Monte's Odyssey: Crafting a Full-Body Tattoo Suit with Robert Pho
1. Where the journey begins, Monte's body suit unfolds. Tattoo by tattoo, session by session, his vision takes shape. Each stroke of ink carries significance, from the portraits of loved ones to the iconic symbols that adorn his skin.
As Monte's dedicated tattoo artist, I've had the privilege of bringing his vision to life. From the moment he shared his ambitious idea of a full-body suit, I knew this journey would be unlike any other.
3. Throughout our journey, we've been honored with recognition for our work. First place awards at expos like the Pacific Ink and Art Expo in Hawaii, the BTSOE (Biggest Tattoo Show on Earth) in Las Vegas, and the Golden State Tattoo Expo in Pasadena serve as testament to Monte's dedication to his vision and my commitment as his artist.
But beyond the accolades, it's the bond forged between us that holds true significance. Through countless hours spent in the studio, we've created not just a body suit, but a living testament to the power of art to transcend boundaries and tell stories.
2. Together, we've delved into the depths of Monte's story, crafting a narrative that spans the gamut of human experience. From heartfelt tributes to his family to intricate depictions of gangster lore and Greek mythology, each tattoo reflects a chapter of Monte's life.
4. As we near the completion of this incredible odyssey, I am filled with pride and gratitude. Monte's body suit stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of tattoo artistry, and I am honored to have played a part in bringing his vision to life.
Join us as we continue on Monte's odyssey, where ink becomes a story, and skin becomes a canvas.
Sessions 1-10 (12/07/2014-02/21/2015)
Session #1 - 12/07/2014 Where it all started. A Realistic portrait of Monte's Mother on his upper left Thigh.
Session #2 - Dec 13, 2014 was his second session which we include his son and planned out his family leg.
Session #3 - Dec 21 , 2014 We added his brother who is locked up for life in prison and some fillers. Included is also a healed photo of his mom and son.
Session #3 - Dec 21 , 2014. Healed Photos of Mom and Son.
Session #3 - Dec 21 , 2014. Healed Photos of Mom and Son.
Session #3 - Dec 21 , 2014. Fresh photos of portrait of his Brother.
Session #3 - Dec 21 , 2014. Healed Photos of Mom and Son.
Session #3 - Dec 21 , 2014. Fresh photos of portrait of his Brother.
Session #4 Dec 27, 2014 we added his wife with some fillers. Attached are healed Pics of his brother & family we did.
December 27, 2014. healed Pics of his brother & family we did.
December 27, 2014. healed Pics of his brother & family we did.
Session #5 - Jan 2, 2015 added his other younger brother who passed away.
Session #5 Fresh Photo of Tribute to Brother who passed.
Session #6 - January 10, 2015 we added his dog and praying hand on the backside of his leg.
Session #7 - Jan 17, 2015 we added a dove, clock, & fillers.
Session #8 - Jan 25, 2015 added values, layers, fillers, & final touches.
Session #9 - February 7-21 healed photos
Session #10 - Feb 28 2015, These show the other leg we started this gangster theme. Theme from the sopranos and the godfather.
Sessions 11-20 (02/28/2015-06/02/2015)
Session #11 - March 7 2015, Godfather portrait to the front of his shin.
Session #12 - March 14 2015, Started the Goodfellas portraits on the lower leg.
Session #13 - March 21 2015, We finished the goodfellas on his leg at the Musink Tattoo Expo in Anaheim, CA.
Session #14 - March 29 2015, Healed photos of the Goodfellas. We added Frank Nitti and Al Capone on the back of his upper leg.
Session #15 - April 3 2015, We added a gun and scarface scene below Al Capone.
Session #16 - April 19 2015, Added final touches to Gangster leg sleeve.
Session #18 - May 14 2015, Started Moses on his other sleeve with a Greek theme. Also added a portrait of his son on his hand.
Session #19 - May 18 2015, Added another greek statue and Finished the. Moses statue on his Arm.
Session #20 - June 2 2015, Added a third statue and layered the previous ones.
Sessions 21-30 (02/28/2015-06/02/2015)
Session #21 - June 7, 2015, We Covered up the top arm with Persius holding the head of Medusa.
Session #22 - June 19, 2015. Added filigree with a face & finished Persius.
Session #23 - June 26 2015. Covered up the inside of his bicep and finishing touches.
Session 24 - July 3, 2015. Started clown sleeve.
Session #25 - July 7, 2015. Added more clowns. Healed Photo of Persius.
Session #26 - July 17, 2015. Added more clowns.
Session #27 - July 23 2015. Added ring leader and layers.
Session #28 - Aug 9, 2015. added more clowns at the pacific ink and art expo Hawaii and Monte won for his leg.
Session #28 - Aug 14 2015. Added more layers.
Session #29 - Aug 21, 2015. Finishing clown sleeve and coverup neck with Zeus. Laser session and healed photos.
Session #30 - Aug 28 2015 did a portrait of wife on neck and more laser on his back, designed for front panel.
Session #40 - Nov 13, 2015. Added more layers and bat under son portrait and started angel underneath.
Sessions 31-40 (09/11/2015-11/13/2015)
Session #31 - Sept 11, 2015. Started the front panel with a saint from one of Michelangelo sculpture.
Session #32 - Sept 18, 2015. Added more on the saint at the tattoo expo in Vegas aka BTSOE.
Session #33 - Sept 19, 2015. We started his sons portrait on his ribs at the Vegas expo aka BTSOE biggest tattoo show on earth. Monte won two first place awards at the BTSOE and other team members also won.
