Sooo nice.

Well, Luxumbourgh was a blast, & My stay in Germany is almost at an end. IM having a great time with new friends here. I of course have been working my ass off tattooing and am looking forward to a day of R&R. Today we see the sights, and enjoy the day.

Tomorrow IM off to Austria, to attend the Styrian tattoo convention. Wish me luck...

Germany

yup IM in Germany, and having a great time. I feel like IM slowly destroying my back with all the tattooing, but its been fun doing it. Gotta load of new tattoos posted on my website www.joecapobianco.com So needless to say, its been a great trip tattoo wise so far.

I was told before leaving the UK, not to expect much in the way of fine cuisine, and I must say that really couldn't be further from the truth. I've been doing my best to eat all the local favorites, and IM proud ta say, IM right on track. Last evening I enjoyed a Hell of a meal at a little place called Fuchscen Alt. Little fox, If I remember correctly (Pardon my German if I got that wrong, there was an awful lotta beer with the meal). We all ordered Pork Knuckle. Which is basically the lower leg of the Pig, and it was fantastic.

I was also lucky enough to meet a fantastic artist from Austria (living in germany at the moment). Tommy Lee, and his lovely wife Nancy, saw fit to grace us with there presence. We really hit it off, and all had a blast.

IM skipping a ton of stuff cause there really is just so much. IM really thankful to Andy, and his fantastic Gal, Nichole (hope I spelt that right), for the invite, and the incredible hospitality.

Now time to hit the Hay. Tomorrow is an early drive to Luxenburgh, and another convention, and seminar to hold. Wish me luck.

London, and Doncatser

hey All, well here I sit in my hotel room in Doncatser England. Waiting to head to Manchester, and my flight to Germany. I will say IM excited bout seeing Germany, but IM getting over the traveling, and the stress thats involved. But Hell who am I to complain, in in Freakin Europe!

Our trip started hooking up with Jime' Litwalk, and Obie Hughs, at Londons Heathrow Airport. A long Cab ride, took us to Lal Hardys New Wave Tattoo in the north of London (check him, and his guys out if ya find yersel in the UK, A Hell of a fella).

Hannah Atchison, was in the house, and tattooin her ass off. After some much needed Coffee, and the company of long distance friends, I was starting to relax a bit. Had a wonderfull dinner that evening at this lil Italian joint up the road from Lal's, than it was time for some much needed sleep. My limit is 42 hours without, and although 36 hours isn't quite 42, I was ready for Bed.

Wendsday, had me tattooing the little cat gals on a young ladys thigh. Only got bout half way thru, and of course, I didn't snap a picture. But IM hoping to work on her again in November, so more to come on that later.

A four hour ride on thursday saw us arrive in Doncaster. Lal made a slight detour, for Jime', Obie, and I, so that our ride wasn't all high way, and we got to see a bt of the country side. Very nice.

tattoo Jam started on Friday, afternoon, and it was non stop tattooin for yours truly. And Damn I was hurtin by the ed of the day. As usual there is less than fantastic seating available at these shows, and this show was no different. As a matter of fact, by Saturday evening my back was quite the mess. A fact IM cruelly reminded of as a sit here hunched over my computer, trying to cpe with minor back spasms.

About Doncatser, and I guess the UK, in general. Damn, these F%*#er's can drink. Saturday, evening was insane, with people stumbling, puking, and pissing in the streets. A regular New Orleans experience this was.

But as I've said, Obie, and Jime' are off ta London, and IM off to Germany, and beyond. Enoy the latest highlites, and keep an eye tuned for more.

Later

Wellll

Well, What can I say? I've been less than on top of things when it comes to my painting. As a matter of fact, I've not touched anything but a pencil, and pen in like,,, weeks, perhaps months. The last painting done by me was the Gal riding the ink Bottle for Andy inn Germany. Bummer, I know. I so wanna get back to painting, but again inspiration has been playing tricks on yours truly, and between tattooing, Getting ready for this European trip (I leave monday the 3rd), and Stress over the new shop (which should be open bout a week after I leave). The last thing I've wanted to do is paint. Thats not to say that I've not been busy doing some art. Nope, I've been hammering away in my sketch book, so what I've decided to stay on top of this here Blog, IM gonna post a couple of them there sketches, just to feel a little productive in the real world.

So here ya go, this should be the first piece I do when I hit the UK, I'll be at Lal Hardys New Wave tattoo for a couple of days before I hit The Tattoo Jam.

Still gonna make a couple of adjustments (such as the claw like hand, and what not). But ya get the Jist

Later

Finally finished one

Whoa, finally finished this one. Glad I promised Andy I'd have her done by July. Just in the nick of time, huh... Now I gotta figure out where IM gonna get er' scanned in, and sent.

For all those interested, she measures 30"x40", acrylics on Gessoed board. Most of the acrylics were put on using both a Badger Velocity, and Iwata custom Micron. Along with a wee bit o paint brush work. There's a little bit of colored pencil work in her (much less than I normally use).

I will admit that while I normally paint, I've gotten used to having a movie, or some such playing in the background. During this piece I watched both Daniel Santos's, demo DVD, "book cover illustration". As well as Russ Abott's "Illustrative tattooing Workshop".www.ironcladproductions.com I think I may have watched this one twice, as a matter of fact. Both are way cool, very informative, and worth the coin. So get yer's today

All in all, things have been looking up on the home front. Managed to complete a painting, the new shop is coming along, and IM busy as Hell at work.

So I won't bore ya no more...

Ok Not what it's supposed ta be, but...

OK I know its not what I said I was gonna finish. My last painting post being the Vamp painting I started, what seems like 4 weeks ago, or so. Man time flies.

While I do intend to finish the Female vamp, I had other obligations. Such as this lil lady that I started the sketch for like 3 weeks ago, and am Just getting to painting.

So here she is at the present. Like I said, IM on a deadline, so you'll be seeing more picts as the week proceeds.

In other news, work on the new Hope proceeds, and were expecting a framing, and electrical inspection tomorrow. So with any luck we'll have Drywall up sometime this week , so stay tuned for new picts. Things are starting to come together. Hopefully the crack in my head does so as well.

See ya

I got Nothin'

 Well I so know its been awhile, and what do I come to ya with? Nothin', Thats right folks, zip, zilch, nadda! So sorry, just been about as hectic a few weeks as I can remember. 

 We started with Hell city a couple of weeks ago, and that was fantastic. Had a great time hanging with friends, and did some fun tattoo's. 

 Than last week there was the fangoria convention in NYC. This,,,Not so fun. Matter of fact the show itself kinda sucked, and as any weekend in NY will go, it cost an ass load of money. So we'll not be attending any more Fango shows, sorry. On the bright side of this, we did meet a couple of cool folks, and Julio and I did have 1 or 2 fans in attendance, so it wasn't a complete wash, I guess. 

 I will admit that the highlight of the weekend was our dinner at Ninja NY. If you've not been than go, lots of fun, and fantastic food, and service to match. 

  The last few days have been extremely difficult for yours turly. A quick sum up goes like this. Lost Molly for like 4 hours, Alethea, and I nearly had a heart attack. The same day, we get a shit ton of rain, and whamo, our basement starts acting like the Titanic, and taking on water like she's going to the bottom. Were still dealing with this crap 3 days later, and the future looks like it's gonna be sweet dealing with it as well, Joy...

  Than today, I nearly impale my Nuts on a fence, get a flat tire, hit with more bills, and still can't make up my mind what lights, and fans I wanna put up in the new "Hope Gallery". 

 Which brings me to the brighter side of today, enjoy...