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My personal problem with this stuff is that it doesn't deal with or derive from the basic motivations of humans or society. All the long-lasting tattoo imagery addresses or springs from some basic element of humanity. Which is why they've lasted a long time. My opinion is that this style of work (trash polka et al) is created with the main motivation to stand out from the crowd or be 'different'. The drive to be original, different or special, is fundamentally flawed and certainly short-lived. If tattoo designs derive from deep-rooted human drives and archetypes it's pretty much impossible for the concept to become dated. The execution is a different matter. In my opinion all the best tattoo imagery comes from or symbolises basic human drives, or the needs of humans in society. Skulls, pin-ups, powerful animals, flowers, hearts, religious imagery, daggers etc, etc. Most of the flash or portfolios (including tribal) in a decent tattoo shop will succinctly encompass the interesting bits of the human experience. That's why the work posted in this thread rings hollow for me, regardless of the difficulty of the application.

I've been in several relationships with untattooed partners. I don't seek out tattooed partners, but due to my social circles, that's just how things tend to work out. Plus, tattooed chicks do ana.... err. Wrong thread. One of my untattooed girlfriends had Dave Bruehl do a sleeve for her first tattoo. My fiance (oh hey, I got engaged last week) has no tattoos but is talking large Thomas Hooper tattooing for her first tattoo. I honestly rarely give it any thought.

doesn't look like a tattoo to me. not my thing.

I got it yesterday. He did a sweet, super clean job on it. I'll post a picture once its not all red and puffy.

I'm generally a romantic and a defender of the young and foolish, so I want to like this "tattoo concept," but I just can't pull it off. Maybe I could've gotten closer if he'd taken off that hat.

ahhh! @Stewart Robson, i get it now, sweet! about the tattoos in the thread, i'm not a fan either, as soon as i see them in a mag i'm most likely to barely glance at them, dont like them on stickers/tshirts certainly dont like them on skin, forEVER!

These tattoos leave me sad or melancholy. Not only do they "ring hollow" as stewart said but I actually find them draining to look at

Ahhh @Stewart Robson, always able to express in an eloquent way what the rest of us mean by "This shit it stupid and looks even stupider". Thanks again!

ugh someone posted those noon photos in another thread... total shit. I think. The heart on the couple is one of the dumbest tattoos I've seen, ever. Just further proof that the general population has zero taste. At least on the last two the lines are clean, still ugly and look nothing like tattoos to me though.

Heh. Instead I'll spend the money on fancy charcuterie!

Scott named one of his pieces 'New Shit Has Come To Light". If I weren't paying for a wedding, I'd buy that just for the Lebowsky title.

We were in Philly... At Mr. Perfect's Kadillac Duece... Now we are in Washington D.C. at Jinx Proof thru Wednesday of this coming week... We'll be back in Jacksonville. Florida by the end of that week... So holler at me if you wanna schedule something. . . I guess I'll just keep updating this thread as we come and go... seems the gypsy life is how we are rolling right now... and can't complain life could always be worse... I am soo tired though, missing my bed really bad right now.

There have been tons of tattooers that have inspired me over the years (girl heads) . I would have to say the two people that had the biggest impact were Eric Hogan and Scott Silvia. In the early 90's (pre-internet) I had to go and look at people portfolios.... Scott and Eric set the bar for me personally (Girl heads Pin-ups...everything really) . Plus it was a way more of a impact to actually go in to a shop and see what people were tattooing. Sorry kinda getting off subject As far as Conn.. you really have to see his tattoos(Girl Heads) in person to really appreciate them. They look really nice in pictures but in person they are on a different level all together.

Regarding the original Trash Polka tattoos, I would not have one done on me and I agree that they seem faddy, but I certainly recognise and appreciate the technical ability required to execute them. They certainly look like tattoos to me, albeit clearly different to (and perhaps deliberately in contrast to) most mainstream tattooing. I guess there are so many dreadful tattooists doing technically very bad work, but that many would consider to be recognisably 'tattoos', that I find it hard to dismiss this work which is at least shows talent and application to the task. Not a popular opinion, I know.

My kids have always been big on drawing on themselves, I think like most kids. Unlike most parents, we don't tell them no, or to stop. It was actually one of my son's preschool teachers that decided my son could color on himself in any fashion, saying that it was our "family culture." That being said, my two yr old daughter's "tattoos," as she calls them, rarely look as good, placement wise, as that first picture.

Visually I like hers better but I wouldn't get a tattoo like that, same reasons as before pretty much. The first chicks arm does just look like some child painted on her, I'm sure that was the idea though. I think it's stupid.

That one reminds me of a bob roberts painting, in a very good way.

Best Song* Best Performance of Song* Best Opening Verse* Screen door slams, Mary's dress sways. Like a vision she dances across the porch, As the radio plays. *To me. Have a great day, everybody!

you're right, you didn't say it. but it was the first thing that came to mind when you said flash (though there are pages of flash than most of us are probably aware of, many of which are of shitty designs made by various companies and not individuals). anyways, glad to see that you came to a solution. no one's mentioned Devon Blood as far as i know, so i'm going to. i think his new work, is actually better than his old work. you can find out more about him, and more about the left hand path here: Devon Blood Tattoo| Left Hand Path » art

Sometimes I yelp shit I have never gone to and just make stuff up. Just to have a lolz.

I second Bob Wicks. Also my favorite of all time. I only have small pics of his shit, but I have seen a few originals in person and I'll say this, if those things were released tomorrow they would still be ahead of their time. Seriously good.

i personally think its a good idea if people can keep the comments to a productive fashion. whether this is possible i don't know? but its what i'm looking for on here. i think people can all use a different set of eyes on their designs, and different direction. so if you guys want to do it i'm in just don't let your feelings get hurt and don't make it personal. i have worked with some people who have lacked the verbal tacked need to be productive in this situation. but i have learned anyways just a little bitterly. haha thanks scott