This Tattoo was done by my Cousin Nate Gray of Nates Tattoo Shop in Toledo Oregon.
In this tattoo, are my deceased Fathers and Uncles. And although they have passed on, and taken the great journey, I wanted something to remember them by, a tribute. My younger cousin "Big Al" Has a similar one, that gave me the idea, however his is on his arm, and does not have my Father in it. This took 5 hours and 40 minutes straight under the tattoo gun to complete all in one sitting. Yes it hurt, Yes that is a sensitive spot. I believe that you must earn your ink though, otherwise it is meaningless. I believe I have 13 different tattoos now, but am in no way that "rebel biker" dude you see in your mind. Each Tattoo means something both on the surface and deeper.
I have my next tattoo planned already, it will be a tribal scene, with Kara's face rising in the smoke of a tipi, and her Tribal name in the clouds. I will also incorporate Kenny and Kristina in the tattoo. I am unsure of the complete background, however I hope to have the smoke from the tipi or from a communal fire with "Elders surrounding" showing the pride of the actions taken, instead of the pain. I have asked my cousin to draw up a sketch for me, a rough idea so I can get it planned out better so I can fly out to Oregon and get the tattoo done. I know, kinda silly flying 2,000 miles for a tattoo, but it means more coming from family. I had never asked an artist to initial their work, however I almost had to beg him to put his initials in this one.From Left to Right shown are: (1) My Birth Father- Kevin Mikel Bressler (passed in 06), shown with a ball cap and a fishing pole.. We loved to fish, and he would always be ready to go. The hook from the pole is actually in (2) My Uncle Maxwell Allen Coopers' hat (his brother who passed in 06) who is holding a beer and "cheer"ing it with (3) My Uncle Frederick Francis Gray (who passed in 05), also holding a beer. (4) My Step Father, Ronald Eugene Hardman (passed in 01), who raised me from 4 years old until 2001. Ron is wearing his Chef's hat and holding onto the fork, showing his love of cooking. He was an award winning chef, as well as a great Dad.
My uncles, as you may guess, loved to share a beer any time of day with anyone they could. They were the most friendly and sociable people, and just loved life. While Alcoholism took 3 of them from us, Cancer took the 4th. This is not intended to be a sob story, but quite opposite, a bragging story of the men who had an impact on my life, and who have passed on from theirs.
In this life, there are many things and choices that we make, that we will never get to have a "do over". I had times with each one of these men that I wish I could take back, be it a disagreement or just discipline. However, it made me, and it made US who we were, and for that I would change nothing.
Thanks again for taking the time to read the ramblings of an idle mind..
