Face Time

(click image to enlarge)
I wanted to try to get one more post in for this year, so here's something I did a while back to practice painting faces. Have a great 2010 everyone!

Breaking Bread.

Being in the presence of a devoted man like Master Horiyoshi III is food for the soul. Accompanying him to the dinner table makes it twice as rich.

CHARLIE BRECHTEL A TRIBUTE TO INDIAN LARRY

via youtube.com

Michael Lichter Photography & The Charlie Brechtel Band Tribute to Indian Larry+++

Indian Larry 2004 the final moments

via youtube.com

Concord, North Carolina - Sept. 19, 2004 - Discovery Channel Show
Biker Build Off Indian Larry vs Mondo (clip2) Indian Larry 1949 - 2004 RIP

Rickard and Ryu.

A few weeks ago I visited Örnsköldsvik and made this photograph of one of my clients. I had set up a makeshift photostudio in my friend Magnus's hallway using one Elinchrome D-lite 2 flashhead with a large softbox, some black (too wrinkly) fabric and a large handheld reflector.
The sword is a Iato that I bought in Kyoto on my first trip to Japan and the Hakama pants are my first pair of Kendo hakama I got some eight years ago.

I'll give this set up anpther try later on at my proper photostudio at the Horimatsu studios.

Like the little stream
Making its way
Through the mossy crevices
I, too, quietly
Turn clear and transparent.


Ryokan (1758-1831)

Merry Christmas.

A very warm and happy holiday to all readers of Not Tiring.....
Posting will begin anew as christmas fades into a soft and distant memory.


(print by Kawase Hasui)

Origins Of Siege

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Out this week (today actually) from Marvel is Origins of Siege - a one shot giveaway that serves as an introduction to the upcoming "Siege" event. Included in this free issue are several one-page origin stories of the key characters in Siege. I was asked to draw the Captain America page and since I have a long standing policy of never turning down an opportunity to draw Cap fighting Nazis, I was happy to do so. Have a great Christmas everyone!

Few people mastered the art of woodblockprint designing and making the way Kawase Hasui did.
As Christmas, with it's strange tranquillity, approaches, I wanted to show this wonderful print by Hasui depicting Ueno Kiyomizu Temple in snow.

Linda and the Akaryu (Red Dragon).

Linda started her Irezumi backpiece about 5 years ago. At first we were going at breakneck speed, almost completing the whole piece in under a year. Then came two succesful pregnancies (congratulations!) and all the things that comes with being a new parent. A few weeks ago she appeared again and I am pleased to be able to work on this piece again.

Ho-o's Everywhere Nowadays.

New client Simon also found his way to the slopes of Mt. Sumeru!

Koryosai Ho-o.

Jonas travels many miles each session in order to honor his intention to have the Four Guardians (Ho-o, Turle, Diger, Dragon) as an Irezumi piece. After just a few sessions progress is promising and I am very satisfied with the results. This image is based on a print by Koryosai (1764-1788) that Jonas himself found on the internet. Good work!

When clients try to study Ukiyo-e and Irezumi before deciding on what to get tattooed by a Horishi, the result comes out great. It is nevertheless crucial to make sure that your source is credible so mistakes and dissapointments are avoided.

Deserve.

If you are in possession of knowledge it is vital to pass what you have been given. To jealously guard creativity as some kind of secret will only cast a shadow of doubt as to wether or not you have deserved your position.
Irezumi is a responsibilty as well as jewel to be cared for. Always keep in mind that you are a vital link in the chain between then and later that we call Tradition. Nevertheless you are nothing more than a link, and your effort should be guided to strengthen the possibilities for future Horishi to take the artform and the tradition to even higher levels.

End.

We completed Emanuel's full Irezumi back depicting Suikoden heroes Kumonryu and Roshishin.
It took a little more than a year and it is with an sensation one leaves the work behind one self.

Towards the End (we sigh in relief as we let go).

Not very much left now.

Annual Russell Home Charity Poker Run, Jan.10th

Charity Poker Run & Benefit Auction for the Russell Home - “Ride Home” with Orlando HOG and Make a Difference

Orlando, Fl, January 10, 2010 - Get your motorcycles ready and ride to raise money for the Russell Home for Atypical Children. Join Orlando Harley Owners Group on January 10, 2010 at Cypress Grove Park on Holden Avenue in Orlando to kick off the days’ festivities. Registration starts at 8:30am, a $15 donation per person includes a poker hand and an event t-shirt to the first 500 registrants. Last bikes out at 11am. The ride ends at Cowboys, but the party is just beginning with live music from Johnny Bulford and Thomas Wynn & The Believers, a live auction, silent auction, a 50/50 raffle, food and more.
The Russell Home and the Orlando Harley Owners Group with the assistance of the Central Florida Motorcycle Community raised $37,200 for the Home in 2009. The fundraising goal for 2010 is $40,000. All are welcome to ride and make a difference.

The Russell Home is the only private, non-profit facility of its kind for severely handicapped children in Central Florida. The facility is run 100% on monetary support from the community. They do not receive government funding, so they need our help!

For more information contact Susan Trembley at 407-446-3912, Russell Home Chairperson for the Orlando HOG Chapter. Non-riders, registration at Cowboys begins at 11am.

Sundayness.

Over the years I am becoming increasingly aware of the cycles. How things metamorphoze and shapeshift, constantly slipping the grip which so longs for order and stability. In this lies the trick to it; there is no stability to be had! Becoming water and adapting to the current shape of ones own creative vessel, loosing oneself and stumble upon, thats the key. If now indeed a key is needed to this door that wasn't locked in the first place.

Irezumi is not simply the inserting of ink into skin. The heart is the artist and the gut is the brush. They see Irezumi everywhere and in many shapes. Do not get me wrong. Irezumi is tradition and keeping that close to heart as you proceed is without a doubt of the greatest importance. Without it you're severed head will soon be on display. Still, the very pursuit of this tradition and the adherence to it, opens doors, eyes, hearts, minds and suddenly one finds oneself in places oneself swore not to go. Constantly re-thinking and re-inventing. Taking to heart and throwing away. Belief. Disbelief. Relief.

The further one travels the harder the words come, beyond mere description and straight into the realm of physicality, eyebrow to eyebrow with Tesshu, Ikkyu, Hokusai, Ryokan, Horiyoshi III and the others. Almost at the edge of insanity, so immense are the possibilities. Why struggle against ghosts that are not there?

Pausing.

This Blog will take a break for 7 days.
See You again next monday.

Beard

I found this self portrait browsing through my laptop. It's a little pompous, but I like it anyway. Especially the beard. I always attempt to promote the growth of a beard, but in the end the itching always gets me and I go back to the sleek cheek. The painting of Bodhidharma (Daruma) in the background is very dear to me. I have no clue as to who the artist is (it was an Ebay buy), but the rendition is clever and I like the softer more humane side shown in this image.

Daruma had a beard.

Horimatsu Brush and Ink.

The Swedish word for Tea.
By Horimatsu.

My daughter Visits the Horimatsu Studio.

Monday 30th of November at the Horimatsu Studio.