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I'm going to elaborate on this from the report @Lance gave of Shige's seminar from this year's SFO convention: So based on that I'm going to say that doing straight copies of Shige's tattoos is garbage and that even if the copy is technically well done it's soulless and completely misses the essence of the tattoo.

You know where there are better references than the internet? Tattoo shops. You know who has a shit ton of flash/books? Tattoo shops. You know who is well acquainted with these collections? Tattooers. Do some initial poking around, then find a tattooer or shop, then go say, "Hey, I saw this Jerry wolf, the full body one with his tongue hanging out," or whatever you want, and they'll say, "Oh yeah, lemme see, was it this one?" And more than likely, they'll pick out one of the SJ books they've undoubtedly got and flip to the page and you'll say, "Oh yeah, that's it, that line drawing is way better than the one I found online."

I maybe biased since i'm currently getting work done by him, but Horitomo is my favorite. Im currently on vacation in Japan and the other day I saw Bill (wearing a Horitoshi I leather jacket) and Junii from Diamond Club in Kyoto. I was in Osaka yesterday getting work done by Mutsuo at Three Tides and Horitomo was there hanging out.

Is this a reference to Amanda Wachob? Because I don't take her seriously.

Awesome stuff, everyone (as usual). El Monga added this to my leg today! Picture stolen from his Instagram. I'm now realizing that I never posted a picture of the last one he did on me, because it wraps and I can't seem to get a good picture of it. I'll try to do that soon.

General tattoo news that's worth sharing, but doesn't necessarily fit in any of the existing threads (or deserve a new one) Like this... I checked out Black Heart's official website/blog today, and was suprised to see that it had gotten a big overhaul since I last visited. It looks really nice, and it had some pictures of tattoos that I had never seen before. Check it out: Black Heart Tattoo |Black Heart Tattoo | » Bad Ass Tattooery | Bad Ass Tattooery

I have two half sleeves and chest panels from Horitomo. My right arm is a Haanya completed about 5 years ago and with a Fujin chest panel that was started 3 years ago. My left arm is a dragon and left chest panel is a Rajin. I have about 12-13 hours left. I dont live in the Bay Area any more so the piece is getting drawn out a bit longer. I wanted a souvenir piece from Mutsuo so i got a Daruma. If anyone ever visits Osaka, ThreeTides is worth checking out. Mutsuo is definitely a great talent

i think i just saw the outline drawn on on instagram??? holyshit

Yeah guys...this thread is abad idea. Just saying. I think we all know better than to be involved with any kind of copying. Lets just leave that kind of bullshit to the leeches and focus on rad tattoos.

Interesting discussion, kinda wish Dan Higgs would weigh in.....

Hello everyone. I've been a lurker for a bit now, I figure it's time to contribute. My name is Dave (Resp), I tattoo at Art Machine Productions here in Philadelphia. I've been tattooing for about 13 years, I mostly do large Japanese style pieces. I've uploaded a bunch of finished tattoos in the gallery here, and if you are interested, I post progress photos to my IG. I've currently got about a dozen full backs in progress along with an endless number of sleeves: full/half/legs. Glad to finally join this community :)

Fuck 'em... how many hacksaw blades does it take to take down the Eiffel tower? Rob

I'll second this. And I'll add yet another echo of "If the shop doesn't have the flash, you shouldn't be getting tattooed there." @Synesthesia I personally don't see any qualm with you bringing in a print-out just in case, especially if you're going to a shop that would most likely have it anyways.

I just saw it as well. That looks like it is going to hurt like hell.

I had the exact same reaction as you. Goddamn that is going to be incredible.

If you actually read what they're going on about (here) there's nothing banning tattooing, but they are outlawing carcinogenic, mutagenic, and reprotoxic ingredients (list here) being used in tattoo pigment. How much does this affect tattoo pigment in reality? I don't know. All of that said, I do know that prior to this law, France was already strict about regulating pigments, and that the regulations haven't stopped anybody from using whatever pigments they want to use. It's a non-issue.

While there are some really cool pieces of flash I'd love to get tattooed, I'd really want to get it tattooed by the artist that did it. If it is impossible (retired, or no longer alive), I have a hellva good excuse to buy some more books. I love having new books, and sometimes my wallet needs justification.

I'm really glad this was cleared up, I was a little concerned.

