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Finished this with Shige the other day ... http://s22.postimg.org/w1oqen2gh/IMG_2948.jpg http://s22.postimg.org/pds4s1iy9/IMG_2953.png http://s22.postimg.org/67exov2gh/IMG_2954.jpg starting again in August ...

New one from Koji Ichimaru whilst he was at NY adorned

Latest session, two and a bit to go!

There is a pretty huge difference between engaging in off-colour humour in general and making uninvited sexual comments specifically about one's client, while you are quite literally controlling their movement (or lack thereof).

Small arm filler I got a month or so ago from Jeremy Swed at Inksmith & Rogers...based off a Zeis flash piece.

@Rob I it was great meeting you and thanks for sharing your collection of tattoos with me. You have some outstanding work! Don't forget to try to make it up to the Montreal convention this year. I also want to mention that all the LSTers I've met in real life have been some of the nicest and most down to earth people I've ever met. Also here is the tattoo Chad Koeplinger made on me. Some of you may recognize the design from Valerie Vargas's snake flash set. I went in thinking Chad would only want to use the flash as a general reference and make his own design but he was super excited to do one of her flash designs so we stayed true to the original design. I am extremely happy to have this as the first piece of flash in my tattoo collection.

I feel that's part of the problem of you totally not getting it - how she reacted or didn't react to the sexual comment during a session is not up for our judgement! She was sharing her experience and handled it the best way she knew at the time. Your comment that "silence is consent" seriously gave innuendo that a person is asking for more comments if she doesn't say anything. Everyone is different, sure, maybe you would have said something, but stop getting all judge-y to those that don't. It's complicated, especially because it is sexual in nature and the person on the receiving end of the comment was in a vulnerable state. I think all woman have had some kind of sexual comment at some point in their lives. I know I have, however, I don't have a blanket policy how I react - it depends, where, the context, the comment, the situation. I've never had sexually slanted comment during a tattoo session and I've been getting tattooed since the early 90's. So if shit like that is happening in a shop, that is what's wrong, not how the woman responds to it.

Going to Seven Doors is like using cheat codes

Big night for me last night, having Chad Koeplinger start my back piece. I am so insanely in love with it and so grateful to Chad for tattooing this on me. I'm sure some of you saw his instagram with the pics below. If you can believe it, he did this in 2 hrs, with about 30 minutes of breaks for me scattered throughout the session. So, he did this in an hour and a half. No joke. He still has some more lines to add in the hair, and some more tiger stripes, but this, to me, was one hell of a start!!! Also, it was great to meet @BrianH. He was the appt before me, and got an AMAZING tattoo from Chad. AND to add to this wonderful evening, Jason Scott handed me a gift that Martin Lacasse sent for me. He gave me the ORIGINAL sketch, that was sent to the publisher, of MY dragon from the 365 Book!!!! OMG ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?!?!?!?!? I AM SO INSANELY PSYCHED!!! That was so super nice I can't even believe it. WOW! Oh, and in closing, This was EXCRUCIATING. The lines are so insanely thick, and it wraps some onto my ribs, up on my traps, and flirts like hell with the top of my ass. There was no easy part of this tattoo, just varying levels of hell. Explains why i needed 30 minutes of breaks in a 2 hr session. Got back to my hotel at 2:30 in the morning, and with all the adrenaline, and the fact that I thought I should sleep on my stomach (just can't seem to do it), i didn't sleep a wink. Hopefully tonight i'll get a good night's sleep. Anyway- I can't seem to get these pics to display correctly and I forget how to fix them. rob

I promise you that you are not on the side of Rosa Parks and MLK in this conversation, and that it's genuinely one of the most offensive things I have ever read on this message board to see you make this comparison. Rosa Parks and MLK were tireless in their articulation of the power imbalances that exist in our society, and the ways in which dominant groups silence marginalized ones. Pretending that their resistance is equated with "always speak up" with no analysis of power asymmetry, structural misogyny, and the fact that women HAVE SCARY FUCKING EXPERIENCES TALKING BACK TO CREEPY MEN is both painfully stupid and morally appalling. And that is the last thing I will say here, because I gave up internet arguments as a new year's resolution two years ago. But I just could not let this go. PS it gives me faith in this board to see so many like-minded folks calling this out, and not just women. <3 you guys.

