One of the biggest questions I get at shows and around town is, “What do your tattoos mean?”  I am definitely proud of my tattoos that I’ve had designed by three different tattoo artists.  My first bit of ink was a memorial for my daughter Dempsey (www.dempseyburdick.com) and will be the only tattoo I get on my right arm.  It’s a very simple piece designed by John McAffee and colored by Nate McMillan in Salt Lake City of a pair of angel wings down my shoulder, a halo with a sunset, and her name.  It is a constant reminder of the angel that sits on my shoulder. Nate McMillan went on to design my second piece which is a Salvador Dali inspired idea of heaven, with my life being recorded as a great Piano Symphony in the sky as the hands of God reach to play the keys.  This piece stretches around my left shoulder and comes underneath my arm – it is complete with bullet holes for my divorces, an emerging butterfly symbolizing my daughter, and the two hands of God (see partial photos below). And finally, Adam Moorhead of Los Angeles has been working on my colorful 3/4 sleeve that is ripe with symbolism.  Attaching to the Piano in the Sky on my shoulder, it is a collection of images and ideas that represent my life and who I am.  A giant winged lion stretches up the arm as a rememberence of who I’m becoming, while 3 women (symbolizing the women that I have truly loved) are bathing in a pool in a grotto nearby.  The lion is ready to pounce on a gazelle to provide food and support for his subjects as his rusted iron crown with red jewels lays fallen on a rock near where he perches.  A better understanding of the detailed symbolism includes the knowledge that I’m a Leo, my birthstone is ruby, and my Native-American totems include iron and salmon.  I won’t get into the rest, including the death of the old me and rebirth of a new me, the roses and my family, and how this piece intersects with the hand of God and heaven.  Instead, I’ll let you click on the photos and analyze for yourself the 22 hours I’ve spent in the chair on this 3/4 sleeve.  And to think, I’ve still have another 10 hours of work still to go on my arm – it’s a good thing I have a high tolerance for pain.