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glad this is over with dude knows i heal well so he takes his time and while that's awesome afterwards, it makes for a tough sitting. jaie devore at diablo rojo and sorry the pic is kinda bad, shop light plus i think my phone has some scratches on the lens over the camera so it has a weird haze...

Another session down...last session of black and finished up the maple leaves. Mike

I think it's pretty simple and I'll use myself as an example. Do you have a personal relationship with the imagery that you are getting tattooed? I have three japanese tattoos that I got during my apprenticeship. One is a daruma on my inner bicep, and it has the kanji for "ginou" which means "technical skill." I got the daruma with the intention of one day becoming a technically skilled craftsman and I will probably never fill in the other eye because there is always room to grow. The other two are designs that I picked from a book called "Japanese Design Motifs." and they are circular designs that sit on my inner forearms. They're floral, black only, and they're very beautiful; I get compliments on them all the time. Maybe a year later I learned that these motifs are actually Mon, which are the equivalent to family crests in Japan. I am not Japanese. I feel like shit about it and I want to get them covered up. I have even asked Jill Bonny about them and if I would offend anyone going to Japan with these on my arms. She said that it doesn't matter because the rules don't apply to westerners, but I'm probably going to get them covered anyway. The daruma isn't cultural appropriation because I have a personal relationship with daruma as a symbol and a means of accomplishment within my own life. The Mon are appropriative because I took one look at the designs, thought "oh that looks cool, I'll get that tattooed" without any further thought or investigation into what they actually represent.

I just got this gar from Mat Welch earlier today. I also got a little beer mug filler from Paul Holland while he was guesting here, but I don't have a picture. I'm pumped on 'em!

Everything is borrowed. The idea of restricting symbols, art, style, food, music, religion, etc. to the original blood lines of the culture feels more racist than "cultural appropriation". Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk

Just picked up this eagle from Josh Brown at James River Tattoo. Picture from James River's IG.

Thanks for posting (and for the link to the previous conversation). This is an interesting topic to me. I think many images we enjoy today are ultimately appropriated from somewhere. There are always going to be lines and we all will have to draw our own. Very few here, I would imagine, would get a tattoo of a white person in "blackface." For me American Indian imagery tattoos has some parallels to the ongoing team mascot issue. I'm not a big internet arguer so I'm not wanting to get into all that here other than to say it bothers me personally and therefore getting an American Indian image tattoo crosses my personal line. That's not to say that another thoughtful person couldn't come to a different conclusion on this but I do appreciate this kind of discussion as a means to encourage thought and dialogue. I'm more conflicted about religious imagery for tattoos. For example I am attracted to the idea of getting some kind of Buddha tattoo someday. I like the images and, as a recovering Catholic, I am drawn to many of the ideals of the religion. Are these good or bad reasons to get a tattoo? How about a Hindu image of which there are many that make amazingly awesome tattoos but I know basically nothing about the religion itself. If I read a book or two would that be enough? Am I overthinking this? Probably, I overthink most things. Anyway, thanks for the interesting conversation. Now it's time to get back to my secular Easter celebration focusing on bunnies, eggs, chocolate and brunchy food.

So I decided to join. I'm also really bored at work and my husband has been on my case to join for awhile. So hi! I think I met a few of you when we visited SF!

Update picture of my Dan Trocchio scuba skull, natural lighting. Just took off the tegaderm after 5 days.

Ladies and Gentleman, we've got (some) color :cool: Tonight we managed to do a 3.5 hour session of mostly greens and red. Unfortunatly we can't continue until the end of may... A six week break after 3 months of bi-weekly sessions... how am I going to survive that?! :p

It's an entirely personal decision for me. I'm sticking to Western traditional tattoos for the time being since it's what feels comfortable to me, as one of the whitest people around. Doesn't mean I won't be thrilled for any of my white pals if they decide to get a full Japanese sleeve. (I don't have any white friends who are that cool, though.) Or that I can't admire white tattooers who produce top-notch tattoos in non-Western styles. I will admit to feeling a little uncomfortable about Native American pinups, but they're also part of the tattoo vernacular. I'm sure there are plenty of progressive folks who tattoo, but the kind of shouty "social justice" that's practiced on Tumblr (which often seems to be about white people trying to outdo each other with regards to who can be the "best" ally) and tattooing seem sort of like oil and water to me.

This whole thread is about this topic as well: http://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/general-tattoo-discussion/3303-how-do-you-feel-about-tattoo-blogs.html

Holla @SeeSea for starting it!

I did this when visiting SF and both my husband and I had appointments booked at Blackheart. He knew what he was getting but I said I was going to get something palm sized and walked out with a giant eagle on my arm by Cody that I think is one of the most badass tattoos I have. I really love it but I felt bad that we went a lot bigger than I initially booked for so I think I might have pushed his appointments back for the day. And as a person who takes appointments myself, I know what a pain in the ass that can be. I like spur of the moment tattoos but I think for myself I need to plan just a little bit in advance so I don't waste anyone's time.

fyi there are some opinions on this subject in this old thread: http://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/tattoo-designs-books-flash/1845-native-american-tattoos-designs.html

:: curties :: I'm enjoying the thread - it's certainly turned out to be more fun than I originally thought it could be! And I've learned a lot, and three bandeaus should be showing up in my mailbox sometime soon! :D - - - Updated - - - Welcome @MrsGougeTheEyes - love your username. I hope that's really who you are, or it's a good joke on someone ... :D

Hi all, Had my 2nd appointment on Friday, and I'm very happy with the result. Don't know if here is a good place to post a pic, but I'll do it anyway ;-) It's not completely finished yet. Going for a halve sleeve eventually! Grtz, Arne

Way cool! @beez im definitely jealous - - - Updated - - - The think its settled. My next tattoo might have to be a brokeback girl, with a "wwggd" banner. Also, sorry for spelling errors. Its not quite 7pm and im already a bit fuckered up. Party on Wayne...

