Face Art by onewing

Face Art

Yesterday I posted a photo of street art and today here is a photo of 'face art'.

I saw this chap outside the old post office in Newcastle. I think he was just about to set up his patch to do some busking as he had a guitar with him.

He said he has played at Tamworth during the folk festival (probably as a busker though, not any of the official contenders).

He told me that he was given his first tattoo when he was 12 years old in the children's home, so I think he has had a rather sad life. His tattoos just progressed from thereon.

He showed me some photos a photographer had taken of him which he had in his guitar case and I think he was beginning to give me his life history, but as I was with David and my nephew Rob that day I had to limit the time I spent talking to this chap.

Of course, David and Rob had wandered off and left me behind at this stage and I had to catch them up. ha ha.

I think this chap was just happy that he had somebody to talk to for a while, he does have sad eyes.
There is so much character in his face. His eyes also tell of resignation to a hard life. I like the POV.
April 27th, 2016  
amazing face...ditto Ehtel...and there but for the grace of god go i...must have a little chuckle as it reminds me of something my mum used to say..."don't ask 'so and so' how she is...cos she'll tell you!...
April 27th, 2016  
Boo
@maree_sanderson hahaha my mum said the same!

This is a lovely pic of a man who has had a hard life. He has a sort of softness in his eyes though, don't you think?
April 27th, 2016  
A great candid face shot Babs!
April 27th, 2016  
I find this a very powerful shot, Babs. Hard to stop looking at those eyes. I've never seen face tattoos like these.
April 27th, 2016  
He's full of character...
April 27th, 2016  
Great portrait beautifully capture in lovely detail and colour, he looks so relaxed in your company Babs , very well done:)
April 27th, 2016  
The chap has a rather lived in look about him but at least he is out there. Nicely captured Babs :)
April 27th, 2016  
Great shot of all the tattoos and those watery blue eyes -- he looks so relaxed to be photographed by you !
April 27th, 2016  
What a great shot, this man & his weathered face have seen a lot of life !!!
April 27th, 2016  
There is something very compelling about those eyes. Well done, Babs.
April 27th, 2016  
I agree with all the above. I think he looks like he was happy you stopped to chat.
April 27th, 2016  
@huvesaker ...yes, i agree...a softness and a searching for acceptance also i think...he's had a hard life by the look of him...
April 27th, 2016  
funny you should post this, I took a grab shot of a very similarly tattooed gentleman yesterday, but i was only game to capture the back of his head. haha.
April 27th, 2016  
This is a great stranger's portrait!Rough life had left prints on his face,but the eyes are still soft and warm.Love that contrast!
April 27th, 2016  
You do bring out t he best in strangers Babs. I struggle to engage people I don't know in conversation with the purpose of taking their photo. He looks like a man not to be messed with too!
April 27th, 2016  
He looks like a real old rocker Babs. I admire how you are able to take these portraits.
April 27th, 2016  
Excellent.
April 27th, 2016  
Well captured and looks a real character. Not keen on body art on the face.
April 27th, 2016  
Great portrait shot...quite a character
April 27th, 2016  
What a super portrait of this great character, you do these so well Babs. Many thanks for all the kind and supportive comments over the past three years. I feel sad about stepping back from this Project but I have so many other things I want to do and there aren't enough hours in the day. Take care Babs and carry on enjoying retirement to the full; you have been an inspiration :))))
April 27th, 2016  
Great portrait, yes his eyes do look sad but he does look a character !
April 27th, 2016  
He looks like he has seen a lot of life and not always good. Great capture. You are very brave approaching strangers to ask if you can take a picture.
April 27th, 2016  
A super portrait. Fav!! 😃
April 27th, 2016  
I cannot understand why people choose to mutilate their body with tattoos. However I think this is a wonderful character portrait.
April 27th, 2016  
I bet he loved talking to you Babs, he sounds very lonely & probably has no family around. Quite clear eyed though thankfully, he suits his bandana!
April 27th, 2016  
This is a good portrait Babs because it shows that tattoos don't age well & very often loose their original meanings.
April 27th, 2016  
Nice detail and shot.
April 27th, 2016  
Good on you for stopping to chat. It is always so nice to have a bit of background to the photograph. I agree about the sad eyes though. Well taken.
April 27th, 2016  
Great portrait with the tattoo details!
April 28th, 2016  
His eyes say it all! Great capture
April 28th, 2016  
Wonderful portrait. Such an interesting story too. Nice job Babs!
April 28th, 2016  
OMG Babs, your people-finder does work well. What an interesting face, it speaks volumes.
April 28th, 2016  
@maree_sanderson ha ha, loved your comment and I know exactly what you mean.
April 28th, 2016  
@ethelperry @huvesaker @beachdog @quietpurplehaze @julzmaioro @pcoulson @hermann @beryl @happysnaps @merrelyn @cruiser @deborah63 @my_photofun @jackie8 @elaine55 @mittens @ladymagpie @seattlite @paulaw @craftymeg @shirleybankfarm @carolmw @julieco @happypat @paulmann @tonygig @helenhall @loweygrace @jgpittenger @eyesmile @golftragic Sorrty for the group reply again, but I have been out all day again. Went for a girlie lunch with some pals and then to a friends house for a cuppa.
this chap was so interesting to talk to and he was very relaxed. I think I have just got the gift of the gab as they say in Yorkshire and asked him lots of questions. I am sure he has lots of stories to tell. I wish I could have had more time to chat to him, but of course, David and Rob had wandered off and left me behind.
My Nanna always said "Never judge a book by the cover" and this chap fitted that bill, he was a lovely sweet guy and seemed quite lonely too I think.
April 28th, 2016  
What a character!! And having the guts to stop for a chat is something I envy!
April 28th, 2016  
An amazing capture!
April 28th, 2016  
@taffy Thanks Taffy. I just think I am the right age to be able to get away with it. ha ha. I am able to go up to a bloke and say "Oh Wow you look fantastic, can I take your photo" and they aren't going to say "No" are they.
April 29th, 2016  
@susiemc Thanks sue, he was quite a character. Must have had lots of stories to tell.
April 29th, 2016  
April 29th, 2016  
@onewing Yer may be from Yorkshire, but I have no problem with yer accent. I heard an interview with a bloke who was involved with the Hillsborough disaster the other day. I swear that if I could get one word in five or even ten I'd be lucky. And I worked in a veritable United Nations!
April 29th, 2016  
Pam
Great capture. I'm sure he has many stories to tell.
May 1st, 2016  
That is a well worn face with a lot of stories. Great shot
May 2nd, 2016  
@golftragic Ee by gum, you will have to have lessons to learn yerself Yorkshire.
May 2nd, 2016  
@onewing I'm good with Andy Dalziel and his lot. Plus, I have an excellent translator living up your way.
May 3rd, 2016  
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