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I finally got the side of my head tattooed! My Tibetan Snow Lion.....by Dave Kruseman or Olde Line Tattoo I still have one more sitting to go (maybe an hour...to add a few things) It was hard to get a good photo!

I go to tattooers for tattoos; their personal beliefs are their own.

After living in the Las Vegas and Phoenix deserts for the past 15 years, I am moving to sunny California. I lived in California before, I was up in San Francisco. Looking around Anaheim as that is where my new office will be located. Any advice for someone moving to LA? Looking forward to being near the beach. I've been looking at places that are close to the water.

Be Margaret Cho... I'm sure you'll get right in :D That said... my appointment book is wide open right now if anyone want.... oh wait...

I remember seeing that design as a very small child, maybe 1969 or 1970 when I was about 3 or 4 years old. My great grandmother had this huge wind-up clock on her wall with a glass front that had the ROA hand painted on it. The cross had an unpainted circle left out of the center so that when the pendulum swung back and forth you could see it move side to side. That clock both fascinated and scared the shit out of me, but I couldn't stop staring at. It was scary, dramatic, sad, and powerful, and I've never, ever forgotten it. I stumbled onto the Bert Grimm version of it a while back and it was like "There it is, this is what I want as my back piece". It's like karma just worked. Everything is clicking. The money to do it, the artist wants to do it, the time for it, and the girlfriend is on-board to help with the aftercare. I plan starting that back piece next month, and I'm so stoked!

@horitsune2 While Shige is a great tattooer in his style, he didn't get there by himself. Firstly he started out with western "one point" tattoos that he would see in biker magazines while still doing some Japanese work. Practicing on a group of friends that would tattoo each other. Opened his shop in '98, then met Filip Leu in '99 which really opened his eyes to neo-traditional japanese. In the early '00s he went to Switzerland to study under Filip Leu. So you can say that he did become good his own way, its iffy. Also Horitsune II is a real tattooer which I don't think would take to kindly of other people using, that is unless of coarse, he is you.

Malone reference is the best reference.

My name is Kevin (first name) and I disagree with both of you. Just in principal because you are both Kevins and I turned my back on the club.

Concerning the article from Miami about the FL laws. It should be illegal to tattoo out of your home. The tattoos it showed the artist "fixing" were just as bad if not worse than the tattoo he "fixed". Any journalist worth a fuck wouldn't be interviewing someone who's never worked in a shop, never had an apprenticeship, and who doesn't know what the fuck they are doing. So in conclusion, just another bunch of totally ridiculous bullshit. That guy to me, is in the same boat as all the others that we've called "finger breaking worthy".

Not trying to be a dick or anything but..... If he's a good tattooer having a cheap liner off ebay isn't gonna be that big of a deal to him. You could put that money towards a really nice book or something that he'd get more use out of. If you do want to get him a machine you're gonna spend at least $400 to get something worth your while. Fancy, or his fave booze is also always a nice gift for those who partake. Gift certificate for our local Florida tattoo supply would be nice. Lucky's Suppy is based in FL and the guy isn't an asshole. He's let me buy gifts for my tattooer fiancé no problem. If you go on their site, order the gift or gift card and put the mailing address of the tattooer and his shop, plus write a note in the comments section that it's a gift I'm sure they'll understand. That's what I always do. Just goggle 'Lucky's Tattoo Supply Florida'

Good luck to you as well. We'll need to do a SoCal meet up!

Ah highschool: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_poIPdmo8w&feature=related and an old local band I was into growing up, deadhorse

Im less than no one in the tattoo world and even less in the celebrity world. Yet going to saved a bunch of the past year or 2 plus and having good talks with Chris made it pretty easy to get an appointment. I did get in right before the new cut off, but still....nothing beats going to a shop and having interaction with the artists and getting along.

@Bunny Switchblade - that's a motherf*cker of a tattoo.

I wish my balance was better then that of a 3 year old retarded one legged midget. Believe I've tried to skate and broke/bruised all kinds of limbs in the process, but it was more recovering from my retardation with some casts on my limbs, then actually standing on a board. Never nailed one trick (not even an ollie;P) so i decided it's not for me

I am, not to get myself bashed or anything. I am not your average bible thumper and I don't even know when the last time I went to church, but I still consider myself a Christian.

