340. sleep paralysis

I'm heading back to Tokyo tonight already and I still haven't written anything worthwhile in the last two months, now I'm starting to believe some of my drafts will never see the light of day.

I've been busy for the last two weeks meeting friends, spending time with the fam and getting some work done. If there is anything worthwhile to write about, it's definitely gotta be about my tattoos.

On Monday, 3rd July, I had an appointment with Nadi for a tattoo. I was planning to go to Seoul at the end of the year but it looks like I don't have to anymore. Nadi was a guest artist at Bada Bink Tattoo in Singapore for just a couple of days last week. So I decided to get some work done by her when I saw her post on Instagram.

I wanted to get something related to sleep paralysis because I have been having it for almost a decade now. Sleep paralysis is not dangerous but it affected me a lot when I was going through depression. It happened almost every night and I didn't want to sleep because of it. My art and work revolves mostly around my dreams, nightmares and especially that place I call in between sleep and awake.

I had a consultation with Nadi first and she drew some designs for about an hour and we started after everything was nicely set up. The reference pictures she chose for me were really spot on and suit my taste really well. Little sis was surprised as well, haha.

We started talking more after she saw my other tattoos by Greem and Hugo. We shared horror stories which were pretty funny. This tattoo hurt A LOT since it is on my inner arm, probably my most painful one yet. We ended the session at close to 5pm. Chilled for a little bit with Nadi before heading for dinner, she was really sweet and easy to talk to. I gave her a set of my stickers and she said I should consider being a tattoo artist as well because my work will look nice as tattoos. She was really encouraging, so it felt really nice. I'm always happy to meet artists and it makes me much much much happier when they like my work too.

Again, female tattoo artists are *__* I'm always in awe. 

Also, I really love my tattoo by her.

I really love how she designed it so that you can look at it vertically and horizontally. It looks better horizontally to me. The hands grabbing the girl's legs are my favorite part of the tattoo. I wanted some red thread kinda linking the girl and the "sleep paralysis demon", so that explains the red on this piece.

If anything, I feel more inspired. I've been drawing a lot more lately but it's mostly not up to my standard, I think my mind is kind of burnt out after drawing 5 designs in a go. But I won't stop. 

As usual, I  wanted to get two tattoos but I'm saving that for the future. (and also when I can think of something else). 

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Can't believe two months just flew by like that. Even though I was really productive, I also felt like I didn't do anything at the same time. I'm happy to be heading back to Tokyo tonight but at the same time, I'm so lazy to get on that plane.

I just have to tell myself I get to see the person I love and everyone I care about when I get back to Tokyo. I can't wait to go on tour too, but first, the show in Saitama on Tuesday has got me really excited. Nothing makes me happier than seeing my favorite band.

I guess I will be writing from Tokyo once again on the next post. 

x

325. the plague doctor

December 19th, 2016

I was lucky enough to get my last tattoo for the year by Greem. I met her back in October while I was getting tattoos from Hugo when both of them were invited to be guest artists at Traditions Tattoo Collective in Singapore. I decided to get a tattoo from her this time because I really liked her vibe when I met her and the longer I look at her work on Instagram, the more I became a fan.

I made my way to Heavyweight Tattoo Studio which is located in Nakano at noon since my appointment was at 1. I bumped into Hugo and Greem on the way to the studio and talked to them for a little bit before going into the studio. Both of them were surprised to see me again and Hugo asked about the tattoos he did if they have healed nicely and all that. It was actually really nice to see the both of them again.

It didn't take too long for Greem to set up her stuff and started tattooing me. This time, because of the placement of my tattoo, it really did hurt a lot. Also, I think I bled more than usual because of how much I drink in Japan (almost every day actually, haha). It took about just an hour and 30 minutes to get it done.

I decided to get a plague doctor from her because I thought her style really suited what I envisioned in my mind. Normally, I will get two tattoos from an artist but this time, I couldn't think of anything to match my plague doctor just yet, and also since I have been getting tattoos as of late, I haven't saved up enough to get yet another one.

The more I look at this piece, the more I like it. I put in a lot of thought into my tattoos so I'm happy with how this one turned out. I talked to her for a little bit before leaving the studio and decided to take a photo with her and Hugo since it was our second time meeting. (I normally don't take photos with people). I really like both of their vibes. It's important to me that I don't get tattoos from assholes.

