Posts by Matt Hodel
My latest tattoos.
Camping trip!
I rode into town to get cell service so I want to take a quick moment to share some pics of our camping trip! Also I ran into a client named Joe!! I tattooed his chest 4 years ago. Small world for sure.
Read MoreThe Impossible Cover Up
It is wiser the take the energy of a tattoo and work with it rather than fight it. Some cover ups cannot be blasted over. Sometimes you just need to massage a new tattoo into it. This dark tribal design wasn’t going to be covered easily. So I used the old tattoo as the texture…
Read MoreSummer time is too hot for the big tent.
Tent Maintenance. I need to get the tent repaired. It’s a very durable canvas tent but without some TLC it will fall apart. So we went camping this weekend. It was awesome. 60 degrees at night. The shade keeps the campground cool till 11am even on the really hot days. It’s tucked away behind a…
Read MoreDragons and Cranes
The process.
Read MoreKC Roadtrip!!!
I got my supercharger on my Xterra finished but I don’t like it. I don’t have the intake manifold that the supercharger used. I used the intake manifold for the Naturally Aspirated engine. In theory it works. I Just wasn’t comfortable with it. Also there is a “supercharger solenoid valve” that is connected to the…
Read MoreBehind the Scenes.
This is a tattoo in progress. I wanted to share some stages of the design process. I post a finished pic soon.
Read MoreAttaching a Halfsleeve Tattoo!
Mike came back to finish a sleeve! I knew he would. That’s why I designed his halfsleeve to seamlessly connect to whatever he wanted to do next. It’s almost like I planned it this way! Clients are not always ready to get a whole sleeve but I am ready for when they are. When I…
Read MoreSupercharger!!!!
My Xterra is Slow. I want it to go fast. So I’m putting a supercharger in it. Here are some progress pics:
Read MoreOutside my comfort zone!
I am an American Traditional tattoo artist. Over the last year I’m trying to do more polished designs. It takes a different approach than what my normal SOP. Here are some examples. I’m being vulnerable by posting these here. Hope you like them.
Read MoreCatie
I have been tattooing catie and her family for decades now. We added a caterpillar- butterfly on her arm. Her back is 10 years old and I love how it has aged! Check out these photos I got this week.
Read MorePhoto Studio is Back!
It’s been too long since my last photo shoot. I finally set everything back up in my new office. I was able to get 2 clients in this week. One has an awesome back piece of a Phoenix and the other has been collecting from me for so long I have forgotten everything we have…
Read MoreI ripped my TENT!!!
I ripped my slightly used canvas tent. Pretty bummed but I fixed it!! Watch the video and learn how to cook pork steak on an open fire, dig a hole, fill a hole, and have fun in the country!
Read MoreMissouri Auctions have a lot of Camo People
Pat and I went to an auction. I was hoping to get a four wheeler but no go! I did score a few goodies. I got a wood burning stove for 30$. Watch the video! Did people pay too much money for jeeps and guns???
Read MoreHanging out at the Campground
Me and Lady spent the day at the property this weekend. It was a great day for being outside. Watch the video and see what we got done!
Read MoreThe Grand Reopening of Randy Adams Studio Party.
Matt Van Cura Inherits a Legacy. Technically Matt purchased the shop from the legendary tattooist Randy Adams. Randy is the fellow with the hat on backwards in the photo above. If you got tattooed in the 80’s in Fort Worth, Randy did it. I know Randy from the covers of old 80’s Tattoo magazines. He…
Read MoreThe Arkansas “Little Grand Canyon”
The Ozarks has its Grand Canyon but if you head south to the Ouachitas you’ll find the Little Grand Canyon. The latter is one natural wonder you may have overlooked in Arkansas. This feature off of White Oak Lake is a peaceful spot and not to mention beautiful! Let’s go explore this underrated wonder. From…
Read MoreHot Springs Offroad!
Cheap fun. Rent a Side by Side! I’ve been looking at the Hot Springs Offroad Park on the Google box for awhile now. I’ve been looking for a cool place to take my Xterra and since we were driving through Arkansas on the way home, I thought it would make a great scouting trip. We…
Read MoreRoad Trip with Lady
Thursday, lady and I headed for Texas. It was the first van trip lady and I have done in the van. We have gone camping to test out the features of the van. Those early trips were mostly to see how comfortable we could get in freezing weather. We stopped in Oklahoma for the night…
Read MoreRandy Adams Tattoo Shop
My buddy Matt bought the famous Randy Adams Tattoo Shop in Fort Worth. Randy is a tattoo legend going back to the 80’s. This changing of the guard is historic and I wanted to see it for myself. This is why I took the dog and church van to Texas. I’m working at the shop…
Read MoreI had to do this.
I have never met Casey in my life. I joined an online community that focused on personal development. In that group I was introduced to Casey. I’m not sure how, but his energy radiated; even though all the interaction was online. I thought to myself, this dude seems pretty cool. As I am pissing and…
Read MoreChurch Van Upgrades
The Van Build 2022 The Van Build started in May 0f 2022. It was built for my duaghter Emma’s 9 week road trip. This was a down and dirty build. I know some van builds are nicer than your house but this van is built to live out of, not live in. It is made…
Read MoreCold Weather Camping.
Great Weekend It is amazing how much you can squeeze into a weekend. Above is just a few things we squeezed into the last few days. We built a platform for the tent entrance, dropped 3 trees, used the shooting range, found some caves, did a cold water bath , hiked a few miles, and …
Read MoreHow Much do I Charge?
How much should I save for my Large Tattoo? The cost of a tattoo sleeve can vary widely depending on several factors, such as the size, design, and location of the tattoo. The experience and reputation of the tattoo artist is also a factor. Some artists are in such high demand that they can charge…
Read MoreI Peaked
Washed up? I have been rebooting my career. I have been taking stock of what I have accomplished, and what I am worth. I have been trying to find the fire that has driven me for so many years. The truth is, no one can recreate the past. Here is what I have discovered. My…
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