Hello from Jayk & Darby Freeman!

Word is Jayk & Darby have settled well into thier new home with Bryanna & John... including stirring up mischief that Boxers are known for.

Darby and his toy.


Jayk taking a little break.


Bryanna also included this quote which seems to exemplify Mikey:

Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming......"WOW-- What a Ride...!!!!

Many thanks to Bryanna for sending pictures of the boys.

Jayk & Darby Visit Mikey's Memorial Tree

Well kind of... Steve & Gerry got some little Boxer decorations for Mike's Memorial Tree.

They're holding watering cans. I know they're silly, but Mike did dress his dogs up for Halloween! —Steve & Gerry





Many thanks to Steve and Gerry for being the caretakers of Mikey's Memorial Tree.

More from Nik

Many Tattoo Artist develop a close working relationship with thier clients. I asked Nik if he had any insight on Mikey's choices for his artwork...

Mike mentioned one of the design's origins (that I remember), but it was the one he didn't get. He mentioned that it was one that was in his dreams. So, maybe he got one or more because he saw them in his dreams? He saw himself with a polynesian arm band around his forearm with a fish skeleton in it. I think he saw the Dragon too but who's to say for sure? He did want two Koi originally on his ribs—one going up, the other going down. He instead opted for the one. He also talked about getting an Old World Sea Monster before the Koi ideas—and in the end, (he) was planning on getting one on the other side of his chest to balance the Koi. I plan on getting the Sea Monster for him. —Nik

Nik is now at Fluid Ink Tattoo in St. Paul, Minnesota. If you are passing through the area and would like some artwork done, I'm sure Nik would be happy to tattoo one of Mikey's friends.
(I've asked Nik to send me the Sea Monster once he has it started.)

The Man and His Ink

From Nik (Mike's Tattoo Artist)

Mike originally came to Island Ink Tattoo Studio looking for a big black and grey Dragon back in October of 2005. He told me that this was a birthday present from his (grandmother?). I drew one up based on the picture he brought but he didn't like it. I was thinking to myself that he was going to be a "problem customer", one that wants full control of the tattoo without letting the artist do what they believe is right. I redrew the design and I have to say, I did like the newer verion better!

We set to work on an almost 10 hour tattoo, done in two sessions. He was tough! That's a lot of work and this was to be his biggest piece ever! He said he'd even make sure his Chief would keep him out of the pool to let it heal. The piece turned out awesome! Everyone at the shop loved it and several people want to see it in a magazine.

The completed outline of the dragon sleeve.

©2005-2006 Photographs Copyright Nik: Fluid Ink Tattoo

Detail of the dragon head.

©2005-2006 Photographs Copyright Nik: Fluid Ink Tattoo

Detail of the dragon body.

©2005-2006 Photographs Copyright Nik: Fluid Ink Tattoo

Completed shading and fill.

©2005-2006 Photographs Copyright Nik: Fluid Ink Tattoo

Detail of the completed dragon head.

©2005-2006 Photographs Copyright Nik: Fluid Ink Tattoo

The finished sleeve, all healed.

©2005-2006 Photographs Copyright Nik: Fluid Ink Tattoo

Mike came to me for several other designs and we did two of them before his passing.

The Pre-Phoenix tattoo. (Who's that little blond Kiddo?)

©2005-2006 Photographs Copyright Nik: Fluid Ink Tattoo

The completed outline.

©2005-2006 Photographs Copyright Nik: Fluid Ink Tattoo

Detail of the Phoenix head outline.

©2005-2006 Photographs Copyright Nik: Fluid Ink Tattoo

Detail of the Phoenix head with shading and fill completed.

©2005-2006 Photographs Copyright Nik: Fluid Ink Tattoo

The completed Phoenix.

©2005-2006 Photographs Copyright Nik: Fluid Ink Tattoo

During the Koi tattoo, he was on call for work and had to run. We finished it up a few weeks later.

The completed Koi outline.

©2005-2006 Photographs Copyright Nik: Fluid Ink Tattoo

The completed Koi tattoo.

©2005-2006 Photographs Copyright Nik: Fluid Ink Tattoo

The Man Himself and His Ink.

©2005-2006 Photographs Copyright Nik: Fluid Ink Tattoo

A third was supposed to be done as well, but we ran into a scheduling/design conflict, so we postponed to a later time to ensure we had enough time for it. That was the last time I ever saw Mike. I heard that he was ill during the appointment and I never got to say goodbye, even before I moved.

After I got settled in, Marty emailed me with the news. It hit me pretty hard. I didn't want to believe it, I was in denial, I suppose. I've made it a goal that every time someone wants a Koi, Phoenix, or a Dragon, That I put a little bit of Mike in each one of them, to let Mike live on. And do them as I would if it were Mike getting them - I give it my all. —Nik

United States Navy Memorial

Mike is now part of the U.S. Navy Memorial


(Mike's photo should be uploaded soon.)

If you would like to make a tax deduxtable dontation in memory of Mike, information can be found at their homepage: United States Navy Memorial