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I have to admit, this project was inspired by Roger's beautiful Hand Mirrors. But I had always wanted to make one and I thought it would be the perfect gift for my Tattoo Artist. Next week he will be expanding on a tattoo he gave me earlier this year. My tattoo will be a complete half-back (right side) when he is done. What you see in that third picture represents about ten hours of work. I am probably about about half way done.

He is an amazing artist, as you can see, specializing in traditional Japanese tattoo art. He doesn't advertise, has a tiny sign which barely catches your eye from the street, and yet he is in so much demand that I was on a waiting list for more than a year before I could get an appointment. His shop is not like most tattoo parlors, it looks and feels more like an art gallery. Framed artwork by the artists lines the walls.

When he last worked on my tattoo I noticed that he had a very small, cheap, plastic hand mirror (along with a full floor to ceiling wall mirror). Not only was it difficult to see my back in the small hand mirror, but I thought he needed something with a little more character for his shop.

It is made from bird's eye maple and purple heart laminated together. The maple has a subtle difference between the sapwood and heartwood. It was cut to shape on a band saw and scroll saw, as well as a lot of "whittling" with a knife and sanding on the edges. It is fairly large, about 16 1/2" long with an 8" round mirror. I spent a lot of time on the 6" belt sander shaping the profile. If you look at if from the side you would notice a gentle slope down to about 1/4" thick near the top and sides behind the mirror. This cut down considerably on weight and gave it a much better balance.

The edges/sides are airbrushed with red transparent paint. Finished with boiled linseed oil and three coats of General Finish oil & Polyurethane.

By the way, yes, it hurt.

Gallery

Comments

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Nice work and thoughtful, he will be impressed and appreciative I'm sure.
 

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557 Posts
A piece like this ought to cut down on your waiting time for the next appointment. Great stuff as always Blake
 

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That's a pretty cool-looking mirror, Blake. Nice ink, too. I can see why this guy has a year-long waiting list.
 

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A gift befitting such a talented artist! Nice work, Blake.
 

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Nice work (by you and your tattoo guy). That is a very thoughtful gift. I am sure he will use it/display it with pride.
 

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wow ! very sweet. you definately go to the front of the line with this . great work blake
 

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Very nice!! Great job on the finish I would have never thought of mixing a little paint in like that.
 

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Quote: He is an amazing artist, as you can see
Guess what, Blake. You are too.
 

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nice work Blake. Exotic mirror, both design and material,
 

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Looks Good! I've always liked Rogers designs.
 

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A great piece of work, Blake. I really like it. I hope your wife likes the tattoo since she can see it and you can't. LOL It's very artistic as well.
 

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The mirror was a wonderful idea Blake…Great job!
 

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Wow, thank you all for the nice comments. This was a fun one to make. Different than anything I had ever done before.

Thos.: my wife got one from the same artist at the same time I got mine (floral, color, on her foot/ankle/lower leg). She says she likes mine better but hers is just as well done.

I will post a picture of the finished product when he finishes it.
 

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Beautiful mirror Blake - I think it is very artistic and great finish. As for the tattoo I got one in 1964, not nearly that big, and realized that it hurt. Have not had a desire to do that again :)).
 

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yah, "ouch".
the mirror is very beautiful .. and I can imagine a few tears of joy being choked back over receiving this!!
 

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Lookin' good bro!
 

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Cool, really like the red on the edges.
 

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cool mirror, I am a fan of Roger's work also. Is this a gift, or a trade?
 

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Blake, you always do such beautiful and unusual work!
 
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