My new sleeve, (right arm) started September 2005. This arm will be angels, and the whole theme is opposites to the demons on my left arm. All the colors will be warm, (reds, yellows, oranges, golds, etc.) to contrast to the demons' cold colors. The colors will all be in the figures instead of in the background as it is in the demon sleeve. All of the background in this sleeve will be done in black and grey work, like the figures in the demon sleeve are. The figures are opposites too, male to female. As there is a fairy hiding on the demon side, there is also a demon imp on the angel side, but he isn't hiding. He is riding on the highest angel's shoulder. Her head, obviously the head of the Statue of Liberty, is to honor the heroes of 9/11. Above and behind her, going up my shoulder and wrapping around the tiger that is already there will be a flock of doves signifying their ultimate sacrfice. With them will be a shooting star to honor my niece Kelly, who died on Good Friday of 2004. The "Liberty Angel" is holding a leash, which will be attached to the collar of a lion. He will wrap around the back of my arm. There is another angel figure to outline, she goes up the back of my arm with the lion. My demon sleeve took 2 years to finish, and I think this sleeve will probably take about as long too. The total on the other sleeve was about 84 hours, I think.
Wish me luck.

The "Liberty Angel"
(She won't be green)

Wing and Demon buddy

Spear detail

Second angel. Nice abs.
Nice, um, other stuff too.

He sits right in the bend
of my elbow. Interesting that the dagger looks like it's
trying to cut my vein open.
WAY fun to tattoo. NOT!

Detail of his calf dagger sheath.
My angels are all well armed.

How they sit on my arm

Go see the demon sleeve
Use your "back" button to come back here

Obviously, my idea of angels aren't necessarily the same as everyone's traditional idea of angels. These angels are my guardians. As are the demons, actually. Life would be very easy if it were as simple as good vs. bad. But we are all a combination of both, and these tattoos are my way of illustrating that. They are also external manifestations of internal scars. Those of you who are tattooed probably
understand that.


We've decided that the "Liberty Angel" is going to be wearing a drape of some kind instead of pants. So she won't have legs.
Sorry guys...

Flock of doves

Third angel

Third angel detail. Check out the draping of the fabric.

Lion (yet another guardian symbol)

As of the end of 2005 the outline of my sleeve is finished. There are 13 doves on my shoulder to match the 13 bats on my left shoulder. The orange outline on my shoulder will become a "sprite" to represent my niece Kelly who died in April of 2004. She will have no obvious outline, the technique will make her look like the flame lady on my left arm. (Use your "back" button to come back here.) Right now the lion outline looks very dark and kind of odd so close to the second angel, but that's because it's so much newer. When it's finished the lion will be behind the angel and look more natural. Looking at just the outline it's hard to visualize the depth and perspective it will have, but it's going to be fantastic.


Lion tail and feet detail. I HATE that elbow bone stuff.
ok, fast forward to Octoober of 2007. Lots has been done. (I need to find some more photos, but here's what's been done in the last 3 weeks.) Archangel 2 has been coloured in. It's hard to see because it's very subtle. When the background is done, all in black and grey, he will really stand out. We've also coloured in his wrap in crimson. Started filling in one of his wings too. We haven't started the lion yet, and still have several sets of wings to do.
Wrap
Archangel's wrap done.
.
Wrap
Wrap with wing detail started
WingWing detail

Green agnel
This is the third angel. Her wings
will also be green.
Kelly
This is the angel for my niece, Kelly, with
her flock of doves started. This was just done a couple of days ago.