Haven't read it but I will never hate on beards!!! Never!!!!!! Mustaches, however, are a completely diff story. ;)

No apology needed. I just like to connect the dots with the older thread. Intetesting topics are bound to be rebooted as membership of LST turns over.

I can vouch for how badass that eagle is.

Hiiiiii!!!! Yes, I will once I get around to figuring how all this works! haha

Get the tattoos you like and screw everyone who comes up with bullshit terms to try and make you feel guilty. Cultural appropriation... who ever came up with that should have gone to school for a real degree so that they could have contributed productively to society instead of trying to fragment it more.

The sleeve on my left arm goes a bit into my armpit and I didn't find the tattooing itself especially bad (inner arm is tender anyway), but healing it sucked because it's uncomfortable/difficult with the swelling to just have your arm hanging normally by your side so you end up walking around kind of like a scarecrow for a few days after getting tattooed.

Narwals - wow. I've never seen one. I've only seen humpbacks from the surface - can't imagine seeing them while diving. O_O You've got a nice bucket list - that's a good way to plan your dive vacations.

I love the shading that goes all the way around the bubbles. It looks like he's diving way deep and that the bubbles are carrying some evil light inside them. Really cool. This would make a great sign at depth at the opening of a cave system. Much better than the traditional skull and crossbones!

it doesn't look like a stamp. It looks like a tattoo, and a fine one at that. The only thing that should go around it is more tattoos.

The general consensus around here is that those tattoos with no black outline will not look good for long and that "bold will hold". I would keep looking. Are you in NY? There's a wealth of good artists in NYC. If you love the way that looks you could always risk it... what were you thinking of getting?

I think I have a pretty shit pain tolerance because my entire thigh sucked, but dear lord, the area just above my knee, my kneepit, and right under my butt cheek were awful. I always see people saying that tattoos hurt less than you think they do. Liars, the lot of them!

I would like to quote this post I made, and say that my little sister finally seems to be coming around to good tattoos. So stoked to see her get some work.

I think Bob Geerts is going places, he's 23 and still apprentice at the moment, but yeah, he's got soul. His instagram: Instagram

These are my findings: Doing what you want to is cool and never a turn-off for the right person. I surveyed 1 person for this poll. 1 out of 1 agreed. The beardo in the other room would probably agree w/me too though. So let's just say 100% of the tattooed women and bearded men in this house were on board. :cool:

I wouldn't bother with that article. It also states that beards on men are the biggest turn-off for women. 33% from a group of only 500. And it doesn't say where that 500 comes from. Beards are cool on men. Tattoos are cool on women.

Ok so better photo of my arm - the bottom designs are from Hokusai woodblock prints of Higashi Hoganji Temple and Mt Fuji - both from the views of Fuji Collection (I lived near Mt Fuji for 5 years) and am thrilled with the progress - we're going to keep working down the arm but Daniel at the Pearl in Toronto does such amazing work I thought I'd share this.

Ooh a meetup, well I may come just for that! My back piece is being done by Evan Dowdell, owner of Time Will Tell in Burlington. Super stoked, even if it is a crazy long wait to get in with him. Oh, and this is what I got from Ron. - - - Updated - - - He hasn't posted anything to his instagram about it yet, but he emailed me letting me know as I had written him about getting mine touched up. I hope I don't get in trouble for saying something XD.

He's coming to Toronto? Hmmm.....

While I personally prefer my tattoos a bit more vibrant or with more black (ala @cltattooing), I don't think you really have to add anything to that at all.

@Hospitelli Awesome hell scene. I love when the big deities split legs down either side of the butt, it just fits so damn well. @DevilMan I feel your pain! Both butt cheeks in one sitting is no fun. I hope you're at least enjoying leaving ink behind on every toilet seat you sit down on. @MikeL So black! That is going to be very classic looking once it's wrapped up. I'm really enjoying Rodrigo's style so far from what I've seen.

Holy shit Back explosion! Too much for one day!!

Just got back in from another session...knocked off the top section of the koi, Oniwakamaru's hair, and a few maple leaves. Next session in two weeks on the 18th. Mike

A friend just posted this blog post on Facebook - I thought the ladies with kids might appreciate it! Why You Should Never, Ever, Ever Get A Tattoo (but Having a Baby is Fine) | The Ugly Volvo

Kinda off topic (is there a "so I had to soundclash my neighbours" thread?).... Today my downstairs neighbours decided to play window rattling dubstep from 11am. At 6pm, admittedly out of character , I got super passive aggressive lay the speakers face down on the floor and turned just one song up to eleven, just to convey the proximity of our lives and the inconsiderate nature of their music selection/volume/duration. This was my song of choice: (worked amazingly well)

Then you will no doubt have an absolutely killer tattoo at the end of those 2.5 hours. Should be a good size tattoo as well, as Scott is very fast.

Thank you el twe. Have contacted a few doctors. Their opinion is that the bleeding won't be so bad, but the healing process might take somewhat longer. As for the tattoo: I'm a passionated diver, and have a top 3 of sea creatures I want to see. As soon as I see one of them, and photograph them, they get a place on my arm/shoulder. The idea is to have my picture as the base for the tattoo. I'm visiting Yliana Paolini in Brighton. I live in Belgium, so it is quiet a journey to get there... I've seen a school of hammerhead sharks in Sudan last May. And they were on my list ;-) So the sharks (as they usually are pretty deep), get a place on my upper arm... Grtz, Arne

Nathan Kostachenko

:D

I wanted to put up a picture but my computer spectacularly died when I turned it on to upload one, like smoke came out of it and shit, so I am heeding the fates and leaving this thread well alone.