Just wanted to give you guys a heads up about a new book we are working on. Lost Love is a collection of vintage tattoo flash presented in a 200 page 9×12 hardcover format. This book represents a handful of private collections and is full of never before published sheets of antique flash along with acetates, sketches, and photos. The images in this unique collection were selected to embody the rich and diverse history of tattooing. Our goal was to show everything from folky to fancy. This book will contain unsigned flash sheets as well as images from Cap Coleman, Paul Rogers, Sailor Jerry, Stoney St Clair, Percy Waters, Milton Zeis, and many more. The first 200 Lost Love pre orders will receive a limited print of vintage flash with their book and it will be shipped in hand silk-screened packaging. Pre orders have already started and the book is expected in early Feb. can be purchased at Yellow Beak Press Here is a small video teaser for the book.

When would you say the plainskin term ceases to be relevant for any individual tattooed person? Is it the first professional tattoo? I've heard some pretty whacky stuff from tattooed people, but they were mostly tattooed by scratchers and the like. I've even been guilty of some ignorance about tattoos, and I have nine of them, but I think once someone gets the general notion of a good tattoo down, the ignorance is mostly about things that are kept as trade secrets and such.

Haha! Iwar unfortuently been British and from the North East of England means I have to care… ruins most of my weekends! Heard of most of those, apart from Jayne Doe and Alex Rinke ( so I'm gonna have a little look online now). Actually I am hoping to get "Jean Le Roux" from Black Garden to do my next tattoo, maybe at the Brighton Tattoo festival. Although you have a long way to go on that tattoo its looking solid!

@WideOcean 's post gave me pause for thought, although I'm not sure I can agree with it. I do think there is a cultural element to it, but if it were really a compliment or a process of a student paying homage then that doesn't fully explain why so much money is also changing hands. These are not just sketches or a learner's portfolio- it's business. Could something that factors in be that in some Asian countries copies (counterfeits) are big business, and are not necessarily seen as problematic. Think all those Louis Vuittons... Even a whole fake Apple store in China. This could explain why there is a market for these kinds of tattoos- the customers may not care that they are copies... If they're good copies. Something else that occurs is that there are some Taiwanese and Chinese studios doing their own house styles that are awesome, let's remember that. I love Yang, Ching and Hua from East Tattoo... Some of the big name Chinese guys too. You can see in the likes of East Tattoo's work the Shige influence in some ways (though less so nowadays probably), but then again he has visited them and tattooed them, so there's a direct tie. But they also lay their stuff out very differently these days, and they use Taiwanese subject matter more and more. Shige and Tomo have talked of 'Chinese style' tattooing and Horiyoshi 3 spoke about the future of Asian tattooing as being a fusion of Japanese, Chinese and Western influences. This suggests there are already distinct styles in different Asian countries: Not everyone is just aping the Japanese anymore. Which is why, on balance, I am disinclined to give the big copies the benefit of the doubt. Despite cultural divides and differences in mindset, I think it's probably mostly what it looks like.

Starting my full back down to back of knees in 3 weeks. I have a pretty active job, that does include a fair amount of driving. I've been a bit concerned for how my cheeks, and cheek ditch is gonna feel and heal? Anyone out there who can share their experiences healing their ass cheeks?!

No rest from healing this winter...got more work coming up in 2 weeks from some guest artists coming to my city. Getting hilarious with Bryan Turnbull (Gov Street Tattoo Victoria) and getting weird with Jon Gray (Mata Mata Hamilton). And some touchups on my neck piece and mini insect tattoo. My wife is pissed I will be sidelined from the hot tub at her work christmas party. I will gladly stay dry on my colouring book quest!

I think I post this every time you get tattooed by El Monga, but I really need an El Monga tattoo. I am envious that this tattoo isn't on me.

Eep! I hope my job isn't pushing people around :(

Definitely some great tattoos coming in to LST as always. @RoryQ the making of a tattoo of the month.

I've got a few, some of them only semi-intentional. One of my hetero-lifemates, Raul, and I have a set of Fear and Loathing referencing shin daggers we started, which i have yet to complete. Waiting to go visit him in Arizona and possibly get Aaron Coleman to do his take on the lizard dagger on me. My fiancee and I have a few... Welsh "true love" tattoos from Jordan Teear, Sailor Jerry flash to commemorate his 101st birthday from Wal Lira, and another lil background piece. My friend/co-worker Jimmy and I have matching sailor skulls from Dobleman flash. And a few of my small town friends and I have tattoos for our hometown of 120 people, Fall River, KS. I only seem to have photos of the shin daggers on hand, though. This was also the first tattoo I got from the gentleman who eventually gave me a job, and granted me the honor of learning to tattoo.

Nah, won't happen.

