Jeff

What inspired your most recent tattoo?

Without being too corny my last piece was inspired by life through decades. Loved tattoos when I was a kid watching punks in the 70’s. I got my first one at 18. Then waited, telling myself I didn’t have the right design. Truth was I was scared to commit to it all. Then Mom died, dad’s been dead for more than half my life and suddenly now seemed right! Knew the elements I wanted, asked the artist his thoughts and then just said do what you want! Perfect. Almost born with them.

If your ink could speak, what would it say?

The Japanese part wouldn’t say much at all, more sound and environment: waves on the rocks, Sakura petals falling, peony blooming and the shi shi guarding it all. Of course deep waters and all. The Kawkiutl part would tell the story of the trickster, the moon and the killer whale. And hopefully they would all tell stories of the skin they are a part of!

What would you do with the $25,000?

I’d finish the tattoo project I stated! But mostly I’d take much of it to visit my family and friends more often. There would be whiskey, cooking, laughing and the ability to tell stories in the mountains around a fire: to live and breathe with the people in my life, people I love and miss. Thanks so much guys. This was a fun thing to do and a new way to think about tattoos!