I just got back from the Berlin tattoo convention and have to admit that it was a life changing experience. Never have I witnessed so much talent and appreciation at a tattoo show.
I hope to convey some of that in the newest episode of Tattoo Nomad, which is now up on my Youtube channel.
Check it out and let me know what you think.
Aloha!
Wooohooo! 35 hours later, through blood, sweat and tears this irezumi sleeve is finally done! I had to get a little bit #GenghisKhan at the end but with some team work and plenty of Oxy’s we managed to reach the finish line.
She wanted a sleeve incorporating luck, longevity and rebirth with an homage to her grandmother. And this is what I came up with. 🙂
The red-crowned crane starts it all off at her shoulder/chest. This flows into a geisha with a castle and mount Fuji in the background. Dark clouds flow down and around the crane moving towards a Kitsune (fox) mask set onto her bicep and dark iso bars to signify Kitsune no yomeiri or, ‘the fox’s wedding’ which is the name given to the phenomena that occurs when it rains when the sun is out and shining brightly. This event is considered a good omen as is the fox.
On her forearm there are orchids for her grandmother; inside forearm is a phoenix and on the outer forearm is a blue bird in a pine tree. There are sakura placed around in various states of growth and decomposition.
Very, very pleased with how this all turned out and am happy to have it completed. I have to give credit to my client for sitting through this all and my lovely wife for lending her talents to capture this piece with her photography skills.
Thank you for looking!
Here is some Polynesian work that I’ve done lately as well as some other pieces.
The goddess of the wind, La’amaomao is holding the ipu (calabash) of the 32 winds of Hawaii. The god Lono, is standing on her legs and is seen behind her. Lono is both the ipu and the winds itself, being the god of fertility and wind, among other things.
Client is a kitesurfer.
Modern Marquesan.
Honu is mainly asthetic with some protection thrown in for good measure.
Ana’ole style.
Shoulder cap of strength and growth imagery that is done to represent the talon of a raptor.
Modern Marquesan and taulima.
Shoulder cap, done Ta Moko style (Maori) with taulima influences. This shows his love of family, strength and courage as well as his love of Hawaii.
Ta Moko style upper calf band meant to protect from harm and to look out for danger.
Side piece donw in modern Marquesan with Ta Moko influences. This piece is represents her travel, ancestors, family and growth.
Modern Marquesan, freehand. This is all about power and retaining mana.
Rapanui style, ‘iwa bird.
Mo’o and Honu.
Blue Heron.
Honu and Big Island.
Father and son matching Ku tattoo’s. I tattooed the father a few years ago and so he wanted his son to have the same.
Modern Marquesan chest piece, cover up.
Modern Marquesan, mata kome.
Olive tree branch. In memory of his daughter, Olive. She passed shortly after being born.
Modern Marquesan and Ta Moko, gauntlet. ‘Iwa lani, love of Hawaii and the ocean, his family and protection.
This is the first official episode of Tattoo Nomad!
It is more or less the format of the show going forward. I expect running time to increase to maybe 30 to 40 minutes as more content is added.
Please share and subscribe to my channel!
Thank you for looking! Aloha!
Here is a link to a project that I have been working on called, Tattoo Nomad. It was originally supposed to be a sizzle reel to stir up interest in the idea but became a full episode and so I have made it the pilot.
The format will evolve; I am working on episode one at the moment (Belgium) and can say that it is more polished. That being said, I’m happy with how this turned out and for all the support that I had making it.
In the pilot I talk about my history and the history of Polynesian tattoo in regards to Hawaii. In the tattoo portion, the importance of remembering our ancestors and respecting the past is the topic.
I plan on making more of these as time and funds permit so stay tuned.
Aloha!
Just got back from the Great London Tattoo Show and a guest spot at Trash Tattoo in Dendermonde, Belgium. What a fantastic time it was. Took a day or five to get used to the time change but after that I was good to go.
London is always sunny when I visit which prompts people to tell me to visit more often. I certainly would love to, since London is one of my favorite cities. We arrived a day after the Manchester bombing which was a bit unnerving. The whole place had a different vibe; not bad, just a kind of tension that seemed to infect everyone. But people soldiered on and apart from the presence of heavily armed police and incessant news coverage, it was quite pleasant.
I tattooed in Alexandra Palace which was a nice piece of old architecture. The show was busy and I did a neck piece on a gentleman, which was my highlight of the show.
