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My torso is done and done :) Finished picture has been in my gallery for a while now. I know Valerie posted this in her gallery, but in case someone might have overlooked it you can check it out here: Valerie was going to do a guestpot at a local shop here in Oslo, but had to cancell in the last minute. She offered me to get the tattoo done at Frith street instead, so I jumped at the opportunity and flew back and forth in less than 30 hours. It was a blast! :)

We have found Art School Owl's grumpy cousin...Tat Artist Taz! or make your own!! check out Tat Artist Taz's Blog....Tattooer Taz

Here are the latest additions. The Tiger is on my wife, the Fudo sword is me, both by Matt Arriola. The Christ is on me by Vinse One. I have three or four sessions left on my back, but Matt is moving to NYC so I won't be getting more work on it until November. All of this work was done within the last two and a half months so now I am broke.

I don't want to be the next one to attack you, as that isn't what I am doing....but I could not give me two cents regarding to this..... FREEHAND are done by those that are good enough and well experienced in what they do, I say many beginners doing FREEHAND as they think that by doing so they are a master of tattooing. Sorry but your friends shouldnt be free-handing it, or maybe not even tattooing.... enjoy your "tatt".

Mr. Blaze, if you are a real person, I'm sorry but your tattoos suck. Your grammar, spelling and use of capitalization also suck (maybe even more than the tattoos). You're the one who wanted to post pics and get our opinion so badly. Well we gave it, honestly. Attacking people because they don't like your horrible tattoos isn't going to keep any one here up at night, trust me. If you aren't a real person, then here's your trophy for second best troll (number one still goes to Mr. Bubble) (can't believe i just google image searched 'shit')

I'm a 35 year old tech writer and artist in Austin, TX. I was born in San Antonio, raised outside of Houston on the Gulf and moved here about 8 years ago. My interests are traditional hot rods and lowriders (I built up a '62 Impala that I had to sell to pay student loan debt), classic motorcycles (I have a street tracker '78 CB750), spirituality,music (downtempo, hardcore, 80's alternative, hip hop, drum and bass), paranormal and "weird" stuff, grindhouse movies, and weight training. I live with my girlfriend and I have 3 kids- 5 and 7 year-old girls and 16 year-old boy. I spend most of my time reading (Joseph Campbell "The Hero with a 1000 Faces" is the latest), painting, and working around the house. O/T I'd like to start a book thread if anyone's down ;)

I'm Shawn. I'm originally from Florida, I lived there until my early 20s when I moved to Philly in 1999 with a girl. Relationship didn't work out, but I fell in love with the city of Brotherly Love and have been there ever since. I used to be totally self sufficient; from farming my own vegetables and hunting my own meat to canning or preserving the results. I could sew my own clothes, et all. 12 years in Philly and I've lost a lot of that. Luckily my Dad moved up here two years ago and already has me helping out with his garden and is re-honing my archery skills. My eventual goal is to move to North Carolina and not wear shoes unless I have to. (and that's not a joke) I'm a foodie, a toy collector (biding my time before I start a Pushead thread on LST) and a nerdy blogger.

Let's not ruin this fine thread by giving this guy any more attention. Hopefully he stays true to his word and leaves us the fuck alone... Now, lets hear about your latest tattoo story instead! :)

just saw his last reply, not worth the time. Lambs pretending to be lions are generally the first to be slaughtered

blaze, I will not throw stones as your tattoos are better than mine right now. I will say the people here are not misleading you with criticisms. If you dont want to take advantage of the thoughts and experiences of people who are more educated than you about tattooing then your missing a golden oppurtunity IMO BTW your back bicep is also known as triceps

First episode up now!!! Favorite part - "hey we want our tattoos to look classic- we don't want them to look dated. you know? when somebody comes in and wants like an owl on their chest it's like "why don't you just get a fucking eagle on your chest?""

Damn you all for making me google image juggalette.

If by hot you mean, over weight 18 year old pot heads who are too open about their psych issues and who's only goal in life is to "kick it wit da homies" then yep... Hella hotties.

