some faeries based on bugs (wooly aphid & velvet ant) for jo a few weeks ago— she designed these characters & i had such a fun time bringing them into tattoo format ☺️

some faeries based on bugs (wooly aphid & velvet ant) for jo a few weeks ago— she designed these characters & i had such a fun time bringing them into tattoo format ☺️

real croaking action on this one

anyway if u ever tell me u got tattooed in a shed or a backyard know that i don’t have the strength to get into it at a convention & i respect that you’re not going to be my clientele if my pricing/distance is a problem for you, but i hope u respect urself enough to recognize how unhealthy that is

i love tattooing and it’s an awesome job. but i also hate the burden of knowledge bc i feel like the increased popularity and social acceptance of tattoos means that ppl take advantage of it to tattoo in a wildly unsafe space or manner

finding time between watching frankenstein in theatres 4 times to finish a new illustration (that isn’t based on a tattoo design) for the first time in too long 😩

finding time between watching frankenstein in theatres 4 times to finish a new illustration (that isn’t based on a tattoo design) for the first time in too long 😩

DEATH 🐺☠️

DEATH 🐺☠️

schrödinger’s cat today w/an annihilation vibe!

Gray Fox in the Shoreline ink and digital color

schrödinger’s cat today w/an annihilation vibe!

whale fall leg sleeve i finished earlier this year— still one of my fave projects i’ve done!

whale fall leg sleeve i finished earlier this year— still one of my fave projects i’ve done!

also— frankenstein by @realgdt.bsky.social is incredible & i’m so so so glad showtimes for richmond got added. the acting, cinematography, the symbolism— both follows the book & takes departures in ways to deepen the theming. i’m watching it again tomorrow to catch even more of it…….

had a big halloween party at work ☺️ and then followed it up by a day of cleaning and frankensteining

it was my turn this weekend— got some of my wedding bouquet on my elbow to finish out my patchwork sleeve!! tattoo by connor shiffert @ iron thorn tattoo, not me last monday was my 2 year anniversary to my beautiful wife @triclopsrabbit.bsky.social & it just felt right to commemorate it like this 🫶

it was my turn this weekend— got some of my wedding bouquet on my elbow to finish out my patchwork sleeve!! tattoo by connor shiffert @ iron thorn tattoo, not me last monday was my 2 year anniversary to my beautiful wife @triclopsrabbit.bsky.social & it just felt right to commemorate it like this 🫶

BOOKING FORM: form.jotform.com/252889588864... pre-drawn: www.alekivz.com/available wanna-do stuff: www.alekivz.com/wanna-do

my tattoo books are 🎉 OPEN 🎉 for the rest of the year! - i do half day (2-4 hours) @ $650 and full day (6-8 hours) @ $1200. for pre-drawn stuff and large scale stuff i can work with a budget for individual sessions & projects! - there is a $150 deposit for most projects & $300 for large projects

my tattoo books are 🎉 OPEN 🎉 for the rest of the year! - i do half day (2-4 hours) @ $650 and full day (6-8 hours) @ $1200. for pre-drawn stuff and large scale stuff i can work with a budget for individual sessions & projects! - there is a $150 deposit for most projects & $300 for large projects

also: sorry i’ve been sparse lately. you’re never gonna believe it, as a creative on the internet, but i have adhd and im trying to get medicated for it bc my executive function for things like “running a webstore” and “responding to emails” has hit a wall recently 🫠

trying to rough in some large concept sketches i really wanna do, in hopes that i can start these on my next round of booking… (my books open oct 17 btw, but i have some scattered availability in oct before then)

today: dug up a couple of half dead bushes and a bunch of landscape fabric to replace with local ecotype spicebush, put some old seed heads in the bird feeder for birds… i’m finally home for several consecutive months so i’m trying to set up my garden for success in spring!!!

this seal won an award! a seal of approval 🦭

this seal won an award! a seal of approval 🦭

i started playing silksong but it’s great bc i can’t hyperfocus on it. i play until i get stuck on a part, then start to die to stupid shit bc i get flustered, then i draw for a bit until im better 👍 the only gaming style that doesnt leave me entering some sort of fugue state until 4AM

aadhya for @reinbourne.bsky.social at chattanooga this past weekend— need to do a lil catch up on tats!

i’ve booked up these slots!!! thank you so much 😭 if you’re looking for a piece please check out some of my friends & coworkers: @beachw00f.com @roachparade.bsky.social @carrionbeetle.bsky.social we should have some stuff open for walk ups this weekend!

Im going to be hanging out with the Unkindness team at Literary Ink in Chattanooga Tennessee! ⛓️September 5, 6, & 7⛓️ My books are OPEN Lets make something kooky together!

to speak candidly about the costs of tattooing at cons — at a con i need an assistant to facilitate sales, since i can’t, and that extends to room & board. this means hotel costs are doubled, and food sometimes is too! this puts me at $300-600 for hotel, depending on room shares.

seeking clients for chattanooga, tennessee, NEXT weekend, september 5th & 6th! i’m booking for literary ink kinda last minute since almost all of my appointments cancelled this week 🤙 email me (alekivztattoo [at] gmail [dot] com) with budget, subject & placement 🫶

seeking clients for chattanooga, tennessee, NEXT weekend, september 5th & 6th! i’m booking for literary ink kinda last minute since almost all of my appointments cancelled this week 🤙 email me (alekivztattoo [at] gmail [dot] com) with budget, subject & placement 🫶

i’m here at megaplex at table B3! come grab stuff 🙏 (and pay for it, preferably, please don’t steal)

i’m here at megaplex at table B3! come grab stuff 🙏 (and pay for it, preferably, please don’t steal)

half man, half horse, his mom’s his mom, his dad’s a horse, he’s traumatized by their divorce

half man, half horse, his mom’s his mom, his dad’s a horse, he’s traumatized by their divorce

beetle knee decor— making up fantasy critters is hard for me but i really want to get better at coming up with things that just look cool, yknow

Bluesky... have you heard about FURRY TAT WEEKEND (or #FTW), happening SEPTEMBER 20 + 21 at Unkindness Art in #RVA?! #FTW is a tattoo flash day, fine art gallery, furry makers' market, and afterparty - all in Richmond's Northside, at and around @unkindnessart.bsky.social! DETAILS BELOW 🖤

Genuinely happy that the 7 year long development time was spent working at a leisurely pace, spending time with their families and flexing their creative muscles - with no pressure to expand their company, deliver sooner or read a single reddit post. Smartest people in our entire industry.

fresh vs. healed 🙏

if yall want a tat in tennessee— or if you’re in atlanta and want to leave, my buddy jay is open for literary ink!

fresh vs. healed 🙏

found a guy to help with this one

some shading on this backpiece— i really like doing these bigger pieces but having to wait a year or more for it to be finished? is the worst

🐀🗡️

been filled with childlike joy to watch the number of annual cicadas coming up in our yard. there’s probably a dozen or so each night total??? it’s such a delight to see them…

been filled with childlike joy to watch the number of annual cicadas coming up in our yard. there’s probably a dozen or so each night total??? it’s such a delight to see them…