Throw Back Thursday, #tbt

Sue, here. As anyone who knows us well can attest, if there is nostalgia to be reckoned with, I am the Tran who is doing the reckoning. Coming up on our ten-year anniversary (of Tsunami Tattoo and of living and working in Portland), Phuc and I have been looking back through our visual history of the past decade.

It’s hard to fathom that in ten years, we’ve been in three different locations, traveled to eight conventions and more than a dozen guest spots, embarked on more than more than 3,000 tattoo sessions, and met countless friends, well-wishers, and fellow tattoo enthusiasts.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll share with you some photos, stories, and maybe some surprises. To get you started, here is a look back at some of the places and faces from the original Tsunami Tattoo at 9 Union Street (August 2003 – May 2006)…

Sue & Phuc in the original Tsunami Tattoo, August 2003.

Josh and Enzo travel from the Lower East Side to check out the new shop at Tsunami Tattoo’s Grand Opening Party, Fall 2003.

Steven Huie (Flyrite Tattoo) and Claw at Tsunami’s Grand Opening Party – Fall 2003.

Melissa, Julie, and Ann-Marie at the Grand Opening Party, Fall 2003.

“The Greaper” visits Phuc at the shop, Fall 2003. Thankfully, all she wanted to do was sing showtunes and dance…

Legendary British tattooer George Bone stops by Tsunami while on holiday in Portland.

The first winter at the shop lent itself to lots of extra time for the New York Times Crossword and hours of creative diorama projects like this.

One of our oldest and favorite clients, Noella – just look at that awesome hat she made me!

Tsunami Tattoo, 9 Union Street

Tsunami Tattoo, 9 Union Street

This guy!

Mooncusser Tattoo’s Khristian Bennett hanging out at the shop, Winter 2004.

Mooncusser’s Andrea X. Tasha at Tsunami, Winter 2004.

That first spring had its quiet moments, too. Here’s Phuc checking out Gabe FM’s new ride. Spring 2004.

Phuc tattooing superclient, Jim – Summer 2005.

Flyrite Tattoo‘s Steven Huie tattooing Phuc (that’s Beth in the foreground) – Summer 2005.

Beth Potter, freshly into her apprenticeship, practices on some unsuspecting fruit. Summer 2005.

Spring 2006

Beth’s Coming Out Party (left to right) Phuc, Jennifer Moore, Beth Potter, Danielle Madore, Chris Dingwell, Brendan Rowe, Steven Huie, and Jason Ajello – March 2006.

Sue and Claw at Beth’s Coming Out Party – March 2006.

Phuc tattooing Beth – Spring 2006.