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I just get (when I am able to again) classic looking stuff. Shit that will look good when I am 70. The lower part of my arms will have something that gives others (and me of course) a good feeling. Tattoos are visible, social, and I want them to match my inner persona. Even more when they are visible to everyone most of the time. Now my lower part of arms have shit. Grude horror tattoo, some crap I took when I didnt know any better and some text. Not me. Or not the world I want to portray. This is a good text

color study for an in progress back piece...the tattoo is soo much better but no pics until complete.

Heres one of mine. Horses head tattooed by Mario Deso.

Robert Ryan talks about the power of negative tattoos in his interview in TAM. He mentions a story about someone getting a black cat with word "Unlucky" underneath and that person later losing that limb in an accident. I am very aware of the stuff I put into the world, so no devils, intoxicants,violence, or hardcore sexuality in any of my tattoos. I also started with a black and gray Immaculate Mary on my right arm and switched to color on the rest of my tattoos. I'm Mexican American and I know first-hand what kind of impression you give people when you have a shaved head and you're covered in black and gray work, no matter how well-spoken you happen to be. Plus I really like the way color looks on my skin. So far, my left side is about mortality (the only skull I have is surrounded by green vines and a bird), my right side is about spirituality. My lower right leg will probably carry on with the spiritual theme. My lower left leg is where my travel tattoos are going so far. My thighs, back, ribs will be larger traditional/neo traditional; as much as I like Japanese tattoos, I just don't connect with it culturally. But if I travel to Asia, then a small travel tattoo would be an exception. I promised to leave my pecs and stomach untattooed for my girlfriend. I get my tattoos as I can afford them, which is usually twice a year at this point (summer trip and birthday, usually). It gives me plenty of time to think about what I want.

Please pardon my humble self promotion but figured some on here may enjoy this as we've previously private messaged and/or talked around similar topics plus there may be more LSTers on this site interested in psychology that I don't know about..... Tonight (Wednesday 7.20.11) I humbly announce I will be doing a live blog radio interview. I am nervous as the people they have had talk so far, Dr. Carlo DiClemente & Dr. Andrew Tatarsky, are individuals whose work I hold in very high regard and I feel honored and grateful for this offering. I wanted to pass on the info as it could lead to some exciting work/contracts for me and who doesn't enjoy talking about drugs and sex truthfully? If you get a chance to tune in it would be much appreciated as this is part of a new project a colleague of mine started plus if all goes well with me on the air it could lead into me potentially doing a regular youth contract with them and their website. So what I am hoping for is to get lots of listeners and up their site visit counts. Here is the info from my colleague Dee Dee Stout: "I've started a new venture recently with 2 psychologist-colleagues (Drs. Marc Kern and Fred Rotgers) and part of it is this new online radio show called ChangeTalk that I host (most of the time). We're interviewing various experts on change and each week focus on a different kind of change. Last week, it was Dr. Carlo DiClemente, the co-developer of the Stages of Change theory to discuss the process of change in general (it was an incredible chat!). This week, it's "our own" Lochlan McHale talking about teens, sexuality, addiction, families, and change. Please go to www.blogtalkradio.com/aa2 at 5pmPDT/8pmEDT or listen to the archived version anytime!" Thanks everyone for your time and hope you enjoy the show......

Sigh, This discussion never really goes anywhere when it's over-analysed but I can't resist adding my 2p. With regards to tattooing, it's more of a moral issue -something you feel is right or wrong. From my point of view copyright exists and is useful purely from a financial point of view. To protect or safeguard earnings. Intellectual copyright does the same thing, it just doesn't need as much paperwork. I shudder at the thought of copy written tattoo designs. Actually, most of the better designs/ideas/compositions are folk art, like nursery rhymes or bedtime stories. The best ones are archetypes and you can't copyright them. If you understand the mechanics of logic and use it's arguments to your advantages, you can 'prove' that black is white. I see many theoretical discussions (such as this) in the same manner. It doesn't matter how much you talk about it and offer examples, the true result doesn't change, regardless how the argument turns out. Tattooing doesn't need copyright. We stole it all anyway. The more honest of us will pass it on to someone else.

