Work from PJ

Posted by admin on February 14, 2012

PJ is the sort of guy that is capable of working in a few different styles. Traditional is his favorite, but for example, he also enjoys Japanese. We’re not kidding when we describe him as a nomad, and he’s lived in many different cities and been to many different countries. He spent a year in Hawaii (yeah, we’re jealous too), where he developed a fondness for Polynesian tribal work. Here are a few very different pieces, showcasing some of what he does.

Our favorite traveler will be off again on the 17th, and will be back in the shop on the 24th!

Natan: Progressions

Posted by admin on December 9, 2011

As usual, Natan has a ton of gorgeous in-progress pieces going on. One of the larger ones is a bright full backpiece on a very boisterous individual named Tony (if you’ve met him, you’ll know who we’re talking about by that short description alone). Since it is such a large and epic work, we’re not going to show you much of it right now, but this is what it was looking like at the end of his last session. He was lying down in this picture, so please forgive the odd angle:

Then there is Jon, who is in the beginning stages of a full sleeve that extends onto his chest. He and Natan came up with a very unique concept to include portraits of his wife and children, as well as a dragon. That might sound like an odd combination, and we don’t want to give too much away yet, but it’s all going to tie together beautifully. Here is the last portrait that Natan added to the piece:

You may remember this post featuring the first of Ted’s dia de los muertos girls. Natan added a second beauty to the piece earlier this week. This one is also going to be a coverup, as you can see in the photo.

Just a couple of reminders: Natan is currently booked through early January at this point, so if you want him to get started on your next tattoo, be sure to schedule a consult soon so we can get the ball rolling!

Secondly, we continue to have gift certificates available, and Christmas is only a couple of weeks away! If you need one mailed to you, we recommend giving us a call by early next week, to ensure that it gets to you in time for the holiday. 978.744.9393

Pin-up and Coverup by Steve

Posted by admin on October 10, 2011

We’ve had a lot of pretty-lady tattoos going on in the shop lately, and you won’t hear a single one of us complaining about it. Steve did this pin-up over the weekend, which purposely resembled the equally-pretty lady getting it tattooed on her.

We talked a bit about coverups here in this post, and this next sleeve is a double coverup. Sleeves are big projects for both the tattooed and the tattooer, and take multiple sessions. Steve continued adding to this Japanese piece last week. It is a beauty.

Salem’s Halloween festivities are picking up, and we continue to be busy tattooer bees. Like always, we recommend setting up an appointment for your next piece, and we are here 11a-7p every day to help you schedule your consults and appointments. 978.744.9393, or if you’re wandering about and taking in the sights, stop on by!

Molly at the BTC

Posted by admin on September 10, 2011

If you stopped by the shop last weekend, you may have noticed that we were closed, which is a rarity! We had a good excuse though – we were hard at work over at the Boston Tattoo Convention.

But this post isn’t about ALL of us. This post is specifically about Molly.

Let us explain. There are a couple of little known facts about Molly:
-She enjoys doing Japanese pieces.
-Not only does she enjoy them, but she’s really, really good at them.
-She is a machine.

No kidding. She sat for ten hours at the BTC working on this cherry blossom leg sleeve. Take a moment to read that again. Ten hours. That is one brutal lady.

The above photograph only shows a fraction of how gorgeous the piece was – we hope to snag another one to show you soon. High-fives to her and the woman able to sit still for that long! And here’s some more that Molly did at the convention:

We know, this post has probably left you itching for a new tattoo. Don’t worry, we’re here for you – stop in or give us a call! 978.744.9393

New art by Steve Gillespie

Posted by admin on March 2, 2009

This is a water color painting by Steve Gillespie. If you like this type of painting or you have an idea for a painting, please contact Witch City Ink. Steve can customize your idea into a painting. All artwork he Â posts is for sale. If you would like to purchase a painting, call Â the shop at (978)744-9393 or email Â tattoos@witchcityink.com.

Chrysanthemum watercolor painting by Steve Gillespie

Dragon Coverup Tattoo by N^T^N

Posted by Natan on February 25, 2009

Some tattoos get done in one session, and some take many. Brad wanted a Japanese dragon and he wanted it bright and strong. Thats exactly the type of tattoo work I like to do and I was very excited about the project. In the initial drawing consultation he described what he would like, we looked at some references, and I took some measurements to help me plan the tattoo. Brad and I began this tattoo knowing it would take a few sittings because there were 2 very solid tattoos that had to be covered as part of the design.

