A black-and-white photo of a person mid-air in a Superman-style body suspension pose, supported by multiple hooks in their back and legs, smiling joyfully toward the camera. They are suspended horizontally in a large indoor space with high ceilings and visible rigging. A group of onlookers—some seated, some standing—watch with expressions of admiration, amusement, and support. The atmosphere is lively and communal, capturing a moment of shared experience and transformation.

Nick’s Facial Work Continues

Updating you on NYC’s most tattooed architect’s facial tattoo work, here’s the latest photo of Nick‘s striking facial work by Tattoo Joe at Physical Grafitti in Bridgeport, CT. I love where this project is going, and it’s a real gift to be able to watch people undergoing this sort of transition.

Edit/update: Read comment #22 for some background on Nick.

Comments

120 responses to “Nick’s Facial Work Continues”

  1. nature223 Avatar

    whoaaaaaaa…that is intense

  2. nature223 Avatar

    whoaaaaaaa…that is intense

  3. PredatorDK Avatar
    PredatorDK

    I don’t understand. What is his professional function in the NYPD since this kind of heavy facial mods isn’t interfering with his job?

  4. PredatorDK Avatar
    PredatorDK

    I don’t understand. What is his professional function in the NYPD since this kind of heavy facial mods isn’t interfering with his job?

  5. Iggy Avatar
    Iggy

    I like it except for the top lip part.It definetly makes him look alot more menacing.
    oh & by the way hes not a cop anymore,do you think they let cops tattoo there faces, he couldnt even get a job a mcdonalds now.

  6. Iggy Avatar
    Iggy

    I like it except for the top lip part.It definetly makes him look alot more menacing.
    oh & by the way hes not a cop anymore,do you think they let cops tattoo there faces, he couldnt even get a job a mcdonalds now.

  7. Bob Avatar
    Bob

    I agree because he’s undergoing a transformation that many of us have fantasized for ourselves. Well Done !!!!!!

  8. Bob Avatar
    Bob

    I agree because he’s undergoing a transformation that many of us have fantasized for ourselves. Well Done !!!!!!

  9. Aiglos Avatar

    I he was an auxillary officer, and he is leaving the force. I could be wrong.

    The forehead work is simply amazing. He look’s fucking great.

  10. Aiglos Avatar

    I he was an auxillary officer, and he is leaving the force. I could be wrong.

    The forehead work is simply amazing. He look’s fucking great.

  11. Matt Avatar
    Matt

    It says here he is an architect and in the last one a cop. I’m confused ya’ll.

  12. Matt Avatar
    Matt

    It says here he is an architect and in the last one a cop. I’m confused ya’ll.

  13. Shannon Avatar

    I doubt Nick is real disappointed about that job at McDonalds being unavailable, Iggy 😛

  14. Shannon Avatar

    I doubt Nick is real disappointed about that job at McDonalds being unavailable, Iggy 😛

  15. Toaster Avatar
    Toaster

    Looks great, tho I always feel a little funny about non-maori having full facial moko. Ah well.

  16. Toaster Avatar
    Toaster

    Looks great, tho I always feel a little funny about non-maori having full facial moko. Ah well.

  17. nickkkkk Avatar

    i like the contrast of facial tattoos and an abercrombie shirt

  18. nickkkkk Avatar

    i like the contrast of facial tattoos and an abercrombie shirt

  19. Iggy Avatar
    Iggy

    oh yeah im sure he’ll be bummed too Shannon haha,…it would be cool if he could still be a cop it would make people alot more intimadated when they got pulled over.I think full facial ink is always a plus when done well like this, he sure is going at a fast pace with this work though,I have facial ink myself & I did it in a piece work, undertaking a project like can be overwhelming, you have to be mentally ready I hope he is.

  20. Iggy Avatar
    Iggy

    oh yeah im sure he’ll be bummed too Shannon haha,…it would be cool if he could still be a cop it would make people alot more intimadated when they got pulled over.I think full facial ink is always a plus when done well like this, he sure is going at a fast pace with this work though,I have facial ink myself & I did it in a piece work, undertaking a project like can be overwhelming, you have to be mentally ready I hope he is.

  21. timmcdivitt Avatar

    i’ve always liked this guy’s face work and this latest addition is really nice. i think this is my favourite facial tattoo.

  22. timmcdivitt Avatar

    i’ve always liked this guy’s face work and this latest addition is really nice. i think this is my favourite facial tattoo.

