "What's the point?" attitude often. Painting, art, tattoos, yard work, exercise, whatever you do with your time. I was told by an older friend of mine who has a doctorate degree, is very very successful in business, and is always busy with hobbies, trips, etc., when he was accused of being a work-a-holic by some of his family, he replied, "I do the things I do because I enjoy it."

Most of the time I can stay in that frame of mind; I do the things I do because I enjoy it. I enjoy the feeling of accomplishment after cleaning up my back yard leaves, or signing a fresh painting, or wiping clean a new tattoo on a client. Life is what it is and I am where I'm at in my life. Instead of wondering about the unknown or wanting what I don't have, like extra time in the day, I need to try and enjoy the moment, as cliché as that sounds.

Anyway, I have to get to work... Hopefully this is the first of many blog posts to come in the near future.

Lots going on...

I have been pretty quiet since august 2011. Had a few trips out of the country, UK, Rome, Japan... With the holidays and the new shop plans I have literally been absent from the world wide web aside from an occasional instagram pic or my daughters posting merchandise on or web site. I want to say thank you to everyone that chose my art in any form over the holidays and recent months. I am grateful and honored every time an order comes through for a print, shirt, poster, book, dvd... I know there are millions of products out there for people to spend their hard earned money on. I also know that the world is full of amazing artists and all kinds of talent so any time mine is chosen by anyone, it’s an incredible honor.

I also need to apologize to a few out there whose orders came late, damaged or otherwise ended up as an unpleasant experience. I am truly sorry. When I started selling things other than tattoos I didn’t realize how many aspects there are that can go wrong. Orders getting missed, lost, etc. Thank you all for your patience.

I am partnering with Off the Map Tattoo, Easthampton MA over the next couple months to become the pacific northwest’s Off the Map Tattoo Studio. We have a great lineup of artists scheduled and I’m so stoked to bring artists to our area from all over. My current co-tattooers, Mike and Jen Godfrey are planning on relocating to Huntington Beach CA soon and I was going to move to a private studio until I went to Rome for the Worldwide Tattoo Conference and talked to Gabe Ripley from Off the Map. I have heard crazy rumors that I have stopped tattooing, I’m moving, I’m only painting... None of which are true. I love tattooing, and I will tattoo as long as I can. I have no plans of moving, retiring or anything of the sort.

Jen Godfrey is still tattooing at the studio, Mike Godfrey is building machines, and tattooing by appointment at the studio and also in southern California. We also have Minneapolis visiting atist, Shawn Hebrank here for the next couple months. He is available for walk ins and by appointment through March.

Our grand opening party is planned for the first friday in March. Make sure to come by for that. I will be on the road quite a bit this spring. Milan in February, Japan in March and Australia in april.

I just want to let you all in on what’s going on. I’m hoping and planning on a good year in 2012.

OFF THE MAP NORTHWEST

112 Cottage Street

Easthampton, MA 01027

413-527-6574

OfftheMapTattoo.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Off the Map Tattoo Expanding to Grants Pass, Oregon

Off the Map Tattoo and Jeff Gogue will be joining forces to open a second location in Grants Pass, Oregon. Jeff Gogue will continue to tattoo and lead workshops as the head resident tattoo artist, but in March of 2012 the location will reopen as a rebranded Off the Map Tattoo. Off the Map Tattoo Grants Pass will mirror the original studio and main office in Easthampton, Massachusetts. This will include tattoo-savvy customer service, additional resident artists, and scheduled monthly guest artists - having many notables already setting dates. With Off the Map Tattoo handling the management of the studio, Jeff will be able to focus on what he loves the most: working hard to create and inspire around other like-minded artists.

Jeff Gogue started tattooing in 1999 and has not looked back since. Jeff is now being recognized with worldwide acclaim and shares his techniques in tattooing and painting through various seminars and instructional DVDs. Jeff continually strives for excellences in every venture that he pursues, and takes heed to the power of self-worth and one's duty to share whatever can be offered. “…..,” says Jeff about the partnership.

