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Just came across this today. It's my man's back done by Jeff Rassier. It's almost done now, the picture is kind of old. Also can't wait to see that backpiece Stewart

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.

Pussy.

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.

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

Waiting for the train. Appointment with Valerie Vargas in about two and a half hours.

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.

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.

Mr. Pink hates this thread right now.

I was very surprised in my situation. He said, 'you are paying a lot of money for this tattoo already' but to me, it felt like walking out without saying 'thank you.' He thanked me and seemed to appreciate the offer, but was very firm about it. I have since heard from other people he does not accept tips. Another tattooist in Brighton definitely did not charge me what his work was worth, so I added a large tip on top. He protested, but with the help of the receptionist, we convinced him to take it. From now on I will bring both cupcakes and cash, just to be safe.

Do you really want someone getting their first tattoo from Wilson though? That could shellshock them forever. Wilson: "Yeah, this broad at a grocery store threw a can at my head for calling her a hatchet wound*... so.. you wanted what, an eagle?" *That actually happened, up till the eagle part. haha.

wow thanks for posting those pictures! WOW! those are so awesome! i am stunned! i dunno but i find the pictures so much more amazing since you have been a part of LST for some time now.

@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.

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)

I resent that our culture in the U.S. has gotten to the point where a tip is expected for every service, and that the "customary amount" keeps going up. My rule in restaurants was always 15% for average service, 10% for passable service, and 20% for good service. Now 20% is expected for crappy service, which seems skewed in the wrong direction. As for my tattoos, I've tipped the artist on each occasion, and did so willingly, because they did what I consider exemplary work, and made the experience absolutely fun. Still, in the first shop I resented the number of tipping signs they had scattered about the environment, as it did lead to a sense of obligation, rather than a sense of tipping from gratitude.

@Johnny I think you are fine. But at this point, I think people are going to just start repeating each other and/or themselves. I personally don't think you are being "cheap", at least here in the States, especially Florida, people are getting really blasted by the economy, I understand. The point is that, obviously, everyone here, to some extent, thinks a tattoo is an investment in yourself, and hence are willing to save, wait, travel, and spend accordingly.

i feel i'm probably wasting my time in saying this, but that's not the right attitude.. do you need to get tattooed right at this very time? no. if you like Mike Wilson, and think he'd do the best job on whatever you want to get tattooed (which i'm sure he would), then i'd suggest saving for however long it takes.

Choosing for me is a mixture of magazines and research on the Internet. Finding names of artists I don't know in magazines and then scouring the web for them. None of them have tattooed me yet, but eh a guy can dream cant he. And Johnny; getting a tattoo doesn't change your life in a blink of an eye. Getting your first tattoo, or starting a new tattoo, needle touches your skin for the first time... my first though is always "well to late now, forward is the only way for me" and when its finished all you can say (other then admiration of the artists work) is fuck thats in me thats cool. Its like going from a child to an adult, but you choose when, you choose how your going to be... Going from non-tattooed to tattooed wont let you into a secret club, no secret handshake, no secret set of rules, or headquarter complete with hierarchy.... Its just a tattoo, so what are you waiting for... If you want one go get one. Just know that most of us have crappy tattoos and we have good tattoos. We learned what makes good tattoos, you don't have to be like that. Four hours away is nothing to get a good tattoo... Look at Iwar, from Norway to SF... RoryQ and Duffa coming here to Japan... 4 Hours, even with a hotel thats maybe an extra hundred bucks, unless you like staying at a five star place. Take your time though, when you ready, you ready.

tips are good as a show of gratitude. i think refusing them is a bit strange. each to their own though. i tip my tattooer(s) with cash.

Lucky you! What are you getting and how big are you going? Hope you'll share pictures with us along the way (if you and Stewart don't mind showing "in progress" work of course)

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.

This thread got really boring really quickly.

Few nights ago I had the greatest idea of a Rock of Ages design ever! (at least in my little head) Fuuuuuuck, I want to tell it but it would be stolen like SNAP! I haven't seen it done before, but it still would make complete sense.

Found it. So cool. Rassier back piece drawing one Rassier back piece drawing two

All your base they belong to us.

I live by the rule that if you have to ask "how much does it cost?"... You can't afford it and you shouldn't be buying it.

@Johnny keep in mind you could spend double or triple of what you originally paid if you don't like the results and have to get it lasered off or covered up. i don't know, but the extra $60-100 for gas and a hotel room is way cheaper than another $300-500 or more to get a tattooed fixed. where in florida do you live? i'm sort of surprised Ursula isn't all over this

@AlannaCA I completely agree, both movies were definitely worth the price of admission. I saw 50/50 with my mom, so I know what you mean about being kinda embarrassed with some of the dialogue, specifically Seth Rogen. But was still funny and was really moving near the end. I think just the idea of a child, no matter the age, getting sick, and you can't do anything about it, hits a parent pretty hard. The whole idea of it 'being out of your hands' really came through I think, especially near the end. Looking forward to: The Ides of March (George Clooney), The Rum Diary (Johnny Depp/Hunter S. Thompson), Hugo (Scorsese), J.Edgar (Leo/Eastwood), The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Fincher/Saw the Original and liked it). Honestly, after that the only movie I am interested in is Lincoln (Spielberg/Daniel Day Lewis/Christmas 2012). @dcostello Sorry man....knows the angst I just caused :|

@Duffa One of the best ever!

Those are both bad-ass. Everything made with so much passion. You sir are truly one lucky man, and I'm waiting for the grime piece to heal so we can all take a peak at that.

I could never imagine accepting a cash 'tip' for the job that I do, though I have accepted modest gifts. I respect the setting of a payment amount based on the ability and skill of the person. If they deserve more than that, they should charge more. I'm solidly with Steve Buscemi on the subject of tipping.

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

@Stewart Robson Nah, just draw it up infront of me like the last few ;)

@asradin: I guess I should finish drawing it instead of making posts on forums then....

My tip was refused very vehemently at one of the London tattoo studios recently. I felt awful for some reason, so when I went back for the next session I brought a gift instead.

I'm getting a tiger and panther circling each other and fighting. When he did a rough drawing on my back it filled up the space nicely so there might not be room for background. It's going from the top of my back/bottom of neck to half way down the back of my thighs hopefully. 4 hours of outlining tomorrow. Can't wait. Plus it will match all the stuff on my front that Stewart has done :D

At the moment I guess there is a kind feedback loop from when I go to conventions, read magazines, talk to artists and other clients and hear word-of-mouth, see pics on blogs ... It all percolates away and somewhere down the line I come up with an idea about what is feasible to follow through on. I have a kind of shortlist in my head of artists I'd still like to cross paths with and get a piece from... I'm not in a rush, so I'm kind of thinking it will happen down the line at the likes of the London Convention. This shortlist shuffles around a bit the more I see. Maybe everyone is different but for me some of the big 'fucking hell - I've got to get tattooed by that person' came about from magazine interviews or features on artists/studios. Kind of low-tech in the internet age, but somehow for me an interview (text) combined with the accompanying pictures seems to give me the best sense of whether it's for me or not. I love a really good interview (love books like 'Tattooing from japan to the west' and 'Under way is the only way' for that reason). It was seeing spreads on Mo Coppoletta (The Family Business) and also on Ching (East Tattoo) that got me in the chair the first time... And then it was the experience I had that meant I came back / am going back.

Well, I see our own Mel Noir has gotten her name on the front page of this month's Total Tattoo magazine... Mentioned on their facebook page as their 'new columnist'. Well done Mel - look forward to reading what you've got to say...! (Looks like there's also an interview with Filip Leu this month ... Sweet)

Ok, I realise this isn't a competition... but I think I just won (yeah I stole it from another forum, but brought it here so I win)

@greg Hoggs duelling tigers and just the right amount of bare torso with covered arms is definetly a bad ass look. I doubt that was the goal ,But when in doubt its best to look bad ass lol

The thing I hate is when I am in a public place with my son and someone asks me "when he is going to get his first tattoo?, ha ha!!!!! I want to be like wow you should try out for that redneck comedy tour you mouth breathing piece of shit, but i digress.

Here's one of my favorites. This is on another friend of one of my customers, who wanted to know how much it would be to cover this tattoo. I told him that the tattoo was awesome and it didn't need covering...

What about the guy who came in, fresh outta prison w/ a big head & attitude..wanted "Crazy Ass" down his left arm and "White Boy" down his right arm. Was a total jerk during the tattoo & tried to haggle on the price..the best part was when he walked out of Goldfields in his t-shirt and all you could see peering out was "Ass Boy"