Actually, I think I might see the both of them this year because they're going to guest spot again in Singapore. I plan to get another one from Greem on my other arm to match my plague doctor. Meeting artists always make me happy. Also seriously, I crush on girls harder than guys *__* 

After my tattoo, I went to walk around Aoyama and chilled for a bit before heading home. My December was really quite chaotic and if I remember correctly, this was one of the rare days that I actually had time to myself. 

I really enjoy spending time on my own, so days like this are important to me. I can't wait to collect more tattoos this year too. I plan to go to Korea towards the later part of the year to get them. There are a couple of tattoo artists I really admire in Korea right now and if I save up enough, I hope I can get my tattoos by this year or next. *fingers crossed*

311. taste of ink

I spent my entire afternoon today getting two tattoos done at Traditions Tattoo Collective in Singapore. There were 2 guest artists from Seoul, one which I've been following on Instagram for a while now, Hugo.

I've never really wanted any Ghibli themed tattoo until I chanced upon his work a couple of months ago and fell in love with his work. I was lucky enough to get a slot, the owner of the Tattoo Studio told me and little sis that a lot of people were disappointed because they couldn't get any work done by him since he is fully booked. I thank my lucky stars.

So, Traditions Tattoo Collective is located in Holland Village, which made me feel really nostalgic because my dad used to own a restaurant here and this Tattoo Studio is just a few shops down on the same street to where my dad's restaurant was.

The artists at this studio were really friendly and  I spent most of the afternoon talking to them while Hugo was working on my tattoos. His girlfriend Greem, was also working on another customer. I'm gonna sound like a creep but I was admiring her tattoos while she was standing around or watching Hugo do his work. She and Hugo both have a really great collection of tattoos, one of them being from Ildo, another tattoo artist that I really want to get some work from. I don't know what's with me and female tattoo artists but whenever I see them, I'm just all *__*

She was really nice as well, I managed to talk to her for a little bit. Hugo started on my Kamaji tattoo first and it was less painful than I thought it would be. It took about 1 hour and 30 minutes to get it done and I was so happy with it. I was already excited when he posted the initial design a week or two ago on Instagram. I was really mind blown when he finished it, the details and just the general idea of this Kamaji piece is so unique, I'm just like... every cent is worth it. 

I only wanted Kamaji and the sootballs but I really loved that he added the herbs, tags and even the rice bowl that Kamaji is holding.

We took a short break and I gave some of my stickers to the artists. I'm always happy to see artists appreciate my work. The best thing is when they compliment me because it really boosts my confidence. An absolute confidence booster is when the person you admire keeps your work very safely. I always have had a lot of self-doubt especially when it comes to my art. Greem even asked me if I was a tattoo artist and I was like "no no no no". 

My Kaonashi tattoo was actually really painful compared to the Kamaji one because of all the shading but I really love the details and stars Hugo put on him. Also, how cute is the tiny bird on top of Kaonashi?

picture Hugo took on his Instagram.

I left the tattoo studio at close to 6pm and went for dinner before heading home. I live for days like these, where I can talk to fellow artists where we share the same opinions about things and interests. 

There's obviously some ~deep~ reason why I got these tattoos but I won't go into them. But if you didn't already know, Spirited Away is one of my all time favorite films. If not, my absolute favorite Japanese animation film. It was also one of the reasons why I wanted to visit Japan in the first place and now look where we are, I have already lived in Tokyo for the last 3 years.

Also - I have always hated my legs but maybe now I can start loving them a little more. Thank you, Hugo. Thank you to everyone today who made me feel welcomed at the studio. :)

307. scissor hand, melbourne

I was back in Melbourne with little sis for my birthday, we didn't spend too long there but I managed to squeeze in a tattoo appointment. Initially, I emailed Heretic Tattoo to book an appointment to have a tattoo done by Annita because I have been following her work for years now, but she's fully booked till August.

I just visited the studio for fun since I was around the area, and talked to the manager of the studio. He introduced me to Lilli's work because it's similar to Annita's. I was looking at her work and her scissors actually caught my eye. So, I decided to get a pair done by her.

I was lucky enough to get my tattoo done the next day. Heretic Studio has a really chill vibe and with the brake walls and gothic furniture, I would say the style is right up my alley.

I didn't really take that many photos or of Lilli doing my tattoo because I was lying on my stomach to get my tattoo done. The placement of my scissors requires me to be in a kinda weird position. It took about just an hour to get my tattoo done and my hand was cramped up by the end of the session but I was really happy with the outcome! 

I asked Lilli to change the handle of the scissors from her original drawing to look like the scissors I have hanging on my apartment wall in Tokyo. I really like the little hearts she added into the scissors as well. The beads are her original design and that was the main thing that caught my attention. 

