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I've talked about this some before... A few years ago I found out that I have a neurodegenerative disease that will eventually land me in a wheelchair. I really don't know how fast or slow it will go. There's not any treatment for it, nothing to do for it but treat symptoms and wait for the inevitable. I got super depressed about it for a long time. I absolutely HATED my legs. Despised them for having this disease, for failing me, for "dooming" me to be disabled someday. Sometime last summer I started to have persistent dreams that I was getting my legs tattooed. I ignored them as well as I could for awhile, and then started putting some serious thought into going for it. I started looking around the interwebs to see what was out there... And then I came here :) Since I started getting my legs tattooed my feelings about them have changed completely. I don't hate them at all anymore. In fact, I might even love them!!! I definitely love the tattoos, and to a great degree all those positive feelings have bled over onto the legs themselves. And... I'm finding that my perspective about the disease as a whole is beginning to shift some too... I'm coming around to the idea that I need to view it less as a curse, not "being doomed", and more of just "a change"... I'm definitely not all the way there yet, but it's something that never would have been possible in the state of mind I was in when I hated my legs guts for having this thing in the first place. - - - Updated - - - And I have to add... I want to thank all y'all here at LST for being here, for giving such great input and advice, for showing off such great work all the time!! God forbid, what if I'd gotten crappy leg tattoos?!?! I doubt it would have had the same positive impact that it's had...

This today. Tattooed by Jimmie Skuse, Les Skuses' grandson. Amazing shop. So much history there. Had a great time chewing the fat with Jimmie. He showed me a load of flash thats been submitted for a book he's working on. - - - Updated - - - That is truly beautiful.

yea tattoos have changed my life, can't exercise and swim because i'm always healing something and i have less spare cash to spend on drink, drugs and women....!

me and @Johannes are gonna get tattooed when i make my way hitchhiking to his hometown in Sweden. It's gonna be sweet!

i'm once again single, the amount of relationship's i seem to go through i might as well have the girls name's as a backpiece...!

Got this today. Tattooed by Jimmie Skuse, Les Skuses' grandson. Had a nice chat afterwards and Jimmie showed me a load of flash thats been submitted for a book he's working on. Great day.

First sitting on my Tiger with Kore Flatmo yesterday. 4 1/2 hours so far.

just got ahold of all five tattoo time magazines/books/whetever for roughly 50 bucks....all original and in good condition. thats my most awesome thing lately!

4th session with Filip :cool:

I love that, MG. I don't know if I'll ever get to have a mommy daughter tattoo day...I'll have to wait a while and then we'll see, but it sounds like fun! For now, while she's little, we can have manicure days.

The 3rd Annual Daddy/Daughter Tattoo day was on Friday. I posted the tattoo pics in the latest tattoo lowdown thread already. Here's a pic from the start. Most fun I've had so far this year. P.S. the kid ain't lopsided anymore...

it blows my mind that someone would tattoo that design on you without informing you where it came from beforehand. i find it hard to believe that he didn't know because those designs aren't exactly something you just "come across" without seeking them out. i'd surely get it covered/removed/whatever you gotta do.

If you're really regretting it or afraid of consequences or anything BUT you don't want to deal with removal, you can get it covered up or altered....a lot. I'd say that'd be a cheaper choice and still OK as long as the image is changed enough. Maybe keep the owl itself and have something else cover the hat and replace the crowbar with something else? Toss in some extra junk, roses, a banner, whatever. I love those books and designs. But getting one would be like getting an American gang tattoo. I'm not a criminal first of all, and don't want anyone to think so. Secondly I don't want to disrespect those people who are by making their life some novelty (not saying you did, just speaking in general.) Finally, I've heard people who've gotten them say things like "Well I'll never go to Russia" or "I'll just not show it if I go." Still, it's not like there's not Russians here. Or others who know. Or that doesn't make it "OK" to me. Anyway, I don't care what country or gang or whatever it's representing, to make a novelty out of it is disrespectful and the last thing I wanna do is disrespect guys like that. I may not agree with their lifestyle or choices, but shit, some didn't even choose it ESPECIALLY in Russia (and even more so the USSR where many of those originated.) Again, not saying you did any of that, I was just saying in general.

Today was the 3rd annual daddy/daughter tattoo day It was as awesome as we hoped. The Homeward Bound ship is on her and Woodchuck Norris is on me. Both done by Paul Pearson.

Now that it is official I can say it out loud. I just got a new job and a massive jump in my job title. Officially the youngest senior level consultant I know! On my way to pick up a box of cigars and a bottle of scotch to celebrate with my dad. Plus I getting a celebrator tattoo in 4 weeks!