Belgium took me by surprise. I didn’t really know what to expect and at first, I hate to say, but I had a bit of culture shock. Coming straight from London to the cobblestone streets of Dendermonde seemed like I had stepped back in time.
In a day or two, after gathering our wits about us, it began to make sense. And then it seduced me. I really like Belgium. Our hosts were very gracious and their shop was buzzing like a beehive from the moment it opened until the doors closed. It was an all female shop and the vibe was chill and welcoming; it was nice to see it doing so well.
We went to Brugge and Gent and had a great time in between days of me working like a dog.
And then we went to Amsterdam. Everyone should go to this place before they die. Needless to say, I enjoyed it to the fullest of my capabilities.
We did some filming for Tattoo Nomad, the show that I (and my wife) are producing. Belgium will be the first official episode. I am still waiting to release the pilot episode, which is about the Big Island and Polynesian tattoo, but have to wait as I entered it into a film festival and cannot show it publicly until I hear if I got accepted or not.
In the meantime, here are some pics that you may hopefully enjoy.
Aloha!
This week has been all about chest plates!
Two consecutive clients, completely unrelated and unknown to one another chose to get chest plates (and a shoulder piece) to chronicle their lives and loved ones.
I’m very happy with the results and am now so exhausted that all I can do is stare off into space as I contemplate going back to work next week, lol.
Here are the breakdowns of each piece.
Mahalo for looking!
Modern Maori, Marquesan and Hawaiian chest plate and shoulder piece
a) etua hena = hand of ancestor: holding the tattoo fast to the body
b) na ihe = spear(s): a weapon used by warriors, showing his warrior spirit and willingness to overcome
c) ka’ake = upraised arm: the entirety of ‘c’ encloses other elements of the tattoo and gives strength to the motifs that it surrounds. The entire paka represents, po’o kohe, or a section of bamboo. This symbolizes resiliency and tenacity and adds this quality to the symbols contained inside ‘c’
c.1) hala = past: this is the life that he has lived so far
c.2) ano = present: this is the life that he is currently leading
c.3) mua = future: this is his future life
d) mata = eye: this looks out and protects him from impending danger
e) niho = teeth: each tooth symbolizes each one of his children that happen to also be twins
f) koru = unfurling fern head: symbolizes life, breath, growth
f.1) koru = unfurling fern head: along with the above, this also represents his marriage and is in the shape of a heart (over his heart) to show love
g) lau niu = coconut fronds: each frond represents one year of being married (15 total)
h) hope vehine = twin goddesses (of tattoo): protection, union and beauty also acting to hold up this paka
Modern Marquesan and Maori chest plate done in Samoan taulima style
a) pepehipu = hammered section: this represents a hammered piece of tapa cloth it is inset with niho for protection
b) ihe o nalu = spear of waves: warrior, love of the sea
c) hoku = (shooting) star: illuminates his way forward
d) niho peata = teeth, fence: protective barrier against potential harm
e) koru = unfurling fern head: symbolizes life, breath, growth
f) lau niu = coconut frond: royalty
g) niho = teeth: two teeth joined together to symbolize his marriage, inset into a ka’ake (upraised arm) to give strength to their union
h) lei niho = garland of teeth: to protect from danger
i) mata = eye: this looks out and protects him from impending danger
j) mata tomoe = Death’s head: this is the unicorn of Polynesian tattoo as it was initially seen on the Langsdorff voyage to the Marquesas in the early 1800’s. It was chronicled by an illustration drawn on that voyage but the image was never seen again in future expeditions and any forthcoming information regarding it was ever given. I have re-imagined it, and designed it to be skull-like in appearance. It is said to represent death but also protection from death and acceptance of death, as well.
Aloha!
I am finally off across the pond. I was invited by Skin Deep magazine to attend the 2016 Tattoo Jam at Doncaster Racecourse in Doncaster, England. I am very excited about this and have been planning the trip for several months now. I will also be giving a seminar on Polynesian tattoo on Friday, August 5 at 2:00pm at the venue, which is free to attend.
I still have some open spaces if anyone is interested in having work done. Please let me know via email, supersonik@earthlink.net or social media, IG/twitter: rolandtattoo.
I leave tomorrow and will spend a few days in Ireland before heading out to Doncaster, so this will be somewhat of a much needed vacation, as well.
Here is a discount code for tickets to the show, for those interested.
Here is also a link to the show. http://www.tattoojam.com/artists
Aloha!
rolandpacheco
Living in Lava Land 