FIRST TATTOOS BEFORE DEATH - MUST READ!!!!!! All of us at Tattoo Lous would like to say goodbye to Brian whom we are happy to see donate his body parts for the lives of others. That was truely amazing and good to see the huge heart you had, some lucky person is going to get that heart and live a great life......... For those of you who dont know the story of Brian yet; Please read........ Tattoo Lous is honored to know Brian and Wish his Family the Best!!!!! Family and Friends feel free to add to this Blog.
In March of 2010 we had the honor and pleasure of tattooing Brian Bernstein. We heard about Brian from a heartfelt email from his family. The email requested if any of the fine artists from Tattoo Lous would be willing to drive to New Jersey to tattoo Brian. Brian was recently in an accident which, fortunately, he survived. Tragically, however, Brian is now a quadriplegic. His condition limits him from leaving his house to hit up a local tattoo parlor. Before the accident Brian mentioned to his family that when he turned 18 he was coming home with a tat. Well, instead that tat came home to him!
ReplyDeleteWhen Tommy(tattoo artist from Selden, pictured to the left) heard about the situation, he selflessly volunteered to do the tat at Brians earliest convenience. Many of the artists from Tattoo Lou’s look at situations like Brian’s as a way they can use their gift as an artist to help somebody else. We started the “Tattoo Lou’s Gives Back Campaign” in 2009 and will continue it for years to come. So, Tommy drew up a stencil and hit the road with Mark (Tattoo Lou’s Marketing Director). Mark and Tommy expected the trip to Jersey to be a “sorrowful” experience. They expected a trip to Jersey helping somebody in “need.” Instead Brian helped us more than we could ever imagine! Sorrowful?? Hell no! It was an honor, pleasure, and joy to tattoo Brian! Although Brian could not speak he made us laugh like hell from the beginning of the tattoo to the end.
The Tattoo concept was a “One Love” reggae-inspired piece. Tommy used his experience and technique to do another great tat - just one of hundreds Tommy has done this year. Even though we were outside the shop it didn’t stop us from cranking up the tunes, filling the ink caps, and turning Brian’s charming house into a tattoo shop. Brian’s parents welcomed us into their home with passion and hospitality. They could not do enough. As any tattoo artist knows, a tattoo is an experience for the person getting tattooed as well as the artist. Well, Brian gave us an experience we will never forget. His personality, determination, and charisma was extraordinary. Although Brian is in a very unfortunate situation, his faith and determination pulls him through.
It was truly a pleasure to meet Brian and his parents. They are wonderful people and we welcome them into the Tattoo Lou’s Family.
LETTER FROM BRIAN;
ReplyDeleteTommy, Mark, and Lou,
I was planning on getting my tat five months ago before I had a
severe car accident that left me paralyzed from the neck down.
I would like to express my gratitude for what you have done. It was the
greatest thing ever and made a dream come true.
It all began when my sister saw Tattoo Lou's in the "Top 10 Best Tattoo
Parlors in NY" article. She knew how much I wanted a Tat and she sent
out emails to all ten places. Lou's was he only one to respond (fuck
all you other guys)!. Mark and Tommy drove all he way from LI to Jersey
and brought Tattoo Lou's to me.
Mark set up the music and Tommy set up the inks and my tattoo began.
Before I knew it Tommy was done. It was a perfect replica of the
sketch and exactly what I had in mind!!!!. You guys were great!!!!
I already have the next one planned out and I differently know
who I am going to call.
Brian
I would like to say a special Thanks to Mark and Tommy who took a full day of thier own lives to make this happen and went to NJ did the tattoo and made Brian smile, and refused to take any money from the family or from me... that was amazing!!! Great Job Guys!!!!!! I wish I could of been there with you.
ReplyDeleteThen came the request for another tattoo... So of course we are going to make it happen. Drawings were flying back and forth over the internet and before you knew it, a few weeks went by and we got a message stating that Brian wanted to pull the plug, and donate his eyes, heart and any other usable body parts to the lives of others..... WOW! Thats unbelievable, Oh did we mention he is only 18 years old, and now without any selfishness giving up his life for the life of others. Every time I think of this tears come to my eyes. Therefore now we have to hurry and get this tattoo done before its too late!!!!
ReplyDeleteOf Course Mark picks up David another tattoo artist in a hurry and heads to NJ. Here we tattoo a St Michael tattoo on Davids chest. Beautiful tattoo. During the tattoo Brian is asking Mark if one of the artists could draw the logo of the organ donating organazation on paper to put in his coufin with him. Picture this Mark is talking to him about his own funeral...... Strong!!! So David says "Lets Tattoo it on you right now!" So the 3rd tattoo starts - on his hand so that it will be seen in his suit at the funeral........
ReplyDelete2 days later the plug is yanked, and away goes Brians body but his spirit will certainly live forever as he has touched the lives of others and the lives of the Tattoo Lous family and employees! Thank You Brian!
ReplyDeleteOf course a special Thanks to Mark for once again donating his time and the great efforts to help make this happen. Also David is a Tattoo Artist here visiting from Italy - and he wanted to be the one who donated his time to make this happened, he felt so honored to be able to touch life while he was here in the US. David and Mark of course refused all money offered to them from the family and from the Boss....... Thanks guys! You truly are amazing!!!!!
ReplyDeleteLETTER FROM BRIANS SISTER;
ReplyDeleteDear Tattoo Lou's,
I just wanted to personally thank you for coming out to New Jersey to give my brother his tattoo on Monday. My parents both told me it was the first time they have seen him truly happy since his accident. The tattoo turned out great and he is very happy with it. But more importantly, the laughter, good spirit and positive energy you brought into our home was incredible. You are all wonderful people and my family is so thankful that you were able to do such a great thing for my brother. Thank you again, and have a happy new year!
Michelle
Thank You to the 2 friends of Brian who already came in to the Selden shop and got tattooed. It was great to see you drive all the way from NJ to meet us!
ReplyDeleteLETTER FROM BRIANS NEIGHBOR;
ReplyDeleteDear Tattoo Lou’s (and esp. Tommy of the Selden Shop, Mark, and David from the Babylon Shop)
We are just writing to say thank you. We are the neighbors across the street from Brian Bernstein in Chatham NJ, whom Tommy came out to so that Brian could get his wish of finally having a tattoo.
We only found out about your efforts over the last several days as we have said goodbye to such a moving and special person. Brian showed true heroism and decided his mission was to give life to others by being an organ donor. He was taken off life support this past Wednesday and the funeral was today. As Brian said, even though this week has been sad for us, think of how many families got wonderful news that there would no longer be a wait for that life-giving organ.
His tattoos were a matter of enormous pride for Brian, and the organ donor symbol was proudly on display until the casket was closed. When we heard how it all progressed we wanted to be sure to reach out and thank whomever was behind this effort.
Sometimes everyone around you can seem self-centered and callous, and we constantly are confronted with people who can’t seem to look beyond themselves (Brian sure ran into these people over the last weeks as well). But when heros like Brian come along – it makes you realize how beautiful the world still is.
The efforts of your shop, Tommy, and Mike, were incredibly selfless and giving, and again make us aware that there are people out there who really will do the ‘right’ thing. Thank you so much again. As someone with a few pieces of ink already, I know exactly where I will go to get the tattoo to honor Brian.
Much Love,
Ian and Jill
Dear Tattoo Lou's,
ReplyDeleteJust want to take a moment and thank you for the generosity and heartfelt compassion that you showed towards my nephew Brian. Your kindness is testimony that people are still inherently good.
Each tattoo that Brian envisioned, was significant in their timing and meaning. They were his voice and his thoughts. My favorite was the Archangel Michael.
I will forever remember my nephew's "special purpose". Many have paused and readjusted their life's compass in the wake of Brian's short life. As Abraham Lincoln once said “And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.”
Never stop giving,
Aunt Susan
I would like to thank tommy and everyone from tattoo lous that went out of there way to help my friend brian. Once I saw the art work that tommy did I knew there was only one place I was going to get my tattoo in memory of brian, by tommy at tattoo lous. Thusfar I have gotten 2 works of art from nonother than tommy. Even tho it takes 2 hours to get there one way its worth the trip. Thank you again everyone from tattoo lous for everything you have done ill probably be back soon. -Bobby-
ReplyDeleteTattoo Lou,
ReplyDeleteYour artist, Tommy, David, and Mark, are amazing people. Their selfless efforts to help Brian in his final days could not have produced better results. I knew Brian always wanted to "One Love" tat and when I saw it on him I couldn't believe the work your boys did. The tats you gave Brian are concrete proof of the kind of person Brian was: a loving, caring, funny individual. Brian will always be in my heart, and Tattoo Lou's will be seeing me this summer for my own tat to Brian.
You guys are amazing,
Pat (Chatham, NJ)
Thank you so much for all you did for Brian. When I saw that "one love" tattoo I couldn't believe how perfect it was for him. All of your efforts to make him smile are commendable and maybe I'll see you guys one day.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much,
Ali
you guys are amazing. rip brian one love
ReplyDeleteFrom Lou Jr; Brian came into my life early on Saturday morning, while sitting with my wife over a cup of coffee I came upon an e-mail from Brian’s sister sharing a bit of Brian’s story and a heartfelt plea to please grant her brothers wish. A wish that seemed so simple in theory- tattoo him. We sat reading the letter with tears in our eyes, wondering if it was even possible to make Brian’s wish a reality. We knew NO MATTER WHAT we had to figure out a way to make it happen!! The hard part was that we would have to bring Tattoo Lou’s to Brian…but we did it.
ReplyDeleteAbout a month later we received an email telling us that Brian had decided to stop all life support so that he could donate his organs while they were still viable. His last and only wish….was for another tattoo. So of course we sent Tattoo Lou’s to New Jersey to tattoo Brian again. Brian wound up getting two tattoos that day, one being the symbol for organ donation on his hand. In our short time knowing Brian he has become a hero and inspiration to us. He has created a tremendous impact on us by showing how someone so young could be so courageous and selfless. We are so lucky to have been able to be a part of his short life, to make a dream come true for him and most of all to put a smile on his face in his last days. Thank you Brian….. Lou Jr.
Well Mrs Bernstein did it this Sat. We went out to Seldon, LI and saw Tommy!!!! She now has the same "One love" Tat that Brian has. You guys are the greatest!!!! The Tat looks great and she is very happy with it. She promised Brian she would do it and she DID!!!!Once again Thank you Tommy!!!!
ReplyDeleteMr Bernstein
Wow! Mrs Bernstein..... Great Job. Thanks for driving all the way out to Selden to come get that Tattoo. I am sure Brian is so happy :) That is Great!
ReplyDelete