Heres a picture of the 2 tattoos we covered:

Brads Before Picture

When Brad arrived for his first tattoo session we sat right down and got to work. I was careful to locate elements of the design in places where I knew the color would mask the old tattoos. We tattooed for 3 hours and I managed to lay down the entire outline and some of the black. We made great progress but nevertheless, after the first session it was clear there was a long way to go. After our session, Brad took a picture of the outline. The photo is a little bit low resolution but you can at least get a sense of the progress. After 3 hours the tattoo looked like this:

First Session

The first session we got the whole outline in and some of the preliminary black, in the next session, 6 hours into the tattoo, we began to prepare the underpainting of the scales and background. Fortunately, Brad sat perfectly every session and was patient about getting the results he wanted. As a result I was able to concentrate on every detail along the way. Soon the tattoo started taking shape:

2nd Session

In the 3rd session the entire tattoo started really looking clearer and brighter, and we felt like huge progress had been made. At this point it started getting pretty hard to tell it was a coverup tattoo at all. 9 hours into the tattoo and the 1/2 sleeve looked like this:

3rd Session

At last we got to the final session, the last 3 hours. This is where a large amount of final detail work, color touch ups, and tightening of the outline took place. Using the last session to really perfect the tattoo gave me a chance to go over every area and make those colors pop out. Both Brad and I were very pleased with the final results as seen below:

Brads Dragon Final 1

Front View, Final Session

Brads Dragon, Back View, Final Session

Some tattoos definitely require patience, but in the end it pays off.

International Guest Artists at Witch City Ink

Posted by admin on February 18, 2009

Tattoo Artists from Japan and LA guesting at Witch City Ink 2008.

Witch City Ink is truly an International destination each year with friends dropping in from studios from around the world. Last years Boston Tattoo Convention saw artists HoriRyu and Nene spending a week with the crew after the convention. Below are some photos from the event:

Guest Artists HoriRyu and Nene from Japan and LA

After hanging out with us all at the BTC last year, Japanese Tattoo artist HoriRyu started a large Japanese dragon on Natans leg. The initial design began with a 5 hour outline session.

This is what we do for fun!

Here’s a better photo of HoriRyu’s Dragon Leg Sleeve outline on N^T^N after the Boston Tattoo Convention. HoriRyu and Natan will complete the tattoo when Natan works at his studio in Tokyo in 2009.

This will be finished in Japan next year.

Natan’s Japan Trip 2008

Posted by Natan on February 16, 2009

Aya and I traveled to Japan in December 2008 to visit some of the greatest artists to influence modern tattooing. We were very fortunate to meet Horiyoshii III, the master tattoo artist of Yokohama, as well as Shige, of Yellow Blaze Tattoo. Additionally, thanks to our friend Kiyono, we were also able to spend several days studying traditional Japanese tattooing (Tebori) with tattoo master HoriKiyo. Natan received a traditional tattoo from HoriKiyo, a Bonji character for Fudo Myo. Fudo Myo is a Buddhist deity who called the “Immovable One” because he delivers human beings from temptations. Below are some images from the trip!

Horiyoshii III, Japans foremost tattoo master

Shiges work has become some of the most respected and imitated tattoo work in the world in the past few years. Check out why at YellowBlaze.net

Shige, Yellow Blaze Tattoo

HoriKiyo is a true Horishii, quietly and modestly creating masterpieces while seeking no attention. It was an honor to receive a tattoo from him and to sit and observe while he worked. We will definitely be back!

Traditional Japanese Tattoo Lessons

Tebori in progress

The tattoo hurt much less than I thought. I can even forgive the Yankees Shirt!

Japanese Chrysanthemum tattoo by Natan

Posted by Natan on February 16, 2009

Kiku, Japanese ChrysanthemumÂ

This is the final piece of a band of Japanese flowers recently completed by Natan at Witch City Ink in Salem Ma. Â The rest of the tattoo is viewable in Natans portfolio at witcityink.com.

Natan specializes is custom tattooing and is available for appointments at any of his 3 shops in Massachusetts. Â He works by appointment only and is generally booked at least 3 weeks in advance.

Natan- “NEW” Octopus Half Sleeve

Posted by admin on February 5, 2009

Octopus tattoo 1/2 Sleeve

Artist: Natan Alexander Lin
Subject: Octopus
Medium: Black and Gray tattoo

This half sleeve octopus tattoo is a fine example of Black and Grey work from our shop owner and artist Natan.Â His extensive studies and work in Japan allowed him to add Japanese inspired style waves to round out the piece and fit the clients needs.