There is most definitely a "vibe" or "resonance" with anything Higg-ish... If the tattooer doesn't know the art off the top of their head or the shop doesn't have the actual real flash, I would say, "bad vibe"... Higgs is a language, you wouldn't wan't someone that can't understand or speak the language to go interpreting something completely foreign on your skin for you, especially, if YOU know what you want.

To answer the original question, if the shop you're in doesn't have the aforementioned Higgs flash, then you're probably in the wrong shop. Or just say you want a "Higgs mummy" or "Higgs druid" or "Higgs bat", etc. I'm hoping the tattooer will know what you're talking about. At the same time, I would want someone that's stoked on Higgs to do the tattoo as well, or like others mentioned, someone that may even know him. There are tons of tattoos I want in the new Eleven Fourteen book, the Zeis book, the new Great Unknown book, 400 Flash from Rodin and Miller, etc. I haven't bought those books, but I wouldn't lift any of those images off the Internet neither. If I see flash that I really like, I'm just gonna track down that tattooer and get tattooed by them. Or hopefully the shop I'm at has the books and I could just pick out an image from there. Totally rambling at this point.

I think...and I hesitate as I form my thoughts, that internet images are fine for "jumping off " points, and sure people tattoo that shit everyday, but if we are promoting quality tattooing, then we need to discuss what should be ideal. Bring in something off the internet, fine, but also let your tattoo artist guide you in the right direction, to where the image is sourced from, to other ideas that aren't so simply printed from a 20 second Google search. If your tattooer doesn't know his/her history or has no interest in it, and is simply ok with just replicating what you bring in on a piece of 30# ink jet paper, then maybe that is a bigger issue. Quality begets quality. The opposite also applies.

Are you talking about flash that you purchased, or of pictures that you printed from the internet? Because there's a difference.

Here's an older awkward of matching swallow tattoos me and @Pugilist got almost three years ago: I got mine from Bert who then tattooed at Tattoomania, she got hers from Rebecca Guinard at Pol Tattoo. Next year is our fifth wedding anniversary and we have tattoo plans for that, but you all will have to wait and see about those.

I seem to post on this thread alot, but I figure it's the best place to put these kind of things. So I realized that I am in love with my bf. Unfortunately I only realized this when I found out from his brother that he was hospitalized on wednesday and being released on tuesday. I can't even see him, due to the hour drive between us and no car, but I realized that I've been feeling like this for a while and if something really really bad happened to either of us tomorrow, I'd be devastated knowing that he didn't know how I felt. Now the thing is, when do I tell him? Or do I even tell him first? What if he doesn't love me back? Gah it sucks and this whole love thing is confusing me. But I guess falling in love is awesome enough for this thread.

My saturday night yesterday :)

I'm getting zapped by Ron Wells when he's guesting at Tattoomania around the middle of December. I'm getting a ship and I am super stoked because Ron does some of my favorite ships and he's just a straight-up awesome guy.

I'll throw my hat in the ring too this month :cool: Bob Roberts, Spotlight Tattoo. That El Monga piece is SICK @9Years

Turns out I may be moving soon. Before I do so, I need repairs on a recently done tattoo as previously mentioned, but I really want the guy who's done a bunch of my tattoos to pick out one more tattoo to do before I leave the state. It would be a fun way to leave.

Thanks man! I'll definitely be posting a picture when it's done. So far I've been tattooed by Steve Boltz, Adrian Sanchez, and Austin Maples, but all are on my right leg. Gotta get my arm started off right.

Might as well book with Grime now too, I should have enough money saved come 3 years from now... I have an appointment with Tim Lehi in a couple weeks to do something on my shoulder. I only have a general idea of what I want and am probably gonna let him do his thing with most of it. He's one of my favorite (possibly my #1) artists/tattooers, so I'm sure I will not be disappointed.

Oh, love this thread, show me more! ;) I will save my post here a little bit longer! As I'm adding some big stuff to my thighs in not very long! hohoho *Exited* :cool:

Same reason people make poor nutritional choices. Same reason people dress like shit for their body type. Same reason people make any number of bad decisions every day. If only bad decisions stopped at terrible tattoos...

