something new

Here's two new paintings. The first one is titled, "Problem Child", 48"x60". The other one is for the Portland Tattoo expo next weekend. I titled it "Red Tape" after all the bullshit We went through in Customs in London. It's 48"x72". Hope you like em.

Lady Luck 09

This past weekend I went to the Lady Luck show in Reno to hang out. First time I've gone to a show without working it in my entire career. I have to say, It was cool... kinda weird. Got to talk to a lot more artists than usual, which was really cool. There's so many great people out there doing their thing. Got to hang out with some really good friends, my sister Gina, her husband (also named Jeff), and Kim, (my wife). Tony Ciavarro and Bunny gave me some Roulette lessons, hit my number a few times. My good friend Randy Scott Howell (Silverback ink, and Hot Stuff Tattoos Hollywood, CA) tattooed a sweet Traditional rose on my sis. Got to hang with one of my greatest influences and good friend, Robert Hernandez. I taught a small Oil Painting seminar where I did these two paintings as demos. Had to finish the machine painting in my room. Seminar was only a couple hours. Got to donate a sweet trophy for "Best of Day" tattoo. and got to have dinner with my loving Antie Rosie and my Uncle Victor from guam. To everyone who stopped me to talk, my seminar attendees, peeps who bought my issue of TAM, and my "brushtrokes" dvd... My deepest thanks. Every conversation was great. This is the best industry in the world... don't ever take this dream job for granted...

Ashley

Painting of Ashley. 24"x48" oil on canvas $1800

just a thought...

I walked through Sheffield this morning drinking my cappuccino. After a great week of tattooing and painting, a great show in London, with a best of show for Friday and Saturday, and looking forward to an interview for a feature article with the number one selling Tattoo magazine in Europe. I sat down in the city center, and heard the sweetest sounding jazz guitar being played. It a was a guy playing for pocket change on a fender strat through a little practice amp. Here's the thing... I've been playing music for 17 years, I have like six guitars, a drum set, a piano and two basses. I've worked at it and never got past mediocre. Here's a guy playing for pocket change... and he'd blow me out of the water, every day of the week, and twice on Sunday. Playing for change. He was so good. and playing for change. The thought overwhhelmed me of the "definition of success." I often quote, " There is nothing more common than unsuccessful men with talent." What is success?... Money? Recognition? Fame? Travel? Compliments and ass kissing?... Maybe a little... maybe... All I know is this guy was ten times more successful than I have ever been at playing the guitar. I love playing the guitar. I love writing songs. I have practiced and practiced, and I couldn't do what he was doing today.

Point being... True success can't be measured by the masses, but by that inner voice that says you have done all you can do to reach as far as you can, fulfilling your full potential... That sounds like a life long journey, doesn't it?

Salvadore Dali said, "A true artist is NOT one who is inspired, but one who inspires others... I encountered a true artist today... playing for change, he changed my life with a few chords and a, "cheers" as I dropped my pocket change into his flimsy guitar case.

To the "jazz player"... thanks,

jeff

Last day in Sheffield.

last day in Sheffield.

Hey... had nothing but ideal clients, felt very welcome, and taken care of. They fed me, cleaned up after me and even did my laundry. Lookin forwrd to coming back soon. Here's a few more pics, including a couple of town and the street where the shop's at... and a freehand tattoo I did today on Brian from Scotland. I did the little painting in my hotel room in london and the tall one here in Sheffield. The interview with Niel, (editor of Skin Deep Magazine) went great and had an awesome dinner. Heading to Jo Harrison's shop in the morning.

Thanks for checking it out!

Scheffield..

I’m staying in Scheffield which is in northern England. It’s pretty big... there are about fifty thousand students alone here. “Thou Art Tattoo” is an amazing shop. Great staff, great location, great energy. I’m having a hard time, when I think about leaving. I think I should work here a few months a year. I stayed tonight after work to paint with Tancho, an artist here in the shop. He’s never oil painted before. We got some food and beer and went to town. It was a great time. He’s an awesome guy with an amazing attitude and way about him. He’s originally from Argentina,a dn has worked in Spain too. I’m glad I met and got to work with him. He spacializes in Japanese and Americana. Real nice atyle. I’m hoping to bring home a little watercolor from him. I did a demo for him to see how I paint. I’ll post a pic of it. I’ve done eight paintings over here so far and will post all the pics soon. Here’s a few... tattoos too. Everyone so far has really been unbelievable. Great food... great everything! Thanks Thou Art Tattoo. Two more days here. Skin Deep is coming on Saturday to do a feature on me and my work... excited about that! and then I’m off to Birmingham to tattoo Jo Harrisonand spend a day in her shop. I’ll keep you all posted. Enjoy the pics!

jeff