The problem is that when you are in a vulnerable position, it is pretty difficult to speak up. Calling misogynistic behaviour out rarely ends with the perpetrator apologising and reflecting on what they've said/done. At best, you might get a patronising 'lighten up' type response, at worst an aggressive response. "Silence is consent" is victim-blaming bullshit. This is far more offensive than I think you realise, and is scarily close to blaming her for what clothes she was wearing.

Man, I'm so glad that @steve1461686340 reminded us of the "ignore users" function.

Are you blaming her for his rude comment?

Hey everyone, Some absolutely sick pieces this month, but i'm throwing my entry out there anyhow. Let me know what you think! Done by David Bruehl, RedLetter1, Tampa, Florida: Can't tell you how cool the studio out there is, and how awesome Dave was as well! Cheers :)

Chipping away at my front.

Hello all, 37 years old, living in Tokyo, getting irezumi'ed by Shige, right arm done, starting left and going full back afterwards. Thank you !

Silence is not consent! I can't believe I am debating this! Just because one person would say or do something, doesn't mean some else in a similar situation would or could - that's ridiculous! Everyone has different coping mechanisms to get through a uncomfortable and vulnerable situation. She did the best she could, she did not invite those comments, nor is she bound to school that jackass about proper behavior towards women.

...then maybe we shouldn't mention that Jondix works out of Seven Doors Tattoo as well. Oh wait, oops. ;-)

Goddamn this thread has been on absolute fire the last few days.

I know you're joking, but seriously, never ever let yourself think this. I am the world's most uncool square and I would never think twice about contacting a "big name" artist for a piece of work if that's what I wanted/had the means to do (Claudia being one of the people I hope to get work from some day!). You do not have to be a "certain kind of person" to qualify to get tattooed by someone that good. You just have to decide to go for it, and get in touch.

Some guy named @Scott Sylvia put a cobra over my elbow. It swelled up nicely: But healed perfectly: Every tattooer who sees it is amazed that he got that red in like that in one pass.

Since you only got the tattoo a month ago, I'd wait another month or two to adjust to it before you make any decisions. Don't run out and add something to it on impulse just to erase your bad feelings... with time you might end up feeling fine about it. In the meantime, you could start putting money aside for a coverup or laser treatments, so when you are ready to make a decision you have the funds to support it. Also, welcome to LST!

@spookyluke All we (the forum) are asking you to do is not post homemade tattoos or ask advice. You haven't asked for advice so I'm relieved for that. It's a simple house rule and should be no problem to accommodate. I wouldn't come into your house and do something relatively simple you asked me not to do. It's just a respect thing and even if you feel bristled up by other responses you can read this and know I'm not being a dick or anything, just asking you to come correct and respect the forum.

Is it me or is it a bit crooked? (Joking)

I think I'm starting to like the new drama-filled LST. It's like a dive bar, every evening a new bust-up.

Two years is plenty of time to get on your dream tattooer's waiting list ;). As far as one shot pieces - roses, anchors, lady heads, skulls, snakes, daggers, panthers, eagles - I guess anything can be a one shot done small enough, but apparently I immediately default to traditional, haha. But those pieces can loan themselves to one shots and still be sort of cohesive in the end, when you have a bunch of them. - - - Updated - - - Ahahaha @Graeme and I simul-posted!

Just saying everything is not black and white like that...like I said I am guilty of saying things that I later heard were offensive to a client and it bothered me because I was clueless about it...because the types of comments I make do not offend most...pretty tame I think...but perhaps I could be more sensitive about stuff like that.btw I do agree with the OP now that she has clarified...does seem a bit creepy.

Thanks so much everyone :D This will keep me quiet for quite some time! In all likelihood, it's going to be close to two years before I'm ready to get the epic tattoos. But I really do have a fancy for a little something much sooner. I've found that Frith Street often have walk-in slots and post their cancellations on Twitter so I'll keep an eye on it. Does anyone know of a good thread for ideas for one-shot small pieces (subject and/or location)? I've tried searching, but not come up with anything in particular.

Since I can lift those numbers, can I get tattooed? I'll send you my PayPal address. Thanks in advance. Seriously, though. Whatever it takes to motivate you, man. I'm a fan of lifting and tattoos, so I fully support this.

Wow, just wow. In a professional shop, it would be very safe and reasonable to assume that perving on clients is never, ever appropriate and never, ever funny.

