Camel's Modern Life

Skull-A-Day: Tuesdays With Tatman #55 - Skeleton Glass Etchings...

2012-01-19T14:20:00.000-08:00

Skull-A-Day: Tuesdays With Tatman #55 - Skeleton Glass Etchings...:

Art Published again...

Apple Rant-a-roo

2011-10-06T08:39:00.000-07:00

I will preface this post with the following statement:
I love Apple OS & as a former music & video post production facilitator, there is nothing better - now on to the rant.....
......................
Steve Jobs is dead - unfortunate but whatever - people die, even rich ones.

He was an influential person in the computer industry & made some cool products.
That said - I was an Apple supporter BEFORE Apple was cool, before the Icraze....

But let us really look at what Apple has done before we immortalize Mr.Jobs as a God or even as a good person.

Apple has created products that are not consumer friendly but corporate profit friendly...
Having batteries that cannot be changed & hard drives that fail consistently.
Having connectivity issues, refusing to fix the issues & instead passing out band-aids.

Apple products are made on the same manufacturing lines as comparable products & then sold at 10 times the actual value with no reductions in price or monetary contribution to enhancing the quality of life for the product assemblers or manufacturing plants they slave in.

The inability of the consumer to change batteries & hard-drives spawned a habit of purchasing a new item instead of repairing it due to unnecessarily inflated costs associated with repair and the tendency for Apple repair to blame damage on users, negating the repair policies & charging extra for replacements even with the protection plans that were sold to cover these repairs.

Apple has also forced small accessory manufactures to create products exclusively for Apple & created contracts effectively eliminating accessories for other products.
Even large manufacturers like Duracell had no choice but to sign these exclusive or limiting contracts due to the buying power of the Apple corporate monster.

Apple was once the pinnacle of power for many artistic industries including music, video, phototography & there was nothing an Apple could not do, that is until the general public became more involved in buying Apple Products.

Once Apple became "cool" the overpriced but unstoppable powerhouse that was an Apple computer or product became restricted & the true power of Apple was severely limited out of the box.
This is the point at which I personally began to dislike Apple's direction.

Before these limitations, I was totally willing to pay exceedingly high prices for Apple products because i was getting something worth paying for, but now after the limitations put on Apple devices & computers, I am unwilling to pay the same ridiculous prices for something that cannot do shit. I do not want a toy, i want capability & I am totally willing to pay for capability & that is why I own a droid.

Some of you out there are hooked on Apple like crack, you think it is so capable, but this is because you have only experienced limited capability of the cool toys.

If you had experienced the true power of Apple products, you too would be pissed at them.

You should be pissed anyway...
We are watching occupy wall street happen...
Fighting against corporate greed...

Has anyone else noticed how many pictures of the occupy wall street are instagram pictures?
Instagram is an exclusive Apple Iphone social network.

Can you say confused?
I know I am....

So before we say how wonderful Steve Jobs & Apple are, let us really look at what Steve Jobs & Apple has done to the world and to consumers.

You may then find yourself thinking that Steve Jobs was a visionary, but also a corporate phat cat screwing the world

Thank you

2011-09-15T21:14:00.001-07:00

Thank you, originally uploaded by CAMEL007.

I had a skull themed quilt square on a quilt that sold @ a charity auction....

The person that won the auction will get this as an extra thank you...

A Little Nugget of Skull Duggary

2011-09-15T21:13:00.001-07:00

A Little Nugget of Skull Duggary, originally uploaded by CAMEL007.

The second in the series..

For the Skullmeister

Skully Von Skullerson

2011-09-15T21:12:00.001-07:00

Skully Von Skullerson, originally uploaded by CAMEL007.

The first of three

For sale on Etsy

An Un-named Park in Seattle

2011-09-13T16:01:00.001-07:00

An Un-named Park in Seattle, originally uploaded by CAMEL007.

The Mailart Mafia: Project Smile - Poland

2011-06-01T18:25:00.000-07:00

The Mailart Mafia: Project Smile - Poland

Check it out - make a smile & mail it to Poland....

Come on, Why not?

Project Smile - Poland (Mail-Art Mafia) - International Union of Mail-Artists

2011-05-31T07:15:00.000-07:00

Project Smile - Poland (Mail-Art Mafia) - International Union of Mail-Artists

Theme : Smiles

Size : unrestricted

G rated

......................

Mailto:

Project Smile

c/o

Marek Wysoczynski

krzywoustego 22/14

80360 gdansk

Poland

Live from Folklife Festival ...

2011-05-28T10:16:00.000-07:00

follow camelorama on twitter for broadcast notifications..
Will broadcast on & off thru out the weekend

The CDC Report

2011-05-20T09:59:00.001-07:00

Mehndi Foot ....

2011-04-30T10:18:00.001-07:00

C.Murphy, originally uploaded by CAMEL007.

custom foot tattoo...

linework complete & will wait to see what kind of touch-up will be required..

Tattooing the feet is no easy task & is quite painful.

The client has stated that she will maintain the tattoo like no other that she has because she would really like to avoid touch-up.

Mimi-Andy + Friends....

2011-03-13T09:49:00.000-07:00

Mimi-Andy + Friends....

My UK friend has a mini-him & now I have a Mini-Camel.

our alter egos will be exploring the world & embarking on general shenanigans together.

They also facilitate the new website for schools to exchange mail with each other - www.schoolswaps.net

This will be fun.

Got some Mailart today...

2011-03-10T16:28:00.000-08:00

A Tag ur It 2.0 submission - in a cool envelope. not sure where this tag came from cause i send out round ones!!!

Another tag ur it 2.0 submission - in a stamped envelope

Yet another tag ur it 2.0 submission

I think she wants another one from me cause she sent a blank one...

A dark & Twisted group submission..

A mailart365er sent me this one - #59 "Z is for Zombie". Unfortunately - the zombie was missing so watch out people - there is a zombie on the loose.

And finally - one of my favorite small work artist "Dewi"...
This Canadian artist has sent me a few things now & every one of them is just amazing.
the Postal guy wanted to make sure I got it so he knocked on the door because this is the size of a business card & a beautiful example of a watercolor.