  23. Wolf Avatar
    Wolf

    Wow. He can look really intentionally menacing with that lip plate angry frown and that ice cold stare. He prolly could get a job as a bouncer or bodyguard…

  24. Wolf Avatar
    Wolf

    Wow. He can look really intentionally menacing with that lip plate angry frown and that ice cold stare. He prolly could get a job as a bouncer or bodyguard…

  25. iam:deadboy Avatar
    iam:deadboy

    hes a really nice guy and i love how this facial work is progressing

  26. iam:deadboy Avatar
    iam:deadboy

    hes a really nice guy and i love how this facial work is progressing

  27. Didj Avatar

    I wish I could get facial ink so badly, But I have no idea how I would support myself if I got it done

  28. Didj Avatar

    I wish I could get facial ink so badly, But I have no idea how I would support myself if I got it done

  29. nope Avatar
    nope

    it looks like a medieval knight’s helmut or something… or maybe my history class is rotting my brain!

  30. nope Avatar
    nope

    it looks like a medieval knight’s helmut or something… or maybe my history class is rotting my brain!

  31. Seraphynae Avatar
    Seraphynae

    Y’know Didj there is makeup on the market that can be used to cover tats. Dermablend I think is one, the Bare Escentials line would probably work as well. I’ve been thinking about starting facial ink, seeing the BME entries with facial tats has sort’ve alerted me to the fact it’s becoming more common, hopefully more acceptable, as our numbers grow 🙂

  32. Seraphynae Avatar
    Seraphynae

    Y’know Didj there is makeup on the market that can be used to cover tats. Dermablend I think is one, the Bare Escentials line would probably work as well. I’ve been thinking about starting facial ink, seeing the BME entries with facial tats has sort’ve alerted me to the fact it’s becoming more common, hopefully more acceptable, as our numbers grow 🙂

  33. Uraniumhobo Avatar

    nick is absolutly one of the nicest people i talk to here, and his faceial work is amazing, i cant wait to see it when its done if it isnt already

  34. Uraniumhobo Avatar

    nick is absolutly one of the nicest people i talk to here, and his faceial work is amazing, i cant wait to see it when its done if it isnt already

  35. Nick Avatar
    Nick

    I hate to say it, but I liked the last stage better. With the addition of the eyebrows and upper lip he looks so angry.

  36. Nick Avatar
    Nick

    I hate to say it, but I liked the last stage better. With the addition of the eyebrows and upper lip he looks so angry.

  37. DK Avatar
    DK

    it reminds me of Dr. Magnetos helmet. he looks really scary now maybe its just the facial expression. Next time get him to smile.

  38. DK Avatar
    DK

    it reminds me of Dr. Magnetos helmet. he looks really scary now maybe its just the facial expression. Next time get him to smile.

  39. TrickyDick Avatar

    Nick is an architect by trade but also an auxiliary officer with NYPD.

    He says in the video of this work getting done that he’s turned in his badge though, but he has worked with his throat/neck and hands / knuckles showing.

    And he’s quite successful in the business world, so I think that employment with a fast food chain is the least of his concerns.

  40. TrickyDick Avatar

    Nick is an architect by trade but also an auxiliary officer with NYPD.

    He says in the video of this work getting done that he’s turned in his badge though, but he has worked with his throat/neck and hands / knuckles showing.

    And he’s quite successful in the business world, so I think that employment with a fast food chain is the least of his concerns.

  41. NYCNick Avatar
    NYCNick

    Too help with the confusion… I’ve been working in Architecture for 20 yrs…. However after 9/11/2001, in a fit of patriotism I decided to pursue a career in Law Enforcement… I signed up, trained, and became an Aux (part Time) Police Officer with the NYPD… and then decided to explore a full time career in police work after I decided I loved the experience. After the tragic death of a partner, I returned to New York, continued doing my old aux Police work (foot patrols walking a beat), bike patrol and car patrol. It was great, and if anything will teach one to appreciate the work of the police, its putting on your uniform and being ‘out there’. Its hard, and sometimes thankless work…. but simultaneously thrilling, and often beyond gratifying.

    I was always pretty heavily tattooed, and at the time I joined the NYPD policies on ink were not so strict. They have since become more restrictive, and I can understand the need for a uniform and professional looking personnel. I had some amazing experiences with NYPD, but always continued to design buildings even while doing my police duties, This last couple of years my design practice has really blossomed, I’m fortunate to have some amazing clients, and nice people who work for me.

    Finally after almost 7 years, I have decided to turn in my badge… and just focus on the quality of my life, doing the things I wish, and leaving the job of law enforcement to others. I gave 1000′s of hours to looking after the City of New York, and will really miss the incredible brotherhood. Now its time to get back to my other profession of design and architecture.

