Welcome and thanks for visiting
Da
Pirate's tattoos photos page! CARPE DIEM!
Da Pirate's full sleeves tattoos
- - CARPE DIEM!
Show me a man with a tattoo and I'll show you a
man with an interesting past.
~Jack London - 1883
ABC-Channel 27 news video by Mitch Weber. Da
Pirate getting tattooed at Smooth Fx in Sauk City, WI
Pirate girl says,
safety first when getting your tattoo!
Bob,
My next piece i want done is "Carpe Diem" on my back with my
dragon's........ I have to say I have never been so moved by another
person's spirit as I have been with you. You are such a truly
amazing and blessed "Angel PIRATE" and so I really want to get Carpe
Diem .......... Have an amazing weekend
~Lisa
Lisa's Carpe Diem tattoo
Thank YOU
Pirate! ;)
People like you make the world a better place! Keep up the good work,
it's totally amazing!
Lots and lots of love! <3
~Sweden Ink
Photo of Da Pirate's chest plate tattoos, red ribbon
stomach tattoo,
Carpe Diem tat, wind bars on the
chest and arms and full sleeve
tattoos.
The kanji on
my left chest plate means, "Soul."
The right chest plate kanji
means, "Spirit."
It's
always good
to have
fellow
tattoo
enthusiasts
as friends!
I will
definitely
check out
your
organization.
I read your
profile, and
what you are
doing is
great And I
commend you
for being
such a
strong
person!
Take care!!!
x♥x
Danielle
It's an Honor to call you friend too, Bob! For sure! Wow, 27 years! That's awesome and amazing, I'm sorry this year has been so hard. I'm so glad to hear that you will never lose your fighting spirit, I know how hard it can be. I hope that things improve soon and that you start feelin better. I'm Glad to have a friend with your strength and courage, and know that I'm cheerin you on, always. You're not in this fight alone. Your voice and presence does make a Big difference. You inspire me to appreciate Life while I'm here and not to give in to self-destruction like so many other rock n rollers. Thank you. God Bless you Bob! Keep me posted.
I don't know what it is to
live with HIV, but I admire your fight, not only for yourself,
but for others in need of captain on their ship. You are right never
surrender, that goes for whatever we commit ourselves to in our
lives.
~ Diana ~
The phoenix
tattoo, chest plates and full sleeves tattoos take top honor!!
Last November I entered my first tattoo show at Sauk Prairie Harley
Davidson. The show was sponsored by my Smooth Fx and without bias,
I'm honored to say I won first place for men's large extensive
color! A befitting honor for my good friend and amazing tattoo
artist.
Da Pirate's
full sleeves tattoos...Got ink?!
Tattoos-word
history:
Although the practice of tattooing the body is very
old, the English word
tattoo is relatively new. The explorer
Captain
James Cook (who also gave us the word taboo) introduced the word to
English speakers in his account of a voyage around the world from
1768 to 1771. Like taboo,
tattoo comes from Polynesian languages
such as Tahitian and Samoan. The earliest use of the verb tattoo in
English is found in an entry for 1769 in Cook's diary. Sailors
introduced the custom into Europe from the Pacific societies in
which it was practiced, and it has remained associated with
sailors,
although many
landlubbers now get
tattoos as well.
Hot rod flames on both sleeves represent the fire within me, that
burning desire to live!
Spider web tattoos on
my elbows represent my time served living with AIDS. A
life sentence indeed, but not a death sentence!
Phoenix tattoo back
piece with flames was to mark my 24th year of kicking HIV ass.
Rising up from the ashes to face the challenges before
me!
(chest plate/piece tattoo)
CARPE DIEM! The chest
plate tattoos are nearing completion! Just some touch up work on the
Kanji color and they will be complete!
I
had always been warned that the stomach was a sensitive area to be
tattooed. Hearing stories of "grown men crying, not finishing their
letters, etc." was a bit intimidating but a challenge I welcomed!
