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Chris Garver Invisible NYC - - - Updated - - - not sure how to add a lager pic..

Got this Rock of Ages from Joe Ellis while he was guesting at Lab Monkey Tattoo:

All of my tattoos have really deep meaning and symbolism behind them... it just so happens that the deep meaning is that I think they look fucking cool and are symbols of things that I think look fucking cool.

Here's the result of my 6 sessions with James Spencer Briggs at Memoir Tattoo in Los Angeles. He worked around and improved upon the nautical star with my daughter's name above it that was already there.

What I was trying to get at earlier in this thread is that you need to be able to develop the skills to look through those pictures and be able to tell yourself what is or isn't good tattooing. Guen Douglas wrote a great guide on how to assess a portfolio for the Tattoo Artist Magazine blog, read it: Guen Douglas: How to Properly Examine a Tattoo Portfolio | TAM Blog Read the thread here about http://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/general-tattoo-discussion/2396-what-makes-good-tattoo.html Look at the tattoos posted here in the Latest Tattoo Lowdown, in the monthly contests, and compare and contrast them with the work those shops are putting out.

I tend to agree. I had this journal entry I wrote when I was 22 and got my first tattoo...all about what it "meant". I was drunk when I wrote it and in retrospect it was pretty much cringe-worthy bs. Like you need some kind of back-up reasoning to have the tattoo. You don't! You can just get one (or 20). Liberating. While the symbol may have meaning, universal or just to you, it seems to lose some value when explained. If someone wants to know, I prefer to keep it simple: "interpret it how you wish," or, "I like it."

The waiting in line experience: Only the first person in line "camped out", I was told he got there at 2am and the shop manager (Jen) hinted that his request was for something you wouldn't expect someone to go to Mike for. A few people arrived around 6-7am and then the majority of the line showed up between 8am and 11am. I got there a little after 11am and there was about 25 people ahead of me. I finally got to the front of the line at 4pm. Waiting in line was actually a good time. More than half the people already had work by Mike and were looking to extend half sleeves, start sleeves on the other arm, backpieces, etc. It was cool seeing Mike's work in person and talking with other people who are passionate about tattoos. I'm excited about getting my backpiece started and wish the first appointment was sooner, but the 21 month wait will allow to me research what I want more thoroughly (although in the end I will probably just throw a few general ideas at Mike and let him take control). Also the wait time gives me plenty of time to save the money for this huge investment. I also think I should use the long wait to adopt a healthier lifestyle so I can survive the 6-8 hour sessions I have scheduled. It will be worth the wait!

Just got this lady put on me this afternoon by Mina Aoki at Fun City. Now I just need to figure out what to cap my shoulder with and I can start filling in the smaller spots. Three hours out and already planning the next steps....

Done by Darcy Nutt while she was guesting at Providence Tattoo :)

Another day, another trip to The Pearl. I'm working on filling in my right arm at the moment. Today Tim Pausinger added a couple of smaller tattoos. First, a very traditional "lucky" with four aces above it, and second, a sailor girl head that I've wanted for a long time now. I also had a couple of touch ups done, so I'm sitting here with both arms taped up tightly wondering how I am going to get a fork up to my mouth. /searches for a feed-bag

My knowledge of art is as limited as my knowledge of what keeps a plane in the air. Regardless, I can still identify the smoldering wreck of a crash and tell you that something went terribly wrong.