That bear tattoo just makes me think, "Ms Rad by name, Ms Rad by nature", haha. Here's a new one from me! This was done just yesterday, so my arm is pretty swollen. It's by Thomas Morgan, who is just finishing a guest spot in Inkslingers in Newcastle. I think he told me he'll be in Paris next, so if you live near there, I'd recommend getting some work from him! Oh yeah, and I kind of thought this was obvious (I'm sure it will be to you guys), but since a couple of friends have asked me- the gypsy head isn't from yesterday- Ian Parkin did that, and it looks FAR better when my arm isn't at a funny angle :P Anyway, here you go, sorry for the bad picture. I never did put that picture of my tattoo from Charlie on here, did I? If anyone wants to see it, I'll gladly put that up too :)

This thread is for those who want to share a little bit of their personal information with the rest of us. Most of you I only know by username and avatar, but because of our mutual passion for good tattoos I have grown curios to get to know you a little better. Internet forums are most often overcrowded with people saying all kinds of shit they don't dare utter in real life, but this place is different, and to me really precious. It's the only forum I even bother to be a member of. Anyways, my name is Ivar, I'm 29 years of age, and Oslo is the city I call home. I grew up on the country side in Telemark, but moved here in 1999. I work for a wholesalesbusiness that imports musical instruments and distributes them to all the music shops around in Norway. In my spare time I play guitar in one band and drums in another. My passion for tattoos and tattoo art started around 06 when I decided I wanted a halfsleeve. Luckily I went to a good shop at that time, which was pure coincidence since I didn't know jack shit at that point. I played in a hardcore band at the time, and I wanted to look the part and be cool. Its really fucking embarassing, but that's how it started... This is me... If anyone wants to add me on facebook send me a pm. I know this is not for everyone, but I thought I'd give it a go anyways :)

Art Talk-Mike Brown Lot's of history in this.

Well bigjoe I'm not a female but I do enjoy long walks on the beach at night. So if you fancy a slightly outashape, some what short, unmotivated half breed that will cough up a lung if he trys to run to much... Then I'm you man ;) but don't expect to get my cookies, momma taught me better then that.

Name is Thomas Storck, , 24, from El Paso, TX. Grew up skateboarding and met my mother and sister/brother for the first time when I was 18. Never knew about them for 15 years. I moved to Dallas in hopes of re-establishing a relationship with my father (which hasn't happened after 4 years). Now, I have moved on and currently going to school for Computer Networking Systems, have 1 year left for my Associates degree, interning for my friends creative design company as a web/graphic designer ( grew up free-lancing) and work part time as an Internet Researcher for a recruiting franchise. I like to box, and want to learn how to do BJJ (brazilian jiu jutsu) on my free time. Usually up until odd hours of the night drawing and reading about tattooing. I have my first art show I am preparing for in Aug. which I am nervous and excited for that I am getting for. Nice to read about the rest of you above. Hope you start your own brewery David, that would be sick! I love good beer too.

The name is Dave Flores. I am 31 years old, I work in a warehouse as a forklift driver and as a counter person at Acme Tattoo. a small street shop on the outskirts of Portland Oregon. I am married to my wife Karen and we have a eight month old named Rollo. In my spare time I like to cook, brew my own beer, and obviously get tattooed and learn about the craft and its history. Before Portland I lived in Phoenix Arizona and Colorado Springs Colorado. If you have any questions feel free to ask, but I warn you my life is pretty boring.

Best way to watch is to get tattooed! Is she looking at anyone specific to get tattooed from?

I was going to post a witty/sarcastic response, but I think I'm speechless.

Fuk yeah BRAH. Hey, u ON the ICP dating site? How WAS the Gathering? I bet SEETHER was siq foo.

That will be hella RAD. Heyyyyyoooo

I wish it was longer!

Wow that sounds really cool, MsRad! You'll have to keep us filled in, I really want to see it when it's done! :) Thanks about the new tattoo.. well, I say thanks, it's not like I did anything, lol. I always feel weird saying thanks when someone compliments my tattoos, it's like I'm saying thanks for someone else's work. But you know what I mean :) I love it. Didn't have a picture on my computer of my tattoo from Charlie, but thankfully everything's on the internet these days anyway. Hope this isn't too big...

I remember a post from a tattooer friend on facebook where he and his girlfriend were having dinner with Ed Hardy and she posted the picture and one of her friends commented something like "you mean the guy from the clothes" and Doug Hardy saw it and posted something like " I didn't think Ed Hardy was a real person, I thought he was a figurehead like Sara Lee". Maybe it was funnier to see it in person but I still smile about it today.

Fuck it, I'm digging out the troll food... Are you insinuating that we are acting tough because we are hiding behind keyboards? I use my real name and I make it clear where I work and what conventions and other shops I attend. My opinions here are my professional opinions. I say the same things face-to-face where I work all the time. I don't use any tough-guy posturing to do that either. This isn't a hobby for me. I'm not hiding behind anything - which is why I don't insult people directly and I try to treat people with respect, unless they show no respect. Maybe that's the fucking problem here. It's clear that you want to help your wife learn to tattoo. Her mentor should be doing that. It's also blatantly clear that you have no respect for tattooing. You don't even think it deserves respect. You think that because you know tattooers and have spent money on tattoo products you are entitled to respect. You didn't piss anyone off, that's not why people keep disagreeing with you. It's because -by your own admission- you didn't care enough to think before you post. You want everyone here to feed information to you, just because you ask, before you search google, before you even think about the matter in hand for a couple of minutes. I'm responding to you because this issue and the responses to it will hopefully be useful to someone else later on. I have no desire to engage in discussion with you directly. If you really think you have pumped so much money into tattooing? why not just buy the dvd anyway? Did you really expect a positive response from anyone here? Why not be active and buy the dvd and post a review? Contribute to LST with something positive or creative. Instead of expecting free help and information. Everything has a price. Thanks.

okok I swiped it from Todd Noble's facebook, but

Might as well laugh.

This thread makes me sides hurt. Literally.

My name is Dan. 22 (young gun) year old currently residing in Oakland for now. I work on a ambulance in Alameda County for a living, but live for fly fishing. Been fly fishing since I was 12 and hope to grow up to be a fishing guide in either montana, wyoming or even northern california. I got my first tattoo at 17 by a sureno who was a line cook at the applebee's I was working at. It says "RISE ABOVE". The word rise is higher than the above. Ive watched Jaws three nights in a row, and am planning on watching True Romance again when I get home. I have a 22 pound white house cat named Orion. His main goal in life is cuddling and annoying me. Thats it.

There are going to be two more Santoro episodes, Shadow.

Can't reply. Laughing too much.

*jaw on the floor* AMAZING!! Lucky girl!!

no, this is racist

But dude if you buy the perfume you get a free handbag!!!!!!!

I think Hustler is the worst tattoo magazine. Have you seen some of those tattoos? Holy Shit.

Like bigjoe said, Tattoo Life/Energy are good magazines. Tattoowier seems ok, although I can't vouch for the writing quality, as I can only read English. The only magazine from the UK worth looking at is Total Tattoo. Sally, Perry and the gang are a rarity in tattoo magazines (along with Mikki Vialetto's Tattoo Life crew) because they can (mostly) tell what a good tattoo looks like. But most of all, they actually like tattoos and get tattoos by some great tattooers. If your favourite tattooers write articles and send photos to a magazine, it's probably worth taking a look. My rules of thumb for a magazine being shit are: Poor quality control, including spelling. Photos of shitty tattoos. Interviews with shitty tattooers. Repeated articles about 'women in tattooing' or 'women with tattoos'. Mis-spelling tattooers names, especially well-known people like Filip Leu, Ed Hardy, Freddy Corbin etc. If more than 10-20% of the content is colour realistic tattoos. If more than 50% of the content is any one style/school of tattooing. If there is an abundance of fetish-style photography. Interviews with freaky people with shitty facial tattoos. An editorial lean toward controversy, smut or celebrity. Re-prints or articles with content just cribbed from the internet. There are many more things that I personally dislike, but I think that these things are too common in tattoo magazines. I'm guessing that none of this will help you decide which magazines you want to work with, just my 2p. But as your question was more toward which magazines to avoid outside of the uk, we (Frith Street) had a bad experience with Skin & Ink, but i think they have a different editor these days and they did have a cool article about Chicago Tattoo Co a couple of months ago. Tattoo Savage used to fulfil almost all of my crappy criteria above but I haven't looked at it for years. International Tattoo Art has gone through periods of being cool and being crappy but I don't know what it's like now. You probably know this already, but very few tattoo magazines have full-time writers. They mostly use freelance contributors. I'm friends with a few magazine contributors and most of them are photographers/writers, rather than specialise in just one. This works out cheaper for magazines. The best ones conduct interviews face-to-face and visit shops and conventions. Some tattooers and shops are hesitant to allow strangers to interview them so it would help if you are likeable in person and seem to care about tattooing. Expect it to be very different from blogging or writing for an online magazine as you will be creating content rather than commenting on existing content. Good luck. This was supposed to be a quick post, but it almost turned into a rant. Hopefully there is something useful here.

Boyer's photos make a strong argument. Guy named Jim LaPorte sold his extensive Lieber collection a couple years ago, and the pin-up sheet two photos above was $1600. A chunk of dough, yes, but a very fair price, considering the obvious influence Lieber had on Jerry, who's sheets go for three times as much. If anyone's interested in LaPorte's high-quality book of his collection, I can pass on his email. It goes for $250, I think, but it's sizeable, and fucking dope. Brooks turned my bud Kyle on to it, and we swooped on what we could and couldn't afford. Brooks got a couple great sheets. The Scott Harrison fish girl tattoo above is on SBoyer, and is flash from the Lieber sheet I went into more dumb debt for. My bud Kyle saw a picture of that Harrison/Lieber piece and said "That tattoo is perfect." Fucking strong. Back to girls: There's tons of good girl head stuff that leans more towards the realistic, too. Sboyer just turned me on to Jose Lopez. Very impressive. My blind ass was also just made aware of how good Lenherr's girl busts are, as well. Jason Brooks does excellent girl/rose heads. I fully agree that Uzi's a very good tattooer, too. Conn is obviously outstanding. I slid ass first into a pile of sugar when I got that Rock of Ages (pictured under the ROA thread) from him on my thigh in 2003. I was just getting my feet wet as a collector, and luckily picked up on how good he was when I flipped through his book at Temple the previous year. One thing that's impressive about his art is that it appeals to people who're new to looking at tattoo art (like me in 2002), but continues to reveal deeper layers when viewed by a more experienced eye. That's when tattooing truly becomes "art", in my opinion. The apex of this dynamic is reached when staring at a Van Gogh, Kawanabe Kyosai, Soga Shohaku, or Kano Hogai painting or print. Fuck, every time I look at the Van Gogh print on my wall at home I get tractor-beamed into some aspect of his holistic vision that I never noticed before. Hokusai, too. Hell, I can ogle Mike Malone's shit all day, as well. He was real into Soga Shohaku and Kano Hogai. Go figure. Speaking of traditional tattooing that is true art, look at Richard Stell's tattooing. I was beyond dumb-lucky enough to get a couple tattoos from Mike Malone when he was around, and wish I had done the same with Ed Hardy and Higgs when they were tattooing. To people who dig my Malone tattoos (and covet the experience of getting tattooed by a dude like that), I say get tattooed by Stell. Eddy Deutsche is tattooing in L.A, too. He's another one who's tattooing is true art.

looking for a xmas gift for that someone special in your life?

Now this guy seems like a real keeper, bet he has to fight the ladies off.