Session #34 - Sept 24, 2015. We started Hercules and the centaur on his other rib also got healed pics of the front panel.
Session #35 - Oct 3, 2015. Gold cup expo, we added more work to his son’s portrait.
Session #36 - Oct 15, 2015. Worked more on his Hercules rib in front panel. Healed pics of his sons portrait.
Session #37 - Oct 23, 2015. Added Disney’s Monsters inc next to sons portrait.
Session #38 - Nov 1, 2015. Added more on Hercules rib and got healed pic of son.
Session #39 - Nov 7, 2015. Added filigree on collar bone and tying in with other tattoos.
Sessions 41-50 (12/05/2015-02/23/2016)
Session #41 - Dec 5, 2015. Designed the rest of front panel and added filigree.
Session #42 - Dec 12, 2015 Added angel & filigree to throat and healed pics of son portrait on ribs.
Session #43 - Dec 20, 2015. Designed and started details on front panel and healed pics of throat.
Session #44 - Jan 2, 2015. Added more details on front panel.
Session #45 - Jan 8, 2015. Added more shading in Hercules rib and got healed pics of front panel detail.
Session #46 - Jan 14, 2015. Finished the angel on his Ribs and more shading on Zeus on neck. Healed progress photo of his back after Laser.
Session #47 - Jan 23, 2016. Worked more on centaur and tying everything together.
Session #48 - Jan 29, 2016. Monte won 2nd place best sleeve at the Golden State Tattoo Expo in Pasadena, Ca.
Session #49 - Jan 31, 2016. Touched up and tied in everything.
Session #50 - Feb 23, 2016. Finished clowns in back of arm and touch up clown sleeve.
Sessions 51-60 (03/02/2016-06/04/2016)
Session #51 - Mar 2, 2016. Added more fillers and shading on clown sleeve.
Session #52 - March 12, 2016. Added more shading and tying in clown sleeve.
Session #53 - Mar 26, 2016. Added more shading and details on clown sleeve.
Session #54 - Apr 18, 2016. More details on clown sleeve.
Session #55 - Apr 23,2016. Added head of Medusa and shaded the Pope inside of arm. Healed photos of clown sleeve.
Session #56 - Apr 30, 2016. Finishing touches on Perseus and filagree and got healed progress pics of rest of statue sleeve.
Session #57 - May 10, 2016. Touched up all over.
Session #58 - May 21, 2016. Final touches On his sleeve and panel. Healed photos of all his upper body.
Session #59 - June 3, 2016. Tattooed his foot to extend his gangster leg sleeve at Art Gathering Expo in Long Beach, CA.
Session #60 - June 4, 2016. Monte won 3 first places categories at Art Gathering in Long Beach, CA.
Sessions 61-70 (06/11/2016-04/21/2017)
Session #61 - June 11, 2016. Designed and started his other foot commemorating prison life to add to his family leg sleeve.
Session #62 - June 29, 2016. Finished his prison foot. Healed photo of his other money foot.
Session #63 - July 9, 2016. Added liquor barrels on foot to tie gangster mafia leg sleeve.
Session #64 - July 17, 2016. Monte Won 4 awards. Three 1st place and one 2nd place awards for his tattoos at the NewYork Empire State Tattoo Expo in Manhattan NYC.
Session #65 - July 26, 2016. Final touches adding white on his Hercules rib and laser progress on his back.
Session #66 - Aug 19, 2016. Worked on foot and touched up & tied in foot to family leg.
Session #67 - Sept 9, 2016. Tattooed both thumbs and added more details on upper clown.
Session #68 - Oct 18, 2016. Added to fingers, touched up son portrait and got healed pics of thumbs and leg.
Session #69 - Dec 4, 2016. tattooed other fingers and tied in to the clown hand/sleeve. Healed photos of Greek statue sleeve.
Session #70 - Dec 23, 2016. Added more values and touch up entire sleeve and body.
Sessions 71-80 (04/21/2017-09/30/2017)
Session #71. April 21, 2017 we added to Hercules body on his rib and lasered his back for the final time to prepare for his backpiece.
Session #72 - May 9, 2017. Designed and started on Monte’s back piece. Healed candid pics of his upper body.
Session #73 - May 25, 2017. Added more on his Zeus themed back piece.
Session #74 - June 10, 2017. Added filagree more shading on back piece.
Session #75 - June 17, 2017. Added more values on backpiece.
Session #76 - July 6, 2017. Designed and added fillers on backpiece.
Session #77 - July 15, 2017. Designed and did first session on back of Monte’s head at the 2017 New York Empire State tattoo expo.
Session #78 - August 18, 2017. We added more to Monte’s back of the head and then added Poseidon on the side of his head.
Session #79 - September 2, 2017. We added a lion on Monte’s other side of the head.
Session #80 - September 30, 2017. Added layers and fillers on Monte’s head.
Sessions 81-85 (10/14/2017-09/05/2017)
Session #81 - October 14, 2015. We finish Monte’s head and tied his neck to the upper back.
Session #82 - November 4, 2017. We tied Zeus on his neck and touched up his head, also got healed photos of his head.
Session #83 - December 4, 2017. We added Woody from Toy story to his portrait on his rib and tied everything in.
Session #84 - December 16, 2017. We started Kronos on his butt. Healed photos of his head and upper body.
Session #85 - December 27, 2017. We did our last session touching up , adding fillers and finalizing his bodysuit.