I had this ugly tattoo done on my back about 11 years ago and it's been a pretty miserable experience. I hate the way it looks on me, I was young, stupid and had no idea what I was getting myself into. I'm really embarrassed about posting a photo here because I know how bad it looks but hopefully with patience I'll have an awesome coverup sometime soon and can put this all behind me. When I first had the tattoo done it needed to be touched up and so I've had a lot of ink put into this tattoo. 6 months after it was done I had a couple of laser treatments that didn't seem to do anything at all and it was so bloody painful I couldn't continue and so suffered with it for a long time. Last year I decided enough was enough and have gone to a different laser clinic with the Q switched laser and have had 4 treatments so far. The previous place took ages to laser over it but this place only takes about 10 minutes which is more bearable. So far I've had some slight fading and there are some white spots in the tattoo which is really encouraging. After laser treatment it gets red and blistery but the blisters are small compared to some of the photos I've seen here which I'm grateful for. I have no idea how many more sessions I'll need for a coverup, will be speaking with the artist soon to start planning a coverup. I'm not really sure what I want it covered with yet I'm just focusing on getting it lasered every 6 weeks. Pre laser: After 4 laser sessions (last one 7 days ago)

if it involves revealing your Genitalia.. i'm not sure that's called flirting anymore :P

Tell the tattooer a couple of your favorite ideas and see which one they are into the most. Some of the best tattooer are done spur of the moment, sometimes the key is not having time to overthink them.

Sled still looks the same, but I MAY have changed a tad over the years... Got this one to sell, but I haven't been able to let it out of my garage yet... Got a few more, another Shovel and an old Ironhead. Wouldn't have a new bike.

I'll ride with JeffK on this one, and advise that you get it altered. Behaving in Russia, well, in the unlikely event that you did go there, if anyone saw it, it wouldn't matter how you behaved, you'd draw serious attention. And there are many communities in the States that are populated mainly by Russian expats, with a sizeable Thief-in-Law presence. You could find yourself the recipient of unwanted attention there too. Not sure if you have that type of thing in the UK, but wouldn't doubt it. - - - Updated - - - Jeff, you're one of the few that I've seen voice a sensible opinion about that over the years. Guess being a Chicagoan helps PEOPLE to see that kinda thing. I think too many look at these images, or images they see in movies/magazines/whatever, and just see a "cool" image that would look so tough. And then they meet a gangster and things go downhill from there. It's kinda like the fashion statements. I absolutely love waiting for friends in the International Terminal at O'Hare, seeing all the Euros heading out of the terminal, their kids-and sometimes them-with one pant-leg rolled up, or a baseball hat all busted right or left, jailin tough, Lakers gear, or like that...they have no fucking clue. Always want to warn them, but I know from experience they just won't listen!

Yeah I've read they cut or burn it off.. can't argue it's not effective but.. somehow i don't particularly want to find out just how painful that is. Guess i'll have to behave if I'm ever in Russia.

Haha thank you. Sessions have been around the 5 hour mark total tattoo time, the last session was more like 7 hours, so just over 20 hours so far, can't really complain ;) - - - Updated - - - Thank you mate, the next session will focus on the skull, haven't really touched it since the first session. Still deciding on colours and stuff then its just putting the colour in the dragon act, booked in for 3 more sessions but might only take 2 - - - Updated - - - Thanks man, yeah I still think his are the best going. - - - Updated - - - Hahaha thanks mate, I try :p

Portland Atlas Tattoo You can pretty much just keeping walking down Albina until it turns into Mississippi, and you will find every food place under the sun. I would reccomend the Missisppi Food Cart pod, as they have a lot of varitety of good food and is located next to Probst a german beer Garden. Other Standouts are Mississippi Pizza, Amnesia Brewing, Bar Bar, and Gravy. A couple blocks over is N. Williams where you can find a little smally plate Joint called Tasty and Sons, along with Lompoc Brewing Fifth Quadrant, and Hopworks Bike Bar, also Las Pampas has pretty good Peruvian food and always great desert specials along with house made sangria. All places have good vegan and vegitarian options If you have a car, you aren't that far from the Alberta District, which has some pretty good places in it's own right. Pine St Biscuits is a favorite, next door is a startup brewery called the Mash Tun, not a big fan of their food, but if you are into strong beer made in house this could be a place to check out. Also if you want some Ice Cream or Milkshake Salt N Straw always delivers some unique flavors. If you are a Vegan check out the Bye and Bye, my wife swears by their Meatless Meatball Sub or Vita Cafe, which has a wonderful Vegan Chicken Fried Steak. Their is s Thai restaurant just south of Alberta on 15th called Pok Pok Noi, which is the second location of what is probably the best Thai place in town. The only downside is there really isn't any place that convenient to stay other than Bed and Breakfast, except maybe Kennedy School, which is a former school converted into a brewery restaurant Hotel. The company Mcmenainmins has done this with a lot of historic buildings in the city. Their is some run down motels on Interstate Ave that have some good vintage signage, but not neccesarily some place you would want to stay. If you stay downtown or near the convention center you can take train and only have about a mile walk to Atlas. I will do AWR in a little bit.

