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As some of you know I visited San Francisco recently to get tattooed by Scott Sylvia, Tim Lehi and Grime. If you haven't seen it already you can check out my travelblog here: http://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/blogs/iwar/232-oslo-san-francisco-travel-blog.html My Scott Sylvia piece is as good as healed now, so I thought I'd start by sharing that one. The rest will be posted here as soon as they are healed and I get decent pictures. All I have to take photos with is my iPhone, so please excuse the mediocre quality.

I just noticed TIM LEHI posted this picture on his blog. Even though it's bloody and as fresh as can be, this picture will probably do the tattoo more justice than my crappy iPhone camera.

Started on Tuesday, by Rachi at Black Throne. I have another pretty lady going on the top of my arm. Was supposed to have all the lines done in that sitting, but chronic illness strikes again. Still, bloody stoked. Also, the elbow is no joke :S still extremely swollen too! (sorry for the image overload)

There is, but we can't tell you until you get tattooed. @Johnny, you are in Florida, right? Mike Wilson is in Florida. There's a good chance that your some of your favourite tattooers get tattooed by him. One of my customers just got a tattoo from him while visiting Florida. I got a tattoo from him a few years ago, much to the annoyance of the other guys I work with. Mike works at Inksmith & Rogers in Jacksonville. But the bigger question is: Why do you care so much what internet tattoo snobs think about the tattoo you get? Just get a tattoo from someone who's work you like. We all have tattoos we love that other people don't think so much of. Having a tattoo is way more important than wishing for the perfect design from the perfect person.

Nattie Light brings back memories of me puking the night of July 4th 2011 at the age of 45, right after me and my neighbor blew up his mailbox with fireworks. Seemed like a good idea at the time... We got that shit on video too. Growing old is mandatory, growing up is not.

@Johnny, dude, just get a tattoo. Don't presume just because a tattooer is well known or 'famous' that they are expensive. Shitty tattooers can be expensive too. You'll waste hours of your life taking to strangers on the internet but you won't travel 4 hours to get a world-class tattoo? Like the saying goes "Everyone gets the tattoo they deserve." (Yes, I have shitty tattoos too) Really there isn't a 'secret name' we all call you. There is no 'tattoo community' that once you're inside, everything is different. You'll just be the same dude but with a tattoo. Enjoy it. Heavy tattoo coverage of good quality, well that's a different thing entirely. Until you get tattooed, I'll always think of you as a tourist. I appreciate tattoos and tattooing are interesting, but they are our lives. Not just something we spend a lot of time pursuing but the foundation of our lives. The difference with tattooing is when you find a new 'obsession', your tattoo, that you didn't want to pay too much for, will still be there. Try not to confuse procrastination with research. Some of the best things about having tattoos are actually wearing them, being a tattooed person. No amount of research will give you that.

I think that's a decision you will need to make as it will be on you. How much do you care about remaining traditional and respecting cultures? I'm sure you can work with your chosen artist to create a badass chicken head if you wanted. My memory is fuzzy and could be wrong so someone correct me, but I think a Japanese/Chinese phoenix is a mixture of several specific creatures like a chimera. So if you change what's supposed to be cocks comb/pheasants head to an eagle then that might seem odd to some people. I'm sure most people wouldn't even notice though. That being said I want to add that you should remember there is actually a difference in meaning between an asian style phoenix (ho-o) and the phoenix in the western world. If it's the image you like sans KFC head, cool, but if you are trying to represent a certain mentality, meaning, blah, blah, blah to it, then make sure you get the right type of phoenix tattooed. I've heard/seen plenty of people with a Japanese style ho-o and their LA Ink sob story is actually refering to the Greek or Egyptian Phoenix not the east asian meaning. At that point I sigh, and imagine smacking them in the back of their head for not researching and reading up on mythology. Also to be honest I do favor traditional japanese work and cringed a lot during the 90's and early 2000's when I saw horible faux Japanese work walking around everywhere.

Hey Folks! Just a quick post to let y’all know I will be working at Electric Tattoo in Bradley Beach NJ October 21st, 22nd, and the 27th-29th. I am incredibly flattered I was asked, and I’m very excited to go out there and work in a legendary East Coast shop run by some folks I’ve looked up to for a VERY long time! If you are in the area and would like to get tattooed please stop by, or email me at [email protected]. Thanks! -Andy

Could not agree more @jade1955. The stuff I have from the parlours near me is by comparison to Frith St just absolute crap. Spend the money to travel to a good tattooist and get a smaller tattoo. You'll always be able to get more money, but the tattoo you get will last forever.

So would I but the cost of travel etc is all part of it unless you live close to a good shop. Surely there must be some excellent shops and artists in the State of Florida? Would I rather put the money I spend on travel to London towards a tattoo from an artist in my home town? I would rather saw off my dick with a rusty blunt breadknife.

Yeah, but it's always good to have confirmation on tattoo subjects and meanings. Especially when it comes from an actual artist's perspective.

Yes sir you did. It may take a few days to get it from his camera, but as soon as I can upload it you 'll be the first to know.