Here is cell phone photo of my latest by Jeff Srsic at Redletter 1 in Tampa:

another 2Days and 12 Hours of Tattooing :)

I saved a snakes life today. Poor thing had gotten itself stuck to a piece of adhesive on an ice and water guard for roofing. It got almost it's entire body stuck to it with the exception of the end of its tail and its head. I felt so sorry for it cause I had no way of knowing how long it had been there. So I picked it and the roofing piece up, and walked it over to the hose thinking that maybe the water would help loosen up the grip that the adhesive had on the snakes body. Luckily it did. The snake was suprisingly very cooperative while I ran the water under him and slowly pryed his body from the guard. He even let me hold up his head while I unstuck his neck. After about an hour of carefully working his body loose, I finally freed him. I carried him over to the woods and released him. I picked up all the scrap roofing I could find so he wouldn't get stuck again. I felt pretty awesome afterwards for being able to help him. I'm such a softie for little creatures :)

Me and @Pugilist are moving in a month but before we do that we're going to stop in at the shop around the corner and pick something rad off the wall. We're considering what @JeffK did with his lady and choose something for each other but I'm not sure there's enough trust in our marriage for that.

I'm going to frame the print out of my appointment dates and the business card that says I put down a deposit!

although not true television, I'd like to take this moment to mention The Gypsy Gentleman (Marcus Kuhn's - The Gypsy Gentlemen - Home) and Vice's Tattoo Age (Tattoo Age | VICE). Both very educational shows, and a true testament to how tv and tattoos ought to come together.

I'll give this a shot. Done this past April. Jamie Macpherson Unity Tattoo in Vancouver.

They both do quality traditional work, but I wouldn't otherwise call their style similar. The stuff Franz does is 'simpler' - but not in a bad way. If you compare the bird/rose tattoo that Tim did of mine with the lantern that Franz did you may note the difference. The way Tim blended the colors on the bird isn't something that Franz would do (not saying he couldn't, just doesn't that I've seen).

I feel like you are trolling (or being sarcastic) but I have to ask... What did tattoo tv shows teach you about good tattoos?

Marija is awesome! My wife and I got tattooed at The Sailor's Grave on our honeymoon (although not by Marija), and she recommended a kick ass restaurant and helped us get a reservation for that night. Really sweet lady. Her husband, Judd does some really rad large-scale traditional stuff. Super-sized battle royale back pieces and whatnot. Super cool shop, too. And they have good coffee. And to address the actual thread topic: Mina Aoki at Fun City does a pretty good thing with ladies in general and heads in particular. That last sentence reads a lot creepier than I intended it. Anyway, I already posted this in the "latest lowdown" thread so sorry for the doubling up, but I just got this one from her.

Oh, surely! Basically what I was saying was that I really enjoy when the imagery is crafted with specific intent. I guess a most obvious example would be Robert Ryan's work. Just as in the alchemical illustrations, every image that is depicted was chosen deliberately for a specific intent of illustration or invocation, and I think it's very powerful stuff. My intention wasn't to discredit tattoos that are chosen specifically for their artistic merit, as I don't think that tattoos need to have meaning whatsoever. I also have tattoos that were chosen purely for the imagery and it's just as you said, they're more of a reminder of what was going on in that time of my life. I don't think there's any real debate as far as which is more valid, it really doesn't matter beyond what it means to the person wearing the tattoo. Pretty much what I was getting at is that I find talisman tattoos to be really exciting and interesting, and I would like to do more work in that vein.

I just Googled Tom of Finland sitting here at work. I think I'm flagged by IT now. Thanks.

I personally can't stand when people try and crowbar deep and pretentious meanings and symbolism into tattoos, simply because it often compromises the design in the first place. If there's a meaning, keep it simple and obvious! I look at how awesome the tattoo is, and never read the meanings behind it.

No matter what "deeper meaning" or statement I was trying to make with my earlier tattoos, they have come to simply represent my state of being at the moment I got the tattoo - the script on my arms says one thing, but the "meaning" has much more to do with the people and places surrounding me than a literal definition. The rose and dagger on my leg pretty much just means "I like good tattoos."