3 year wait list is just a filter. I actually need to wait between appointments otherwise I cant afford it because I travel. Traveling to NYC is like having every dollar extracted out of your bank account.

This is Ameri-Do-Te, the ultimate martial art. (there is more episodes so watch them all)

I know there are a lot of tattoo artists who do beautiful Christian themed tattoos including Jesus, Mary crosses and what not. Does anyone know of any artists who are Christian? I was just wondering.

@Kev, hell yeah! dead horse!!

That's about the best advice you can possibly get. If your office is in Anaheim, live in Anaheim. Avoid commuting longer distances at all cost.

I'd put money on saying that probably 90% of religious tattoos in the West have been done by non-religious people, and probably 70% are on people who aren't religious themselves.

In Chinese and Japanese culture, obviously, foo-dogs or shishi are protectors of either important places, shrines, etc. I think the lion is Tibet is one of the four auspicious animals, but don't quote me.

surprised this thread got bumped after 8 months of dormancy. instead of just talking in circles, why not just re-read this entire thread 7 times or so and get the same basic result. when oversimplified, it boils down to two fundamental sides... 1) tattooers who have gone thru an apprenticeship will advocate an apprenticeship because they understand how much it taught them. 2) aspiring tattooers who have not had or do not have an apprenticeship will believe they can do it on their own, because they don't know what they don't know. THEN, if they're lucky/persistent, they'll get an apprenticeship. (see #1) folks in category 1) will never change their minds. folks in category 2) may only change their minds when they get far enough along their path... but it also might not ever happen. of course, this is oversimplified and there are many aspects to each side, as well as exceptions.

Get him a rad book or something from BookMistress (bookmistress.net).

Loooove that head tattoo!

From start to finish it was about two and a half to three hours! I had a couple breaks...but not very long so most of that time was spent drilling on my head! I was determined I was not going to tap out!!! I can tell you this......it hurts....at least for me it did! ;)

come at me bro!

installing air conditioners?

Sounds like that kind of thing can blow up in your face: Margaret Cho Rightfully Loses Her Shit

I hope I have made my new best friend. Cheese = Life!

First 150 are almost spoken for already. I suspect by morning all the prints will be gone. Thanks again for the support!

El Monga. Goddamn that's awesome

DUDES. Dudes. Just realized my buddy Dave is having an art show that night at his shop. WHY DON'T WE ALL JUST GO THERE? And Guy is in it to boot!

There's a lot of truth in this. A certain amount of technical lessons in the beginning would help, but ultimately we will be left with teaching ourselves and learning on our own. I know I am going to come under attack because I am not a tattooist, but I am an artist and I know how I learn things and I observe very closely how others learn (or not as the case might be). When is the last time you had a lesson in how to talk? I know I speak a lot better than I did at two, the last time I received a speaking lesson. And those lessons were quite rudimentary, I assure you! Since then I learned from everyone I ever came in contact with and sort of 'taught myself.' What learning and achieving artistry all comes down to is: 1) Copying - Copy the stuff you like. Copy the stuff you don't like. Copy the stuff other people like. Copy the stuff other people don't like. Copy everything that's pertinent (a mentor/teacher might help you determine what is 'pertinent'). 2) Consider - Now analyze what you've copied. Cognize, understand the where/why/how the copy falls short. Understand why you like some things and not others. 3) Create - Now with a heightened understanding, make the things you don't like into things you do like. This is where your personality and style are going to come through and you'll start creating an identity for yourself. Said another way imitate, assimilate, innovate. Ok, I am getting to the point. It's not necessary that someone 'teach' us. What is necessary is that we learn it. Learn through exposure and awareness and through the cycle of copying, considering, and creating! Do you think it's any coincidence that the best artists (musicians, painters, tattooists, architects, doctors, etc.) are well-traveled, exposed, experienced and aware? Shige? He might be doing a lot of learning on his own, but trust me, that stuff he does wasn't created in a vacuum. He got ideas from everywhere.

