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This was a swallow from Steve Boltz from Smith Street.

Pink lotus with butterfly from Eli Quinters of Smith Street.

Here the knife pic from yesterday at Smith Street.

Just got this from Bryan Randolph at Spider Murphy's: It's based on old Milton Zeis flash (and my wife, for bonus points). Bryan's awesome, and I couldn't be happier with it.

My apologies if this is a dupe, but I can't find it in my media, so I'm thinking I didn't put this one up. Nick Colella at CTC did this for me a few weeks back, the eagle is from an old Cliff Raven flash set titled "Seated Eagles, Excellent for Covering Old Work". I sent him the name of the sheet, and five minutes later he sent back the pic.

-Part 5- Back in Oslo now. Been struggling with jetlag from another world after going back and forth between NY and LA, then back to Norway. The last couple nights I've spent the night on aeroplanes, so the quality of sleep haven't been top notch either. But oh so worth it :D So, last time I wrote I was worried about the Conn appointment not happening because of the rumor of him cutting his hand. Well, the rumors were true, but thankfully it had happened a couple weeks prior, so his hand was all healed when I arrived. My appointment was on saturday, and I arrived friday evening. Chris has a guest bedroom for travelling clients, so I was able to get a good nights sleep there before the day of the tattoo. I won't elaborate much on my stay there, but it was probably the most memorable tattoo experience I've had. I left LA with much more than just a new tattoo, and I'll remember that visit the rest of my life. If someone still is on the fence because of his price, don't be. You'll get your moneys worth, and a whole lot more. That's my opinin anyways. I won't post pictures of the tattoo either, unless Chris decides to put it up on his blog at some point. Sorry. He is one of the few tattooers out there who only has a handful of tattoos of online, and I don't want mine to be "first page google" material. So that's about it. I had the time of my life, and I'm already looking forward to start planning my next trip. Thanks to everyone who bothered to read all my ramblings. Chris Conn's cat, the view from his studio and a print I got from him before I left Using my own name at Starbucks turned out to be too much of a hassle, so my coffee I got myself a coffe order alias Was out shopping when we stumbled over this high-profile shop. Hendricks wasn't there unfortunately. Also went to the Comedy Cellar one night, and I recommend everyone else who visits NY to do the same. I laughed my ass off! The Zombie playing guitar was a resident of Duffs, a small metalbar in Brooklyn My two Cris Cleen tattoos

Just got back from New York. I had such a great time. Along with some pretty hillarous attempts navigating the NYC subway system for the first time. Here are the tattoos from Bailey Hunter Robinson. And from Eli Quinters at Smith Street. Both really fantastic studios but so different from each other. Baileys is really quiet and intimate and Smith Street is really buzzing. I could sit on the john in the washroom at Smith Street all day just looking at the flash on the walls. Eli and I have the same tattoo on the same thumb (a fly). Originally I was going to get a rose tattoo from Eli. Anyway just up the road from the hotel I found this great shop that sold some really good beer. I saw this beer called Coney Island Lager. On the label was a picture of the Coney Island Steeplechase Guy and that was it. Also met up with @Reyeslv at Smith Street on Sunday. He got a great tattoo from Steve Boltz and we had a really nice chat.

lil Picture Machine jam from a tatbro at work

Not any pictures but just booked an appointment for getting my chest done by Matt Howse from Spider Murphy's at the Seattle Tattoo Expo in August beyond excited.

Almost forgot to post this up! Regino Gonzales Invisible NYC

I hate the summer because people expect me to go outside and swim and shit. Fuck that, it's hot.

Almost forgot to post this up! Regino Gonzales Invisible NYC

I like every single thing about this post.

More motivation .

one of my best friends & painting partner, Adam Stab

You have found the needle in the haystack, dude. Most physicians will open with, "Don't squat--it's terrible for you!" If you find a doctor who actually lifts weights, stick with him.

Too bad she isn't a gynecologist.

Just received an AWESOME tattoo from Steve Boltz. Can't post a photo yet as I'm still at the shop waiting for the others. It's been fun, I ran into @jade1955 and we talked a bunch and he head out to the airport..... By the way, the barcode tattoo is not happening....

My rule of thumb has been to only go to phsyios who are attached to actual sporting clubs or athletes. The one I go to right now is the lead for the Irish athletics association, and does (in physio terms, not biblical terms) a lot of youth rugby players. Her attitude is 'ok, you've broken yourself, what do we need to do to put you back in training' rather than the 'You should just stop training - don't you know that stuff's dangerous?' attitude that most G.Ps trot out. I can only handle being told that 'walking is all the exercise you need' so many times.

@irezumi He (s)nailed it!

and of course, Manuel Ocampo

Mati Klarwein

Here it is, sorry for the horrible photo.

el monga, slaughtering shit.

You cant live your life around a tattoo once its healed no sense in babying it outside of common sense

Guy Le Tatooer

i would try a banner around a sun that says rejoice!

Tony Hundahl:

Mike Moses, Thicker Than Water NYC:

Done by Deno.

Richard Smith:

I have a fondness for beer logos for tattoos, that image is classic. Sounds like a good time all around. On a semi related note, I love the Coney Island Freaktoberfest.

whoa

Petri- Sounds like you've got what must me one of the more common muscle imbalances lifters get. I had a similar diagnosis on my right shoulder and lots of band pull-aparts, rows and lateral raises during my warm-ups sorted me out inside of about 6 months. Best of luck. When you can press again pain-free you'll feel like a million bucks.

pm'd

What are you running from?

I'm so happy for, @Iwar. I mean, Rick. Sounds like an incredible trip all around. Good luck with the insane jet lag. I'm fine with you not posting that Conn piece, because I saw a Conn half sleeve today. So there! ;)

I have to admit I become quite the hater watching House Hunters International myself.

the one @hogg posted was truenaturetattoo.com which is awesome!!!

fuck you bubbleberry.

So is that what's stopped you from getting your first tattoo, no facebook?

See it in 3D. Scott's use of it is one of the best examples of why it's viable and not a gimmick. Added to the film. That said... I didn't LOVE the film like I thought I would. But it was PRETTY.

I think one of the most endearing features of this site is the ability of members to mix knowledge with a sense of humour .

What really gets me is when you have a customer walking in with a brand new iPhone and tries to barter you down 50% or more from your original quote, en. ex., wanting a $600 tattoo and they can only afford $120. Then you attempt to hold back all of your sarcasm and frustrations and explain to them that you can do the outline today, possibly some black and grey if it's time allows and then they can come back in a few weeks when they have more money to get it finished. That's not good enough, they want the tattoo now and they want it for what they want to pay! WTF? really? Is it illegal to smack potential customers when they're stupid? I think the Supreme Court needs to rule in favor...SOON!!! If you can afford to flaunt your $500 iPhone while driving up in a brand new car with $5000 rims and a $3000 stereo system, then don't attempt to talk me down after I'm already trying to work with you on the price!!!

Clay getting some shine! He does amazing work. The Turk

It's not the image. It's how you wear it.

Here are two of the tattoos I got in my absence....both by Dave Kruseman My "thumb sleeves" are my pride and joy right now....he he he The black and grey is fully healed in (nothing fell out) and the Lighthouse was a fresher photo (maybe later that night after it was done) but there really hasn't been much fallout but I am sure he will want to hit it with a second pass!

What about non-tattooers selling all of us tattoo equipment? Some will speak strongly against those who don't tattoo owning shops and swear off ever giving them money, but then will make an order with a non-tattooer owned supplier and unknowingly act hypocritical. I think in tattooing these days, in my opinion, we need good people who care about the business and who bring something positive to the table of tattooing, tattooer or not(although tattooer preferred). I just came back from working at Frith Street Tattoo in London, I watched a bunch of very well known and respected tattooers work there in the last two weeks, not to mention the incredibly talented crew that are residents their. The owner, Dante, is not a tattooer, but he is a good human being and cares for his employees as if they were family. I am proud to say I worked there and as far as Dante(the owner) goes, I would take a bullet for him.

Best advice. That, and go get tattooed like it's an addiction, because if it's not, and if tattooing is about making a logical career change instead of succumbing to this overwhelming force you can't really understand but you feel a need for... then it might not be the right choice. I replied again against my better judgment and you seem like a nice enough person, but please understand that in tattooing and, likewise for the tattooed folks that tend to be serious, they're not thinking about what their mother will say (after the third, fourth, etc. that worry falls by the wayside, if it ever existed) -- they're already thinking about the next one, how pumped they are to get tattooed by whoever's doing it, whether it's a close friend or a tattooer they've waited years to be tattooed by. On both ends of it, that person is basically feeding the need. That phrase that you don't choose tattooing, tattooing chooses you, seems to prove itself more and more, especially on here. Go figure. Also, internet arguing will most likely pale in comparison to working at an actual shop with actual people who want actual tribal arm bands and tazmanian devils. Good luck.