    I’d wanted my face tattooed for a long time… and this seemed like the perfect time to do it…. I really didn’t want to have to wait until my face was old, wizened and ugly just because I decided to wait to be safe, 65 and retired. I wanted to live with this and enjoy it while my face was still somewhat nice and youthful. This seemed like the perfect time to do it.. and i think its really beautiful. Life is about making choices, and commitments and this face is a choice I made. I’ve always worked incredibly hard, achieved as much as I can. I got a great Ivy League education at Cornell, and even got to experience time at Harvard as well.

    One commitment I made to myself is to experience everything that felt correct. Life is uncertain, one simply does not know how long one has to enjoy it. I feel I am meant to experience and become accomplished in a multitude of things, whether its studying Bach on the harpsichord, or trying to help to to keep a neighborhood safe by wearing a blue uniform. I can say I seized opportunities.

    I dunno….? maybe I’ll try to go out on patrol one more time after the face is totally done… (if they’ll let me?) and then go on about my creative life….

    LOL, ‘Iggy’, nah I’m not lookin for a job in McDonalds… I’m designing 8 million dollar apartments for major New York art dealers thanks

  42. NYCNick Avatar
    NYCNick

    Too help with the confusion… I’ve been working in Architecture for 20 yrs…. However after 9/11/2001, in a fit of patriotism I decided to pursue a career in Law Enforcement… I signed up, trained, and became an Aux (part Time) Police Officer with the NYPD… and then decided to explore a full time career in police work after I decided I loved the experience. After the tragic death of a partner, I returned to New York, continued doing my old aux Police work (foot patrols walking a beat), bike patrol and car patrol. It was great, and if anything will teach one to appreciate the work of the police, its putting on your uniform and being ‘out there’. Its hard, and sometimes thankless work…. but simultaneously thrilling, and often beyond gratifying.

    I was always pretty heavily tattooed, and at the time I joined the NYPD policies on ink were not so strict. They have since become more restrictive, and I can understand the need for a uniform and professional looking personnel. I had some amazing experiences with NYPD, but always continued to design buildings even while doing my police duties, This last couple of years my design practice has really blossomed, I’m fortunate to have some amazing clients, and nice people who work for me.

    Finally after almost 7 years, I have decided to turn in my badge… and just focus on the quality of my life, doing the things I wish, and leaving the job of law enforcement to others. I gave 1000′s of hours to looking after the City of New York, and will really miss the incredible brotherhood. Now its time to get back to my other profession of design and architecture.

    I’d wanted my face tattooed for a long time… and this seemed like the perfect time to do it…. I really didn’t want to have to wait until my face was old, wizened and ugly just because I decided to wait to be safe, 65 and retired. I wanted to live with this and enjoy it while my face was still somewhat nice and youthful. This seemed like the perfect time to do it.. and i think its really beautiful. Life is about making choices, and commitments and this face is a choice I made. I’ve always worked incredibly hard, achieved as much as I can. I got a great Ivy League education at Cornell, and even got to experience time at Harvard as well.

    One commitment I made to myself is to experience everything that felt correct. Life is uncertain, one simply does not know how long one has to enjoy it. I feel I am meant to experience and become accomplished in a multitude of things, whether its studying Bach on the harpsichord, or trying to help to to keep a neighborhood safe by wearing a blue uniform. I can say I seized opportunities.

    I dunno….? maybe I’ll try to go out on patrol one more time after the face is totally done… (if they’ll let me?) and then go on about my creative life….

    LOL, ‘Iggy’, nah I’m not lookin for a job in McDonalds… I’m designing 8 million dollar apartments for major New York art dealers thanks

  43. Evan Burke Avatar

    Nicks facial tattoos are reall looking good.

  44. Evan Burke Avatar

    Nicks facial tattoos are reall looking good.

  45. Jon P Avatar

    Traditionally every line denoted something in ta moko. and though this isn’t ta moko, it could still be read as such, but I’ve spoke with Nick and that’s not the intention of the piece. I don’t know about angry, if you look past the tattooing he looks happy enough 🙂 The lip plate kinda gives off the effect of unhappiness with his downturned lips but the tatts looks pretty cool 🙂

  46. Jon P Avatar

    Traditionally every line denoted something in ta moko. and though this isn’t ta moko, it could still be read as such, but I’ve spoke with Nick and that’s not the intention of the piece. I don’t know about angry, if you look past the tattooing he looks happy enough 🙂 The lip plate kinda gives off the effect of unhappiness with his downturned lips but the tatts looks pretty cool 🙂

  47. Jon P Avatar

    I especially like the nose and forehead!

  48. Jon P Avatar

    I especially like the nose and forehead!

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