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by Stewart Robson On a side note, me and @ThatGuy crossed paths in Frith Street without realising, Crossing the online/reality divide. It's a Fantastic back piece! Gets my vote this month.

I headed over to the Okey Doke tattoo shop on College St. in Toronto this morning to get a tattoo by Franz Stefanik. What an amazing experience. Here is my latest tattoo, as I continue to work on my legs.

After 12 years of teaching at my current urban elementary school, I just got hired at another urban elementary school! It is smaller and cleaner, and two of my friends work there. I'm a little nervous about the change--the principal tells me he is "very demanding", but eh, maybe that's a good thing. And my mom told me I wouldn't be able to ever get a job at another school because of my tattoos. I wore a long sleeve shirt to the interview suckaaaaaaas. :p

I got a serving job at a new sushi restaurant in town. Work starts at the end of the month. Pretty stoked to have a higher level job since I've been doing mostly underling work in restaurants for the past few years.

The words "tattoo" and "party" in the same sentence usually mean it's illegal. And even if it's not illegal, at least ill-advised for anyone getting tattooed, dangerous for all involved, and irresponsible on the part of the tattooer and organizer.

Booked in with the legendary Eddy Deutsche. STOKED.

I too got this massive motherfuckin' scar on my outer right thigh. Sliced the fucker down o the gristle...good times. Internal & external stitches which left a half inch X 3 inch scar. It fucked up all the nerves & to this day can't even touch it let alone have it slammed with a machine. But who gives a fuck, I just suit around it, and as close to it I could get just worked some fading cloud work around it. What Iwar said, if ya can't have it worked over like myself, surround it with kick arse tattoos. Hey, as they say...chicks dig scars :) Welcome mate.

More on my sunscreen quest. I thought I was done, until I saw Consumer Reports 2013 Guide to Sunscreens. I couldn't understand why Consumer Reports and EWG ratings were so different for the same sunscreens, until I figured out how they rated relative ingredients for effectiveness. Most of this is based on effectiveness of UVA. If the UVA is good, the UVB protection is also good. Note: EWG bases ratings purely on what's in the ingredients list and the stated SPF. Consumer Reports did a test with humans. My findings smell of marketing and politics. (Although I think I smell much better.) <tl;dr>: To get a good or top score, CR wants avobenzone (non-mineral based) and EWG wants zinc oxide (ZnO) and/or titanium dioxide (TiO2) (mineral based). Each seems to think the other is full of crap. Consumer Reports: --------------------- - rates every product with avobenzone with the highest UVA rating (5/5) if it's >3%. It's avobenzone or the highway. - rates products with ONLY TiO2 as bad (1/5) for UVA. If TiO2 is ~11% or higher, it will bump the rating to 3/5. ZnO doesn't seem to be considered useful even >14%. - If oxybenzone is included, it wants >3% EWG: ------ - Wants ZnO > ~20% for top UVA rating. Has to be at least 13%, many sunscreens are only ~4%. Will give a top rating even if only ingredient is ZnO. - any product that uses avobenzone as primary UVA blocker (with no ZnO or TiO2) gets no more than "moderate" for UVA protection. - if using non-mineral ingredients, wants homosalate >10%, octinoxate>7.5%, octocylene >10% for UVA and I didn't see any with a rating better than moderate. This doesn't take into account the EWG "Health Concern" rating. I only looked at the individual ratings for UVA. Since Consumer Reports is by subscription, here are the ONLY ones they rate 4/5 or 5/5 for UVA protection. They are all non-mineral based. - Coppertone WaterBabies SPF 50 - Equate (Walmart) Ultraprotection SPF 50 - Banana boat Utrla defense max skin protect SPF 110+ - Neutragena Ultimate sport SPF 70 [Edited: adding spray products] The above from the Consumer Report list are all non-spray, since spray is already suspect due to coverage issues and some other stuff I can't remember. Below are the spray products with good or best CR ratings for UVA protection. Again, ALL are avobenzone-based rather than mineral based. - Bullfrog water armor sports instacool SPF 50+ - Up and Up Target Sports SPF 50 - Well at Walgreens Sport SPF 50 - Coppertone Sport High Performance SPF 50 - CVS Sheer Mist SPF 30

Hello and welcome to LST! Pfff.... Your English is great, and you know it! ;) First off I would advise you to poke around this site for a while. Check out the gallery section, watch a couple interviews, work your way through a chunk of the http://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/general-tattoo-discussion/15-latest-tattoo-lowdown.html thread and get inspired! I'm sure you'll eventually find something that strikes you. When you stumble across a tattoo that you like, then look up the person who did it. Chances are you'll like more of that person's work as well. Finding the right tattooer is just as important, if not more so, than picking the right design. If you tell us where you live I'm sure the community here will be more than happy to suggest some great tattooers in your area. In my humble opinion there's also no need to force a meaning/story/"reflection of one's personality"-type deal into a tattoo design. A lot of first timers may feel a little anxious because of the permanence aspect of getting tattooed, and they think that linking it with some personal meaning will help take some of that pressure of (at least that was the case for me back in the day. Lots of thought went into the design, none in the execution). If the idea works, then great, but if not there's no shame in getting a tattoo simply because you like tattoos. I suspect that a zipper design or a lightsaber might get old real fast, but who knows? Maybe if the right person did it, I'd have to swallow those words. I have definitely seen a lot of cool Star Wars tattoos over the years. This awesome Seth Wood piece suddenly sprung to mind: But anyways, I really hope you post it up once you get it done. If I were you I'd keep that scar, and just surround it with good tattoos. This is of course unless it holds some kind of negative association for you. And remember, the internet is great and all, but nothing can ever replace or equate to a good old-fashioned consultation :) Good luck! Is this where I'm supposed to write "or just get a crawling panther...."?

