Mandy Garcia

So I just realized how much I’ve neglected my poor little bloggy.  I am currently in Japan after getting invited for some shoots.  I feel real bad that I didn’t get back to everyone.  It was REALLY last minute and on the whim, and I had to take up the opportunity.  I will be working on a few projects, which includes a tattoo/streetwear book that the ever so amazing Maki will be releasing ASAP and shoots for some mags.

I guess you can say this trip is to do some serious soul searching.  I’ve never traveled internationally alone, but in doing so, I feel actually proud of myself.  The language barrier in Japan is extremely huge, especially in less populated/old school places.  I pretend to be Japanese (what? I really am, schoshy lil bit) when approached by annoying drunk foreigners, and pretend like I can’t understand them, tell them “No English, can not understand, sorry”… TOTALLY works.  Does that make me a bad person?  People try to walk out of the way for me, probably thinking that I’m some sort of freak, or owned by the Yakuza.  Japan feels so safe, it’s ridiculous.  It’s like Maki said, “It’s so hard to get in trouble here, especially compared to the craziness at in Hawaii.”  I’ll post pics.  Then off to Australia to bother Mike E and Jenny of Unique Tattoos, Perth, where we all are planning to go to Bali, then hopefully fly over to bother Steve Ma Ching in New Zealand and challenge him to a duo for all the cool things he possesses… I shall win sir… or at least pretend.

Thanks everyone.  That’s what’s been up with me.

<3

Thanks to everyone one for being so patient.  And for the well wishes as well!  I’m trying to catch up with any prior clients who I had to misfortunately cancel/didn’t have contact with while I was hospitalized and on a break.  I’ve tried calling/emailing… but, if I haven’t gotten to you (sorry!) yet, then please email me so I can either reschedule you ASAP or arrange to return you deposits!  I’m sorry again!   Thank you all.

…mandygarciatattoo@yahoo.com

These pieces were apart of our Soul Signature family/The Manifest  (and the famous Honozoolu, gracing us with his awesome photos for the show).  I know it was months ago, but, at some point, it was tattooing vs. drawing/painting.  Got so see more of the “regulars” if you know what I mean… I spy with my little eye… Kids bar hoping and getting completely mauled and drrrrruuuuuuuuunked.  Oh Chinatown!  So much entertainment!

Here we go… Pics of the party people will be on here soon ;)…

SORRY EVERYONE!  I’m out of the hospital, and indefinitely, may or may not be back in the shop this upcoming Monday.  I apologize to everyone, and I’m so grateful that everyone has been so patient!  I will report back ASAP to let everyone know what’s up with me for the next week… Stay tuned my friends.  I will try and get in touch with all of you that had an unsuspected cancel.

And thanks again!

<3,

Mandy

Hi guys, this is Amanda’s friend.. I am writing on her behalf, because she has been hospitalized for thr past week and we are not sure how long more she will remain hospitalized. She apologizes for not being able to contact each of her scheduled clients, as she was rushed to the E.R and couldnt bring her phone or schedule. She dose not have access to the phone or internet, but she will contact everyone A.S.A.P. Again she apologizes for all the trouble and dissappontment, She will contact evryone when she gets out. She says sorry again and again…….

In case you didn’t know… I love broken people… haha, even obsessed, if you will. I don’t know how, or who, would be willing to do some morbid stuff.  So for now, I’ll just keep my fucked up ideals in my paintings  And as far as the people in this post, they are AMAZING.  I appreciate people that can embrace pain, wield it and produce.  That’s how I hope to be.  Sorry if it’s mega weird, this is all of my personality as well…

And if for any reason Marilyn or Johnathan Davis reads this, I hope you guys will take me on tour with you guys, haha, and tattoo you!

Cheeee….

*Some stuff is pretty graphic, you’ve been warned*

FYI… Kaiser Hospital = NO DEALS.  I apologize to everyone that I had to reschedule due to a stint at the hospital.  I had recently been put on a new medication that had some kind of crazy synergistic reaction to an existing medication and totally fucked my shit up.  Felt like DEATH.  So I have a whole week to make up as far as appointments go, so I am SO sorry.  I hate, hate, hate rescheduling people… it’s gay and I know it throws off everyone’s calendars, especially those who have been waiting for awhile to get tattooed.  My greatest, grandest apologies.  I will try my best to accommodate your schedules, although I ask that you all kindly be patient, as the remainder of this month is jam packed.  I suck, I know.  I wish I had super immunity powers and the power to toy with time.  As I always bitch about… I would kill for there to be more hours in a day.  And the lack of the need for sleep would be wonderful as well.

As for catching up… a few projects I’ve been working on and having a total blast.  Definitely a gajillion times awesome-er than staying in a damned hospital.  Fuck.  Good riddance.

Order top to bottom:

Shawna’s geisha: the geisha itself is a replica of her grandmother’s doll from the 1920’s.  It was cool doing a geisha that was from something, ya know?  I tried to get it as close to the doll pictures she brought in for me.  We worked really closely to get the details right.  Hopefully one day someone will bring in an actually picture of an actually person that was a geisha, like a relative or something.

Bella’s geisha.  This one was a little tricky.  Bella wanted a geisha to coverup and eleven year old tiger that she had on the top of her shoulder blade.  Since it was a little higher and central than most arm tattoos, it presented a little more of a challenge when she wanted it hidden in the hair.  I usually like the geisha’s face to be central, but I think we got it right.

Mahina’s “Fault lines should be worn with pride.”  A dear friend of mine, also the love of one of my besty friends, Tobysan!  Her first tattoo.  I love the placement, which, by the way, was all her own idea.  NO COPY, AH!  I ADORE this saying… we all have our fault lines, right?  But I don’t see any in Mahina, this girl is AMAZING.   Toby is such a lucky guy… SO DONT FUCK IT UP TOBY!  Haha.  I’m bummed I got put in the hospital and didn’t get to do my Tobysan’s tattoo… Love ya guys!  See you in Cali hopefully.

And my Meli… She need no introduction…. She’ll be my work in progress forever… well, at least till she runs out of space, haha.  She’s to be continued… soon… very soon <3

And Miss Larraine.  I’m pretty surprised how quick this one got done.  Two sessions, full color.  STAINED GLASS TATTOOS ROCK!  I really enjoyed doing this one.  I told her I’m getting the exact same one so we can be twins.  Haha.  I hope she does a whole stained glass arm or something cause this one was so ridiculously fun to do.  And I really like catching up with all my Wahiawa-ans… her, Char and Lorraine!

Love you all… Thanks for being supportive!

<3, Mandy

…I didn’t wake up today.  For no particular reason.

As May comes to a close, and June fast approaches, I realize just how busy I’ve been.  I remember fearing May to come because I wasn’t prepared to turn twenty four.  Then, in a blink of an eye, it’s done.  Things have been really crazy, but I’m thankful that I can wake up everyday and do something new, and not totally hate my life because I live to work at some shitty dead end job.  Here’s some recent projects…

***Rathtana I hope I spelled your name right, finally!  Hehe.  I know you’ll kill me if I do it wrong yet again!  Sorry!  Inside joke guys.

Lori had contacted me waaaaaaaay back in September.  She had told me she was coming to Oahu in May and wanted to set something up.  At first, I was like, “Maybe she’ll lose interest in the upcoming months.”  Months and months went by and Lori still kept in touch, making sure I’d be able to tattoo her in May.  Meeting Lori in the flesh was crazy, cause in my head, for so long, I wondered who she was, what she looked like.  She hugged me, told me, “You’re my little celebrity!  I want that shirt with you on it and that magazine!”  It was a nice surprise, although, I have to admit, it caught me off guard cause I’m no celebrity!  Haha, we chit chatted, almost as though we were catching up in the months that preceded this actual appointment.  It was awesome, cause it made me reminisce about all the good times I had in Oregon, especially the ever-so-awesome PORTLAND!!!  Maybe one day I’ll make the trip out there again.  How I do miss it so.  Lori brought a group of people as well to get tattooed by the shop, including her son who had gotten a traditional tatau from Aisea, and a daughter-in-law and friends who had gotten tattooed by Lopeti.  They were a hilarious bunch… And I also had the pleasure of doing her co-worker’s first tattoo.  Val handled like a champ.  Although I don’t have a clear picture of her second tattoo.  Anywho… thanks to my Oregonians and you guys that made the switch to being Washingtonians!  A very, very special thanks to Mrs.Wiley.  It was a pleasure doing a memorial tattoo for you, and I am honored that you chose me to do it.

Sorry guys, the pics were really blurry.  Tried to get them as vivid as I could  Damn out of date camera!