Jesse Collins, and then some.

Not a lot of people know that I have a tattoo of an anchor on my right bicep with “Carol” & “Liam” emblazoned on a ribbon wrapping around it. It is an intentional reference to very traditional merchant marine tattoos, popularized by sailors to remember their loved ones. Norman Rockwell’s whimsical painting, showing a sailor editing his loved ones names, has always been on of my favourites. High art or not, it makes me smile and I think it may have been in part what led to my interest in traditional tattoos.

A Texas photographer recently shot a series of stills that were inspired by Rockwell’s work. He recreated that famous painting, but with a subtle modern touch. See the rest of his work at his site: randalford.com and read about the project. Brilliant.

Below is a series showing Rockwell’s photo that he used to create his painting; the painting “The Tattooist”; and Randal Ford’s Inspired version…