I´ve already posted this one in this months contest, but here it is. Mike Rubendall 5-6 hous. Most painless tattoo session ever,

At the risk of sounding like a savvy turd, I've been living here for enough years to know that this is not a "cultural thing" that I have to understand. Chinese are, in principle, much more worried about keeping up a standard of formalities and a strict customer-service provider relationship. This also goes for tattooing (and I had this experience the first time) where the collector respects the artist for his craft, and the artist respects the customer for the flattery of his trust. And, absolutely, for his money, that he wants and deserves. Despite accomplished tattoo artists actually being called "master", by employees as well as customers, they are fully aware that they're selling a service and that a forthcoming and polite service attitude is of the utmost importance. If you're selling something in this country, you need to be convincing people that it's amazing, always, or potential income is out of your door before you know it. In principle. For example, my first tattoo artist gave his apprentice a massive amount of shit for not answering the phone politely enough, when I was there. This is not Japan or Korea, but relationships and formalities still can have a very artificial look to the Western eye. My grasp of the Chinese language is far from terrible, but the fact that I was speaking Chinese with him actually made it worse, because it's not common for an expat to speak it. I should have actually stuck to English, but then again his English wasn't competent enough to understand something like "I don't like water splashes too pointy and transparent." Me speaking Chinese made everyone more curious about the words coming out of my mouth. You know, screw it, maybe he was having a bad day, maybe I was having a bad day. It just didn't work. He's a fine artist and I'm sure he's going to make a lot of people look better. Someone earlier said I don't have to like someone to get tattooed by them. I couldn't disagree more. He's not my nurse, he's not my doctor. It works both ways: I don't need his tattoo. I just don't feel like making someone richer with my money, if I don't like them. That story with the roses... speechless. Thanks for sharing.

I actually experience extremely little negative remarks to being a women with tattoos! I get soo much positivism and love for them! Haha, I think it's amazing. Same thing wherever I go; Scandinavia, Sicily, Milan, Rome, Paris, London, Budapest, Prague, Miami, New York, all over. Old people love me. They stop me on the street and go on about which artists they love (fine arts), and how they think its amazing. I used to work as a bartender too, and my boss was convinced it attracted more business, because it made it seem like a less stuck-up bar and we got tattooed customers who drank a lot. So I was told to show 'em! The every other rude comment from young guys who prefer bombshell blondes, but that's alright. 20-25year old men are idiots anyways. (most of them. Not all. but the majority! ) Other than that; I'm not sure I'm going for full body coverage yet, but pretty close to it. I've always been a freak, with pink colored hair and piercings since I was like 14, so I guess it's just natural by now. I don't really consider my tattoos when choosing outfits etc, I'm filled with all the colors of the rainbow, so everything works now. As for flattering... I chose more based on a general outlook on design; No small designs in the middle of a large surface, making the tattoo work with my body(like, not tattooing a dagger pointing upwards on my inner thigh...), but not much more than that. I recently got a dagger on my outer thigh, and it would look better if I got to the gym more often. But I'd rather just add to it, so no one notices ;) Sorry about the long post!

When I lived in Israel, I shopped for fruit and vegetables in the shuk (open-air market) on Friday mornings. It never failed -- there was always one guy who, in Hebrew, asked me, "But tell me, you don't regret?" [getting the tattoos] Sure, it could be annoying, but wasn't unexpected, and I blew them off politely. Somewhat different was riding on the bus: I made a point to get up and offer my seat to an elderly person (and Israel is full of them), who would smile, say "Thank you," and sit down. It wouldn't be longer than a minute, before s/he poked me; I'd look down, and s/he would pull up their sleeve to show me the number tattooed on their forearm -- with not an angry, but quizzical expression. I always nodded, and with a serious tone of voice replied, "This is what happens when you don't receive a Jewish education." Rudeness can easily become a two-way street.

I was not saying anything meant to be taken in a demeaning manner. I was making an observation that, in the short while I have seen you post here, that you always seem to actually make sense and take the time to form a complete and whole thought. Even when speaking to people who obviously don't deserve it, you make a solid response. I was trying to compliment you man. @Graeme Our barbarian horde can be covered in tattoos and metal as fuck, right?

Its clearly ethically wrong to tattoo someone else's tattoo art.... What needs to happen is some lawsuits. The 1976 Copyright Act states that any work for hire belongs to the person who commissioned it. Sorry to use Kristel as an example but since she is ripped off so often i find it appropritate: Let's say , hypothetically, Kristel Oreto tattoos somebody and we see the exact same tattoo on a reality show, her client can sue the artist who copied it. In my interpretation of this law, ( i am not a lawyer btw but I took copyright law in art school) the client owns all copyright rights to an original commissioned piece of art installed on their body and retains the right to sue anyone who uses it without permission. Now if the ripoff artist contacts Kristel's client and gains permission, then they should have legal right to reproduce it. Obviously that will never happen but according to the law, the tattoo artist does not own any rights at all unless the copyright is expressly written as belonging to the original tattoo artist, or if the tattoo was free it would not qualify as "Art for Hire" Now the copyright office in congress does not mention tattoos at all, but it is art and should qualify. ( in my mind =p )

the children of super cool parents