Saint Mary rib tattoo

One day, our client Enrico Montana draw up his very version of Saint Mary for his rib tattoo. Dimas Praja then customized it a bit n put up some colors.

preliminary sketch n coloring by Dimas Praja.
March 4, 2012

long way to go...

well yeah it's a rib tattoo, so...ouch and Rico n Dimas will continue the session hopefully this month. Can't wait to see it finished, huh? :)

Philosophy of Semar

Semar is a character in Javanese mythology who frequently appears in wayang shadow plays. He is one of the punakawan (wayang clowns), but is in fact divine and very wise. He is the dhanyang (guardian spirit) of Java, and is regarded by some as the most sacred figure of the kotak (wayang set). He is said to be the god Sang Hyang Ismaya in human form.

The name Semar is said to derive from the Javanese word samar ('dim, obscure, mysterious'). He is often referred to with the honorific, "Kyai Lurah Semar" (the venerable chief).

The philosophy of Semar calligraphy

Philosophy of Semar:

"Bojo sira arsa Mardi kamardikan, aja samar sumingkiring dur-kamurkan Mardika, ora kebanda ing kadonyan, ora samar marang bisane sirna durka murkamu"

which means the freedom of soul; a condition unconquered by lust and mortal life desire, to remain perfectly 'innocent' til death, to restrain temptation and convert it into a power towards perfection in life.

a tribal Jesus and a cover up

One day, this guy, Adip came to CarpeDiem TattooStudio to get a tribal Jesus tattoo on his left arm, with a “Luke 19:10″ lettering. At first we consider to put the verse too but he decided only to put the “Luke 19:10″.   This tattoo was done by Lois.

Luke 19:10 ("...For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”), done by Lois

After this tattoo was finished, he showed his other tattoo on his right arm. It’s a cross with a kinda bad 3D perspective and he wanted it covered up. Dimas then did the sketch to start the cover-up, turning it into a black lotus with skull.

the cross which wanted to be covered up, and the preliminary sketch by Dimas Praja

the final result of the cover up: a black lotus with skull, done by Dimas Praja

so, on the same day, Adip got two fresh tattoos, done by both tattooists we have at CarpeDiem TattooStudio. Hope to see him soon again!  :)

The Lion of Judah tattoo

One day on June, we got Mr Marthin,  a guest from Jakarta, who already booked the slot to be tattooed by Dimas Praja a week before he came to Jogjakarta. He wanted a red lion, inside his ‘torn’ flesh. He also mentioned some letterings to be added, but hadn’t send the design until the day. It was Hebrew lettering, completed the Lion of Judah.

The Lion of Judah, done by Dimas Praja on Marthin Lumingkewas

The Hebrew lettering below the lion is ”yehochanan”, which means god’s grace or god’s favor (god’s supplication). After this was finished on his right arm, he wanted to add another lettering on his left arm as a pair for “yehochanan”. The other one is in Latin.

Semper Fidelis, the Latin for "Always Faithful", often shortened to 'Semper Fi'

Celtic cross tattoo

A celtic cross tattoo, done by Dimas Praja on April 2009