New rto the site

[jamessanders]

Hi,

I just wanted to introduce myself. I've been tattooed for almost 10 years now but I started getting real serious lately. I now have both sleeves in progress, a finished chest piece, a full back piece in progress, and both thighs. Obviously I'm looking to increase my coverage but I think I should finish what I've started. Most of my large area tattoos I try to plan ahead but there were some smaller pieces from a time when I didn't think I would want to be heavily covered. It has been a pain to work around those and I actually could use some advice around here. So far I've been lurking and the place seems legit. Good to meet y'all.

[gougetheeyes]

Welcome! What kinds of advice? And where you located?

[jamessanders]

Welcome! What kinds of advice? And where you located?

Thank you. Well, advice in general, ideas. Like the tribal stuff on my shoulders which get in the way of my full sleeves (should I go with the idea my artist has of creating a cloud and smoke around it or should I maybe laser it and replace it). One oh my thighs I started coloring this week (I don't know if I am allowed to upload pics yet) and I kind of want to make it a full leg sleeve now but the tattoo wasn't originally designed for this. The artist seems decent but I'm still not used to the different style and expressions around here so, I'm not sure if I should go with the artist's idea for the back of my thigh or my idea (along with his ideas) to extend it to my lower leg. That's the kind of advice I'm talking about. I'm sure at some point I should create separate threads for that.

I'm from TX but I relocated to South America for the time being. There are good artists if you're willing to look for them.

[gougetheeyes]

Pictures would certainly help but I'd almost always go with your tattooer's advice, assuming they'e "above board." With the tribal/existing tattoos, I feel like it comes down to how you feel about the tattoos. Sometimes the best ones are the older, gnarly ones that you end up keeping.

[jamessanders]

Let's forget about the tribal and the arm sleeves for now. There's a lot that can be done with those before having to decide. Right now the most urgent is my right leg. I have this eagle (was supposed to be a more traditional American eagle but I ended up with something not so traditional yet really cool) who was done by some artist in Houston who ended up leaving his shop with no fair warning and I was unable to get him to finish it. The original idea was to have the eagle standing alone atop a cliff with a couple of lines of lyrics, but the eagle as it was didn't allow for that. This tattoo was supposed to be on my right thigh to "even things out" considering I have another stand alone tiger on my left thigh.

The thing is, I now want both my legs fully covered as well. The cliff on which the eagle is standing is a very good excuse (IMHO) to become extended downward (going through the knee), basically turning the cliff top into a full blown mountain.... we've talked about adding ocean elements, whales, sharks, a lighthouse.... and extending it all the way down to my foot (which he seems to be very excited about and I think it can work). I just want to hear general opinions on how people feel this would work. The most complicated thing though is... What do to with the back of my thigh? extending the piece to my shin and calf doesn't seem to be a big deal but what to do with the back of my thigh? That's a big question. He has suggested a pelican or some other bird... but I really don't know if that would work, or even appear remotely cohesive. Any suggestions or input would be greatly appreciated.

http://imgur.com/LukWFPL

http://imgur.com/X5c9NyR