Off the Map Tattoo was established in 2005 with the goal of creating a professional, sterile, educational environment for artists and collectors alike. Now in its sixth year, Off the Map Tattoo is home to four full time resident artists and attracts forty plus guest artists from around the world annually, it is safe to say that that goal is being lived out. Also, Off the Map Tattoo hosts the Paradise Tattoo Gathering (TattooGathering.com), Paradise Artist Retreat (ParadiseArtistRetreat.com), and houses the offices of TattooNOW (TattooNOW.com).

All in all, with the combination of Off the Map Tattoo’s proven business plan and Jeff Gogue’s drive to create and facilitate inspiration, Off the Map Tattoo Grants Pass is the perfect match. Visit OfftheMapTattoo.com for daily news updates and GogueArt.com for Jeff Gogue’s portfolio.

Contact:

Mary Bowen – Studio Manager @ Off the Map Tattoo

HYPERLINK "mailto:Mary@TattooNOW.com"

(413) 527-6574

Rome.... after the conference...

It’s 4 am on October 25th 2011. I’m in the airport in Rome and my body is tired. I just spent three days with a small group of friends speaking at a conference about staging a rebellion against mediocrity in our field; art and tattoos. I find myself saying it in separate terms though I don’t see the separation. Tattooing is a form of art of course, but the trade of tattooing has meandered through the avenues of the average and the common for most of it’s modern existence. Rome. What an appropriate place in the world to do such a thing. Surrounded by the epitome of high standards in art and dedication to one’s craft. As I walked through the streets; the humorous attempts by vendors to sell trinkets made in china, bobble headed pope statues, disco style hand held laser pointers, and plastic miniatures of the colosseum reminded me that the majority of the population remains in the realm of the average and the addicted to mediocrity. Graffiti and trash were everywhere obnoxiously stating that so many people consume and discard, rather than contribute and nurture.

I’m sitting here with a headache from the two hours sleep I struggled through since I haven’t been here long enough to get over the jet lag yet I’m heading back home already. I often find myself sort of reveling in being tired. In my case it’s more often the result of being somewhere in the world that most people would say is a trip of a lifetime. I find myself routinely resolving as the plane takes off; that if it goes down in flames, I am satisfied that I have had many many trips of a lifetime, and that my family and friends will know that I tried with all my heart, to live well, to experience more, and to inspire others to do the same.

My friend (Nick Baxter) was one of the other guest speakers this weekend. I have known him for years and worked alongside him often around the world. I had the privilege of attending his seminar and it is as the rumors have it; it is life changing. He is one of the few people I know that shares the the stage of the exceptional, intriguing and inspiring individuals among the masses. Alex Depase, of Italy also ignited a new drive in me to reach for higher ground personally, artistically, and professionally. I was honored to share the stage with Nick, Alex, the world class tattooer, Boris of Hungary and business leader Gabe Ripley of Tattoo Now and The Paradise tattoo gathering. This was an unprecedented event in the tattoo community. Not open to the public, or to people tattooing; it was a true conference for artists to be challenged to step up to the next level in many facets. I am honored and grateful to be one of the people who got to share my thoughts, perspective and insight, and I feel especially grateful for the immediate return of insight, inspiration, and education I received myself. If you get a chance to attend any event like this in the future, I suggest you do what it takes to make that a reality.

I put together a quick very candid video from the trip just as a small reminder for me. I'd like to share it with you.

http://youtu.be/jJwZRILJpr0

WORLDWIDE TATTOO CONFERENCE, ROME ITALY

I'm leaving this evening to be one of the honored guest speakers at the first Worldwide Tattoo Conference, held in Rome this weekend http://www.worldwidetattooconference.com/HOME_ENG.html

My good friend Nick Baxter and I along with the amazing Alex De Pase, (Italy) Boris (Hungary) and Tattoo Now owner Gabe Ripley will be teaching and speaking for two days in one of the world's most incredible cities. I am honored and humbled to be chosen for this with such accomplished artists. Check out the website and let me know what you think about the concept of this kind of conference. They are considering the same conference, possibly in Chicago 2012. here's a couple pics of Nick and I painting a few months ago. We have the prints in house of the spark plug collaboration. I just need to get them to Nick for signing and numbering before they are released to you. Thank you all and wish me luck!