Thanks people

Textile Mail Art Gallery: Camel O'Rama -- Seattle -- USA

2011-03-10T12:54:00.000-08:00

Textile Mail Art Gallery: Camel O'Rama -- Seattle -- USA:

Got on another blog...

check it out - it's cool

Religion and tattooing - A reference

2011-02-28T07:40:00.000-08:00

There always seems to be some blind follower of faith or religious zealot who likes to judge & misquote the bible to condemn those of us who are tattooists and those who get tattoos.

These sheeple tend to use a particular passage from the bible as their backing for their misguided attempts to say that the children of God are blasphemous for receiving tattoos.

Sorry you zealots - you have been mislead by your illiteracy & inability to think for yourselves.
Please use this guide to read your scripture & educate yourselves.

I am by no means religious - spiritual is more the word...

Leviticus 19:28
Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor put any marks upon you: I am the Lord.

First let me point out that this is not tattooing - it is scarification.
Second - there is evidence of tattooing among Semites in a report by Scutt & Gotch that states that the sun god Baal required his worshipers to mark their hands with "divine tokens in a mystic attempt to divine strength"

More well read zealots will refer to the Council of Northumberland Edict of 787.
Unfortunately for them, they tend to not read the entire edict which I shall offer a well defined rebuttal with the actual text of that edict at the end of this document.

Let us now move onto the multitudes of different passages in the scripture that promote tattooing.

William McClure Thompson, a biblical scholar, states that Moses "either instituted such a custom [tattooing] or appropriated one already existing to a religious purpose"

Exodus 13:8-10
And you shall show your son in that day, saying, This is done because of that which the LORD did to me when I came forth out of Egypt.
And it shall be for a sign to you on your hand, and for a memorial between your eyes, that the LORD's law may be in your mouth: for with a strong hand has the LORD brought you out of Egypt.
Thou shalt therefore keep this ordinance in its season from year to year.

An interesting passage that instructs male Jews to tattoo their hands & forehead during passover.
A yearly rite that is to be passed on every year so "God can find the true children of Israel and give them the land of the Canaanites"

According to Thompson, Leviticus was a prohibition of heathen tattooing & not a restriction on Moses approved tattoos.

A further reference to Moses approved tattoos appears in
Deuteronomy 32:5
They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of his children: they are a perverse and crooked generation.

Other examples of tattoos in scripture exist:
For example:
Revelation 19:11-16
And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he does judge and make war.
His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
And he was clothed with a clothing dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
And the armies which were in heaven followed him on white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
And out of his mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treads the wine press of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
And he has on his clothing and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

Isaiah 49:15-16
Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yes, they may forget, yet will I not forget you.
Behold,I have graven you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.

As Steve Gibert states in his book, Tattoo History - A Source book:
"There is no point in passing a law against something that does not exist, and therefore the most convincing evidence that tattooing was practiced by the ancient Hebrews is the fact that it was prohibited in Leviticus.

So we have discussed Jews, but what about Christians?
(Christians seem to think that they are not Jews for some reason - i have not determined why yet.)
Franz Joeseph Dolger, biblical scholar, searched for records of religious tattooing.
In a written report, he states that Saint Basil the Great, a most distinguished doctor of the church, stated the following:
No man shall let his hair grow long or tattoo himself as do the heathens.

Saint Basil has obviously never read the old testament because he is clearly telling people to cut their hair when the bible says not to, but at least he has got the tattoo thing correct.

Franz Dolger also discovered that many early Christian sects tattooed a cross, a lamb, a fish, or Christ's name as a sign of identification & recognition.

We all know the Apostle, Paul...
In Galatians 6, Paul clearly states that he has a tattoo and is a tattoo artist

You see how large a letter I have written to you with my own hand.
As many as desire to make a fair show in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.
For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.
But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world.
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision avails any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and on the Israel of God.
From now on let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.

Procopius of Gaza wrote a commentary on Isaiah in 587 ad.
In this commentary, he reported that Christians were "tattooed on the arms with a cross or Christ's name"

It is well documented that medieval crusaders had crosses tattooed on their arms as souvenirs & the tradition was continued throughout the middle ages.
In the oldest known description of this tradition, William Lithgow wrote in 1612:

"Earley on the morrow there came a fellow to us, one Elias Areacheros, a Christian habitour at Bethleham, and perveier for the Friers, who did ingrave on our severall Armes upon Christ's sepulchur the name of Jesus, and the holy crosse, being our owne option, and desire."

There are numerous accounts of tattooing found in the travel journals of Christian pilgrims and the practice of souvenir tattooing has continued into the 20th century without interuption.

There is a book published in 1956 by John Carswell: "Coptic Tattoo Designs"
It contains reproductions of 184 designs that were copied from the original tattoo woodblocks that date to the mid 17th century, owned by professional tattooist Jacob Razzouk and still currently used in traditional religious souvenir tattooing.

And Finally, my rebuttal of the 787 edict with the original text - it speaks for itself:

"When an individual undergoes the ordeal of tattooing for the sake of God, he is to be greatly praised. But one who submits himself to be tattooed for superstitious reasons in the manner of the heathens will derive no benefit therefrom"

Anatomical Crochet Human Heart

2011-02-24T13:33:00.000-08:00

Honestly - does it get any better than this?
I mean - this has to be the best damn thing I have ever gotten in the mail besides tattoo equipment.

Custom Created & Crocheted by Voodoo Maggie in Talent Oregon. I cannot wait to see what she comes up with next.

Happy Presidents day everybody...

2011-02-21T11:31:00.000-08:00

Enjoy your day off

Homemade Eyeball?

2011-02-16T09:13:00.001-08:00

A friend told me about collecting prosthetic eyeballs...

I looked & looked & then POW I got this crazy idea that I could make one.

I grabbed a marble & an iris from a cheezy eyeball - attached the iris - stuck the whole thing on a rod and grabbed some supplies that I found around the house.

Ready to roll

Anyone who knows the windows of the soul knows that there must be a blood flow.
A red dyed cotton craft ball can be cut and attached to the marble with some nail polish. I used Sally Hansen Double Duty Base & Top Coat. It stinks pretty bad - but works o so well.

Small blood flow is great - but it just isn't enough to keep an eyeball fresh - so the addition of larger vessels is necessary.
For this - nothing beats a red dyed feather. The veins of a feather are just so perfect.

Now we're talking - that is an eyeball!

i forgot to take some pics of some of the process but i will fill you in on the details.
All that work to make an eyeball - but depth is the key to reality.
All the work seen above is coated lightly with Maybelline Express Finish #12 (Snow Bunny)
it gives the eye a translucent white coating over the deep vessels.
a few more coats of clear & then large vessels added again.

Now a change up in coatings.
NYC Long Wearing Nail Enamel is thick & nasty but has a very neat property - it is affected by gravity very slowly & always dries super smooth.
As you can see in this picture - there are air bubbles trapped & that is because i was moving to fast to complete this - oh well!
you can also see the depth created by the initial base of capillaries & vessels under the translucent white.
The back was a little weird also - so I added an optic nerve...

Time to make another one - only better!

Pride..

2011-02-11T09:04:00.001-08:00

Victory is ours....

Non-violent revolution works!!!!

VIVA LA REVOLUTION

Another day in Seattle

2011-02-07T15:01:00.000-08:00

One reason I love postcrossing & MailArt is that everyday is an adventure of postal proportions....

Nadia from Belarus sent me a postcard with what looks like local landmarks.

Laura sent me a postcard with custom MailArt365 stamps...

Michalis from Greece sent me some art that looks like it barely survived the trip.
It was still wet when i got it - but it did survive.

I really need to send everyone involved with the Mailart blog some mail - but I have been a little less than active with the mailing out part & just creating has been my goal.

Been awhile since i posted my rcvd mailart....

2011-02-06T09:41:00.000-08:00

so here it is...

My cousin in Egypt has said that his wife like this postcard...
So I will forward it on to him...

From Postcrossing:

Skull of the year 2010....

2011-01-21T19:56:00.000-08:00

E-Mail Received:

Hi Camel,

now the voting is over and i’m sitting here listening to ”social
distorsion" and make the papers.

First of all I wanna thank you for your submissions – great stuff.

Your Skull called 365_5 made it into the Top Ten.
It landed on position
6.

Congratulations. Now I’m working on the website.

Right now there would be

Ashraf Camel O'Rama El-Masry
Artist
Seattle, Washington, USA
************
Here is the submitted piece:

and it's mate:

I will enter again next year, but 6th ain't bad.

Playing Catchup....

2011-01-13T20:25:00.000-08:00

not mustard

Clockwork...

2011-01-11T20:08:00.000-08:00

i got a hair up my ass & decided to try to make a clock...
I started by just wanting to see if I could actually cut the cogs required for the internal workings of the clock...

I used a 1/4 artist board and cut the gears:

I put the cogs through a test & determined that the pressure on the teeth was too much as they started to break quickly.

So, I cut some 9.25 mm planks from cedar:

and attached the templates to them so that I can start all over again tomorrow:

Stage 1 complete: The Heron is done...

2011-01-10T16:00:00.000-08:00

a tattoo client came to me with an image:

As i usually do when someone brings an image in - I decided to alter it.
At the time that i got this image - I was looking at pointillism as an artform & seeking tattoo artists that have done such images on the skin.
I have seen many a tribal image done in this style but they were all traditional images.

I spent the next 4 days converting the image from it's original form to this:

I have now completed this tattoo but...it is only one of the three tattoos that will be applied to the leg, two of which will be in this style along with the background which will also be in this style...

this portion of the tattoo took 14 hours to complete & was quite the learning experience.

needless to say, when the leg is finished - i may not accept another tattoo in this style unless the client is willing to pay double the standard rates.

Can officially accept credit cards...

2011-01-06T19:46:00.001-08:00

Oh Geez...

2011-01-04T13:20:00.000-08:00

You figure I would be able to keep up with my blog...
I got all kinds of crazy stuff in the mail:

From a post crosser:

From another post crosser:

From a 365er:

that had some crazy old looking stamps - not sure if they are vintage or if they are current:

From a 365er:

And two issues of Charlie Chong in Cairo direct from the artist "Larned Justin":

personally, I thought Warner Oland was a way better Charlie Chan than Sidney Toler.

Hurry - Catch up....

2010-12-27T15:33:00.000-08:00

everything I got or sent in the mail recently that may have been unpublished...

Camel O'Rama: Travel Edition

2010-12-24T16:12:00.001-08:00

I packed a small MailArt travel system for our trip to Gma's for x-mas.

Made my art today but no way to post image untill l8r.

Gonna send out international only until I can get more domestic stamps.

What are/is tags/tagging .....

2010-12-23T11:14:00.000-08:00

A blogger post screen:
At the bottom there is the "Advanced" area

Click "Post Options" & gain control of the post date & time as well as control over comments on this post.

Labels are helpful for editing purposes.
I use labels to view comments on my posts as well as other artists

As you can see here, i sorted the posts by my "user tag"

Labels/tags also help blog readers as it allows readers to sort things in some fashion.
This list, maintained by admin, is a link to a search & this search looks at tags.

Made some QR Codes ...

2010-12-22T15:11:00.000-08:00

the MailArt365 Blog

My personal blog:

Today was another day...

2010-12-21T21:38:00.000-08:00

From Andy:

From Box 652

From Karen C

From a Post Crosser

Thanks all

Another B-day...

2010-12-20T14:09:00.001-08:00

Custom Ear Plugs, originally uploaded by CAMEL007.

I love my wife....

Custom ordered for my b-day from:
Yukio
Kushida Ink
www.kushidaink.com

hand carved o guage plugs from fossilized walrus teeth / ivory

What really topped the cake was that there was a full lunar eclipse.
The next time this happens on my birthday will be in 2029 and the last partial was in 1581 and the last total was 1535.

The Seattle weather did cooperate & i spent 3.5 hours freezing my ass off as I soaked up the moon beams

Diane's New floor...

2010-12-19T08:43:00.001-08:00

Yes i can can do anything & yes I am a superstar...

MailArt from a friend...

2010-12-09T14:22:00.001-08:00

I sent this crazy postcard (no surprise there!!) to a postcrosser...

A very smart lady on the East Coast...
a lab rat & a creative person....
My kind of people...

Today, I got the coolest cards from her....

and

Thanks Julie - some mailart will surely be on its way to you soon
;-P

Pimpin....

2010-12-08T08:44:00.000-08:00

So this crazy guy I know in the UK sent me some photos & told me to add value to them - he calls it "Pimp My Photos"...

I was like - cool man - no problem.

I like the guy so I wanted to do something special.

Here is the first of 9 photos Andy sent me...

Of course, I have never actually seen Andy - except for this,

So it was nice to see who the heck I am dealing with.

So, in an effort to "add value"
I took the first dollar I ever made tattooing & went to work.

There you have it Andy - You been pimped

Thanks for the super cool card by one of your students

Getting crafty with Paper...

2010-12-06T17:48:00.000-08:00

Had to do something other than damn postcards today...
So i ripped a fast one out & did this...

You can make one too....
Eyeballs are not included - I made those myself

got some real Mail Art Today...

2010-12-06T14:55:00.000-08:00

Rani sent me a great card with Dracula's Daughter on it...

The back was complete with one of those cheezy 70's skull masks - a classic to say the least

The other card I got today was from Skybridge.
A total clash of both my favorite things
Tattoo's on the front:

My name in Creepy writing on the back

Needless to say , it was a good mail day!!!

MailArt to My Real Wall....

2010-12-05T10:59:00.000-08:00

This is a special mail art...

It is actually handmade mail art package that contains mail art.

I can only hope that Andy takes much care when opening the package as to not damage the contents...

Recycled Wall paper base with koi stickers.
recycled cardboard
airline tape
construction paper

Got some Postcrossing cards today…

2010-12-03T16:05:00.001-08:00

and i am trying to post to my blog more often…

from Taiwan

From Deutchland

Badge on a blogger….

2010-12-02T11:29:00.001-08:00

So there is some funkyness…

but if you follow these steps – your badge will lead to www.mailart365.com also.

Go to www.mailart365.com & copy ALL the text in the badge box.

Click “Edit” in the HTML/Java Script box

Paste the copied badge info in the large box.

Then click the blue “Rich Text” link..

You should now see this…

highlight the image as if you were going to copy it and click the world with a chain icon.

CRITICAL: You must enter the link as it is shown in this image:

http://www.mailart365.com

Click “OK”

Click “Save”

You should now view your blog & click the badge to verify that it works.

It should, but if it does not – then follow these instructions again.

Then I got home &.....

2010-11-29T19:38:00.000-08:00

I got a wonderful handmade card from Angie & Snookie

Like an abstract koi swimming in my mailbox

I also got some birthday cards from swap-bot...

Yes, I am covered in chocolate & have lots of little sprinkles...

and

Thanks you all, your addresses have been added to my 365 mailing list

First of two...

2010-11-29T19:35:00.000-08:00

So a partner in crime on MailArt365 has a son...
That son of her's created & runs the most fab blog Skulladay.

This post is for him...
Ever since i found his blog - I have become more & more aware of my surroundings...

Today, I found a couple kinda neat things...

Just in thime for x-mas, some Skullabling for the ladies @ Papyrus

and for those deadly cold nights, some skullamas @ Target

Somtimes - you just gotta be silly

Got some great mail today....

2010-11-27T18:04:00.000-08:00

The I.U.O.M.A. event "Tag your it" ...
I asked for a second tag & I got it today with another wonderful tag.

I bet Larned got the one i sent to him today also cause I was to impatient to wait...
Now I am one tag behind & must make another....
I have about 20 tags that i bought - so I will just continue to send them to Larned Justin...

I also got a wonderful card today from booboo_babies in Texas, a fellow postcrossing user...

I am pretty sure that I sent BooBoo a card at some point & I am not sure what prompted another from her - but hey, I will just her to my mailing list for the 365 project...

This card even came in a custom envelope:

Mailart 365: Trying to avoid .....

2010-11-23T15:15:00.000-08:00

Mailart 365: Trying to avoid .....: "creating anything for this project... So Today, I worked on some postcrossing things & an artistamp co-op. My postcrosser wanted something..."

Tag ur it #2

2010-11-22T17:18:00.001-08:00

Tag ur it #2, originally uploaded by CAMEL007.

I.U.O.M.A. creation for "Tag your it"

This is my second submission for this project.

The project was "i will send 2 tags - one will have art on it & the other you will put art on & send back."

I did my tag & mailed it...

I took a nap & dreamed this tag & image...

So - i made a second one - sent it with the photo & a blank tag

Artistamp Special Edition #1

2010-11-22T17:15:00.001-08:00

Special Edition1 #, originally uploaded by CAMEL007.

Created for I.U.O.M.A. ..

This is my inaugural stamp set & is limited to 10 sheets.

Ouch...

2010-11-20T11:37:00.001-08:00

leg coloring, originally uploaded by CAMEL007.

but - it is looking nice...
flowers are getting colored & the moon in the back is now yellow with grey clouds...

once it all heals - i will add a special silver lining to each cloud & finish off the random uncolored spaces in the image....

Gotta fill that big empty space there on the ankle too but that will have to wait until the new year I think...
To many family engagements to do the ankle & have to fuss with a sock...

Skull 3.0

2010-11-19T10:07:00.001-08:00

Skull 3.0, originally uploaded by CAMEL007.

So I am pretty happy with the skin layers - so i think i will be done with that ..
Skin stage complete...
16 layers polyfil & latex ..
12 layers custom skin sheets
aged
time to cut material for the next stage

I will cut some linen and dip it into reduced coffee dye that I made to age it...

Then comes the wrapping of the head to give it a little life before I start the final detail...

Yes - i would much rather be tattooing right now - but at least i am being creative....

Undead 2.0

2010-11-17T12:12:00.001-08:00

Undead 2.0, originally uploaded by CAMEL007.

What do you do with a styrofoam skull and too much time?
Get in trouble for not cleaning the house of course!!!
of course, this skull in not finished but the second stage of death has been applied.

click the picture to find out more about the building of this item!!!

Submitted this to the skulladay blog & i hope they publish it!!

Real Wall 2.0

2010-11-15T17:55:00.001-08:00

RealWall2.0, originally uploaded by CAMEL007.

So there is this crazy UK guy (Andy) doing this crazy deal & posting all of his post on his actual wall

This is because it is way more fun to receive real post in the mail than fake posts on facebook.

Well this is the second card I am sending him because i promised I would send him the companion to the original image i sent him.

Since I know he is gonna look anyway - Here it is Andy ...
Out in the mail 2morrow!!!

Be Stylish

2010-11-13T15:19:00.001-08:00

Be Stylish, originally uploaded by CAMEL007.

My new Russian postcard friend, Elena, sent me this great card....

This babooshka is so happy and reminds you to:

"Be Stylish"

Thanks Elena - this card is a great addition to my growing collection.

The Shrine Continues

2010-11-07T17:16:00.001-08:00

The Shrine Continues, originally uploaded by CAMEL007.

Additional elements added to fill the empty space on the pectoral muscle & the addition of 90% of the sleeve.

Yowsa - this is coming out well i think...

We have a lot more work to do but we are making some crazy progress on this big ass first tat for Mr. Melton

Click on the picture above to see all the views of this work.

US-886676 - Just what I needed....

2010-11-05T14:38:00.001-07:00

US-886676, originally uploaded by CAMEL007.

My first handmade postcard...

This was also the first postcard Lauryn sent and lucky me - I got it!!!

After Tawnya & Demytri were rear-ended in the car this morning on the way to school - boy did I need a little sunshine.....from Las Vegas baby!!!

The best part was the cheezy joke ...

What do you call a cow with no legs?

Ground Beef!

Yes Lauryn - my day has been brightened - thanks

She put her address on the back - so I may have to whip up some cool postcard & zap it back ... just cuz!!!

PostCrossing Super Dork...

2010-11-03T18:57:00.001-07:00

View Camel O'Rama Post Crossing in a larger map

This map updates automatically every time you return to this blog post!
That means every time a new post card arrives or gets sent - viola, it appears

Someone asked me about my equipment….

2010-11-01T11:22:00.001-07:00

So in an effort to dispel all the bull that goes with tattoo equipment, i am showing my stuff to the world.

Power supplies are critical.

But there is something very important about power supplies that the average consumer may not know. Price!

Mastec 1803D, an industrial power supply used the world over by laboratories & electrical engineers.

0-18 volts with a max of 3 amps flows throw that machine with amazing accuracy. Most tattoo people do not know this power supply because it does not say “tattoo” on it & is not specifically made for tattooing. It’s a crying shame I tell you because the price is right & the warranty blows “tattoo” labeled power supplies out of the water. I have two of these badboys!

Monsterpoint 1.5 – 18 volts with a max of 2amps.

It cost twice as much as both my lab supplies together & is not very accurate in output. It does however provide some really accurate information about the speed & function of a capacitor driven tattoo machine in use. A godsend when tuning a machine to the “math of tattooing”

I do no use this power supply while tattooing, i only use it for tuning my machines.

China Special 1.0:

A chromed, bent-frame tattoo machine.

10 wrap coils, 33uf capacitor with #18 back spring & #16 front spring and a custom ground armature bar.

The coils are made by Tyler Mason in Portland Oregon & they are of the highest quality. Springs are custom cut for speed. This machine has a sweet spot at 8 volts/3amps and runs at 153hz.

Yes, this machine originated in China & NO, there is nothing wrong with my Chinese frame, especially after putting Mason coils on it & adding high quality springs.

China Special 2.0

A chromed, bent-frame tattoo machine.

10 wrap coils, 10uf capacitor with #16 back spring & #20 front spring and a standard armature bar.

The coils are Chinese & have never given me any trouble. Springs are custom cut for color. This machine has a sweet spot at 7.5 volts/3amps and runs at 101hz.

In fact, it is my go to machine when my others & giving me trouble. The coils have a picture of Jesus on them (not sure why) but whenever I use this machine, i exclaim “Oh Jesus!”

Tyler Mason “Dietz”

A cast brass tattoo machine.

10 wrap coils, 10uf capacitor with #14 back spring & #16 front spring and a standard armature bar.

The coils are Chinese & have never given me any trouble. Springs are custom cut for shading. This machine has a sweet spot at 7.5 volts/3amps and runs at 98 which is great for shading.

This machine originated in Portland Oregon & is my last choice in machine use.

It is a beautiful machine but I have never been able to tune it to my exact liking. I am sure with a little more tweaking & the Eikon Tru-Spring system, this machine will rock

A carbon fiber, rotary tattoo machine.

1.5mm throw makes it a good all around machine.

No coils, no springs & a standard carbon fiber armature bar. This is my go to machine for everything. It is effective within the range of 3-16 volts. It is easy on the skin, completely silent & super light.

This machine also originated in China & NO, there is nothing wrong with this Chinese machine either. In fact, I prefer this machine over any other.

1953 Ritter ENT chair manufactured for Bausch & Lomb

A score at $90.00.

Two stage hydraulic lift, 25 degree tilt back and fully adjustable headrest and 230 degree rotation.

I love this chair & will have it reupholstered someday.

It weighs about 250 pounds and is completely stable even when fully extended.

In short, there is a lot of hub-bub about the quality of a USA machine over a Chinese machine, but I will state this:

Most tattooists have a Chinese machine & just don’t admit it. It is not always the machine that makes a good tattoo, it is the skill the artist has.

Yes, having a nice USA manufactured machine is great, but not always better. I know plenty of artists with expensive USA machines and their tattoo work is no better than mine.

Yes, I will order some custom machines from USA builders, but it is because I want a machine made by that specific builder.

You can buy a Harley or you can buy a Yamaha, one you are always tweaking & the other you just hop on and ride.

Chicken & Orzo Soup

2010-10-31T14:30:00.001-07:00

6 cups (48 oz) Chicken Broth

2/3 cup (4 oz) Orzo, uncooked

2 cups (10 oz) frozen mixed vegetables

1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes

1 cup chopped cooked chicken

In a medium saucepan, heat broth to boiling; add uncooked orzo, vegetables and parsley.

Return to a boil & boil, uncovered, 10 minutes until orzo is tender. Stir in chicken & heat through.

Makes 7 servings (1 cup each)

I am loving PostCrossing

2010-10-29T13:30:00.000-07:00

Here is an electronic map that shows all my postcards : sent & received....

Take a look - it it kinda cool....

****** UPDATE 11-03-2010 I have ditched the flickr map for the google map... ****

Zombie Child Conversion 2010

2010-10-29T09:02:00.001-07:00

Zombie Child Conversion 2010, originally uploaded by CAMEL007.

Too much fun is too be had during my favorite month....

Creepy-Kin

2010-10-24T18:25:00.001-07:00

Creepy-Kin, originally uploaded by CAMEL007.

I love October

Human coloring book

2010-10-24T14:13:00.001-07:00

Human coloring book, originally uploaded by CAMEL007.

working on bringing my great tattoo back from :

OH SHIT - this is getting too damn dark!!!

to

OMG - i had no idea there was detail in there!!!

Everyday in every way - I am getting better & better

Tattoo Refresh & Rework…

2010-10-14T14:05:00.001-07:00

(click photo to enlarge images - high rez located at Flickr)

It began with a picture of an old tattoo…

After 2 hour 36 minutes…

7.5 volts – 5 RL & 5 RS

I think the result is quite nice….

almost done

2010-10-13T11:23:00.001-07:00

close.up

almost done

Silly

2010-10-08T16:49:00.001-07:00

shot_1286579084526.jpg, originally uploaded by CAMEL007.

The Poetry of Reality (An Anthem for Science)

2010-10-07T07:08:00.000-07:00

My brother in law is getting a degree in Education from Harvard.
One of the reading materials that he has is titled:

Pedagogy of the Oppressed - Paulo Freire

This book is a must read for any person - but it is an amazing look into the liberation of people by giving them freedom through education.

Some of the concepts presented in the book - are also presented in this video about science.

So watch it & for my deaf readers - i have posted the lyrics

Lyrics:

[Michael Shermer]
Science is the best tool ever devised
For understanding how the world works

[Jacob Bronowski]
Science is a very human form of knowledge
We are always at the brink of the known

[Carl Sagan]
Science is a collaborative enterprise
Spanning the generations
We remember those who prepared the way
Seeing for them also

[Neil deGrasse Tyson]
If you're scientifically literate,
The world looks very different to you
And that understanding empowers you

Refrain:
[Richard Dawkins]
There's real poetry in the real world
Science is the poetry of reality

[Sagan]
We can do science
And with it, we can improve our lives

[Jill Tarter]
The story of humans is the story of ideas
That shine light into dark corners

[Lawrence Krauss]
Scientists love mysteries
They love not knowing

[Richard Feynman]
I don't feel frightened by not knowing things
I think it's much more interesting

[Brian Greene]
There's a larger universal reality
of which we are all a part

[Stephen Hawking]
The further we probe into the universe
The more remarkable are the discoveries we make

[Carolyn Porco]
The quest for the truth, in and of itself,
Is a story that's filled with insights

(Refrain)

[Greene]
From our lonely point in the cosmos
We have through the power of thought
Been able to peer back to a brief moment
After the beginning of the universe

[PZ Myers]
I think that science changes the way your mind works
To think a little more deeply about things

[Dawkins]
Science replaces private prejudice
With publicly verifiable evidence

WIP 6.5

2010-09-28T20:06:00.001-07:00

WIP 6.5, originally uploaded by CAMEL007.

I might work on this again tomorrow ...
but who knows...
i will just keep chugging along on it till it is finished....

My moon is taking shape & my color fades are getting better...
.................
Testing new black "Intenze Zuper Black"
testing "Intenze purple titanium"
testing 1-3-5 custom mix blue to create fade...
repair damage from bad ink
testing machine rebuild

Zero compression long stroke shader

2010-09-27T14:43:00.001-07:00

Zero compression long stroke shader

built 4 low volts&s as well as client comfort

Temple Shrine - Time Test...

2010-09-17T19:55:00.000-07:00

1 hour 55 minutes and 33.2 seconds crammed into about 3 minutes...
will do the same thing with the skin version...
Enjoy

Received a Post Crossing card today…

2010-09-16T18:42:00.001-07:00

Text from card:
Hi there,
I hope you and your kids enjoy this card direct from Disneyland!! If I get a tattoo, it would be of the theater masks, tragedy and comedy.

If you enjoy cooking, you should check out my blog:
recipe4adventure.blogspot.com

I work in the arts field, so I really appreciate the work you do.
Take care,
Jeremy

First sitting

2010-09-15T18:46:00.000-07:00

First sitting, originally uploaded by CAMEL007.

Initial design work on ...
in two weeks - touch-up & maybe more...

Today will be long....

2010-09-15T08:42:00.001-07:00

Final, originally uploaded by CAMEL007.

I will be tattooing this custom design on a client...
Commissioned Mehndi Tattoo Design...

Please do NOT tattoo this without permission...

The client has given permission for prints and for use in henna applications - but please take a picture.

Client asked me to tattoo my personal design on them.

This is the first time someone wanted my personal design that I have been tattooing on myself.

I have to say that i did not take it well.
I cancelled the clients appt. because i was offended and a little disturbed.

"Are you F@$#ing kidding me? That is mine - it is not for anyone else!! I am not sure I wish to continue working with you"

2 days later - after some badgering - I decided to create a custom piece using the flower idea but changing it up.