“So, before I left, I had said to people, I really wanna become a better tattooer technically and mechanically. I really want to understand what the fuck I’m doing. Cause I felt bad. The same way I felt like I was a jerk cause I never even had my grade 10, I felt like I’m a jerk cause I’m making a lot of money and people think I’m doing real good, and I am just flailing away. I got no fucking idea what I’m doing, you know? And I thought I really owed it to everything that came before me and I owed it to myself to try and master the craft, and that was part of it for me. For most people, there were other reasons. They were doing their best, or whatever. But for me, it wasn’t enough to be successful and have money – that stuff didn’t matter to me. I didn’t understand why certain needles were doing certain things. I couldn’t even wrap my mind around it.” This pretty much is the reason why I look up to Bill. Pursuing the craft of tattooing in its entirety is what I signed up for and I just really admire his drive to understand every aspect of the craft simply as a trade. It's a very honest and humble approach, and I think you can really tell when people do what they do because it just makes their soul happy. This rules.

I do have to say I did show this to people at my BBQ today. I really like it. (Yea they did call me a tattoo nerd for sitting on my phone on LST).

I found Rubendall's wait time allowed me to figure out what I wanted and it tempered me from doing anything impulsive. Additionally, I personally don't like getting tattooed during the warmer months so having those 4-5 months cut out help me out as well. It also allowed me time to save money for the tattoo. I'm used to waiting as I started off getting tattooed by Henning Jorgensen and maybe saw him only once or twice a year as I waited for him to roll back around to NYC. Good things to those who wait I guess as it has resulted in me being able to convince Rubendall and Henning to collaborate, not something commonly done by either artist.

There's a whole section of this forum dedicated to tattoo designs, try looking in there. Go to a bookstore or library and look in art books. I know you didn't like people busting your balls about your tattoo, but getting good tattoos requires doing some work researching artists, looking at reference, learning about tattoos, art, and design and while this forum is a great resource and starting point, the onus is on you to do something with it. Nobody here is interested in holding your hand through the whole process.

$65 + $7.50 fee a day? Fuck that, that's robbery... SFO costs less for the whole weekend and you don't have to bump shoulders with a bunch of tools there. Every wannabe Vans Warped Tour idiot with in a 150 mile radius goes to INI...

True love is also pretty fantastic...although not entirely in English. Most of it is, but there is some narration in Italian. I'm also on my third time going back through the interviews on this site, which have been invaluable as far as consciousness raising about good tattooing and how to be respectful of it as craft and art from a client's perspective.

So this tattoo is on day 4 in the picture. I was advised to leave the wrap on for the whole night, this time being the first I've been told to do so. I must say I'm pretty amazed. No scabs at all, and no ink even in the peels!!

I found this pretty fascinating. I have been very curious about Bill's story and haven't really come up with much info in my research other than his being a tattooer of 30 years and some people singing his praises. He has no portfolio to speak of (for reasons mentioned in this interview). It seems pretty rare to have someone still in the game after 30 years. It's largely for that reason I have wanted to get tattooed by him and if this interview gets around, that may become harder than it already is, but I share this anyway ;) I have been tattooed at The Pearl Harbor Gift Shop by Tim Pausinger and I can say that the shop and crew is nothing short of awesome. Enjoy.... Swallows&Daggers | Interviews | Bill Baker Interview (Part 1)

I'm in Southern Ontario as well. I was also tattooed by Tim Pausinger, he does indeed do great work. I echo the sentiments of others that staying on top of when The Pearl has guest artists come through means that you will be able to be tattooed by some of the world's finest without ever having to travel. I don't know if the shop publicizes them, but I have been made aware of guests coming either by this site (probably from @Mark_Bee) or through the guests websites. I am keeping my eye out for the next time Nick Colella comes through. I have also been tattooed by a young tattooer named Franz Stefanik, who was in Burlington at the time but has recently moved to the Okey Doke in Toronto. His style of traditional is a bit different, but I really like it. From what I've seen of the portfolios of the other guys at that shop they do good work also. Tim mentioned that shop in a positive way while he was tattooing me, actually.

