Bobby D.

Ahhhhhh Bobby Milk. 

"Who?" you ask? 

Why none other than Robert De Niro, perhaps the greatest actor of his generation. 

I've been a long, LONG time fan. I don't know what the appeal is, but for as long as I can remember, I've always been drawn most to him. I've seen many of his films; not all because he has done a few box office bombs. Perhaps it's my preference for noir of which many of his films fall under that category such as Mean Streets, Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, Angel Heart (a horrid movie, by the way), and Heat. Then of course there are the mafia/crime films like The Godfather II, Once Upon a Time in America, Untouchables, GoodFellas, A Bronx Tale, Casino. There are just too many to list. Or maybe it's his devilishly good looks that often morphs into a mean mugging face. 

When I decided to finally have a male figure tattooed on me, I asked my tattoo artist, Bud, to make an Edwardian era gentleman with a caricature of Robert De Niro. When it came to placement, he put the stencil on my right forearm. I shook my head no. "I'm not ready to go below the elbows." He was understanding and placed it on my bicep.

When I flew down to L.A. last month, I made my requisite stop at mi amiga's (Wendy) house in Long Beach. She showed me her latest tattoo that Bud did before he went on medical leave. I was in awe. It was a portrait of Johnny Depp; her all time favorite actor. That was when I realized that I am finally ready to go below the elbows. I messaged Bud and said when he's back at work, we're doing a De Niro portrait. He's definitely stoked to do it. I'm hoping we'll get it done this summer.

So in the meantime, I've been researching the right image for a black and grey portrait. Wendy keeps pushing me to get Travis Bickle. EVERYONE does that character that it's become a cliché. But I did come across some great examples.

This is my favorite one. 

Then there is the ever popular Jimmy Conway.

It's too bad this artist put the mole on the wrong cheek.
I hope it's a mirror image.

And this great color portrait from De Niro's role in Machete (which I've not yet seen).

Then there's this curiosity. Frankenstein's Monster. I guess the person who owns this tattoo really loves Mary Shelley's classic novel.

I even saw one Max Cady tattoo though I don't know why anyone would want to tattoo a homicidal, sociopathic rapist. I've only seen this movie once and that was enough. I really disliked that character immensely. I know De Niro's rolls aren't usually the nice guy types, but this character is just too extreme for me.

Of course there is the classic Vito Corleone which is the character I used as a model for my caricature.

I was surprised to find that the character I plan to use isn't among the most sought after design. Neil McCauley. I LOVED him in Heat. It is my favorite De Niro movie. I also think this was when De Niro (at age 50) was at his most handsome. Of course, I am a sucker for goatees. It makes any man more attractive. What I also liked about this character is that despite his tough exterior, he really had a soft spot with some vulnerabilities. It's what made him human.

So this will be my portrait. Hopefully Bud will be back in the shop when I go back this summer. The spot will be my left forearm and a gateway to full sleeves.