Ok well that title is a straight up lie because all this filler IS killer! I mean, look at it! But I'm getting a little ahead of myself. My left sleeve is finally finished! I've been collecting bits and pieces on it from a few different artists this year and after my last tattoo from Mark, the shrunken head, all the big spaces were filled and all I really needed was some filler to finish it off. Unlike my right sleeve by Mimsy, this sleeve is more traditional and less 'themed' so I didn't want the filler to be too thick or busy. I wanted to keep with the traditional style and I wanted my arm to look finished without losing all the other great pieces I have on it. The remaining areas were mostly small with just one slightly larger area that would need something slightly bigger, and I had just the thing in mind!

 

The TCB symbol as long been misappropriated with many taking it to mean Tattoos, Cars, Bikes and some other less PG adaptations but its origin actually comes from The King, Elvis Presley! Standing for Taking Care of Business, this is what he called his backing band and later had the letters created into an emblem with lightning bolts that he had made into custom belt buckles and jewellery including his famous ring and necklace. This little old school jammer filled the space nicely and all that was left was the fill. I went and saw my apprentice friend Drea at Tattooed Warrior Tattoo Studio at Moorooka and thought I'd give her a go. With some sketchy details on what I had in mind, she came up with the most perfect design and fill and I am SO happy with the result! Behold, the finished product!

 

My original idea was to fill with the old school stars and dots but Drea had the brilliant idea of incorporating some of these awesome 50s style starburst which I LOVE and kinda remind me of Vegas. They're the perfect way to break up the stars and dots while adding some colour to the fill as well. They fit the spaces perfectly and suit the style of the rest of the pieces on my arm and, well...they just freakin rock! I'm really happy with how this arm has come out and I now think that it looks old school cool and finished without being overcrowded. I'm so happy to finally have this sleeve finished as well because now I not only have two sleeves (yay!) but the spaces and 'unfinished' look that had been bugging me for ages is now gone! Woo hoo!

 

What do you think? Is this fill perfect or what? Or am I just biased? Maybe.