I'm not a tattooer so I wouldn't have to try to purposely fuck up a tattoo. It would just naturally be fucked up.

Seriously, the dude just came out with it. Maybe. But I felt pretty damn intimidated, which doesn't help with the speaking up... and seriously? Shitty joke.

This is the wrong place to be sharing novice tattoos.

Hi all, Im not an Apprentice or Artist, just a life long Shop B, that likes to be around like minded people. Just a stroke of luck I came across your page.... Binx

20 Great Female Tattoo Artists in History Tattooing Over 20 Years | TAM Blog

Jondix, Deno, Claudia de Sabe, Xam, Teide, Dani Queipo, Marco Serio, Andrea Furci. amazing !!

I like Claudia's work but I am not familiar with the other 2. Is it primarily a Female artist you looking for, If so have you considered Valerie Vargas at frith street? she is an awesome tattooer and a great person to boot! Sarah Carter also works there who is equally as good. If it's not necicerily a Female tattooer your looking for every one else there are great too. Valerie Vargas Tattoo http://instagram.com/sarah_carter_tattoo Frith Street Tattoo | World famous Frith street tattoo, custom tattoos situated in the heart of Soho, London. Walk ins welcome! I should point out I do not in any way work for Frith Street Tattoo, I just really enjoy getting tattooed there :D

I've probably posted this somewhere, but I think it fits well here. The screaming gorilla is on my left elbow, the tiger on the right. Both by Tim Pausinger at The Pearl. (The tiger is a little distorted by the way my arm is lying.)

Same was true for me @beez and @HaydenRose, I pierced my own nose when I was in my early 20s. Kept it pierced for a couple years then took it out for a while. Re-pierced it for a while. Took it out. I don't have a hole there any more, totally healed over. My tragus and rook are my fairly recent piercings. I like them, but yes, it is a much longer healing period than tattoos. Much quicker and easier to get but harder to heal. Still, worth it if you like the way it looks and commit to cleaning the piercings diligently. Conch next... (I think). I thought it was kind of weird that I started getting into piercings again in my forties, but then I thought what-ever, who cares, it's fun. My pic from instagram:

I'm debating whether to go the @hogg route and get Scott Sylvia to fill that weird spot, or to get spider webs that scream "I'm an elbow..." Decisions, decisions.

Oh shit! They work out of the same studio? My mind has been blown! I need to relocate to London ASAP haha

Worth looking at Claudia's studio-mate Xam for that kind of tattooing also...

What a jackass.

Claudia's stuff is beautiful but I think @Valerie Vargas has to be part of this conversation too. Definitely seek out the artist of your dreams. You may have to wait or be persistent but you'll be happier in the long run than if you compromised or settled. And we are talking about fairly local artists for you here.

Can I +1 on the Claudia love? Her stuff is soooo good!! And I love badass women in general (I love badass men too, but I'm a chick, so....) and getting tattooed by a badass woman has been an awesome experience for me. +1 badassery.

I have been really slowing down on getting tattooed recently, but I am very stoked to be getting an adaptation of this cute little nautical star/butterfly design by Robert Johnson flash (from the 1950s, found in the always amazing Flash from the Past) so that I may always keep moving in the right direction. Appointment in a couple of weeks.

my vote is for Claudia de Sabe

I was bored on my lunch break, so my buddy Chris Porter at Alley Cat Tattoo cured what ailed me. Super small and right next to the knee ditch. Sorry for the leftover stencil residue. I like bright shower curtains.

Here's the result of my appointment with Scott Sylvia. Btw, Great Lakes Tattoo is a very nice shop.

@Tuchaka I'm sorry man, but that "rating" system posted above you is bullocks. It seems we have had a great deal of bullocks on this board lately. You can't deduce a tattoo's quality down to those elements. Mostly you just need to look at clean lines and solid application. Trying to scientifically deduce it to separate elements based on "ratings" isn't going to get you anywhere. Use your judgement, read a book on art, etc etc. Tattoos are supposed to have a little bit of soul in them. They are not mechanical and they cannot be reduced to a 0-10 rating. This was the first book I had to purchase when I was in university, I'm not saying it's bulletproof, but it'll be more advisable than the above: http://www.amazon.com/Design-Basics-Multimedia-Edition-ArtExperience/dp/0495128457/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1395351100&sr=8-4&keywords=design+basics