Considering I'm fully sleeved, to my armpits no less, and the
majority of my back and chest are covered in ink, I truly didn't
think that I would actually experience pain in the true sense of the
word. It was indeed a tough sit to say the very least! However,
considering the red ribbon tattoo and "Never Forget" are to mark a QUARTER
CENTURY of my living with HIV/AIDS, and to honor my many friends,
and all that have passed from this disease, it was worth every ounce
of pain and discomfort! Smooth did an incredible job per usual in
helping to design and bring the tattoo to life! I have to thank Sean
and Danielle for their input and moral support! The comic relief was
greatly appreciated too! The red ribbon tattoo on my stomach will
serve as my reminder to fight on in honor of many and to
NEVER EVER FORGET!
Stomach
tattoo of red ribbon and black letters saying "Never forget"
May 14, 2008
Stomach tattoo outline is done
Thumbs up on the black letters
Holy F#CK...Bring on da color
Pirate,
You are a big inspiration to me and when I think of my life I pray
that I can make a difference as you have in this world. Somebody ask
me a few days ago if I could met anyone in the world who would it be
and I said Bob Bowers.
The girl ask who you was and I said you was my inspiration and hero.
Sending my love to you always, Brenda
The carpe diem
tattoo and full sleeves tattoos- seize the day!!!
To
honor my 24th year of
LIVING
with HIV/AIDS, I added the "Carpe Diem"
tattoo on my traps. 2007 was a
remarkable year to say the very least! My speaking took me from Key
West, Florida to Oregon. Our
HIV/AIDS poster awareness
campaign was launched and featured in POZ magazine, we launched our OTP and
HIVictorious®
clothing, my tattoo sleeves were completed, just to name a few of
the highlights of the year. Seize the day pretty well
describes the theme of 2007! Thank you to my friends, family,
Smooth Fx, colleagues, and everyone who has so graciously supported our
non-profit, HIVictorious, Inc. FIGHT ON & NEVER F#CKING SURRENDER!!!
April 30, 2008
T'was good t' be back in the tattoo chair!
Smooth working his magic bringing Carpe Diem t' life
Carpe Diem
tattoo is done!
Seize the day!
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 o 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.
Hey There!! I am in complete awe over
you and your story...I took some time and went on your site
www.hivictorious.org and
was completely blown away...the tears are welling up in my eyes as I am sending
you this....I am so overcome with emotion from the video I saw I couldn't
breathe I had to go outside to get air and compose myself...you have truly
changed me regarding this disease that we fight everyday...I am so honored to
know you and stand with you in the fight for HIV/AIDS...may God bless you and
keep you in perfect peace...I will never be the same...your wife is an
inspiration as well...you are very blessed to have such a wonderful person
beside you...I am in complete awe...I just cannot help how I feel from your
story...it is a great honor to have you as my friend!!!........Always, Mimi
Wearing my heart on my
sleeve...The full sleeves-Color and black tattoos after many years of collecting ink!
THE
SLEEVES IN PROGRESS!
After
17 years of collecting tats that
represent 'mile markers' for my
survival, some that represent my
personality, and a few ' just
for the hell of it,' the tie in
to my sleeve work continues
moving forward with great
precision and expertise from
Smooth of Smooth Fx Tattoos in
Sauk City, Wisconsin. I'm
grateful to everyone who
has graced my body with their
artistry! I have been tattooed
in Wisconsin, Los Angeles,
Portland Oregon, Atlantic City,
New Jersey, Sturgis, South
Dakota and San Diego,
California. Stay tuned for
more...I think I'm hooked. CARPE F#CKING DIEM!!!
October 11, 2007 I'm thrilled t' say that da left
sleeve
is COMPLETE!!! After a 5 hour sit with the
MASTER of ink, I have a full sleeve of
amazing and vibrant ink! We added a few more
leaves on the Red Rose and the green is
awesome against the black wind bars. To my
surprise, it was painless as the needles
filled in next to my armpit! I think that
also speaks mounds to the smooth precision
and steady hand of Smooth. My Guardian Wench
on my right arm also got a kick ass
makeover. She is now anatomically enhanced in a
vibrant purple!
June 8, 2007 Another 4 hour sit and Smooth
finished the color on the flame and
nautical
star (left upper arm) that was his original
design. He also colored some older flames
and my 'heart on my sleeve' that I've had
for some years. He added some new black
tribal to my right arm as well. April 12, 2007
Back in da chair again! 5 more hours of ink
was acquired recently. Per usual, I let
Smooth know my vision and his skill and
artistry translated into a wicked left upper
arm tie-in for da sleeve. With great skill
and flawless precision, Smooth added black
wind bars, a new flame and nautical star.
Stay tuned as it will be continued soon!
February 17, 2007 After a whoppin' 8 hour sit, the right sleeve is nearly complete! We added water
and blue wind bars/water around the
Mako Shark tattoo and upper arm. Per usual,
Smooth has done an amazing job of bringing the
pieces together into an awesome
sleeve. We still have more water
to add and some coloring on a few original
pieces. Stay tuned...
January 6, 2007 A red rose is added for my Dad who passed
away in 2005, da
bluebird receives much
deserved color and da
cherries (one ripe and one
rotten) are completed!
October 11, 2007
Da wind bars in
progress
on the inside of the arm
Harley Davidson tattoo
touchup
This was originally done at Sturgis
FULL sleeve tattoos at last!
We did our best t' the Harley tat
April 12, 2007
Addin black wind
bars
t' the sleeve
Nautical star and flame work
on the left sleeve
Completion of da
wind bars
on the left sleeve
February 17, 2007
Transition from fire
to water on the
sleeve and nautical stars
Water & wind bars
go in around
the tribal skull
Full sleeve tattoo with the Mako Shark in water and
waves meeting the flames
June 8, 2007
Adding yellow
flames to the
back of the arm
Addin white in the
nautical star tattoo. Dig this tat!
I know why his name
is Smooth! Brilliant full sleeves!
January 6, 2007
Start of the red rose tattoo in
memory of my Dad
Da Bluebird tattoo receives
color!
In memory/honor of lost lives!
Da rotten and ripe cherry tattoos receive
color
The world is divided into two
kinds of people: those who have
tattoos, and those who are afraid of people with
tattoos.
~Author Unknown
Witness
some of da evolution
of Da Pirate's
tattoo sleeves by Smooth of
Smooth Fx Tattoo's
in Sauk City,
Wisconsin. Smooth
has done a flawless
job of taking once
all black and gray
tattoos and bringing
them into living
color. Da 4 nautical
stars, da two
cherries, da rose,
da pirate skull and
knife, wind bars, da
intensive flame
work, water and
phoenix tattoos are all his
original work. He is
without a doubt,
"SMOOOOOOOOOOOOTH!"
Heart on my sleeve
tattoo with barbwire and courage banner for my 15th year
of survival
Pirate wench tattoo
(my
guardian wench) for my 19th year of surviving with
HIV/AIDS. EVERY Pirate needs a good Wench!
Pirate skull tattoo
just because I'm a PIRATE! What kind of Pirate would I
be without Pirate tats
Full sleeve tattoos
with wind bars, skull, cards, horseshoe, and spider web on the elbow
THE
PHOENIX SOARS!
In
celebration of my 23rd year of
living with
HIV/AIDS and my 43rd birthday, I have gotten
my Phoenix tattoo at last! Smooth Fx consulted with
me and custom designed this most remarkable
back piece. It covers the majority of my
back has taken multiple sittings. Thus far,
I have 20 hours into it and counting... For
me, the Phoenix symbolizes life, rising up
to fight and my will to survive. It is a strong and poignant
tribute to honor all those who have blessed
my journey and continue to watch over me
from above. Thank you to Rebecca Venn for
instilling in me such a remarkable life
lesson! Thank you to my friends who also
contributed to making this piece possible, I
am eternally grateful. Thank you to "Smooth"
for bringing this vision to life in grand
fashion!
FIGHT ON and NEVER EVER
SURRENDER!!!
Never
Surrender is right... Just make sure you are taking care of
yourself. So many people rely on you and the impact that you make on
their lives. You are an amazing man.
~ Stacy
Bob,
thanks a lot for coming to speak
with us. Friday after school I
saw you already had our pictures up
on your sites. Your personal
site is awesome, very cool tattoo
pictures! Thanks again and maybe
I'll see ya this summer.
~Brett
Thank
you for being a voice for so many people that don't have a voice any
more and being an inspiration for others when they have lost their
hope. Hope you have the raddest pirate birthday ever!
Phoenix tattoo full back
piece
Da Pirate enjoyin some sun and surf
in Key West, Florida
The
Phoenix
You have,
like the phoenix,
risen from the
ashes through
your own determination
and will. Remember
that what has
risen from the
ashes is not
a toad or mole,
or skunk or
weak lil' worm
but a beautiful
strong soaring
phoenix that
has spread his
wings over and
around us. So
soar on, my
friend, and
enjoy the the
wind in your
face and the
warmth of your
friends and
the beauty of
your accomplishments.
Hugs forever,
Rebecca Venn
I am
honored to be a friend. I came across your site today and was so inspired by
you. You have a positive attitude so many can learn from. When you ended your
message to me today with Carpe diem it was enlightening because my status today
was: "Carpe diem quam minimum credula postero!" Seize the day and place no trust
in tomorrow. My take on this latin saying is "Live for today, for you never know
what tomorrow may bring!"
All proceeds directly benefit
HIVictorious' HIV/AIDS
prevention and education
U
R A VERY STRONG PERSON. ITS TAKES
ALL I HAVE TO DISCUSS THIS WITH MY
KIDS. I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING A
FOSTER PARENT THE 3 CHILDREN
INFECTED WITH AIDS. THEY WERE SO
STRONG AND LIVED EVERY DAY TO ITS
FULLEST. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK SO WE
CAN EDUCATE THE WORLD. THEY NEED TO
KNOW THE SERIOUS OF SAFE SEX AND
THAT HIV IS NOT CAUGHT BY TOUCHING
SOMEONE OR GETTING CLOSE TO THEM AND
CARING. GOOD LUCK IN YOUR JOURNEY.
KATE
It's
truly an honor to become a friend! Thank you for your tireless
effort and commitment to raising awareness and opening up a can
o'whoopass on HIV/AIDS! You have my support, Mate!!.
You my Brother...I checked out the link you
sent to me. You are truly an inspiration and a warrior!!! Your story
touched me. This crazy world needs more soldiers like you!!! I
respect someone who turns negative into positive!! Two giant thumbs
up, from SIN!!!
Red ribbon tattoo to mark my 25th
year of kickin HIV ass! THANKS Smooth!
Tattoo Stay Nu products
Bob,
it has been a while since I have been in touch with you. Just want
to say how much I LOVE your energy and CONSTANT positive outlook at
life. Keep it up man!
~ Julianna
Just
checked out your sites and watched the you tube....Bob, you are
awesome! I have two kids myself, a son 10 and a daughter 15. I will
sit them down by the computer one nite and share your sites with
them.
I'm so happy to be ur friend!
Fondly,
Leah
I
was really touched today while you were speaking. Those things
realty hit home. I'm glad u have the heart and strength to go and
tell you story. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
The
Mako shark tattoo in memory of my friend
and shark fishing buddy, Steve Feder
who passed away from AIDS
The
bluebird tattoo and R.I.P. banner marked the 20th Anniversary of AIDS
honoring all who have died
from this dreadful pandemic,
including my friends! R.I.P.
The honor is
all mine, Pirate. What a tough, intelligent, compassionate and beautiful warrior
you are. mad respect to you!!!
always,
xoxo...
~Cameron
Da Pirate's full sleeves tattoos
have been 18 years in the making. CARPE DIEM!
