The first tattoo Gestas got was in the late 1990’s. Gestas traveled to Atlanta with some friends for tattoos and piercings. Gestas went in for a sailboat tattoo and left with the three crosses of the crucifixion. Gestas always had intended to add the rainbows around the tattoo as a sign of hope and to offset the deadly message of the crucifixion. The rainbow did not occur until Gestas moved to Raleigh in 2005.
The rest of the tattoos were completed by Rob Meyers.
Tiger Face tattoo was first tattoo Gestas got in Raleigh. This is for Geaux LSU!
Gestas‘s left leg sleeve is indicative of Louisiana swamps. Gestas went in expecting to have a leg sleeve comprised of water, cypress trees, and small animals. Rob first created the possum’s face. Gestas remembers saying, “Oh, that’s big.” Rob said, “trust me.”
Next the alligator was added. This took a long time due to the details. Gestas wanted to stop when they were halfway done. Rob insisted they continue. The session went on for 9 or so hours. Gestas needed liquor to get through it all.
The next part of the sleeve was the raccoon, which is located between the alligator and possum. Next was Rob’s interpretation of a cypress tree.
In later sessions he completed the work with cattails, sky, sunlight, mosquitoes.
Gestas‘s right leg has a Cajun Crawfish playing an accordion in front of an outhouse. A catfish, crap, shrimp, and oyster can be seen dancing around the corners. There is also an armadillo drinking a beer. If you look closely, the name Jack’s Beer is there. Part of it is whited out because that was an error, and he never finished having it corrected. It should read “Jax” beer. Jax Beer is a beer from New Orleans which no longer exists.
Gestas’s right arm includes an alligator chef boiling craw fish. The craw fish think they are in a hot tub, so they are wearing sunglasses and sipping on drinks.
Second Line Umbrella tattoo. This is connected to jazz funerals. Gestas states to note the Fleu de Lis on top and how the rainbow, sun and sky from over the crucifixion tie nicely into the artwork on the back.
Left Arm Sleeve. Just above the wrist is the Flag of Acadian. The tattoo also includes a magnolia, the state flower of Louisiana, and a pelican, which is the state bird of Louisiana.
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