8 Amazing/ Embarrassing SF Inspired Tattoos

hero

Do you wear your heart on your sleeve when it comes to San Francisco? You can do better than that. These folks have a love and pride for the city so strong it inspired them to ink a lifelong expression on their bodies.

Space_1_1

Elly_jonez_1_1

Tbi_inked_nameelly_1

Artists: Cecilia AltaMirano, Sam McWilliams 

Shop: Warlock Tattoo, Tuesday Tattoo 

Growing up with a military dad, Elly was uprooted a bunch as a kid, moving around from city to city. Once she landed in San Francisco, Sutro Tower was almost always visible. It became a reminder of the home she found here. 

Elly_jonez_2Space_1_1

Stuart_sch_1

Stuart_sch_2

Tbi_inked_name1Artist: Joey Armstrong 

Shop: Seventh Son 

Stuart travels a lot. He tattooed the Golden State of California with a heart over San Francisco on his inner left arm so the city would always be close to his heart

Space_1_1

Julie_chan_1

Tbi_inked_namejulieArtist: Gordon Combs 

Shop: Braindrops, Seventh Son 

Julie was born and raised in San Francisco, and was homeless for several years during her teens. She would ride and sleep in Muni buses as a haven from the cold streets, and the drivers would let her stay and sometimes even give her food. Muni became a temporary home for her, so she gives back her love with her tattoo.

Julie_chun_2

Space_1_1

Connor_w_2

Connor_w

Tbi_inked_name5Artist: Tony Vau 

Shop: Championship Tattoo (Redding, CA) 

Connor was born and raised in east Texas. His tattoo represents starting his life over when he moved to San Francisco four years ago. 

Space_1_1

Christ_esp_2

Tbi_inked_name6Artist: Shannon Archuleta 

Shop: Braindrops

Christina’s tattoo represents her newfound independence since she moved to San Francisco six years ago. The state bird and flower also show her love for California. 

Chrsit_esp_1

Space_1_1

Space_2_2

Jeff_hunt_1_1

Tbi_inked_jeffhuntArtist: Carl Hallowell 

Shop: Immaculate Tattoo (Mesa, AZ)

Jeff grew up in Texas but has lived in San Francisco for 12 years. He got his tattoo to pay tribute to his adopted home. As the cofounder of Munidiaries.com, Jeff should get a Muni tattoo stat.

Space_1_1

Chris_l_2

Tbi_inked_name7Artist: Joey Armstrong 

Shop: Seventh Son

A native San Franciscan, Chris has many memories connected to the landmarks on his arm. He grew up in a Victorian house (the original start of the tattoo) and has spent a lot of time at Candlestick Park. 

Chris_l_1_1

Space_1_1

Matt_mc

Matt_mc_2

Tbi_inked_name2Artists: Reno, Dave Bobrick, Spider

Shop: 415 Tattoo, One Shot Tattoo

Matt is a native San Franciscan and wanted to show his love and pride for the city. 

Space_1_1

.........................................................................................................................................................................................

This story originally ran in Volume 4 of The Bold Italic magazine – Obsessions – which is available for purchase in our Shop.

Credits

Published on September 20, 2012, 2012

Share This

Share this