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In Celebration of Albuquerque

I was born and raised in Albuquerque. The Sandia Mountains have enveloped and embraced me most of my life. I've wandered off, for decades at a time, yet this is always home. Recently tattoo genius Richie Castillo was in town, and I had an opportunity to get some work by him. Richie is the rare tattoo artist that doesn't need other art work to go by. He and I chatted about my experience growing up here, and he began to draw on my arm. The finished work took several hours and hurt like heck at the edges.

He nailed it...a celebration of my love for Albuquerque. Now I wonder if the tram will let me ride free if I show them the art.

Kelly Vickers
www.MasterPeaceMediation.com
www.MayIMarryYou.com
www.GLBTdocs.com

Tags: albuquerque, hummingbird, tattoo, tram, zia

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Comment by Karla Linden, NMT, LMT on June 28, 2010 at 9:41pm: How awesome!!! What a beautiful tattoo, and a lovely story.

Comment by Laura on June 29, 2010 at 7:10am: The whole tattoo is a thing of beauty, but the hummingbird is a masterpiece. He really did nail it. I've never been tempted to get a tattoo before, but I'd find a spot for that hummingbird in a heartbeat--with the permission of you and Richie, of course! Wow...

Comment by Kelly Vickers on June 29, 2010 at 7:16am: I love hummingbirds and have many happy memories of them both growing up and recently. Laura, you'd be welcome to use the art here in your own tattoo. If you get it done, please send me a picture via email. Thanks!
ABQmediator@gmail.com

Comment by Laura on June 29, 2010 at 9:23am: Thanks, Kelly! I've never gotten a tattoo, so it may take me awhile to work up the nerve (and save up some $$), but oh, that hummingbird is amazing. I love how he stylized the feathers yet captured so much detail and movement. I'll send a picture if/when it happens.

Comment by once banned twice shy on June 29, 2010 at 9:32am: Now I wonder if the tram will let me ride free if I show them the art

Doubt it. They wouldn't even give my father a free ride after he designed and supervised the building of the road from I-25 to the base of the tram so people could get there.