i've been lurking this thread for a while, so i figure it'd only be right to join in the fun. i saw a few recent posts about Matt Arriola being back at Liberty in Seattle for a guest spot, so i got a little somethin. i asked him for a tradtional-ish 13 with a cat, but wanted a japanese lucky cat (maneki neko) instead. the attached pic is what he came up with. now, i'm a bit of a tattoo addict and enthusiast (i'm on this forum, aren't i?). it occurred to me that this design was a little familiar... and it hit me! i went back and checked where i thought the reference might be and there it was. in all honesty, at first i felt a little duped, but then i realized that's a lot of what tattooing is and i have no reason to be upset. i dug the design when he showed it to me and i still dig it now... it's almost cooler knowing where it originated. i also just saw a quote on thomas hooper's blog, that sums up the point well... “The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources.” - Albert Einstein thanks for the tip, Al! btw, this DEFINITELY means no offense to Matt... he's obviously a creative and cool ass dude. in hindsight, me asking for that design was already a start to breach his potential all out creativity. another lesson learned... and a tattoo to remember it by!

This from Duncan X. Tattooed about an hour ago.

I just got home from our little trip to LA, and I brought a friend: I went to Bob Roberts and asked him for one of his tiger heads. He saw the spot I had open and furrowed his brow. "That's gonna be tough." He tried to sketch something on, but I could tell he was kinda flustered, so I said, "Ya know, I also really like your spiders." He lit up and said, "Now you're talkin'!" He drew it on and knocked it out in half an hour. All in all, it was a great, great experience. He and I chatted about music and, of course, tattoos. He asked to see my back, then said, "I got a snake on my back, too." He then proceeded to melt my face off by showing me his Ed Hardy backpiece, as well as his Horiyoshi III torso pieces. Coolest fucking dude ever, and I am beyond stoked on my black widow.

got this lady from brad stevens @ ny adorned tonight.

Bryan Burk yesterday Dark Horse, Los Angeles

I think you were finishing up when I came in for my appointment with Stewart. If it was you it did indeed look absolutely lovely. Got my leg piece finished up with Stewart Robson at Frith Street yesterday. It was my first tattoo and I'm ridiculously pleased. Already saving up for the next one! I'd echo the thanks as well, they made my first tattoo experience really as good as it could have been.

Nate Beavers. Private Shop. Lower half of an on going sleeve.

Kris is a great tattooer, and a really nice guy. Good choice.

I joined just to contribute a photo of my neck-to-knees backpiece done by Dan Wysuph at Samuel O'Reilly's in Santa Cruz, CA. My username here was derived from the nickname I earned by spending so much time naked in their shop. I think Adam Barton originally coined it and everyone there calls me that to this day. It took 20 three-hour sessions over the course of almost 2 years. To answer an earlier question regarding healing, it is not sitting on fresh tattoo that hurts, it's sitting down or standing up, or just about any other activity that makes your clothes (or sheets!) rub the area. Also, having a wife to help with the cleaning aspect of the healing process was a huge help. -1891-

So I just read the first 15 pages and I'm skipping the last 10. What have I learned from all this? Next time I go to get a tattoo, I am just simply going to point at the artist, point at the location I want something done in, and then point to the reference material I brought with me so as to not offend anyone.

Wow... The first thing anyone wanting to learn tattooing should do is take the machine they got off eBay and throw away the rubberbands. Those are for packing anyway. Then take it apart and sterilize it by boiling it for 4 hours. Then your ready. Just like sewing and making chocolate.

that first post offends my eyes and heart

I think that a lot of the tattooers with the longest waits are the ones that do mostly large scale work. If someone is getting tattooed by Mike Rubendall (Chris Trevino, Mike Roper, etc..) then it is probably going to be a large piece that takes multiple sessions, and that person books multiple appointments. This means that one person's tattoo takes up a lot of that tattooers time so they end up tattooing less people. On the other side of things the dudes at Smith Street do mostly one shot tattoos, and are not booked out for years in advanced. Personally I would never book an appointment more than six months in advance, unless it was based on travel.

i think its not too difficult to get tattooed by somebody you really want if you are patient. WAIT. get in contact with the person, let them know what you want, drop off a deposit and wait. save that spot you want to get tattooed for that tattoo. people bug out when i tell them they gotta wait two weeks for their tattoo. like they are going to die or go to prison in that time. CHILL. if you aint a pain in the ass, itll happen