Kristen continues to produce amazing work at By Her Hand Tattoos.
A Week in Tattoos
What Would Mary Think?
I sure don’t know.
The enormous magnolia in our front yard is a constant reminder that Mary is watching over us.
She always loved to bring the big blooms inside. I love going out each morning in May and June to look for ones within reach.
This one came with us to By Her Hand Tattoos. That’s where things get weird. Mary wouldn’t be surprised that I met a wonderful woman and started a business with her. Mary and I had similar dreams of working together to open a bookstore or cafe.
She would be surprised that I chose to open a tattoo studio. Neither of us had tattoos and I held them in disdain for my entire adulthood.
Losing Mary shattered many of the assumptions I had about myself. These six years have been the most uncomfortable. I’ve had to wrestle growth and change from a past Self that lived my wife-kids-home dream.
There’s a small part of me that still tugs toward the impossible nostalgia of that life.
The Ladder
Genesis 28:12 KJV — And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.
John 1:51 KJV — And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.
According to Pastor Chuck Smith, Jacob “was sort of stuck between the fear of the past, and the fear of the future.”
I’m fortunate to not experience a lot of fear, but I do feel a tension between the past and the future. On a household level, my past parenting mistakes are manifesting in destructive and selfish behaviors from my younger son. On the subject of the future, my relationship with my girlfriend and the growth of our business look increasingly bright.
All of our building energy is matched by a material crumbling in another realm of our lives.
It is a puzzle, but I can’t help but believe that recent spiritual wins are marking a new dawning of peace for our quiltwork family.
Public Announcement
Now that I’m sporting a blue belt and a tattoo, I’ll be removing my rash guard immediately following free rolling.
Jacob’s Ladder
Decorating the Temple
One last sleep with this naked arm. Super excited to celebrate one year of By Her Hand Tattoos with my first piece.
Tattoo Inspirations
A Quiet Work
While Kristen toils on a big project at By Her Hand Tattoos, I am on the road, running errands and quietly keeping an eye on the phone and email.
Big thanks to Corbit Calloway Memorial Library for providing a cute place for me to sit.
Between duties, I’m thoroughly enjoying Kafka’s Letter to the Father.
Feed Her Fire
This week, Kristen received an assignment that was close to my heart.
The Story of Ferdinand was one of my sons’ favorite books. A new client brought us two of the illustrations to recreate. Kristen’s accuracy in honoring the original drawings is stunning.
New Business Struggles
We had a successful day catching up on weekend messages, booking clients, and creating art…until a snag.
Now, instead of blogging, I’m tracking down an email bug that has our main communication medium frozen.
For now, enjoy the initial peony additions (double line cleanup to come) Kristen worked on today:
