108 sleeves

How is everyone doing out there?

I hope anyone reading this is doing ok and finding time to be healthy and safe during this crazy period.

This weekend I took up a fun little social media challenge from my friend @tomastomas108 – the  #108sleevesinternetchallenge
I decided to post them on here also as it is quite a broad spectrum of my work, from my first ever sleeve on @jorgeteran into a selection of sleeves in somewhat chronological order, ending with one I finished a few weeks before the lockdown started. This represents approximately 17 years of tattooing.
I strongly recommend checking out @tomastomas108 work if you haven’t seen it before, totally mind blowing and his contribution to the art of tattoo is phenomenal. Thank you, to all the amazing clients through the years, can’t wait to get back to work. I’d also like to say sorry to those I didn’t include in this with sleeves from me, I don’t have all my photos anymore.

Stay safe and healthy out there.

Thank you for looking – Thomas.

Disengagement via Shaping Light

A rose from my garden, Hasselblad 500cm Ilford sfx 200 Thomas Hooper Tattooing

A rose from my garden, Hasselblad 500cm Ilford sfx 200.

The beginning of this year has been one of creativity introspection, I made a rash decision on the 1st of January to not post any tattoos on my main Instagram ( I may have started a new one that’s private for now as I attempt to do one abstract painting a day for the whole year…… more on that later) and try my best to disengage from any interaction on the platform for a while, instead turning that time into drawing and reading.

Creativity is the Key to surviving 2020!

The Secret Life of a Rock, Hasselblad 500cm Ilford sfx 200 Thomas Hooper 2020

The Secret Life of a Rock, Hasselblad 500cm Ilford sfx 200.

My good friend David Hines recommended this book towards the end of last year and it is providing a wonderful insight into the way I look at pictures, wether it is something I am photographing or a drawing/painting I am creating.

I now find myself wanting to capture more of my tattooing on film, below are some images from the last few months, thank you for reading through and taking a look at the photographs.

A portrait of Carl Brunson, an inspiring and talented painter I am very fortunate to tattoo.

Carl Brunson Koni Omega Rapid M Fuji POrtra 800-1

Carl Brunson Koni Omega Rapid M Fuji POrtra 800-1

A visit from an old friend and client.

Emmanuel Hasselblad 500cm January 2020

Emmanuel, tattooed at Saved Brooklyn 2009-2012. Hassleblad 500cm on Fuji Portra 800 pushes one stop.

Stepped back into the ring with an old friend.

Kyle Hasselblad 500cm january 2019 sfx 200 Thomas hooper

Progress on Kyle’s back. Hassleblad 500cm on Ilford sfx 200

Getting close to the finish line with a wonderful client.

hasselblad tattoo pics dec 19 Thomas Hooper

hasselblad tattoo pics dec 19 Thomas Hooper

Hasselblad 500cm with Fuji Portra pushed 1 stop.

Joel Miller has been a client since 2005 and I’m honored we get to continue this journey here in ATX as he now lives local!

Joel 35mm in 120mm tattoo pics dec 2019 Thomas Hooper

Joel 35mm with 120mm spool adapters in Hasselblad Super Wide C on Ilford Delta 400 pushed 2 stops, shot full Negative to cover sprockets holes.

Joel 35mm in 120mm tattoo pics dec 2019 Thomas Hooper

Joel 35mm with 120mm spool adapters in Hasselblad Super Wide C on Ilford Delta 400 pushed 2 stops, shot full Negative to cover sprockets holes.

A recurring favorite Michael waters with the start of his legs.

Michael Waters Hasselblad super wide c Thomas Hooper

Starting Michael Waters legs, Hasselblad Super Wide C on Ilford 3200.

Michael Waters Hasselblad Super Wide C Thomas Hooper

Michae’s healed back, Hasselblad Super Wide C on Ilford 3200.

Daniel 4 x 5 large format photo Thomas Hooper Tattooing

Daniel, the day after we finished his back.

 

Justin Timid Steps Thomas Hooper Tattooing

Justin, Crown Graphic 4×5 Ilford 100 Delta.

 

And as a little foot note, today my good friend Dennis Mcnett AKA @Wolfbat dropped by the studio today and gifted me this set of woodblock printing tools and materials as he will be teaching me some of his amazing craft, more info on that as it progresses!

IMG_9173

Thank you Dennis and thank YOU for taking the time to look at my work.

X Thomas.

Twenty Years

First off, a little late but, happy new year and welcome to the new decade, blessings to all and I hope that we all continue to grow and fulfill our ability to be the best humans we can.

Today marks Twenty Years of tattooing for me, exactly to this day I tattooed myself for the first time at Good Karma tattooing in Eastbourne UK under the guidance of my mentor and friend Jim Macairt.

I have kept the original sketch, stencil and mildly blood soaked bandage in this frame since that year two decades ago.

I am eternally grateful for the opportunities that tattooing has affording me and will continue to commit myself to being the best tattooist and person I can be.

Thank you to everyone who has helped me on my journey.

Yesterday I coincidentally received this care package from Jim –

Some raw castings and components from Jim’s tattoo machines he builds and a Om Mani crew neck sweatshirt from Jim’s Merch he makes under Zen not Zen.

https://zennotzen.bigcartel.com

With gratitude, Thomas.

The Honor of Commitment

@michaelwaters_atx started his lower legs today so I got some photos of his healed back and thighs, very proud of this one and humbled by Michaels commitment and trust he’s given me with his back. If you are looking to get work by me I am currently giving preference to customers looking for large work, full backs and fronts. I know this is a huge commitment in time and money and I truly appreciate the kind of undertaking that this is, thank you everyone that enquires about getting tattooed I wish I could accommodate everyone.

Waters - Healed as fuck -2Waters - Healed as fuck -5Waters - Healed as fuck -6Waters - Healed as fuck -7Waters - Healed as fuck -8Waters - Healed as fuck -9Waters - Healed as fuck -11Waters - Healed as fuck -12Waters - Healed as fuck -13Waters - Healed as fuck -14Waters - Healed as fuck -15Waters - Healed as fuck -16Waters - Healed as fuck -17Waters - Healed as fuck -1