People are probably going to ask "What is the meaning of this tattoo?" You know, sometimes, I feel like people have no right to know and sometimes, maybe simply there isn't a meaning but I just enjoy the work of the artist? But there is a meaning and I don't feel like sharing it with anyone just yet, it's not that personal but somethings I just want to keep to myself.

This was a birthday present to myself and I would say it's probably the best present I have given myself so far. I'll be writing more about being home in Melbourne on the next post. This tattoo deserves a post on its own.

170. an illusion

After contemplating to get another tattoo for a couple of months, I finally got it done last week in Nagoya at 8 Ball Tattoo Studio. I got my very first tattoo there by Yashin, who I've hung out with a couple of times with Yuri. This time Yashin wasn't in the studio, so I got it from another artist who was there, Yusuke. 

During the time when I wanted this tattoo, I was down because of the things happening in my life. I was very confused with all aspects of life. Love, career, where I would actually want to live for next couple of years, Japan or go back home to Australia. Everything then seem so faraway now, I just wasn't in a good place and wanted something to make myself feel better. 

I was listening to an illusion by lynch. (still my favourite band), it's actually my favourite lynch. song. I've been falling asleep to it for years now. I don't know why I never looked up the meaning of this song. But when I did, the lyrics hit me really hard and I told myself I had to have this song on me, also to even out and match my until i die tattoo (also a song by lynch.).

The whole song actually means a lot to me, but this phrase really explained everything and how I see my life.

ねぇ　いつだって泣いて笑って　時を越えて
二人でいる事が当たり前で
もう帰らないなんて解っていても　どこかで
あの日の二人にもう一度なりたくて

Hey, always crying and laughing. I cross time. 

It's only natural for us to be together 

though I understand why you're no longer coming back 

Somewhere, someday, 

I want for us to happen again.

There are so many things and people in my life that I want to happen again, even my love for lynch. has faded away quite a bit because of certain things but I want those feelings to come back again. I have thought myself a lot of things by loving them, and grown up a lot in the last couple of months. I only hope life keeps getting better and less confusing. 

It was also fitting how they played this song on the same week I got the tattoo. I haven't seen them in 3 months and went to see them in Osaka last week. The tattoo was so fitting in a way that, I'm more than happy to have it here with me. I lost myself in their music again at their concert and am reminded how much I actually love them, musically.

This tattoo along with the other one, both have so many good memories with it. I'm glad I didn't get it sooner but later. Everything in life always happens for a reason and we just have to wait it out to see what the reason is. 

Words still can't describe how much I love this band.

112. until i die

After wanting this tattoo for such a long time, I'm so fuckin' happy I finally have it and got it done in Nagoya. It's funny because I actually dreamt of getting this tattoo months ago and it just made so much sense to me when I woke up from that dream. That was when I told myself, I have to have it.

In my dream, I was actually talking about tattoos to someone, I can't see his face, in dreams everything is always a blur. But we were talking about Hazuki's Until I Die tattoo. The person in my dream told me that Hazuki got his tattoo particularly on his neck because it is  near his throat, and in Until I Die, the song by lynch., he sings :

I'm leaving for the last time,

However I will be singing, 

Yes, until the day I die 

So it made sense to me that he tattooed it near his throat because he sings I will be singing until the day that I die. Still in my dream, I said to myself I want to tattoo until i die on the lower part of my right arm where I can see it all the time. Also because I use my right hand to draw. I always tell my sister " I will draw and paint until the day I die."

When I woke up, it made so much sense to me and I really wanted to get it done because I need to keep reminding myself to never give up on myself and my dreams and to do art until the day I die. Nothing else. There is nothing more I want in this world but to draw for days and paint for nights. Nothing makes me happier, and if I could live off just my art - which I definitely will one day, it would be a dream. 

I've been trying to find a good tattoo studio in Tokyo since the last time I was here in August but I couldn't locate it. But I am happy I didn't get it done last time. I'm even happier now getting it done in Nagoya because it means so much more, and since lynch. is from Nagoya, it only makes sense (to me at least). On top of it, it was such a good way to commemorate my trip to Nagoya with Yuri because it was such a good trip and the happiest I've been in a long time. Honestly, there is no one else I'd rather be with than her in Nagoya.

Plus, I met one of the members from lynch. (AK), so it was also good to remember it. Here, I leave you with one of my favorite songs of all time. I will never stop loving this band more and more.