That ain't that bad, I have plans to actively seek out Miss Anne Cox Chambers. At the ripe old age of 91 and with a $12.4 billion net worth..... Paradise Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Is it still a federal crime if its your own mail box?

I show up an hour early, stand in the window and shake with excitement while chain smoking and yelling "COME ON FUCKER. COME ON!!!"

@asradin touché! A pile of reference, thumbnails sketches and red wine later, I haven't ruled out that possibility. I'm stoked though.

Now that made me laugh. But if that is the secret handshake, I dont think I want in anymore.

Pussy.

@Iwar I think you quoted him correctly. I'll get my girlfriend to take a good picture of my torso and I'll post it up on here in the appropriate thread. I think my back is going to be interesting but totally worth it.

I'm starting my backpiece with Stewart Robson tomorrow. Excited is an understatement :)

Pretty much sums it up right there. Just get one. Most of mine are pretty spur of the moment things and I understand people who want to think and dwell on it, but it just comes down to walking in and saying "This is what I want... lets do it". You will either love the experience and turn into a junkie like most of us, or will just wind up having a single tattoo. Either way, you did it.

If you're not already? May I suggest getting some tattoos at the Aloha Monkey in Burnsville? Josh Arment.

Pentax K1000 gets my vote. Solid no frills and a good lenses. My first 35mm camera.

@Johnny I would just see who is tattooing other tattooers, especially some of the great tattooers who are on here. The classic, asking a doctor who they would trust to work on them or their family. At least that will point you in the right direction. Plus, if you have waited this long to get a tattoo, why can't you wait several months to a year or two longer to get something awesome from someone who is awesome. Big piece, small piece, etc. doesn't really matter, it's ink permanently on your skin. It's what I am doing. edit: @Iwar put up a pretty cool thread along the same lines as above. http://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/tattoo-101/1437-san-francisco-treasures.html After a while, you just get an eye for it, I think. Honestly, you don't need to be a film-maker to know what a good movie is, a film-maker might know what makes the movie good (behind-the-scenes), but you don't really need to know that for what you are seeking. But excited for you and looking forward to seeing what you end up with, happy times!

The vibe in that shop is so great; I think you'll have a great time tattooing there. Good luck dude.

Dude. Fuck yeah that's awesome.

I have enjoyed each of the episodes thus far. Watching this episode on Mike Ruebendall was nostalgic for me. I was born and raised in Massapequa so watching the episode was a walk down memory lane. I have eaten many slices of pizza at Popalardozos and yes Steve Guetenburg is there often. Also one of my first tattoos was by Frank Romano so the walk down memory lane continued. Unfortunately, I moved from Massapequa long before Kings St opened. I have old friends that have gone there and have gotten some great tattoos. One of these days I will need to go back to my hometown and get something from Kings St. Sent from my iPad using Forum Runner

Did I read Video!?!

That is a great shop to go work at. Congratulations on being asked to work there. That is a real and deserved compliment.

That's what I'm talking about. That poor young man is going to have his hands full.

Okay today I found a new favorite tattoo on myself. I forgot even getting this because it was just some little thing I got while I was getting a larger tattoo. On my leg it looks like the eagle and a panther shark are about to pounce on the little guy but he remains defiant till the last minute.

Wait, that wasn't you?

Nattie Light brings me back to puking when i was 14.

ugh at the same place i worked where we made the fucking hipster bag, there were a couple fixed gear dicks who didn't shower. One in particular would stand in front of the industrial size fan (keep in mind it's 100+ degrees outside so lots of sweat) and flap his shirt around to cool off. All he really did was waft his sweaty ball stench around the whole work room. I don't understand how being so called anti establishment means not taking care of your own body. WTF.

hipster can't ever ruin something, you can tell a poser when you see them. i will continue to like what i like, never gave a shit if it was popular before and i'm not going to start caring now. but i don't go out and hang out with people so if i do drink a pbr it will be at home...cheaper and away from the hipster crowd!

That's the insidious nature of the hipster, Mr. Frog... he comes in like a swarm of locusts, and ruins everything you love.

I truly enjoy the "cover up" nothing better than one mistake on top of the other

Thank you. I saw a similar design and really liked it. Showed it to my artist and told him I wanted to include a pocket watch and female rabbit as well. It was his idea to put her into the watch like an old black and white photo. Clever idea really, I would not have thought of it.

The other day I was looking at Shiges' site and saw this photo I then realised that this client must have the same concerns and considerations for his artist as @hogg does ;) Shige to client "Lets get a photo of your chest piece and sleeves" Client to Shige "Just let me take off my pants"... lol. (yes I am aware that on shiges' site you can see that the same client was getting photos of his backpiece at the same time... but for the purposes of hilarity we won't acknowledge that)

with a totally straight face, i tell people theyre birthmarks.

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

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.

speaking of Shige's phoenix tattoos, here's a pic (work in progress) of a friend's pheonix that Shige did on her thigh: always love the way Shige uses color. it's just beautiful

Heres a different take on the classic by incredible Japanese artist Hiroshi Hirakawa .Hes just joined the staff at three-tides Osaka, i'm not sure of his role perhaps someone can shed some light ?