The client is extremely happy with the design & will be here 2day for the application...

oh no..

2010-09-11T08:15:00.001-07:00

oh no.., originally uploaded by CAMEL007.

breakfast massacre

Post Crossing….

2010-09-10T18:37:00.000-07:00

A neat little website in which members send postcards to other members around the world anonymously.

I sent two cards to get the ball rolling.

One was sent to Miami

The other sent to the Netherlands…

sit back & wait – soon the mailbox will have a 2 postcards for me…

Post Crossing...

2010-09-10T17:05:00.000-07:00

If you haven't joined PostCrossing you really should.

It is just a fantastic idea & I think I am gonna fall in love with it - it will certainly give me a reason to post to my blog more often.

I had added a collection to my Flickr account so that i can share my sent & received postcards with the world.

You can look there for the first two that i have sent out.

Really - check it out - join and get to know random people from around the world.

I might even get might son to sign up just cause i think it is just so damn cool.

A great start...

2010-09-09T20:04:00.001-07:00

IMG_4683, originally uploaded by CAMEL007.

But it takes so long to tattoo the back of my own leg....
The rest will have to wait until healed...

Hummer-fly

2010-09-02T13:44:00.001-07:00

Hummer-fly, originally uploaded by CAMEL007.

Stage one..test Tyler Mason machine

Another step ....

2010-08-29T17:17:00.001-07:00

in a never ending tattoo project...

IMG_4609, originally uploaded by CAMEL007.

Additional elements added to top of foot....
touch-up of some leg elements...
Line-work continuation on Thoth...

My leg & foot really is uncomfortable now...

Close up of additional foot element

Lefty tattoos?

2010-08-23T18:00:00.001-07:00

I am a right handed tattoo artist…

But, I am also trying to finish my right arm myself….

I have made progress but it can be frustrating & time consuming.

I did however try a new brand of colors from a local supplier Emerald City Tattoo & Supply.

I have to say that they look nice & a great working consistency.

I also have to say that i am back to my low voltage process…

It is more comfortable & produces the results that I am really looking for.

The arm was getting dark & I was getting a little worried about that – but the new ruby red I got from Emerald City makes the whole thing pop…

Needless to say – there will be a significant amount of red going into the tattoo.

Sunday Evening Post….

2010-08-22T20:22:00.001-07:00

cause it ain’t Saturday.

I am sure that there is something amazingly uneventful to write about, but it escapes me at this time.

A music video project starts….

2010-08-08T20:31:00.001-07:00

A friend asked me to help her build some “recycled masks” for a music video she is making.

Today – I decided to begin stealing metal from from my 1963 Rambler Classic 400 cause some of it is just badass stuff.

As i started putting pieces into the garage, something went terribly wrong.

I cannot tell you exactly what happened, but I can tell you that 3 of my fingers are cut pretty bad.

The index finger, not so bad but deep

The middle finger, deeper but reasonable

The ring finger, I now have seen what that bone looks like & pretty sure I know what tearing a nerve feels like.

After a sever body reaction, some well executed home medical procedures & a long nap – I believe i will still have 100% use in the worst areas.

However, i will not be able to tattoo for a bit cause i cannot hold the machine.

I am 100% positive that it will not effect my tattooing but i may not be doing much for a couple weeks.

Repurposed light bulb...

2010-07-30T12:19:00.001-07:00

Repurposed light bulb..., originally uploaded by CAMEL007.

The Hydroponic version...

A friend posted the idea on facebook.

I made one & now I feel like a dork.

Tattoo has begun...

2010-07-27T12:21:00.000-07:00

and I am making some great progress.

After 9 hours spread over two days - the results thus far are this:

stencil on...

2010-07-26T13:26:00.001-07:00

time to start the fill....

Stencil is almost done...

2010-07-26T13:24:00.000-07:00

then the black fill begins...

Perfect stencil placement...

2010-07-26T09:01:00.001-07:00

on a first try is always a good sign...

On the topic of Disabled babies....

2010-07-23T14:35:00.000-07:00

A friend posted some super sappy story about how disabled babies & children in foreign countries are put into group homes with very low standards of care.

I tried to respond to her posting but was unable to...
She told me to post my comment on my blog...
a blog that no one reads so i am not really sure what the point is but...

Janelle - Here it is...
-------------------------------------------------------------

I am saddened by the whole situation ...
But i also believe in Darwinism...

All species except the human either abandon or eat their disabled and weak young...

Humans are sickening to me as they pass around their young like trading cards instead of taking responsibility for their genetic inadequacy....

Humans also unnaturally extend animals lives to benefit themselves...
Used to be - you just shot a horse when they broke their leg...

As the top of the food chain - there is no predator that eats our disabled & weak....

We as a species are coming to a point in which the earth can no longer support our propagation....
It is time that the species becomes aware of this fact and cease with the constant extension of life that should be naturally dispelled.
Sign a DNR and just die when it is time would ya....

I know it sounds harsh -
but with a population of 6,697,254,041 - a number that has doubled since 1960 - i believe that the world has been over-populated beyond the natural ability to cope with such growth.

In 1900 - the average life ceased at between 30-45 years of age
Today - that has increased to an average of 69 with people living into their 100's

The human has exceeded a natural life expectancy which in turn is creating more than a natural disaster on this planet.

We blame green house gas on industry & cattle - but the human refuses to admit that over 40% of green house gas is produced in the human intestine...
In fact - human herbivores are even more responsible for greenhouse gases than human carnivores as they have a significantly higher methane & c02 output.

So - in closing ...
This story is sad but - the human condition is what makes it so ...
It was not sad when we were still animals & we were not the top of the food chain - it was just survival...

Angry Seattle Officer vs 17 yo.....

2010-06-17T06:57:00.000-07:00

In Seattle,
Officer Ian Walsh punched a 17 year old girl in the face...
He was arresting her friend for Jaywalking....

alright...
So this girl was "interfering with an officer"...I agree

Assault - i don't think so - the guys in the precinct will have a good time with that one for sure....

Having Officers in my family -
I feel this officer did not follow an escalation plan based on the actual threat...