I haven't decided yet, I just can't seem to stop getting tattooed.

Petri, great article, we're lucky to have you on here. Regarding the question, "how did you decide to cover yourself", I've never made that decision. I've been super selective and slow about the whole process, and I've never set out with the intention of being "heavily tattooed." However, to the casual non-bodysuited observer, I seem to have crossed that line. But the more tattooers I get to know and love, and the more spectacular artwork I see, the more I want. I also feel like it's the custom of my tribe. Having two young kids, and not a lot of opportunity to travel, the pieces will come slowly, but I suspect I'll go to my grave in a full bodysuit. (Or I'll make a fabulous suitcase.)

Love Steve Boltz sentiments about "custom " work ,I want a design that everyone has cause its a tried and trusted classic .I was meaning to include custom in the irritating slang terms ,for me its right up there with free-hand .

There's too many he has done, it seems like he does at least one in every place we stop... But, it's one of our favorite tattoos... I am proud of the Knee Tiger he wasn't perfectly happy with it, but... that's how he rolls.

Oh, man...two British Stoos (Stuart Cripwell from Wales and Stewart Robson from England) absolutely crushing this thread. The Robson Pharaoh's Horses that Kyle just posted is one that I've ogled many times. It's entirely too good. Whipshading at its finest and not at all out of place. I'd still give him a wedgie if I ever met him, provided I was wearing a cool guy hat, but Robson's stuff never disappoints. The ability to pull off extra-tough Americana classics AND do jawdropping large-scale Japanese work is a rare skill combo, and he seems to have it in spades.

I just got shit I thought was cool... You meet an artist who's shit you really like and usually that makes you go oh I want a such and such from that guy. You see a cool piece of flash on the wall and thing 'damn i need that on me'. That's pretty much how I got everything I've got. It's different for everyone. Some people get tattoos to represent something, like you get an airplane cause your grandfather was a fighter pilot. I just get shit I think looks cool and the meaning or story being the tattoo ends up being about who did it, when I got it, where I was. Most people have a general idea of the style of tattoos they want like Japanese, traditional, black and grey, etc. and just go from there I think.

Before I get started , many times I have wanted to post Stewart Robson's work on this site but have refrained as I live within wedgie distance or worse .Thanks to his regular contributions he has become more personable to me -and even has fears of his own LOL .Hope this is cool Stewart but your Pharoahs Horses needs inclusion in this thread !!!

As someone who dates people in that age range, I'll listen just to gain a better insight into my girlfriend's mind. :)

This is a vintage flash re-paint I recently completed: It's different enough from the original that I would call it my own, but I wouldn't sell it (possibly trade though) This is an 'original' painting I did using a vintage reference: I consider that "all me" in the sense that you wouldn't recognize the source unless I put the two next to each other. This one I'd feel fine selling and trading. I reference old books that are usually pre-1910, so copyright is usually not an issue. But stuff drawn and painted from flash is just practice for me.

similar topic: http://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/tattoo-designs/93-appropriating-ideas-other-artists.html

some progress on my backpiece!

Petri-I assume since the name isn't very common that this is your interview? Great questions! Robert Ryan Article preview TAM#23

