I’ve been so busy at work I’ve completely neglected to post recently. Things have been going pretty well overall. A couple of weeks from now is the anime convention that I go to every year. I’m on staff so it’ll be a lot of work but it’s always really fun too. I haven’t had time to really think about it And can’t believe how close it is.

I recently purchased an iPad Pro for work and although it was crazy expensive I am loving it. It’s so helpful drawing up tattoos and just other stuff in general. I set up a red bubble to hopefully sell some of my recent artwork as prints and stickers. I’m working hard at tattooing but progress seems slow at times. I know that my linework needs to be improved and I’m trying really hard to have patience with myself on it. Tattooing is so very different from other mediums especially when you’re doing lines so I’ve just gotta keep working on it. My lines are great in every other medium I use so I am hopeful. I feel like color is my strong point in tattooing but I’ve been working on my black and gray work lately, as well.

Oooh yeah! My friend and I got registered for the art and social justice retreat that we wanted to go to in August. I’m really looking forward to that. She’s been a few times and I hope it will help me come up with ways that I can use my artwork to help the community and those in need. We shall see.

I need to try to post more just to step aside from the moment and reflect.

Yesterday was insane!!!! I did 17 tattoos. I worked from 11:00 am straight through to midnight! Here's collages of what I did:





Today I had a piercing customer come to me for her first tattoo. She sat so well and picked out a really fun anatomical heart. I hope that I'll get to do more for her in the future.

Yesterday was so exhausting. Today I feel sore all over and probably could fall asleep anywhere given the opportunity. I can't wait for my next two days off although I don't think I'll be getting as much rest as I'd like.

The two appointment tattoos came out pretty good I think. There's definitely been a lot of improvement in my tattooing and I think it's just going to continue from here since I'm doing so much more of it. I also did some watercolor behind a previous tattoo and the tiniest detailed butterfly I've done on a walk in yesterday. Those fine needles are tricky.

I should post something but I'm not really sure what to say. Work is all consuming lately. Yesterday was swamped and we were short a artist but today is super slow. Tomorrow I'm going to the tattoo supply store to pick up some new inks so that should be really exciting!

Over the past week I did a ton of cleaning and finally got my son's room and the living room/dining room area all straightened up. I feel very accomplished because I've really let it go to hell over the past few months. I've instituted new rules for my son to keep his areas under control and he's doing great so far. Also, he's doing well folding all his clothes on his own.

My new meds seem to have settled in really well. I can drink again without feeling like shit afterwards which is fantastic. Although I know it's a bad habit I do enjoy my weekly art and drinking night with my friend. Another benefit of the newer meds seems to be that I'm actually starting to like being in the sun a bit now. I just couldn't stand it for the past couple years which was weird because previously that wasn't a problem.

It'll be interesting to see how this weekend goes. I have a larger tattoo appointment and am looking forward to that. Maybe there'll be a nice photo that I can put up here afterwards.

A guy I previously tattooed came in today for a fun little Chronicles of Narnia tattoo. Although the books pissed me off eventually I did enjoy doing the cool little illustration piece.

 I'm back at work and who knows what will happen this week.  The shop owner doesn't like the nickname our newest artist goes by.  Ugh.  I don't think it matters because we're tattoo artists but whatever.  He's going to have to go by his actual name which I know he doesn't like but I guess it's a small price to pay for working at a nicer, busier shop.  He's a great artist and I hope it won't deter him.  I'm a little concerned because he has it tattooed across his eyebrow and a couple other face tattoos.  I know the owner doesn't like face tattoos so hopefully because he's so great it won't result in instant firing.  I think that would be very unfair and a bad business decision too.  He's bringing in a lot of clients, does fantastic work, and is great with the walk in customers.

Whew, I'm tired of worrying about the work stuff like that.  My meds are really helping with the anxiety and emotional ups and downs though.  I guess the current worries are at least a lot less than my normal freaking out.

On a good note, I'm feeling so much more confident in my tattooing.  I had some interesting customers and received another great review.  I'm glad because I stayed an hour and a half late that night to work with her.  I really do truly enjoy my work.  Hopefully I can do some painting or some more artistic things outside of it because I do miss all the time I used to spend painting and drawing.  Right now it's hard to find time with so little free time.  I usually spend it all hanging with my kid, boyfriend, and best friend.  Can't really complain about that because I love all of them an every moment with them is so important to me.

I feel refreshed after my couple days off. Last week was insane tattooing and piercing. I broke the sales record for most piercings done in a week at this shop and considering that I was also tattooing that's pretty damn good. Sunday was insane working alone but I had a great time doing all the stuff.

I've come back to a new artist starting today! That's a big relief that we'll have someone else and I really hope he's nice and works out. I'm so tired of drama and asshole artists. Definitely had enough of that crap to last for a life time.

While I enjoyed my days off I was able to get a couple more mask molds made for the art project my friend and I are working on. Also, I got a Friday the 13th flash sheet done for next month although I'll probably do a couple more. My son was able to pick out his new bicycle for his birthday, which is tomorrow! He picked a nice black and pink one since those are his favorite colors. I think he'll have more luck learning to ride this one.

Work is like a whole new experience without assface working here now. I'm tattooing a bunch and still piercing with no worries of bullshit and drama from him over it. One guy came and got his first tattoo on Wednesday and has already contacted me for his next one.

I feel so optimistic and better in general. Hopefully this will continue and we'll have another artist to fill the vacancy soon.

 A friend let me borrow her copy of "Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative" by Austin Kleon.  It was a very quick read but had a lot of good reminders in it.  I'd definitely recommend taking a look at it if you haven't already.

There was one part discussing not throwing any of yourself away.  I really needed to hear that.  I've been getting a lot of push to choose between being a tattoo artist or a piercer but I really enjoy both and at this time I'm not ready to just give up on either in pursuit of the other.  Although piercing has come naturally and tattooing has been more of a struggle, I feel like I can continue doing both if I balance it right.

On another note, I get to do an awesome Donald Duck tattoo tonight so that should be fun!  I hope that it will come out well and the customer will like it.  :)

I'm so exhausted and have at least 9 and a half more hours to work today.  Losing an hour of sleep took me down to getting only around 4 or 5 hours after two 13+ hour workdays that's just not enough.  I can't even tell what kind of mood I'm in because my brain is so sluggish and exhausted.  I realize it's going to be very hard in upcoming weeks to tattoo on Sundays if I'm this sleepy.  Unfortunately caffeine isn't even helping at this point.

I think tomorrow after I do the bank deposit I'm going to sleep until I have to pick up the kid from school.  I feel like I could really use some hibernation to get back on track.