The officer did not advise the girl to back down...
The officer did not use an interference device - i.e. Pepper spray & a tazer

This officer was pestering people for jaywalking...
A low level issue that is hardly worth the amount of money it costs the tax payer in administration costs.

The tax payers pay this Officer $50,000+ a year to sit on a corner and ticket Jaywalkers?
If I was Officer Walsh - I would have refused this assignment...

There is no disrespect for Officer Walsh -
I just wish my tax dollar was used to find some real criminals and fight some real crime...

Officer Walsh is as much responsible for this issue as the girl who interfered..

Officer Walsh did not assess the threat properly and used force that was not equal to the threat....

This whole issue is further compounded by the fact that the Seattle Police department just physically abused an innocent man and shouted racial slurs because he was a Mexican - not because he broke the law.

I-1068 in Washington State

2010-06-15T06:04:00.000-07:00

So people want to smoke Marijuana legally in Washington State...

Fine - whatever.....

But, I think that recreational pot smokers need to take a few steps back and allow a natural progression to happen instead of trying to force an issue...

Yes, I agree that Marijuana is a relatively harmless botanical drug that should be taxed heavily - but I also have some other issues that I believe are way more important than recreational pot smoking.

I-1068 is an ill timed political item for a few reasons.

The first reason is the fact that Medical Marijuana laws have already been passed in Washington State.
This allows a person with a legitimate reason to utilize Marijuana.

Unfortunately, there is a shortage of doctors willing to provide a medical RX because of not only Federal laws but because there is no legal way to procure Marijuana for medical use.

It is still illegal to purchase or sell Marijuana in Washington.
Washington also refuses to allow a legal Medical Marijuana distribution facility.

I-1068, The Legalization of Recreational Marijuana Use, is not the proper step in actually achieving recreational legalization at this time.

I do not support the recreational use of a controlled substance at this time.

I used to support it & I am still a member of NORML but I remain a member only to support the national reform of Medical use.

So I say to all those stoners out there trying to get some legal weed -
Please just wait...

There are people in Washington state still struggling to get their medication and I-1068 is just stifling their ability to receive medication from a legal source.

Let the medical users pave the way for you because every time you create some petition to decriminalize recreational use - the medical use community takes another hit and falls another step backwards.

Take your pot smoking friends - gather them together and create a petition that will actually help you achieve your goals in the future.

A petition that allows a Washington State authorized distribution facility for Medical Marijuana users.

This in turn will help further your cause by setting a precedence...

Medical Marijuana users need this facility & you just want to smoke some pot...

So do us all a favor - fight for the right thing & stop inhibiting Medical use progress by wasting tax dollars with a petition that is solely a personal agenda of stoners and support those who need your support and could actually benefit from your numbers.

Thanks

Another day....

2010-06-10T17:06:00.001-07:00

Maui Day 2, originally uploaded by CAMEL007.

I have been on facebook for quite some time...
I am getting really tired of it...
everyday - waiting for someone to write something...
my phone going off to tell me that as friend has posted something...

I cannot really justify sitting in front of the computer and waiting for something to happen anymore...

So - my plan is to tattoo until I cannot tattoo anymore....

Finish my leg - finish my arm - finish my foot - finish my cover-up

i want to quit facebook - but i just can't ...
So I will tattoo myself to blow the time away...

Immigration Reform & Extremist Racial Profilimg Laws...

2010-05-25T19:18:00.001-07:00

Wake the fuck up Arizona.

There is only one question that you must ask yourself...

Why are Mexicans crossing the border?

They are crossing the border to work...

But wait - I thought you cannot work without a work visa?

You can't - but thay doesn't stop greedy Americans from hiring Mexican workers.

So it appears that the problem does not stem from Mexico...

the problem stems from right here in the good old US of A and a local government that refuses to enforce existing laws regarding hiring practices in the US...

want to stop illegals from crossing over?

then stop the assholes who hire them for below legal wages...

I do not blame any Mexican - God knows I don't want to pick fruit - wash toilets or pick up construction waste...

I blame the American business man who knowingly hires an illlegal immagrant...

It is he who has instigated this hatred & it is he who seems to be above the law...

But - it appears that capitalism wins again because it is not the business man that is taking the flack - it is the Mexican

This is a classic example of how money creates power...

More Cooker Photos

2010-05-16T20:30:00.003-07:00

More Cooker Photos, originally uploaded by CAMEL007.

More Cooker Photos

2010-05-16T20:30:00.001-07:00

More Cooker Photos, originally uploaded by CAMEL007.

V111509001.3GP

2010-05-15T11:28:00.001-07:00

V111509001.3GP, originally uploaded by CAMEL007.

Working Hard...

2010-04-23T20:41:00.001-07:00

I am so focused on my tattoo stuff - that I am gonna abandon this blog for a bit ...

Feel free to check my tattoo blog as that is where i will focus my attention Shurumi Tattoomi

A little stressed out....

2010-04-12T20:30:00.001-07:00

I horrible skin reaction occured in my forearm tattoo....

It is a little stressful to go from no troubles to home wound care...

It is ok though because I have the knowledge to facilitate my care...

I will now spend some time researching how this occured & how to prevent it from happening again...

:-(

Lilly Heavy Shading

2010-03-09T12:31:00.003-08:00

Lilly Heavy Sading, originally uploaded by CAMEL007.

5 needle mi shader
5 volts @ 3 amps

In preparation for color

Lilly Light shading

2010-03-09T12:31:00.001-08:00

Lilly Light shading, originally uploaded by CAMEL007.

5 needle mi shader
5 volts @ 3 amps

In preparation for coloring

Clockwork Scarab Part1

2010-03-08T10:11:00.001-08:00

Single needle round - 4 volts @ 3 amps

Kabuki Black

Final Foot Armour design

2010-03-07T11:51:00.001-08:00

Final Foot Armour design, originally uploaded by CAMEL007.

I shall complete the left foot & then begin the right

foot armour panel in progress....

2010-02-25T11:14:00.001-08:00

lookin good so far...