Providing depth in the gray zone.

Lately, life feels a lot like it’s sitting in a gray zone.

I’m still in the Army, figuratively treading water while waiting for retirement. Big changes are coming, but they aren’t here yet. It can feel like standing still, even though a lot is happening under the surface.

That feeling has been bleeding into my art in an interesting way.

I’ve been leaning harder into my rockabilly style and pulling from influences that have followed me most of my life—cars I’ve built, a motorcycle I once owned, and the culture of mechanical craftsmanship. That led to my latest piece: a half-sleeve concept centered around a skull-and-piston motif I’ve used before, but pushed further this time.

As I was drawing it, I kept thinking about contrast.

In tattooing, contrast is everything.

Not enough contrast and the design blurs together.

Too much contrast and you lose nuance—the piece can start to feel flat or cartoonish.

The sweet spot is balance. Creating meaning through clear separation between light and dark.  Providing depth, while still leaving room for detail and texture.

That’s what I was aiming for in this design.

The piston and skull sit at the center as the power source. Around it are “bubbles” containing different vehicles that represent chapters of my past—projects, machines, and experiences that shaped me. Blue lightning flows outward from the piston into each bubble, creating individual moments of light hitting shadow.

Each bubble has its own contrast.

Its own balance point.

Its own story.

In a lot of ways, that mirrors where I’m at in life.

I’m not in the darkest place.

I’m not standing in full light either.

I’m somewhere in between—working in the contrast.

Outside the studio, we’re starting to get our current house ready to list so we can move toward the next chapter. Later this evening I’ll probably hop on my Onewheel and cruise the neighborhood for a bit. Fresh air always helps clear my head. I’ll likely end the night with my Marine buddy —him with a cigar, me with my pipe, both of us with a glass of bourbon and a few honest conversations.

None of it feels rushed.

None of it feels stuck.

I’m not trying to force a faster pace. I’m trying to stay grateful for where I am, aware of what I have, and focused on preparing for what’s coming.

Just like tattooing, life isn’t always about extremes.

It’s about learning to live—and build—in the contrast.

If this design or this direction speaks to you, I’d love to hear your ideas. This is the kind of work I’m leaning into more and more at Honor and Ink™, and I’m excited to see where it leads.

Sometimes progress is loud.

Sometimes it’s quiet.

Both still count.