This summer, I went to NYC where, in addition to having adventures with Molly and Sam, I also finally got my upper back tattoo finished by the talented Tm Kern, after getting it started back in 2005. Though this was the third time Tim tattooed me, it was the first session we had on his home turf.

Tim’s shop, Tribulation Tattoo, is filled to the roof with art and taxidermy, so Samantha snapped away while patiently waiting the entire three-and-a-half hours the tattoo took to finish. All pictures herein are by her.

Tribulation Tattoo interior

Before. This is two sessions and over ten hours in.

Sam sneaks a shot while Tim works.

Artstuff at Tribulation.

Ta-daaaa! Organic, psychedelic Rococo. Click to embiggen.

Wrapped up.

                          

Next Saturday July 10, my husband Ales and I are paying tribute to one of the greatest novels of the twentieth century, Mikhail Bulgakov’s The Master and Margarita. Along with our very own Begemot the demon-cat [portrayed by Nik Sinn], we’ll be posing at the original branch of Doctor Sketchy’s in New York City, hosted by its notorious madam, Molly Crabapple herself.

Begemot and Azazello by Coilhouse 05 featured artist, Chris Conn Askew

In parallel but separate ways, The Master and Margarita acutely affected mine and Ales’ lives when we each read it for the first time years before we met [Nadya and I even had to fight over who got to write about it on Coilhouse back in the day], and Molly is a huge fan of the book as well, so this is a truly unique and momentous opportunity. Also, I’ll be wearing a bejeweled flesh-tone mesh bodysuit in the end. We hope that all you New Yorkers can join us! The cast of characters below, event info here and after the photos.

MASTER
Ales Kot

MARGARITA
yours truly

BEGEMOT
Nik Sinn [the fetching young man, not the kitty]

This session marks the first at Sketchy’s new home, the Parkside Lounge. Please be sure to note the location change!

Parkside Lounge
317 East Houston St
between Clinton and Attorney Sts
$10 online, $15 at the door.

Tickets are $10 in advance, or $15 at the door, and can be purchased at www.drsketchy.com or at the door. See you there!