A Koi On Keith Alexander. Page Seven.

Pre-Thirteenth Session. January 8 2004. 7:15AM.
Thirteen is my lucky number. So says Mike Ness. And I'm inclined to believe him. These have been the first days that I've looked at my back and said "whoa, almost done." Chris once said "What are you going to do when we're done?" I said "Wait ten years and then start my legs. I hope Trevor Marshall is still laying it down."

Hell, I may not even wait those ten years. I just dropped Trevor an email asking about doing a complete design that can be laid down in a way that each group of sessions are complete unto themselves. We'll see. People ask me why not continue the current theme onto my legs. I feel that a pictorial approach only works on the upper body. I feel that legs should be more graphic. It has something to do with the legs grounding you to the earth. So the work should be more representative of that. Solid yet open. And Trevor is the guy to do it. And no, I'm not going for a full bodysuit. Just need to finish my chest and legs.

Post-Thirteenth Session. January 8 2004. 11:30PM
I need to take some better photos, because these just don't do the work justice. Tonight was a relatively short session as my body really couldn't take too much. I got my ass back to the dojo and have spent the last two weeks training hard. I think I've mentioned it elsewhere on this mini-site... I study Muso Shinden Ryu Iaido with New York Budokai. We also study Tenshinsho Jigen Ryu and Jodo. I've been away from training for a little while and finally got back. The first class of a New Year is centered on endurance training and I am still feeling the effects. Add onto that the regular training sessions this past tuesday and wednesday and, well, I'm wiped. I called quits sooner than I'm proud of. We got another maple leaf complete as well as the blackwork at my upper back/neck.

We have two more sessions booked, but it will probably take three. As you can see from the pictures there are a few tweeks that need to be made to say nothing of the whole lower section. We also need to add quite a bit on the right hand side to match the left. I'm excited to finish this project and move onto my next. I rarely do anything long-term and am always looking for the next thing.

People say "you should be proud of that tattoo" and I laugh. I'm not proud of it. If anything, I'm proud of the fact I've maintained my commitment to see it through and proud of the fact that I chose the right artist.


Pre-Thirteenth Session. January 8 2004. 7:15AM. Thirteen is my lucky number. So says Mike Ness. And I'm inclined to believe him. These have been the first days that I've looked at my back and said "whoa, almost done." Chris once said "What are you going to do when we're done?" I said "Wait ten years and then start my legs. I hope Trevor Marshall is still laying it down." Hell, I may not even wait those ten years. I just dropped Trevor an email asking about doing a complete design that can be laid down in a way that each group of sessions are complete unto themselves. We'll see. People ask me why not continue the current theme onto my legs. I feel that a pictorial approach only works on the upper body. I feel that legs should be more graphic. It has something to do with the legs grounding you to the earth. So the work should be more representative of that. Solid yet open. And Trevor is the guy to do it. And no, I'm not going for a full bodysuit. Just need to finish my chest and legs. Post-Thirteenth Session. January 8 2004. 11:30PM I need to take some better photos, because these just don't do the work justice. Tonight was a relatively short session as my body really couldn't take too much. I got my ass back to the dojo and have spent the last two weeks training hard. I think I've mentioned it elsewhere on this mini-site... I study Muso Shinden Ryu Iaido with New York Budokai. We also study Tenshinsho Jigen Ryu and Jodo. I've been away from training for a little while and finally got back. The first class of a New Year is centered on endurance training and I am still feeling the effects. Add onto that the regular training sessions this past tuesday and wednesday and, well, I'm wiped. I called quits sooner than I'm proud of. We got another maple leaf complete as well as the blackwork at my upper back/neck. We have two more sessions booked, but it will probably take three. As you can see from the pictures there are a few tweeks that need to be made to say nothing of the whole lower section. We also need to add quite a bit on the right hand side to match the left. I'm excited to finish this project and move onto my next. I rarely do anything long-term and am always looking for the next thing. People say "you should be proud of that tattoo" and I laugh. I'm not proud of it. If anything, I'm proud of the fact I've maintained my commitment to see it through and proud of the fact that I chose the right artist.
Anatometal makes some of the best steel and titanium body jewelry available. They've made a number of cool pieces for me and I carried their stock at the Modern American BodyArts studio. Founder Barry Blanchard suggests you have the following in your Japanese Garden: purples and yellows, iris, perfect lillies and a frog, Of course, you need to stock the pond with koi of all varieties, especially large orange ones, and friendly ones. *And be sure to keep the predators at bay.*
Pre-Fourteenth Session. January 20 2004. 7:20AM. I understand that the koi is an old and venerable symbol worn by thousands of people from all walks of life. But I have to say this: directly lifting my or anyone else's tattoo design is pretty lame. I'm happy that people see this site as a resource, that's one of the reasons I put it up. Where else can you find so much information about koi symbology and what it takes to lay on a tattoo of this size? So I think it's great that people are here to learn, watch and ask questions... "The reason I am writing to you is because I am looking for ideas for a full Koi related back piece myself...I have been following your experiences of the fantastic Koi back piece you are currently having done and would like to say that I think it's stunning...I would dearly like to base my work around your design...I hope you don't think I'm taking the juice or anything by contacting you about your design and work done but I really did fall for your design the first time I saw it...I hope you are not offended by some of the questions I have asked and I assure you that no offence is intended because I know how much of a personal thing it is that your doing and to think somebody is copying you could cause some people to take offence." This guy did the right thing. He and I wrote a bit, I asked him to please have his artist take the idea and work it into his own, one-of-a-kind piece. He said: "Thanks for such a prompt reply and I totally respect your view about the back piece. I will endeavour to carry on searching and find suitable artwork which I am completely satisfied with." On the other hand, some people may have copied this design a little to closely for my tastes. Just sayin'. Again, I know the symbol is universal and the background elements traditional, but please, give it your own spin like I gave it mine. Read about ©opyrighting tattoos here. And about stealing tattoos, here. Post-Fourteenth Session. January 20 2004. 11:00PM. A good solid two hours tonight. The maple leaves are all done and a good part of the water, too. We need to add some depth to the water with another few passes of a darker blue. Holy crap the last 20 minutes sucked. And I'm still convinced that music plays a huge part in the experience. I think I've heard maybe a handful of good tunes since I've been having this done. As anyone who ever visited my old shop Modern American Bodyarts knows, music sets the tone for a session. Finished up, paid the man, took the F to the R and enjoyed some of Brooklyn's best pizza. I know, I know... those love handles won't disappear if I continue to eat like that. But it's freezing out, I've been working and training my ass off and that's that.
NEW YORK ADORNED 47 Second Ave., New York, NY, 10003; (212) 473-0007 "To anyone who thinks tattooing and piercing was a fad: Fewer supermodels may be getting stuck, but business is still good. This shop is colorful and super-cool, with fast and very friendly piercing. They feature steel, wood, glass and gem curve jewelry, as well as a wide variety from Thailand, Borneo, India and Vietnam. Incredibly talented tattooists (plus visiting artists from around the world) do work you'll be proud to have forever." Paper Mag©
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