Roy Lichtenstein was a pop artist prominent in the 1960’s and early 1970’s, along side other notables such as Andy Warhol and Jasper Johns, they pioneered what he called “art through parody”. Lichtenstein’s material of choice were romantic comic book, similar to soap operas on TV, these stories focused on masculine men and feminine women in distinct gender roles. The patriarchal tones to which the plots conformed were natural for the time.
Interestingly, Alcoholics Anonymous tried to capitalize on the popularity of these comics by distributing their own versions (pictured above) with messages about the perils of drunkeness and it’s harm on families. Continue reading Ohhh … Alright …→
I bought my first adult bike when I was 19yo; it was a brand-new 2003 Giant Warp 2. It was a Y-frame full-suspension mountain bike. Over the following three years I added an additional $500 parts and upgrades to the retail $800 bike. It was my baby and I rode it everywhere. I won’t go in to the technical specs of what I put on it, but it began my love of working with and riding bicycles.
I began commuting to work 4 years ago. Two years ago I began riding through the winter. It’s still an incredible experience to bike home at 10p after a long day while those big flakes are falling, listening to great music, it’s one of my favorite moments of the year.
This is not my first tattoo. It’s not even my first tattoo that has to do with eating disorders or my time in treatment. It is, however, the tattoo that most obviously represents the danger and mortality of eating disorders. A very clear symbol that my restriction off food was slowly killing me.
When people see and ask what it means it’s a great way to start a conversation about eating disorders and mental illness awareness.
My father began working for Ducks Unlimited in 1988. He used computer drafting in it’s infancy. He created this compass (pictured above) for the regional office. It is now used as the insignia on all Ducks Unlimited maps pointing true North.
After his death in 2008, the compass and the words “Always True” were inscribed on a plaque at the great plains regional office. The engineering wing was then dedicated in his name: Thomas Pope. He said, “you’ll never work a day in your life in you enjoy what you do.” And he enjoyed what he did, during the winter drawing plans; during the summer in the fields surveying land.
I’ve started the series with this tattoo because it is the only one I have that is a tribute. All others are purely for my own reasons.
*The featured photo is that of my father as a child learning to skateboard.
Interestingly, Alcoholics Anonymous tried to capitalize on the popularity of these comics by distributing their own versions (pictured above) with messages about the perils of drunkeness and it’s harm on families. Continue reading Ohhh … Alright … 
He said, “you’ll never work a day in your life in you enjoy what you do.” And he enjoyed what he did, during the winter drawing plans; during the summer in the fields surveying land.
Freedom & Grace