i can completely relate to these responses. i have a piece on the inside (thank god) of my left forearm that features a candle coming out of my arm, cut by a giant razorblade, with the script "you live" underneath it. the tattoo is based off song lyrics by a band i no longer enjoy nearly as much (mistake #1) as i used to, and that i decided to have done on a whim. i didn't really even like the tattoo, but since a friend was tattooing it, and insisted on that design, i went with it (mistake #2). now everyone asks me if it's a tribute to someone who died, suicide, etc. my partner's dad even jokingly asked me if was "a tribute to my cutting days." needless to say i was embarrassed and didn't find it funny at all. now, i'm hoping i can get it covered up, and i really have the same sentiments as CaptCanada. i've got three rules: it can't be vulgar, it can't be related to drugs or alcohol (i've been sober for 10 years), no nudity. that goes for any of my other tattoos (though i have a few funny ones i want in places that will not be seen by the public, such as my upper thigh). and i'll of course have a budget, but i just really want the tattoo gone. it probably will need to be lasered, but as was previous discussed in another thread, there hasn't been a good recommendation for doctor/technician here in the bay, and i haven't had the time or money to thoroughly investigate it. in general though, most of my tattoos are planned out. i have thought of some ridiculous (like a giant black heart) ideas to cover the above mentioned piece, and i've thought of some non-ridiculous ideas. i've always wanted a tattoo for the song "Blackbird" by the Beatles, as i rediscovered it during a time of my life where a lot of stuff was changing, and it's stayed my anthem for the last 5 years. but i don't know if that's the place to do it, if it can be done there, and i don't want to restrict it based on space or a cover up. so i guess, in the end, we'll see what happens. going back to the original question, i too also feel like the tattoos on me are a timeline or a map, but i also try to sleep on most of the designs that i want, at least for a while, before having them tattooed. i don't usually have the placement or the end result completely planned out, but i have the initial idea, and i'll just keep it in the back of my mind and see how many times it comes up when i look, listen, or experience something. if it's something i really want done, more often than not, i'll be reminded of it on a daily basis unintentionally.

its like a timeline/map of events. the significance or meanings to each of them is sometimes obscure or a reference to something as well as sometimes being an inside joke. the sum total of them being a rejection of mainstream culture. i do from time to time hear people say that they want to wait til they are "in shape" before getting a tattoo somewhere and i tell them that i think i'll just cover myself and if i'm fat and ugly then at least there will be a bunch of scary tattoos to distract from that.

this is by james spencer briggs

its always important to go check up on what youve posted because you never know what awesome opportunity could be knocking on your door and then you just miss it. bummer!

part two is here! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRi4fpvzefs

Every time I read "maybe ill catch fire" its in Dans voice.

My old way of thinking was purely based on the images I wanted without real understanding of quality work and the abilities and different styles of particular artists...but after spending a lot of time here, studying the art, visiting shops, talking to artists and collectors my whole paradigm has radically changed. Now I think much more in terms of WHO I want doing WHAT, instead of just, "I want a dragon on my back", or whatever.

Thanks to everyone who shared their opinions and experiences, reading some of the posts was reassuring for me. I've only been on this forum for a short time but i just want to mention how great i think this forum is, because of all the cool and helpful people here who are willing to share and be respectful. so, i booked time with my tattoo artist to have the work done. he's a talented and respected tattoo artist in SF (i've also seen his name come up a few times on this forum and its always in a positive light), and he knows about the scar and is ok with it. i'm so f-ing excited to get a tattoo by him. the appointment isnt for a while, but maybe if im not too shy i just might post a photo of it here after it's done.

A16 « Occult Vibrations I've been having issues with my conversion software but managed to get this little chompie today.

what's everyone's opinion on this? i know there are some artists out there that feel that if one artist bases their design off of another artist's work, that is stealing. however, almost every artists incorporates the use of designs that have been used for many, many years. what's the difference to you (if there is one)? since i'm not an artist, only a client, i'm just curious to hear what everyone thinks.

Yeah outside the tattoo shop I am the illustrated man, but at the shop I am just a guy with a few tattoos. Funny how perspective changes. The more tattooed i get the more empty space I see.

I used the "set a reminder" tool on the page to send me an email before it starts! I HATE to admit this but i'm one of those morons that does not know what time zone I'm currently in so I don't know when it comes on here... and now you all know my dirty secret

first off, sorry about the post above, it was a total fail!! anyway Iwar we are for sure on the same wavelength here becasue i was thinking about the exact same horse yesterday and i was going to post it but i thought let me double check with valerie first. i was very please that she said yes!!! so here it is!

well if the work itself has not been registered before 1978, then by all means, it's public domain. no rights are retained by anyone, and anyone can freely use it if they can obtain a copy of it (though there can be restrictions placed on it if the work is owned by a collector, institution, etc.; they can choose who can and who cannot receive a copy from them and what projects will be approved). any and all works dated before 1923, and where copyright has not been renewed, are also public domain. also, a lot of government works are also public domain based on public interest, but that's a whole different story. you are, techinically speaking, still supposed to apply for permissions to whoever owns the item in it's original form, but there are loopholes when things have been published and if you're making an artist rendition of the original piece.

Yeah, in 20 years with a heroin addiction.

that robert ryan interview is a good one for sure! at the same time, you have to be kind of dumb to get a tattoo of a black guy getting hanged and not think people are going to just assume you're a racist. If I saw that tattoo, I'd probably think they were racist too. I know someone who got a watermelon baby tattooed on them and they've regretted it since because again everyone sees it and automatically assumes racism. It doesn't help that he lives in a city with an almost majority African American population. I think the real lesson or advice here is choose wisely.

I think if you look in the right margin while you are viewing your profile or on your home screen there is an icon to invite people.

True enough, but death doesn't always have to mean grizzly, gory stuff. The idea of "memento mori" is inherent in a lot of tattoo designs that don't need to be especially graphic. I have plenty of skulls but none scream death, really, even though some have daggers through them. I guess it's all perception.. what were we talking about?

My thinking would be similar to eveyone that has posted before me. I would like to be tattooed by a ever changing list that I have in my head. I respect these tattooers for the work they put out, to me the image they tattoo on me isn't has important as the quality of it. But like the exerpt that Petri quoted, death is something I don't really want to touch on. First impressions are important, and if you have someone being decapated on your forearm... well that's something hard to get past. But I have been debating with myself over to do a full traditional Japanese body suit or to stop after what I have planned. Doing the suit would leave me with only a few areas that I could/would tattoo by other artists. Which would make those tattoos that much more special and push me to go to the tattooers I respect the most, no matter the distance/wait. Or just stopping and allowing me to get larger tattoos by more artists with my now saved skin. When I do go to other artists though I would love to just say to them "I love the tattoos you do. I would like to set up an appointment. But I want to get something that you have been wanting to try to do" or something like that. Let them pick what to tattoo on that particular spot, to get their creative jucies flowing for what shape and flow it will have.

It was never a decision, really. Started with the chest, crept down the arms and sides, now my legs have been taken over. But I'd say a combination of Flores'/Petri's/Ursula's post. Only now that I have substantial coverage (compared to your average citizen) have I really made an attempt to both plan my remaining space and attempt to answer that question of how I am portraying myself. I think I said somewhere else, "I keep waking up with new ones," which is a joke but pretty true.

I totally agree with you. When I found out about good tattoos everything changed. I wanted a totally different style of tattoos than what I'd been getting. I have some fucking awful tattoos, luckily they are all pretty small except the one on my foot. Now for me it's more about who's doing the tattoo as well. I'm a lot more choosy now that's for sure.

Thats an incredible tattoo. Rock of Ages is one of my all time favourites. Even though I am not at all religious this is a tattoo I will definitely get before I am food for the maggots

He's not fit to wipe Oliver Hardys arse.

I read it. This guy sounds like he's full of shit. It was pretty funny as well. Heres the link Facebook Hope you don't mind Chris. I had trouble finding your Facebook page as there are some old ones.

Artwork Rebels is a good shop, Atlas, Scapegoat, Mr. Tattoo, and I am pretty sure that Scott Harrison still tattoos out of his own place. I think that you can contact him through his website SACS AKIMBO!!!. I am sure there are more good shops there, but these are the ones I am most familiar with.

well...this is bound to turn into a huge mess. but, here's my take. i think we all "appropriate" things, especially those of us who follow "traditional" tattooing. by its nature, traditional or classic tattooing follows a certain code, look, and rules. we follow a lineage. most of the designs have been passed on to us through that lineage and visual heritage, and their origins are long lost, or if there was an originator, he is long dead. now, if a LIVING tattooer does something unique and original, and it's his/her own idea, and overnight, thanks to facebook, it's being copied all over the world and internet, i think that's wrong. that guy came up with something cool and new, maybe his whole own style or niche, and he's still alive, making a living. we should respect that.