Parade of Punk Rock T-Shirts

Let's talk about tattoos. I LOVE tattoos. I love the whole process of the consultation to getting the work inked on you forever. I even thought about becoming an apprentice and learning the fine art of tattooing, but currently, I don't have the time or energy needed to learn as much as possible. No big deal, I'll design some concepts for friends. It's fun actually.Tattoos are one of those things that if you don't have one, you either A-not into tattoos or B-afraid of needles or what could be painful. When I was 17, I really wanted to get an Alkaline Trio heart tattooed on my forearm. But because KT doesn't like exposed tattoos, I shrugged the idea off for a while. Still in the back of my mind, I really wanted to get tattooed. Jill asked me a few weeks ago "why are you and your brothers so into tattoos...?" Hard to explain at times. My 1/4 was well thought out for a good year. The most important part of getting tattooed is picking the RIGHT guy/girl to do it. I turned to my older brother's wife for anyone she recommended. She sent me a good list of some great artist in and around southeastern WI and Chicago. I really liked John Reiter's work at Solid State in Bay View. His 1/2 sleeve of surreal-inspired clocks sold me that he'd be the guy for my tattoo. The first session felt great. Like a nice massage. It's funny how you think "damn this is gonna hurt" but it really wasn't that bad. It was great having my lil brother and dad along too.

A month later, I went in for my 2nd session, super excited for the finished product. This time Jill came along. First hour, felt great. He was working on the green bushes on the coast part of the skyline. When he started working on the bone, it started to hurt some, and when he added some colour shading on the inside of my arm, that's when some pain was really felt. There was never a moment where I said "I can't do this anymore" because the tattoo meant way too much to me. Getting the Milwaukee skyline with the Chicago skyline in the water reflection (with sunset) turned out amazing. But like most people, it just made me want more.

In time, maybe 4-5 years from now, I'd like to get a Mia-inspired tattoo on my right arm. Not a portrait however. I'm not a fan of portraits. I want something creative and very colourful. So, I'm thinking of getting a shark with various fish and aquatic animals. I've loved sharks for quite a while, and to me, Mia sort of acts like one. She scared the crap out of us when they said her cord was wrapped around her neck, but when all was said in done, she was perfect. Even though I thought about some penguin-inspired tattoos, I think it'd probably be too predictable if it was penguin-related.

Like I said, I've got 4-5 years to think about it. Could the idea change again? Maybe. That's the point of THINKING the tattoo through. I respect those who go and get some ink on a whim, but I'd prefer to think about it real hard. Currently, I'm digging the idea of getting my tattoos family-themed. In the end, they're the most important part of your life. I knew immediately when we had Mia, that I had to get something. Why 4-5 years you say? I want Mia to be able to watch and see me get tattooed for her. She may not get the reason why I'm doing it, but it'll be a special moment. I remember when Jill came for my second session. It meant so much to me that she could see how much I love her. When I get my Mia tattoo, she'll also see just how much I love her.

Fine

It's gonna rain like this for days,
I'm gonna drown in my old ways,
But I'm fine.
I'm fine.

It's gonna hurt like hell
When you pull back the hammer and fire,
But I'm fine
I'm fine.

You see a storm knocked out my super power,
Now I sleep through thundershowers.
Wake me when you learn to be cool.
If I'm the captain of this boat then on my ship may talk fools.
And all the the stars in the world couldn't help me steer my way out of this kiddie pool.

I'm gonna wake up from these dreams
With nightmares lined up on my street,
But I'm fine.
I'm fine.

Needed a hand to keep my head up
So you put hooks in both my ears,
And I'm fine.
I'm fine.

Yeah there's a chronic pain in my ass but know it's not a burden.
It's ironic that I drink to make my insides stop hurting.
And it's love that gives me heartburn,
It's a song that makes my stomach turn,
And I wouldn't trade my hand for all the aces in the deck.

'Cause I'm fine
'Cause I'm fine

Been finding myself relating to this song more and more lately. Earlier in the week, I was feeling downright depressed about my so-called career. Just felt beyond beaten about my job. Here's the scoop on the daily routine at the Mike & Jill Manor. We get up at 6am, I take Remi for a walk when Jill feeds Mia. I come home from my walk/run with Remi, feed him, the guinea pigs and we have breakfast. Jill has a little more Mia-Time before heading off to work till 5ish. I'm home with Mia till 1:30 before my mom comes over to watch and I go to work till 10. As much as I'd LOVE LOVE LOVE to go and apply/interview for another job, there's a few dense roadblocks in my way. The fact that I have Mia during the day time leaves me sort of limited on interviews, Mia and Jill are both covered under my insurance at Kwik Trip so if I was to hypothetically pick up a full-time job, there's that lovely 3-month probation period before getting insurance (if they offer it) I don't know if Kwik Trip would keep me on their insurance or if they'd drop me immediately if I went to part time or quit. AND finally, we don't have money to pay for daycare for Mia, so the current situation (no matter how much it sucks at times) is working. We're saving a boat, if not a yaht-load of money from daycare, from which I am always grateful for my mom for babysitting my little Mia.

I know I look pathetic to most of the younger guys at Kwik Trip, especially because my degree is getting dusty, but I can't be the risk-taking father I wish I was. I have to be the responsible father. I probably should have taken more risks when I was going through jobs. What would be great is if Cascio Interstate Music was hiring and that i worked there on weekends. Being around music and drums would be so great. They rarely hire though. Rats. I know I've posted a few times about this inner struggle with myself about my career and work etc etc, but this week really had my pounding my head against the wall, so to speak. I hate having to rely on Jill to get me out of this rut. She has to be getting tired of telling me "Mike, it's not the job that's important, it's that you are there for Mia, that's what really matters". If that's the case, why did I go to school for 4 years? Why am I paying student loans? I really don't know what the "cure" for my blues. Is it Mia giggling with that goofy smile of hers? Is it a much-needed hug? Is it quietly working on art late in the evening? Or is it the music that I've relied on to get me through some of the roughest days? Only time will tell.

Calling All Skeletons

Well, Mia survived her very FIRST trick-or-treating. I worked a very early 6am-2pm shift at KT. Mind-numbing and busy all day. The whole shift I kept my eyes peeled on the weather like a kid hoping for a sunny day for recess. All I wanted was to be able to walk around the neighborhood with my kid, Jill and my family that stopped over. It was on-and-off raining. Rats. My nephew didn't mind the weather at all. He tore New Berlin a new one looking for candy. We just wanted to take her out as Nemo just to say she went "out" on Halloween. Next year, she'll be running all over the place. Seeing all the kids out made me excited for next year. Watching Mia run up and down the driveways.

Still working hard on my Mia picture. Haven't been the last few days, but plan to put some good hours in it this week. Did a little work today in between her naps. I love my Wednesdays off. Jill especially does because we get to spend the evening together which is pretty rare. Mia couldn't have been happier with us BOTH home. It's pretty amazing to see her just super excited shrieking and laughing. Any bad day can be lifted by hearing her giggle. This weekend, we're heading to Illinois for a day to visit with Jill's parents. Her Dad is due for some serious Mia time since he doesn't get to see her often. Remi will be excited too. He loves loves loves Jill's dad and running all around their house. I feel bad for him that we can't always give him all the attention he'd like. He was our 'first born' and got used to lots of play time with his 3 walk minimum. Today, the rain kept him from going out for a #2. It'll be an early run Thursday morning for sure.

Lets Here It For Love

Hello ghouls and zombies. Halloween is here. Typically, my favourite holiday. Why? Because I always enjoyed the fun of trick or treating around good ol Wales when I was younger. Then as I got older, I took out my lil bro on our skateboards. Got to houses a lot faster and could hit up some of the farther streets. I think last year was the first time Jill and I didn't do anything at all. Used to hit up parties (sometimes my buddy's when we lived in our apartment) This is the VERY first time in...well a LONG time I get to take my own kid out on Halloween. That is, if the weather stays good. I'm working 6am-2pm, then around 4, my family is coming out to visit and take out Mia and her cousin Alex trick or treating. She's not really going to get any candy, but we're gonna walk around the neighborhood. Should be a good time if it doesn't rain. It's amazing how you go from drinking PBR's with your friends to taking out your kid dressed for success.

In other news, I've been diligently working on a picture of Mia. I've been drawing the picture of Mia with my Maple Leafs hat on. I love her eyes and the lighting and shadows. HAD to draw it. So far, it's coming along quite nicely. Can't wait to finish it. I keep putting other art on hold so I can get this done. It's not even for anyone. I'm just happy to be putting forward all my passion in this beautiful picture of the kid who makes me the happiest.

Usually by Friday night I'm ready to explode at work. Hopefully that doesn't happen.

Skips A Beat (Over You)

Hello dudes and dudettes. Art Update-So I've been working here and there on my Milhouse drawing. Nailed the outline and layout of everything. The other night I started dropping some colour into it. Made some rather unpleasant mistakes and currently, am scrapping it for now. I dropped the colour a LITTLE too thick for the picture. Too much all at once. Not happy with it at all. Next attempt (when I get the chance) I'm going much lighter. For now, I'm putting the drawing on the side and plan on working hard on Nick's album (which I've been saying for weeks and weeks and weeks) Thankfully, he's freakin' patient. Has to be for all the different people we've played with over the years.

Oh, do I miss the nights of staying up real late and drawing or painting into the wee hours of the morning drinking bottle after bottle of Guinness and listening to beautiful music. But at the same time, I need to sleep at night. 6 a.m. comes too early, and even though I'm writing this at 11:19pm, I'm still sorta wired from the usual hectic day of work. No big deal. Nothing new. Speaking of art, you ever look outside in the fall and notice how unbelievably gorgeous the trees are lined with amazing bright colours? It's like a piece of art. Hell, it IS art. THAT's why I like Fall, folks. It's beautiful scenery all around. Don't get me wrong. Wisconsin has great scenery most of the year. Winter has it's moments. One time, Jill and I were driving back from her parent's house in Illinois, and she looks at me and says "hey that barn looks amazing can we stop and shoot some pics of it?" So of course we did. Sometimes even in our hectic days of work, we need to stop, and enjoy the scenery. Take it all in and breath.

Keep posted for new art. Hopefully in the near future.

Alert The Audience!

So I stumbled upon a movie coming out in November that I REALLY hope comes to the South Eastern WI area. The Other F-Word is a documentary (directed by Morgan Spurlock who did Supersize Me) about punk rock/rock musicians (and Tony Hawk for some reason) dealing/handling with fatherhood along with playing music. Sounds pretty similar to myself, except these guys are much older and have been playing and touring for many years. I find myself relating to them because even though I haven't played on countless albums and toured the world, I know balancing is pretty tough, but the rewards of fatherhood is beyond amazing. Flea (from the Chili Peppers) tears up in the trailer about how his kids gave him life. Bingo. Sometimes the simple life is preferred for these fine musicians and your family will always be there for you.

Even though I miss playing music so so much, I still can't believe I'm a father. Mia's even giving hugs now. Seriously!! Ask my Mom or Jill. Hugs them too. Today she was looking out the window, turns around and gives me a hug, then turns around to check outside again. She knows what makes her happy and it's having two loving parents in her life. I hope she can see me perform some day. It'd be so fun to ask her "so how did Daddy perform?" Even when I'd play in some packed places (rare) I'd be way more interested in what Jill thought. She's more blunt and honest. Thankfully, she rarely could tell if I missed something for some reason. :P

Working more and more on my Milhouse drawing. Hopefully finish it in the next few days or at least before Monday.

Annihilation Eyes

Beautiful day out. The kind of weather that helps you forget all the problems you have. Well, at least that's what I'm thinking for the time being. Anyways, recently my friend Micaela and I were discussing our favourite art mediums we use. Here's my thoughts on the different traditional mediums I've used.

I typically use pencil/graphite the most because it's the most comfortable for the subject or object I'm drawing. I tend to do mostly portraits, tattoos, some nature work in pencil.

Water colour used to be my number one enemy going through HS and college. It's real tough, with having to let go of some some of the control when painting. But luckily the last few things I've done, I've had great success including that tree picture I posted a while back and the Hawaii one I did. So it's a medium I've enjoyed exploring over the years.

Oil painting surprisingly, I really enjoy doing. It's a pain in the ass for a lot of people, including myself, but I LOVE the finished product in the end. I've got a few good pieces, but I know I can do something epic. I've got a sad unfinished piece sitting in my studio/2nd bedroom. Every time I look at it, I think "ahh some day I'll complete you". I first worked on it last winter in the wee hours of the night/morning. Just layers and layers and I hope to work on it again.

Charcoal I've used a handful of times. Like water colour, you have to sorta let go of some control, or at least try. You have to let the charcoal dance across the page in smooth strokes and hope to execute the vision. I've got two portraits I did of Remi hanging in my living room. One I really like, the other one 'eh'. The 2nd one I did with some graphite for a little detail. I really like charcoal and hope to do some more work with it in the future.

Pen/ink/marker I could probably play with more. During my 28 days of Art series, I did a portrait of Van Gogh in some markers and ink that turned out pretty rad. It's sorta tough, because unlike pencil, you're laying down permanent strokes on the page, so you have to make it count. Unless you're doing something less detailed and more abstract. I enjoy it, and probably should do more of it.

Colour pencil like graphite, I do sorta more often then the other ones. Jill REALLY likes my attention to detail and colours when I work with colour pencil. I treat colour pencil like I'm painting. I use lots of layering techniques to get sort of a brush stroke feel.

Acrylic I've used quite a bit, but I'm not the biggest fan of. At least at the moment. I think the paint dries to fast for my liking. I like going back and working and mixing in some of the colours and it just doesn't work for me half the time. I'll get better at it more and more I hope.