Well, for better or worse, here's a brand new pic of my first tatoo. I still love it despite its obvious short comings, although, it has looked better to me in the mirror than it does in the pic. Ugh! LOL! It is now between 29 and 26 years old. I metioned a few deatails about it the "Dropping the bomb..." thread. The original design and tattoo was done by Carol Nightingale. Carol "Smokey" Nightingale I was recently flabergasted to find out that the old guy is still around after hearing stories to the contrary. https://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=442403932478914&set=pb.158616314191012.-2207520000.1370246089.&type=3&theater Kinda cool. Any way, in terms of the tattoo...... Origanally done in the winter of '83, it was re-done and had birds and filagree added by George Lewis in Kitchener, Ontario around '86 or so. At this point I don't know who to blame for what LOL.....but I still love this. It's mine and I meant it at the time and I still do. - - - Updated - - - Feel free to imagine wher the red used to be LOL

I had a hellva weekend, sad it is over. Date on Friday, Saturday was BBQing/drinking all day, then followed by a late night session at Invisible to finish the background on my leg and get a session set up with Matt to get my knee done, Sunday was wake up to black metal and black coffee followed by oh so much more BBQing and drinking. Finishing off today with heavy doses of metal and a smooth single-malt scotch.

Wow, that's quite a lot of interesting stuff in there. I knew there was something in that image, just had no idea what. That's actually one thing that disappoints me about a lot of posts showing people's tattoos. There's rarely enough explanation to go with it, leaving me with unsatisfied curiosity. Yeah, I thought it was weird and cool and just had to ask. I only have boring tattoos. But I'm working on it.

Personally I like the "classic tattoos" aka very much repeated tattoos. I got a skull with a snake and dagger. The only time I find an image "played out" is when it wasn't a good image to begin with. Fuck it get what you want and give the finger to the people who rag on you. Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2

Absolutely. Accessibility and ease is no excuse for a lack of integrity. There's lots of literature available online too. That doesn't mean it's not plagiarized if you rewrite it in your own handwriting and change the name.

I'd avoid an asshole, largely because I don't like giving my hard-earned cash to douche-bags. I've been tattooed by all kinds of types. Some are super friendly and talkative and others are the silent types - and a range in between. All are totally cool with me. Just don't be a dick! I've noticed a really unpleasant trend on instagram recently - some artists have taken to posting pics of their clients, mocking them for being fat or ugly, or generally dissing their choice of tattoos. That's fine, I guess, but I sure wouldn't go to their shop. It strikes me as an odd way to do business, but hey, its their choice.

I'm out this year.. traveling to the Bay Area instead......

Most of my tattoos are 15 - 20 years old. I just took a photo of my stained glass dragon and then found the original artwork. Man, time flies! And time takes it's toll, too (Sorry kids. I'm your future, staring you in the face!:cool:). The question becomes - do I find someone to revitalize these antiques taking the chance that they may mess with the original mojo, or do I let the pieces continue to age alongside my fading skin?

I have no real preference, really depends on my mood as they are all quite different. Right now I am celebrating this weekend tapping into my Tomatin 30 Year Old. Rare for me to touch that stuff! My daily scotches are usually Talisker 10 or Johnny Black (yea yea I know its a blend). Hey you always have to remember to celebrate the small victories. I get reminded of that way to often these days.

Awesome! ;) a snake tattoo would look great too. I've seen some really nice ones.

I was planning a girl faun tattoo with panpipes on either shoulder/arm or inner calf but I've just found out I'm pregnant! Guess I'll be waiting a while before I can have any more done.

I've been tattooed by several people because I liked them, not necessarily because I thought they were the best artist around. Fortunately, they've mostly been great artists, too.

Having another tattooer add to it = fine. Bringing it down into a "sleeve" also = fine. Saying fuck it and just getting other un-related tattoos that aren't tied into it = totally fine! I'd just go with your gut and get whatever you want and try not to worry about labeling anything.