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Nothing "neo" here, just straight-up Traditional American tattoing done by the man I believe is one of the masters of the style today, Nick Colella of Chicago Tattooing Company. He laid this on me this afternoon in about three and a half hours.

Check out this chest piece, both by Nick Colella. Can't go wrong, the man has that Traditional thing going on! This pic is from the Chicago Tattooing Company website, there are many more there and on Nicks site, which is linked from there. And if that ain't enough, take a look at his Tumbler feed... http://chicagosfavoritetattooer.tumblr.com/

Just got a new piece from Topper at South Street Philly Eddie's, and he generously threw some stars and dots up on my arm. He did the mini tiger head, too. Anyhow, I think his stars and dots are particularly awesome and thought to share them.

Hahah "Regino Gonzales, Great or Best?"

This has been a good thread,lots of educated debate... Now somebody go get tattooed by Conn I want to see that shit!!

And the latest Hi David As I haven't heard back from you I take it that it will be ok to send the fee via Moneygram as per the original email. I have to leave my house now as the local office closes at four o'clock on a Friday. That'll give me just enough time to draw the cash from the bank and do the transfer before it closes. Speak to you later. I have to go now. Kindest regards Mike Reply Mike, You can send money. David From me 20 minutes ago hello Davud What a day I've had. I only just gpt back from the pub. Great craic with my brother Greg celebratinh my lottery win. Guess what.In the post office I bumped into Sister Contra Seption & Sisper Chlamydia. They were buying some bat plugs or something. Thats one great feckin post office. They sell all sorts of stuff. Anyways I pledged a £20,000 Donation of my winninings to the local convent. I'ts the least I could do as they nursed my Daddy during his final weeks. Have you received the money David? When will I get my cheque? Best Mike

Just remembered this butterfly woman by Bailey Hunter Robinson.

I think Perez was amused by the choises you gave. Is he great or best. Is he god or Lemmy :)

It sure was, I had to pay extra for that. :)

Unless you are Danny Way or Tony Hawk don't get on a skateboard if you are over the age of 35.

If you're gonna put your art out there for the public to see, and it bites someone else's style so hard don't be shocked when people say something about it. I'm not saying Cleen sucks. I'm saying his shit looks like he's been looking at a few too many Conn prints, and, his work is also not as good as Conn's. Go to google image search and type in Chris Conn tattoo, then type in Chris Cleen and you should be able to see what I mean. That's my opinion. I know others who feel the same, I know others who don't. Decide for yourself. And as far as people not being here to defend themselves, you'd be surprised who reads this forum but doesn't have an account or post. I've received messages from people before about something I've said here, for all we know both Cleen and Conn read this shit.

I would argue that it's not random, Petri. As for Cleen being in here to defend himself- not that a defense is needed- that's the line you cross when you step into the 'public persona' realm. If you're going to be producing videos about yourself or charging $500/hr, you step away from just being someone who's part of a weird little community (tattooers/tattooed) and try to make yourself into a brand. When that happens.... alls fair. We're certainly still going to make fun of Ed Hardy clothing (despite loving Ed) even though he's not here to defend himself. That said, as a social critic I charge $500/hr. Ya'all need to pay up :D

exactly. Regino is an amazing tattooer, and an equally amazing painter/artist.

I have plenty of words, they just would be very profane.

I know what you're saying Avery, but I don't think I'm too old to hang it up. The day you say "i'm too old to skate" is when you start getting old. Some of my best friends, P Wee & Joel Long from Bolder Ink, are over 35 and 40 and still skate, just like me. I'm pretty sure Grime still skates. Obviously Mike does too. All of us have broken an arm (or two!) but it doesnt mean it's gonna stop us from ever skating again. 3 years ago P Wee & I were at Vail and halfway through a day of riding when we noticed the guy in front of us on the lift was 60something and still ripping. PW turned to me and said "we still got 30 or so years left of this". This is how I see it too. I'm also not scared to look like the old man and wear wristguards and a helmet.

well, to be fair, Tony Alva, Lance Mountain, Steve Caballero, Rodney Mullen, Christian Hosoi, Bob Burnquist, Rob Dyrdek, and Jake Brown are all over 35, and all still kill it... mind you, for the average person who doesn't skate a lot, i'd still back the original statement.

Hey @jade1955 when you have a Strapadictome, they don't have to go through the rectum to perform the procedure do they? This is an excellent saga to say the least. David does seem to be getting quite short now with his responses though... maybe he needs some wooing? Grab him a present from the best feckin post office around and send it to him... 'bat plugs' perhaps? ;)

They've got some great stuff on that site. 419 is a reference to article 419 of the Nigerian Criminal Code. I don't think my scammer is Nigerian, though. Nigerian scammers tend to be warm and friendly at first (all phoney of course). This arsehole makes a minimal effort and as a result probably gets little success. The scammers email address is [email protected]. So the person is probobly Eastern European. bigmir.net is a Ukrainian web portal.

So you can get a tattoo and a lap dance at the same time and you're complaining?????

So stoked! I dreamt about the day I can get tattooed by CC for years, & that day- my heart will be full. Don't mean to switch up in an utterly different direction I know I'm new, but that last statement just reminded me how bad I want to get tattooed by Tron too.

If we started listing the people who are copying CC's girls this would be a long thread.

http://youtu.be/zFXczzxWwRU

I'm going to politely disagree, Stefan- If we can say that 'Tattooers are artists who can charge $500 an hour" than we can be art critics and say "Chris Cleen's stuff isn't nearly as nice". I think his stuff is derivative and muddy. I'm sure he's a perfectly nice guy. But you don't get to fly the banner of 'artist' if you don't want to have your stuff reviewed by the buying public.

Exactly. There's "is it worth it" and "is it worth it for me". For me- nah. Not really. Conn's stuff is super clean and I love looking at it, but has never struck me as someone I'd get tattooed by. Even if his rate was $200 instead of $500. Conversely, if Robert Ryan called me up and said he raised his rates to $500/hr.... I'd just save up and work with that as my budget because getting tattooed by Robert resonates with me and would qualify as 'worth it'.

Also, there is an episode of This American Life which follows the journey of three American friends who totally fuck over a scammer like this. It's pretty crazy the things the scammer does to try and get this money. I'm gonna look it up and link the mp3 'cause it's truly amazing and hilarious. ok here's the link, the episode is called "Enforcers" Enforcers | This American Life

He got back to me this morning. A man of very few words. Mike, It can only be released to me when i pay the fund to the department.Today is Friday, you have just today to send the fund so as to get your check to you asap. I've sent this back Hi David I am a bit confused. I thought you said I had won this money but you are now saying I have to send the fee by today. Why is this. You didn't mention this in your original email? I take it I can send the money to your bank account via the post office transfer like I suggested in my email. What will happen if I can't get the money to you today? It's just that I'm not very mobile at the moment and have difficulty getting around. I only came out of hospital last tuesday and I am still recovering after having a strapadictome. Kindest regards Mike

This one?

one is an oxymoron

UGH. For some reason instead of talking to people who are actually tattooers and trying to explain himself to them, the clown from Skin Candy sent me a Facebook message. Today. Little late on that one bro... Anyways. Here it is. Skincandy Bloodline hi Ursula, Im the piece of shit you were talking about on the Dick Blick blog, nice to meet you, I see you never met me or know who I am so maybe i should introduce myself before you judge me, my name is August, I've been making ink in the tattoo industry 16 years, started out making powders and worked my ass off to get where I am, every ink i make i test in my own skin before i ever sell it to the public, I have never screwed anyone in the business and love what I do, I would love to get you a sample of my Bloodline before you judge it or me, please call the office 818-567-1848 to request, id be happy to speak with you as well and maybe diffuse my shittyness and what a piece of shit I am.. that you speak of, lol, thanks August owner Skincandy/Bloodline Here's my reply. Ursula Thomson A) I'm not a tattooer B)I'm far from the only person who thinks your a piece of shit for making this deal with Dick Blick C) I still think you're an asshole for selling to Dick Blick D) If you're really that great you'd know why everyone thinks this dick Blick thing bad. E) I've heard your ink is trash anyways.

Guaranteed to cover anything.

Hands down best tattooer at any style or genre, he can draw ANYTHING and tattoo ANYTHING... Richard says, "best tattooer in the world".

Pretty sure this thread already exists... let me see what i can find Worst tattoos - http://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/worst-tattoo-ever/4-worst-tattoo-youve-witnessed.html Stupid tattoos - http://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/worst-tattoo-ever/809-new-level-tattoo-stupidity.html Funny tattoos-- http://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/tattoo-101/36-funniest-tattoo-you-have.html walk in horror - http://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/war-stories/59-walk-horror-stories.html dumb hipster tattoos - http://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/worst-tattoo-ever/1420-dumb-hipster-tattoos.html ahh yes here's the one i was a-searchin' fo' - Weirdest tattoo you've done -- http://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/war-stories/1797-weirdest-tattoo-youve-done.html

A Kore Flatmo eagle chest tattoo design!

I joined last sparrow specifically because I found that this seems to be the only place online discussing this,and in my opinion it is a growing problem.It may be okay for the non-tattooer to be an owner of a shop,but for an artist it can be hell and for so many reasons!I have had many bad experiences working at shops run by non-tattooers,too many to list here. The main problem is that the tattoo business is a whole different animal.Running other types of business establishments is not the same at all,and nowadays far too many people get a decent size tax return & a book on business and think that they know what they are doing,because they spent a few hours in a tattoo shop.They all spit out catch phrases that they acquire in these books.I had a non-tattooer recently tell me(after putting me through a bunch of unnecessary nonsense) that he worked in the"retail" business before & that the "retail" business can sometimes be rough.I told him that he should take it up with his "wholesaler",but I don't think he was bright enough to understand what I was saying.A lot of these "business" people also don't understand why if you get a detailed description of what the customer wants from them and then when you spend 6 hours drawing it,only to have the customer come in for their appointment and say "yeah,I was talking to my friends and I have decided that instead of that I want this...." why you won't draw them something else after they have wasted 6 hours of your life that you will never get back.I don't think that is hard to understand,but what do I know,I have only been tattooing for two decades. I have a phrase-"the customer isn't always right,you can only try to do right by your customers".Most non-tattoo artists that run shops don't understand this.If someone comes in with say for instance a horrible maze-looking tribal design that their little brother drew at school on a spiral notebook and I tell them that it isn't really a drawing that translates to a tattoo and that I can draw something that is similar,but better (rather than saying that the drawing is shit and insulting them).Yet still they are insistent that they want it EXACTLY like it is on the paper,the non-artist owner that owns the place will say,"that's what they want,so just do it!"-not understanding that they are trying to force me into doing a bad tattoo,which in turn would give me and their shop a bad reputation. The non-tattooer also normally doesn't do research before they open a shop,I think they just watch television shows & figure that is how it is supposed to be.So when they are building up the inside of a shop,they say"okay I will have a row of barber chairs over there that 5 or 6 artists can work at (in this small town) ".Not realizing that without dividers of some sort if the customer wants a tattoo in a private place that they will be exposed in front of everyone else in the shop and a small town doesn't have enough business to support 5 or 6 artists.They are worried about having a koi pond,crushed red velvet curtains,leather couches & flat screens,but don't worry about things like a thermographic copier,because the artist can hand trace everything and what do they care if they make the artist work way more than they have to,it isn't making them work any harder. When a non-tattooer opens a shop they will post something online that normally says "No rock stars!".I have grown to realize that this is code for:leave your individuality and self respect at the door,because really they are looking for rock stars.I am one of the least pretentious artists that there is.I just want to make a living and do great tattoos,which after all these years of denial & error I have finally become very good at my work.I love tattooing,but I am an artist not an entertainer,some people may be both,but I choose not to be a part of that.The non-tattooing owner doesn't seem to understand why I don't want 10 people leaning over me while I'm working,all taking photos & video of me on thier cellphones.They don't understand why I don't work at conventions and have no urge to.They don't understand why I don't care how many people press the like button on their shop's facebook page,or why I don't want to pose for a group photo outside their shop with everyone folding thier arms and acting tougher than they are in their Ed Hardy shirts and with thier fauxhawks.I don't want a biography on your stupid website,let my work speak for itself! Some job postings online say "must have own clientele,you will not be getting walk-ins"-that is just an insult to anyone with any intelligence,especially if your not looking to work near where you live & looking to relocate.What would they be doing for their half of a 50/50 split,providing paper towels? Most of all I have had problems with non-tattoo artist owners trying to give away my hard work for nothing."Welcome to our tattoo family,now we will take advantage of you like we do our real family" they might as well be saying when they say"we are giving away $200 gift certificates on the radio,because it will be good for business!" .Who's business?-not mine,I don't work for free."we are running a special:as long as you can sit for $250,it will be good for our business!".Yeah,sure,maybe for you-you don't have to depend on this for your living,you have another job as a contractor or a bartender or whatever it is that you do when you are not here most of the time.I appreciate you stopping by for an hour every day and bitching about how tired you are & how hard your primary job is & then telling me something I should do differently.You must know more than me,you have done 5 tattoos in your lifetime & have been in the industry for a staggering 6 months!with expertise like that,you must know what you are talking about! It feels good to vent! Can I get an Amen?

Over the holidays I ventured to a town in North County San Diego called Encinitas where I grew up to spend a week with my family as many of them still live throughout San Diego. The goal was to eat lots of good Southern California mexican food and bring it back to all the LST since the two other most popular topics on our tattoo forum other than tattoos are travel and food! I love Northern California but Southern California will always hold my heart for mexican food with the exception of actually traveling to the various Latin countries and eating there. The biggest difference in my mind is Southern California mexican food is lots of meat and salsas whereas Northern California mexican food adds rice and beans to everything. I love rice and beans but I want my mexican food to have all meat whatever the variation(s) may be. So here's the mexican food I ate if you make your way there: -Burrito's and taquitos on a few visits to Juanita's in Encinitas. -Carnitas Torta from Jorge's in Encinitas (Jake turned me onto this place as he grew up on it right down the street from our parents house). -My dad turned me onto this place in Oceanside but I can not remember the name but know it's near the pier by one block or so. I had a HUGE carne asada burrito. -A Surfin' California burrito as seen on Man VS Food Lucha Libre Taco Shop. We normally eat this place when ever I get picked up at the airport as it is near the airport so if you fly into or out of SD airport check it out. I also ate sushi at Tomiko's in Encinitas which was amazing as they were playing Joe Strummer in the background as it happened to also be the anniversary of his passing. I had all sorts of stuff including my favorite Tobiko Udama (spelling is probably off) which is the small fish roe with a quail egg over the top, fucking orgasmic! We had BBQ at Famous Dave's in Vista which Jake and I were familiar with their BBQ sauce as it is one of our favorites and their BBQ did not disappoint. Then on our last night we went to The Counter which I guess is a chain and I did one of the custom burgers. I did a two-third pound beef patty medium rare with horseradish cheddar and a fried egg over the top, pretty damn good. And had many visits to Pannikin coffee shop in Encinitas on the 101. While down there I was twittering ( @LastSparrow ) the expeditions and Luke at Lucky's Tattoo Parlor in San Diego invited me down to the shop which as many know from the tattoo forum thread I did on Luke Wessman a few weeks ago have been impressed with his work for some time now and had I had money would of made an appointment with him. If you are on twitter you can follow Luke at @lukewessman and/or Lucky's Tattoo Parlor at @OGLuckysSD and the amazing work they are cranking out. So Jake and I made our way to downtown SD (Tenth and Broadway) to checkout the shop and meet Luke. First of all the shop is on the corner and looks amazing from the outside with some badass roses painted by Tim Hendricks along the exterior then you walk in and it gets better.....tall ceilings, art, flash, and photos along the walls that I have not seen before. I would later learn from Luke as he walked me around giving me a tour that lots are gifts not mass produced. It is a big open layout similar but bigger to how Temple Tattoo is for us Bay Area folks including the loft like layout upstairs over looking the shop. I wish I would of gotten pictures but didn't feel right as it was my first visit there and meeting Luke and he already went out of his way with open arms and a tour including some SD tattooer history. Maybe if he joins the site he can jump in where ever but especially in the "Was Tattooing as popular 100 years ago?" and "Old tattoo Photos" as just listening to him I think he could add some San Diego tattoo and military tattoo to it. He had some art by Morgwyn Pennypacker that I had not seen which has now turned me onto his tattoos and art. Long story short if you get the opportunity.....get some tattoos from these guys! I want to say thanks to Luke and the other Lucky's staff for the warm welcome, tour, and stories! Below are some pictures taken with my camera phone from the expeditions, enjoy! Until next time.....have a good day! Lochlan