The next step is just to drink better tequila!

I can only agree... i'm not a confident person at all and i guess you could say i have low self esteem. I used to look in the mirror and really dislike what i saw but now i look in the mirror and see so many things that make me smile. i feel far more comfortable in this beautiful colourful interesting skin. I've also realised that it's ok to not be like everyone else. So yes, tattoos have changed my life for the better :)

Amazing...but FOUR SESSIONS? I mean, I have heard that he is extremely fast and his use of negative space is absolutely incredible, but still...FOUR SESSIONS?

Might aswell throw this in here, crossing my fingers! This month has stiff competition :)

Here are a couple of things I've done lately. Critiques welcome!

Bull

That only explains face, hands and neck! :-)

Pok Pok is really good, but I think that Lemongrass is the best Thai I have ever had.

I run my own business doing computer aided design, drawings for large infrastructure. So when tendering for projects I have to sit in meetings with high up managers of schools, hospitals, banks etc. I need to suit up and look "professional" and although I'm my own boss and can do what I want I also don't want to think every time I don't win a tender it's because of my un professional appearance. I would love swallows on my hands but like I said winning work, paying for my children and my mortgage takes preference over this.

@Dan S ... wise words... i'll try and remember them next time its £1 a shot.

So damn good man that is perfect composition and I always say this but you can't beat his water, those finger waves are rad!!

Super cool, @MGblues! I laughed at the woodchuck. Nice twist on the classic Jerry rattler. - - - Updated - - - Jesus fucking shitballs. That's amazing! What's left to do? Looks damn near complete. Actually, you could stop now and still be awesome.

@Dumpleton wins this round.

My wife and I are attending again this year. We can't wait. A meetup would be fun. Put some more faces to names.

We always think of it too late, but what about an LST get together...meet in the lobby bar, dinner or whatever...

@Delicious I would add that just because people love you and our on your side, doesn't mean they know what is right for you. At some point I think we just have to gain the confidence enough to disagree with our family and understand that their preconceived notions of what society deems appropriate is not going to determine your happiness, only you can do that. And disgreeing with them doesn't mean you love them any less, just that you have become your own person. Their is that old saying, you live under my house, you follow my rules. Well I have my own house and I say fuck rules.

Delicious, I can only say the same to you as I said to someone else. Get what you want. If someon else doesn't like it, tell them to sod off. If your family has superstitions based on the belief of the cult they beling to, THEY are the ones that need to deal, not you. .02

mmmm whiskey soursssssss

Further work in progress, nearly finished, koi and Japanese maple leaves by Mo Coppoletta from The Family Business in London ...

I want a discount tattoo as much as I want a discount parachute. That being said, I support the charity, Friday the 13th, and other fun special things that shops do.

Might as well post this here too even though the shit posted so far has been ridiculous.

Getting into lining my paintings strictly with a brush:

Scott Ellis- Triple Crown Tattoo Austin, TX Pic with better detail:

That's where I've been: Although, once again, I'm not a tattooer. But fishing has become my latest obsession in the last six months.

they don't. everyone in norway is totally criminal so they can survive. you see senior citizens mugging tourists during summer and such. ooor maybe they make enough money so the prices doesn't bother them as much as us others visiting.

Will do for sure. The other day was my first trip to Kensington market and looks pretty awesome even on a freezing cold spring day.

Hello everyone, this is my first post here on LST, I'm a tattooer from California and have been curious to come on the LST forum and see what it had to offer. I do believe a controlled and open-minded forum is such a great tool to educated and enlighten folks to some of the nuances of the tattoo community. As I began to read this post, I hoped, that I would find there are still tattooers with a voice contributing to this site. I find it absolutely refreshing to see that, not so far into this Post, a well respected and talented tattooer, @StewartRobson posted an articulate and well thought out reply. I look forward to 'exploring' the forum more and also contributing where I can. Thanks! Joe