You are always in my thoughts & prayers. You are a true
inspiration...a beautiful heart of gold...and a soul full of spirit
=] Thank you for being you & for being a friend to so many...Much
love to you...
~ Jen xoxo
Dude...
your
tattoos are amazing, and keep up the good work. i know too many
people my age (20's) who are finding out that they have
HIV because they didn't use a condom... Thank you for doing what
your doing.
"If
there were
such a thing
as a force
of destiny
in our lives,
I would
say that
Bob
Bowers
was born
for this
role; no
one has
carried
this difficult
mantle with
more dignity,
conviction,
purpose,
and
compassion."
~Madeleine
Schwab
Cross Roads
High School
Santa Monica,
California
The chest plates tattoos are nearing completion! Just some touch up work on the
Kanji and they will be complete!
Photo of Da
Pirate's Phoenix tattoo full back piece
I have been
living with HIV/AIDS for
25 years. I was infected from
sharing a syringe to inject crystal meth and was launched into a reality
I never would have dreamed of. In 1984
I was told I had cancer or 'this thing
called AIDS' and to prepare for the
worst.
I am serious about prevention, education,
reducing stigma, raising awareness and
funds in the fight against AIDS in the
United States and beyond. I speak passionately
about the disregard we too often have
for our most marginalized youth and
adults and the dire need to address
issues such as racism, homophobia, addiction
and poverty.
It is imperative that we quit ignoring
the pink elephant and fight for a more
united, empowered and enlightened society
regardless of
AIDS.
Near the end of my 11 year marriage,
and the loss of my best man, I committed
my time and energy to making a lasting
impact in this fight and sharing my
life story through my words as well
as a
feature
length documentary, The
Fire Within.
In doing so, I also honor the memories
and courage of my dozens of friends
from all walks of life who were taken
from us far too early. It is to you
my friends who have passed, and to the
courageous souls surviving and thriving
with this disease, that I will never
ever surrender in this fight!
I bow to you as well as my countless
friends and to my family for your unconditional
love and support throughout these many
years! It was surreal beyond all comprehension
to have celebrated my 44th birthday
this year! Compassion is our cure!
Exploding tribal skull tattoo and tribal arm design. The skull was a cover-up of my first tattoo of
an eagle with a snake in it's talons. YES, it was small.
Angel wings tattoo and
banner in Memory of my Mom who passed from Cancer at 35
years young. The design was by Frankie Fumano from
Oregon. The nautical star tattoos and hot rod flames
tats were added years later.
The Egyptian Ankh
tattoo symbolizing eternal life, was done by Frankie
Fumano.
THANKS t' my AMAZING Artist,
Smooth!
Da Pirate's phoenix tattoo-back piece and full sleeves
tattoos-The neck pieces are next on the tattoo to do
list!
The Phoenix tattoo in full glow!
Da Phoenix tattoo, chest plates and full sleeves tattoos, helped me win 1st place for men's large extensive
color
Bob,
It's so wonderful to "meet" you! And I must say...your artwork is
strikingly beautiful! I'm a huge admirer of body art...but have to
be conservative, myself, due to my career.
I applaud your courage and your compassion. To get up in front of
people and speak of your own journey with HIV/AIDS takes both! You
obviously have a beautiful soul full of love and concern for the
rest of us...because you care enough about us to put yourself under
that microscope... Thank you for trying so hard to keep us all safe.
Thank you for the beauty that is you.
~Gina
Da Pirate's chest plates tattoos before the wind bars were completed and
the kanji was colored again. The red ribbon was for my 25th year of kickin HIV ass! The red rose was in honor of my Dad who passed away
recently. I can't begin to thank Smooth enough!
Da Pirate's chest plates tattoos after the wind bars were completed
and the kanji was colored again.
The red ribbon stomach tattoo is far and away one of my most meaningful tattoos!
The kanji on
my left chest plate means, "Soul." The right chest plate kanji
means, "Spirit."
