Look who is back in Linden!
It is good to have Ryan "Busta" Boltoon and his tattoo shop back.
And within meters of where his old shop used to be several years ago.
Waffles, the cat, has been his travelling companion for the longest time.
It now has a place in the front of the new shop.
This posting contains video clips of my visit...
This was the most recent work that Ryan has done on me...21/01/2016
And why a Phoenix?
In Greek mythology, the Phoenix is a long lived bird that is cyclically reborn.
It arises from the ashes of its predecessor, after dying in a show of flames.
Sometimes some of my endeavours have done exactly that...
crashed and burned, but I am always able to bounce back.
This is how all tattoos start off...as a line drawing.
Watch as Busta explains why this step is so important...
Video clip:
Keeping a clean shop is very important!
Before clients consider getting inked,
they should check out how the particular artist does their prep work.
To make this easier and hopefully an industry standard,
Busta has come up with this "tat pack".
It contains all that is needed to complete one tattoo.
It does not include gloves as more than one pair might be required.
Neither the tattoo gun nor the needles are in this pack.
(The needles come in individual sterile packaging):
Watch as Busta unpacks and explains the kit...
Video clip:
The pack even included the elastic bands required to make certain
that all plastic is securely fastened as required.
It is a good feeling to know that the equipment that will be used on me is sterile
A new tattoo gun, made to look old school.
Time to get started:
Watch as we begin what turned out to be a 90 minute session...
Video clip:
And so it begins...
I was expecting more pain, especially around my ankle.
However, as it turned out, it was a relatively easy session.
The final touches...
The white give the piece a more 3D effect.
And it is part of why I like Busta's work...
just a little bit of magic to make make the piece "pop".
Watch as Busta explains...
Video clip:
The final work.
Still red from the session, and a little stained from excess ink.
THIS is the reason that I get inked by Busta.
This tattoo balm that he developed is the best.
Post tattoo care is very important in order for it to heal correctly.
There is an instruction sheet, should you be uncertain
as to how to care for the tattoo.
Ingredients include Camphor,Thyme, Teatree, Arnica and Eucalyptus.
From concept to completion
My new tattoo...
3 entwined branches of a Buffalo Thorn (Ziziphus mucronata)
Why?
The branches represent my wife, my daughter and myself.
Why this particular tree?
The thorns are in a zig-zag pattern,
indicating that life is not always straight forward.
One thorn faces backwards (where we have come from).
While the other faces forwards (where we are headed)
It is also said that in a storm, this tree will protect you from lightning.
Although Busta can occasionally accommodate walk-ins,
he does like to book clients in advance.
Support local, support Linden.
Please note that all images, unless otherwise stated, are my IP.
They may not be copied from this Blog posting used individually
without permission and the relevant fees being paid.
"Travel & Things" relies on Pentax cameras
and SanDisk,
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When last did you actually print a photograph?
"Travel & Things" images are printed
at their store in Cresta.
Great service, friendly staff
and more importantly awesome prints.
To find their current specials
or to locate a store nearest to you:
This is how I get about when I am in Johannesburg.
Travel & Things is sponsored by:
Extreme Bike Stealth.
The new way to travel in the city.
Cool Ideals is my service provider of choice.
They enable me to ensure that my articles
and images are sent fast and effortlessly.
Not to mention all the other benefits that FTTH offers...
Like stability and affordability!
GammaTek is my powerbank supplier of choice.
One of my problems is often lack of battery power
if I have been using the camera on my phone.
I have tried many "powerbanks",
but the majority drain before they can fully recharge my device.
This is where this Powerbank has the edge...
it can recharge my phone up to 7 times,
before it needs to be recharged.
To find out more:
