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I'm breaking my word and posting a pic from the end of day 1 of my backpiece, because I really like this photo, which I have borrowed from White Dragon Tattoo (the Belfast-based studio hosting Ching and Hua). So, we got six hours done yesterday. I'm resting today then booked in tomorrow for another full day. Ching suggested we do the outline and some shading for a little over half the back yesterday, and then get the rest of the outline and some more shading on the untouched side of the back on the second session. I will probably do another 2-3 sessions next year (not sure when or where, yet, depends on their convention and guest schedule). Ching and Hua were fresh from the London convention. They didn't appear particularly tired, but Ching explained he'd began another backpiece (a big Hannya) and done some sort of half-sleeve and a hand tattoo over there. He had the design for my back ready - a representation of Guan Yin against a bamboo background, with a bird. The bird is a traditional motif sometimes associated with Guan Yin, as I understand. I believe the story goes that the bird was orphaned, and subsequently flew to Guan Yin, who looked after it and taught it - and it became her disciple, basically. I'd sent over my dimensions so he had a stencil which appeared to work, with some adjustments for the shape of my back. I'm not going to say it was particularly pleasant getting six hours done, but I had deliberately slept well and not drank anything much for about 10 days - I think it made a big difference.

I'm the guy who often approaches tattooed people and asks who did their work. Sorry! I always try to make sure that my tattoos are showing when I do ask so at least there's a chance they won't think I'm a total asshole. Case in point: I just spent the first half of the day with my daughter at Fisherman's Wharf, and I saw a guy with a really awesome hannya on his calf. I asked him who did it and he said, "A guy in London named Alex Binnie." I replied, "Oh, at Into You!" I think I surprised him. He went on to say that London has so many great tattooers now, and I asked him if he knew of @Stewart Robson and @Valerie Vargas. He said, "I'm a cab driver in London--I drive them to Frith Street all the time!" Small world, and I'm glad I asked him about his tattoos.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTLfVBFynX0 http://www.vice.com/tattoo-age/trailer-mike-rubendall

I posted this in another section but I just got this last night, done by Ron Wells at Three Kings Tattoo in NY.

Got this last night from Ron Wells at Three Kings in NY.

My stock response: "Sorry, they're not for sale."

I think this sums it up pretty well. RIP! For anyone unfamiliar with Kanames' work here are just a couple of examples. His works, painting and documenting Horiyoshi III's female clients are truly stunning so lets start with one of those ;)

You did this to me when we first met and it was no big deal. Granted, you have that amazing Horitomo sleeve so I immediately figured you weren't some random tool talking to me about my sweet tatties brah. (It also probably helps we were a party of all tattooed people...)

I think that tattooers and "enthusiasts" talking to each other about tattoo work is very different. I love talking about tattoos etc with people who understand and respect it. But I hate the " my boy is doing good work in his backyard yo, if your interested"

I work for a large corporation and lots of us have tattoos, but they're all covered by normal work clothes. While my company doesn't have a policy on tattoos, I keep all mine hidden for 2 reasons. 1) I have no reason to show them off to people I don't know. 2) Some of my customers might find tattoos intimidating (I don't agree with this view, but its my responsibility to represent my company and myself in the best possible way). I'll be happy when the generations of homophobes and tattoo haters die off and are replaced by people with open minds (if that ever happens).

Got this a couple days ago via Mario Desa.

Panther head tattooed on the back of my upper arm by Nick Colella on Saturday.

This post has been my favorite so far. It's a large reason why I joind and I think it needs some fresh love. Here's my backpiece, fresh after the final session a few months ago. Jill Bonny (Horiyuki) at State of Grace Tattoo in San Jose has done all my work to date. After a few months off, I decided to add background. We start again this weekend.

just to let those that don't already know, Volume II is now available through the website. get yours Amund Dietzel

London cab drivers are now my hero. Maybe my dream should become move to London and become a driver, but first I must get a London A-Z to learn all your crazy streets.

You bring up a really good point. A good example is at the LST dinner last week I had never met @Iwar before in my life but there was no problem lifting up shirts and showing different tattoos and talking about different artists because we both obviously appreciate tattoos.

As promised a couple more from Rachi Brains BLACK THRONE TATTOO Should maybe also take this moment to mention the also amazingly talented Ms. Alison Manners who is also tattooing out of Black Throne these days. Also check Manners Tattoo.com

I wasn't trying to stir up a shitstorm by posting this. Its not that I get offended, I just really don't know what to say. My old goto used to be "Cause I killed some guy in prison for asking about tattoos" but at 45, grey hair and glasses and 5' 11" and 145lbs soaking wet its probably not a good idea anymore. My new favorite!!! Really, all of them gave me a chuckle.

Literal movie posters:

Bridesmaids was filmed alot in my neighborhood. Movie reminded me of "the hangover" for women. Buuuutttt just as funny for guys. I ask because people here don't know corn about poop. I once worked with this fool. Actually ive worked with a handful but this one I never really cared for. This woman came tO the shop on my day off. Turns out she had a bob Roberts back piece. The fool had no idea who he was. Uggghhh there was a show that night and it just so happened I ran into her there. We strike up a conversation and we realize I worked at the shop with the dork who didn't know who bob Roberts was. She then showed me an amazing back piece AAAAAND her boobs. Moral of the story.....know your history kids. Knowledge gets you boobs.

FINALLY!

Ron Wells did this! Love it. 2 weeks ago got work from chad koeplinger and jondix, no pictures online but once healed I will grab some. Also working on chest and arm with thomas hooper...this was the last blog update. Eisen Flower. « Hoopers Electric – Meditations in Atrament 2011 was busy....I see 2012 being more of the same for my wife and I.

My husband Don, lost his wedding ring , so this year for Valentine"s Day we got back to back "Ds" on our wedding ring fingers. We have been married for 20 years and I can't stress just how strongly PRO-NAME I am. Actually, any tattoo that signifies your devotion to one another is good in my book. Don has my name on his chest that Ms Deborah did 20 yrs ago. My name in a banner in a design That Eric Inksmith did for our 1st anniversary, and Mike Wilson did my profile on Don's hand a couple of years ago. I also have his name in a few places as well as the band. Just going in to a relationship with the attitude that it isn't going to work is in my opinion, negative. And you know what? if we ever split up and I don't want his name anymore, i'll cover it up. I wish as many people would give as much advice and input when their friends tell them they're going to start a family with their mates. "Joe and I are in love and we want to have a -----/ get a ------" " Oh, don't! That's the kiss of death in a marriage" Just my two cents (:

This is also true, I guess I'm just a firm beliver that tattoos shouldn't be gotten for a relationship. Me myself have been married for 4 years now. I have a ring, maybe worn it a dozen or so times. Wife is fine with it. But why something so simple as a ring or a tattooed ring is needed to say your married. I don't know, guess I'm just simple that way, a ring won't make a marrige, you have to.

Most relationships don't last, can't blame the tattoos.

I've always thought of relationship tattoos as the 'kiss of death' for the relationship

i laser at least 1 wedding ring tattoo a week. seriously a bad idea.

I know you're clawing desperately for a way to be 'right' in this argument but this way of thinking would only apply to someone who is expressing themselves, for the benefit of their clients via their tattoos. Thats not the way it works. We get tattooed because we LOVE tattoos. If a tattooer does save space for the different 'periods', by the time they are a decent tattooer they should have passed through so many 'periods' that they have a shit-load of tattoos anyway. I still have space on one of my forearms. My bodysuit was finished before I did anything there. But like Bart said, that saving space, which isn't what this argument is about. I'm guessing you, a friend or your tattooer doesn't have many tattoos and you're trying to find a way to be told "It's ok, you're different." It's ok, they will get lots of tattoos eventually. But to put another spin on the argument: how many good tattooers (I mean tattooers, people who do tattoos that look like tattoos, not colour portrait guys) don't have many tattoos. There are a few, but not many. Also, this isn't a theoretical argument, where logic wins. "If this is true, then this must equal false" It's a real-life discussion about real things and when it comes to tattoos and tattooing: The tattooer is ALWAYS right. ;)

So far my worst has been my sternum. Shit was awful! Done by Jr Tubbs in Ashtabula Ohio. Don't mind the man boobs....

Here's a closer picture of my back.. The last ones I posted I now realize were reversed.

I was about to say "How can there be no Judd Ripley in this thread?" and then saw that Perez had posted something awhile ago ;) so here is a bit more Judd Ripley

All of these are by the super talented Trevor McStay Dynamic Tattoo

At the same time, I must admit Megan Massacre's contribution to Inked Magazine obliterates what Hardy Marks Publishing has accomplished. Put the fucking crackpipe down and find someone to teach you something. If an idiot like me can develop somewhat of an eye for tattooing, anyone can. I had no idea what I was doing when I first started getting tattooed (hence, 36 laser removal sessions). However, when Adam Ciferri kept shoving Jerry flash books in my face, I listened. When he strongly suggested I get tattooed by Mike Malone, I did. When he showed me Greg Irons' flash, I looked at it, even though I didn't get it. Ami James? I'm not here to shitbag anyone, but if you asked him to compare his contribution to the evolution of American tattooing to Hardy's, his eyes would look like saucers. They sure as fuck better. Dude's making money. That's it. You see all that aboriginal-derivative "tribal" imagery adorning motorcycle tanks and douchebags' t-shirts? Thank Ed Hardy, Mike Malone, and Leo Zulueta for that. How do I know this? I read it in a Malone interview, in which he bemoaned the fact that no one knows this shit. Ami James is a "tattooer." Ed Hardy is arguably the greatest tattooer in American history. Period. Wanna see real tattooing? Buy Kuronuma's "Horiyoshi's World." Zeke Owens, Jerry, and Hardy all pored over any 5x7 photo they could get of that guy's shit. He's the greatest tattooer I know of. I need to leave the coffee alone.

Just saw this on the LST Reddit Account: