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Someone recommended that I post up my latest tattoo on this forum so here goes. I am almost done with my half sleeve from Horitomo. Although a phoenix is colorful, I'm a big fan of black/grey tattoos so that's what I went with. I was on his waiting list for 2 years before I stepped foot into State of Grace in San Jose, Ca. (I fly from Dallas and do back to back sessions). He is one of the few people I know in the U.S. that does tebori so after 28 hours this is what I have. I took this picture straight from his instagram.

Here you go guys, todays fun. Inner arse cheek is... interesting to say the least. Anyway ill probably wait for a few more sessions before I upload any more pics, so here ya go

Got this off Valerie Vargas at Frith Street on Tuesday, I love it! I posted it in the latest tattoo thread and someone recomended I put it in here, Cheers. P.S. That Head Eagle on the last page is bad ass :cool:

Lets see a photo of the tattoo in question

Hello there can I play too?

this is so silly, there is no need for all this hoopla. If your hesitant why not ask the wealth of knowledge right here are your fingertips? there are many contributors here from California both enthusiasts and tattooers. It can be as simple as I think xxx guy is who I am going to, I live xxx. what do you guys think. It sucks you got a bad tattoo but you dont have to repeat the process or go at alone trying to find a good tattoo.

Crab people is the obvious choice. or Cthulhu

@Ben87, your photo reminds me of a word we have in my country: unfuckingbelievable.

I like this thread because I hate the show. I hate Lady Face Navarro. I hate the clients that get tattooed. I hate the editors and producers, the advertisers and the viewers. Yet I watch it. Every week. So this thread gives me more to talk about than 'my next tattoo will be' or 'did you see that photo on instagram' or whatever.

I edited that for you, @Stewart Robson. I'm also good at editing books, interviews, and articles, so if you're ever in need of such a thing.....

You really should have something in your hand that you can look at and decide if you want it on your body or not. I've had details drawn freehand on me... while there are artists who do a complete bang up freehand tattoo, they are in the minority. Anyone that has never been inked before, I advise them to go with a stencil and approve it before the ink flows. This is also the reason why I like flash on the wall... what you see is what you get. Rob

This is the first commission I've ever done. She wanted a skeleton in a lime green Dodge Super Bee, this is what I came up with and I'm pretty stoked on it. 16x20 pen and liquid acrylic on cold press Arches board.

welcome aboard! Yeah in roanoke Daniel @ Asylum does awesome color realism if you are into that- really though in waynesboro you are in a sweet spot being right in the middle of VA as far as being surrounded by awesome artists- Daniel Jones | asylumstudiostattoos.com cant go wrong at ALLEYCAT, @CultExciter is correct about that- plus nate has an awesome Stell knee cat - - - Updated - - - haha got a BG realism piece at Alex's years ago and it fell out - totally vanished after 1 laser sesh

Get what you get dude, probably coulda gotten the rose and then taken an actual picture of it by now.

they've already infiltrated our communities as you can clearly see:

After 14 sessions spanning 15 months, I'm thrilled to say that my back piece--courtesy of Jay Cavna--is finished. It's a rooster/boar/snake battle royale with peonies. We just wrapped it up a few hours ago. I couldn't be happier with it and am blown away by Jay's skill and commitment to his work. Here's the pic.

@Iwar Thanks. I knew someone here would find it eventually. Thanks for sharing. I've told a few people face-to-face about this project but I want people online to find this on their own, for now. If I shout about it and create hype, everyone will be bored of waiting by the time it's finally finished. I expect a long gap (at least 6 months) between the last shot and the finished edit. At the moment I'm doing this 100% on my own - Camera, lights, sound, music, graphics, editing, planning, photography, layout, writing, interviewing, transcribing, promotion, etc etc. I'm glad you like what I've done so far. As well as the guys at the shop I have some great people lined up to get interviewed too. Some of them you know, some you don't know. Actually, on the subject of transcribing... I do need help. Lately I've been thinking about asking for help but I wasn't sure to do it here, twitter or wherever. Without turning this into a sob story, I can't transcribe every interview myself. I've done a few but my wrists can't take the strain of tattooing 5 days a week and typing for 2. Having hard-copy interview transcripts is essential to the editing process. So I guess this is an open offer for someone to have some low paid, occasional, boring work but to help out on a project that I think might be interesting. I don't have the budget for professional transcription services (actually, I have zero budget, everything is paid for out of my own pocket) but I can pay a percentage of the standard professional rate. If you think you'd like to help or know someone who'd like to help, email [email protected] Thanks. HOOPER versus PECKer: The footage of Oliver getting tattooed was almost an hour long. It was tough to cut some of the hilarious one-liners but the best ones are in there. @Scott R I'm the guy holding the camera. We did meet at the SFO convention. There ware lots of people watching Oliver get tattooed from outside the room, but the guys you can see while Thomas gets tattooed are Chad Koepliner, Stefano C, Shane Wilcox, Me and Thomas' friend James.

Hey everyone, I'm new to the forum and dropping in to introduce myself. I run Classic Tattoo in Red Deer alberta and have been tattooing since October 21st 2000. I love tattooing, everything about it. I'm so fortunate that it found me and do my best everyday to pay our craft and my peers within it the respect it and they deserve. Thanks for taking the time to read this, if you ever feel the need to get in touch with me, find me of instagram @mrlucasford email [email protected] blog www.lucasfordtattoo.com or text 403-505-3635 Best regards, Lucas.

@istunn Wow! Phoenix is not in my top list for subject matter, and I have yet to get a b/g tattoo. Seeing yours makes me badly want one though. That is simply amazing man. Horitomo's stuff is mindblowing. Have you seen the tattooed cats he's been painting lately? @Ben87 I envy you guys that get your backpieces from your shoulders down to the bottom of your ancles (does it wrap around your legs as well?). Really powerful look. I have yet to see one in person. My head will probably explode the day I do.

@CBass "Kick his ass, Sea Bass!" Welcome dude. - - - Updated - - - @CBass "Kick his ass, Sea Bass!" Welcome dude.

Welcome to LST @pinpush always good to have more LSTers from the great white north

awesome job man!

AND get more tattoos! A single tattoo is lonely - unless it's a full sleeve.

If you are close to the San Jose area, check out State of Grace. They have quite a few artists who specialize in the traditional Japanese/Irezumi style. I just got a half sleeve from Horitomo (pics below). Horitaka also does a great job and they added a new member recently in Horiken from Japan. Even if you aren't close, I would check these guys out. I highly recommend Horitomo as he is one of the best in the U.S. in my opinion.

Thanks Ross, I'm always in need of a spellcheck! But yeah, if you can send an email, please. I seem to be assembling a (very) small army or helpers with different skill sets of the last couple of days. It's easier to keep track of stuff with gmail. Who knows what kind of things I'll need help with...

Thanks to everyone for the kind words and emails offering help. I'm stoked and will get back to you all within a week or so. It seems I'm cack handed and mis-typed the mailto link in my first post in this thread. the email address is [email protected] I typed INtheshouldersofgiants (which doesn't make any sense).Thanks to @else for pointing that out. I cant edit the post again (time limit or number of edits maybe?) If one of the mods could do it I'd be super grateful, thanks.

So long and thanks for all the fish everybody! It's happening today! so how's it gonna end? big ass meteor is a great one even if it's typical. epic if nothing else. alien invasion = see above zombie virus = kinda bored with that one. blowing everybody up in nuclear warfare = kinda sucky. nagl to the whole human race massive underwater earthquake causing 4 mile high tidal waves that crush every continent flat = also epic. hadron collider creating a black hole = i'm with it skynet = perhaps the most awesome possibility a friend of mine suggested that apes will rise up to be our masters. good call. My plans are to go to work, make some cool shit happen, take my girl out for a bit, go home and do the same thing tmrw. You guys?

I'd move it to the outside and go as big as fuck with it... but then again, that's just me... Rob

I don't have any experience with this, but for laser in Montreal, I'd try calling some of the good shops such as PSC, Imago, or Tattoomania and see who they recommend.

Thanks, @jacobhh. Glad I can contribute a little something to all the great stuff here. - - - Updated - - - @gougetheeyes -- Thanks, man. Grew tired of posting progress, so I just waited until it was finished. You need to update your blog more often. Good stuff on that. I like your writing. - - - Updated - - - @hogg -- Thanks much. That's high praise, given what's on your back. I'm just fortunate that things came together for me to get this.

It's a beautiful day to die.

@JDM70, I live just up the road in Harrisonburg. My pal Andrew Conner is a damn fine tattooer/artist up here. He is well versed in reproduction and black/grey tattooing, but his true specialty is traditional Japanese and American style tattoos. Nate Heim, who works up here, loves realism and portraits. You can't go wrong with them. True gems of the Shenandoah Valley. Scroll through the artists albums and pics for them here on the Alley Cat Tattoo Facebook page. Who else? Hmm. In Richmond I'm very partial to the folks at Salvation Tattoo and Absolute Art, but color realism/reproduction really isn't their thing, even though I am sure they can tackle it. I imagine you're seeking a pretty particular style? Or is it more general. Check out their work for sure. Down in Roanoke there is Asylum Tattoos and Skin Thrills. Check out their portfolios and see if there is anyone you like. I only personally know Jason Setchel at Asylum, and he's a real good fella, but does more neo-traditional/new-skool work. And finally, welcome! Thanks for the shout out @gougetheeyes !

More Virginians! Welcome @JDM70 you should talk to @jayessebee and @CultExciter

'bout time St. Francis had some company!

Got this one the other day not got my own pic yet I'll take one when it's healed

In most cases it is better to do absolutely nothing to your tattoo than to over care for it. Your photos look like a normally healing tattoo. The white, wrinkly, opaque skin- is just your new skin ( as far as white dots- it's impossible to say without seeing) I usually advise a light wash daily, pat dry, apply mild lotion sparingly a few times a day- massage in to skin. Everybody heals differently. Don't worry - - - Updated - - - The above post is actually by Matt's mother- also a tattooist, he didn't sign off of the computer.

Besides getting a tattoo on my forearm that I am very excited to be able to show and bear with pride, been playing guitar and getting healthy. For some that may not be much, but for me, Im pretty darn happy

WWI memorial tattoo which reads " here lies the flower of my youth " 1922 .

Just got home from a surfing trip in the Philippines, last night I booked another surfing trip in the Philippines for march 2013 so happy, I love it over there. To top it off this is my 100th post!

fun little walk-in with mark cross yesterday. been wanting this dude for a while.

Some I hadnt posted yet- all by Aaron Carmody from Keepsake (RIP, best shop) in arlington Handpoke with alchemy sign for gravel on the lid Funnel of souls skullcross

Higgs piece from Dustin Wengreen at Temple Tattoo, Oakland CA.

He's 63. For his first tattoo he should get a badass eagle chest piece ;-)

Man, he's 63 and you're talking about him like he's a teenager. Make sure he doesn't get it upside down.

I just got this yesterday...not the best pic

I like to see more paintings, so I guess I should post one of mine.