Having tested the French waters and deemed Sandry probably safe, I brought my wife Jaime with me to Le Puy-en Velay the end of October. She had a mediocre anime tat on her right scapula from when she was a teen; it was time for a cover-up, and who better for the job than Sandry? The only question was whether her cheerful, new-age preference would fit in among the blood and fangs of Sandry's oeuvre: might he refuse, or perhaps agree but be unable to resist infusing a dark twist? Would a skull or zombie somehow appear, somewhere in the ink, and change the whole feel of the piece?
We got in early on a Sunday and hung out in Lyon for a night. Had our first mask-less restaurant meal in years at a wonderful little cafe where the shorthanded wait staff doubled as chefs. They didn't disappoint!
Lyon has a great funicular ride up to the Castle District. A beautiful Gothic cathedral awaits you at the top!
Of course in Le Puy we were back in the medieval district. Another 16th c. masterpiece with spiral staircase, stone walls and dicey rooftop view.
Ladies first! Jaime got the works on the first day. All done in about four hours, and an excellent cover that even incorporated two, spared nevi into the design. Way to go, Sandry! (It's best not to tattoo over existing moles, as that can obscure any subsequent changes.)
On the second and third days, it was my turn once again. Sandry completed the bottom and started work on the big shark battling the octopus. We took a reference image from an Asian movie and Claudine spiced up the teeth.
Sandry worked as diligently and quickly as before. He finished the bottom section and then the top half of the shark. The lower jaw and some sort of side linkage with my back tat would await the third and final trip.
It's getting there! We'll all be back with the whole family in March for the Final French Flaying. Meanwhile, it was a fun sort of bonding to get inked with my wife by the same artist. The substantial stylistic differences are irrelevant; we both got inked abroad by Sandry, and that gives our skin a lifelong connection.