Nice! I love Franz's stuff. One day I'll make it down there and get something by him. I was just in Toronto yesterday to get an Arya [GoT] inspired ladyhead by Lizzie at Speakeasy. I'll post a picture when it's healed up.

This thread has really encouraged me. I started on my thigh today!

This is awesome

Big Fans of Franz in this house - also there is the Pearl Harbor Gift Shop in Kensington Market - who are amazing. They are kind of sister shops here and both have amazing tattooers.

Going to Toronto in July thinking of booking in with franz stefanik , unless anyone can point me in the direction of other shops?

Ok so I finished photography school 4 years ago and have been doing journalism and sociology and a bit of this and that since then. I'm still into photography a lot, in theory, but I haven't been as active as before. It's hard to come up with your own projects and carry through when nobody is forcing you, while also living a life. I've been mainly doing everyday photos, travel photos and a few jobs for magazines since I graduated. But since about a year back I decided to make a photography project consisting of portraits of every tattooer that has and will put ink under my skin. I just made a list and I'm up to 23 names so far, tattooers who has all ready worked on me. Save for some less involved photo sessions I haven't really put any effort in. Until yesterday when I hung out with and took photos of El Carlo who was guesting at Theo Jaks Infamous Tattoo in Stockholm. El Carlo tattooed me at the London Convention last year and it was really cool to meet him again and chat a bit about Spain, politics, tattooing and art in general. Now I feel stoked about continuing the project and putting more energy into it. We'll see where it ends, perhaps in 20 years when I'm covered from head to toe it's going to be a book of portraits. I feel inspired! Bonus: A friend wants a tattoo from me. Now it's time to start a long and glorious career of kitchen scratching, finally. Giddy up!

Yeah, you mean those Japanese full sleeves without windbars, waves etc as background...? Saw them earlier, amazing!

These are really nice figures and everything, but I don't understand why artists have to talk like this. ???????????????Anyway... this reminds me of a Barbie that actually has really cool tattoos. Oh, no! Barbie has a life! - Alysha

@beez I never knew this was a thing! @polliwog that clip is great, I remember reading about a study where they had to get food out of a film canister and some crows would trick the other ones as to which one the food was in.. Super smart birds. Here's a weird story, I have two crows on skulls tattooed on me. First time mid-tattoo Michael Jackson died. Second time mid-tattoo Whitney Houston died. Wanna get a third just to see what'll happen..

Look somewhere else. LST is the not the place for that. If you have something to add, feel free. If you only have something to advertise, that's another story.

Back-piece finished a few weeks ago. Valerie Vargas, Frith Street Tattoo, London

Goddamn! The backpieces this month are AWESOME! Well done!

I admire your tenacity in researching this! I had no idea it could be so complex. Thank you for taking the time to post your findings. Sent from my GT-I8190N using Tapatalk

Thanks guys really appreciate the help, booking in with Chad and Steve for November this week aswell, Chad is doing a Robert Ryan design down my side and my other knee aswell, and were planning on getting his n hers Christian Warlich designs or something aswell, although I'm trying to convince my girlfriend she should hit both her knees early and get them out the way

That's what I thought, but to me, it really distracts from the tattoo. I thought about asking my tattooer to sign mine somewhere since it's a big piece and such a long process, but he will have a large number of possibilities to do it without it being obvious.

Congratulations Trixiefaux! Awesome news.

Yeah I love his stuff hopefully he won't be fully booked, taking the girlfriend aswell for a birthday present doubt she knows who he is

Damn @CABS, what are you getting?

Somewhat related to new tattoos, but did anyone see those 2 new sleeves that Stewart Robson just posted on Instagram? My god, those have to be some of the best pair of sleeves I've ever seen. Huge, super readable, very innovative design, simple yet detailed, solid, smooth, it's got everything. I can't even express how amazing they are. *swoon*

Yeah, nothing really pretty about it and they do have a high turnover. But she's comfortable and the staff couldn't be any nicer. I was there with my son the other night and we left close to 10 PM. Ran into a collection person from a funeral home, my son asked if that was the grim reaper... yup. When they take someone out during the day, they close all the doors to the rooms during the process. I'm trying to be there and do things at home too... family chases me out now and then, I do need a break. Got some gardening done at home, had my sprinklers turned on and played with the pool a bit. People drop off meals for us at the house. The local support is amazing. Haven't cooked a full meal in a month, been doing burgers, leftovers, Subway and of course blowing through vast amounts of beer.

I quit FB about 8 months ago and I have enjoyed the experience a great deal.

Really digging the monochromatic theme, @mmikaoj. You and @rozone are making me a little jealous.

I have an upcoming consult for adding on to my pre-existing Yoni tattoo (will get tattooed in the fall, theoretically.) Don't know what we're going to do yet. Woot!

OK, I'll play. These show most of my legs. I won't bore you with the sides of my knees or ankles. And I'm too lazy to type out who did what, but I'm happy to answer any questions.

@HandsOn wins for most self-administered tattoos. Great stuff!

Oh, let it go on just bit more for fun, k? ;)

where's a ban-hammer when you need one . . . ?

Here are shots of my right leg. Marie is going to do something on the back of my thigh and I'm hoping to have Greg Christian do something at some point on the inner thigh. My left leg is mostly in progress and I'll post that one when Kore finishes it. Lady head by Marie Sena Star/cross/wings by Steve Byrne Day of dead groom on back of leg by Kore Flatmo

Wowzers! Awesome legs everybody. Here are mine,

Awesome thread. I never keep my progress photos, and for the first time asked myself why. Anyway, the only one i do have. Some line work on my left upper leg. Ill get some other shots up later.

In the spirit of "fuck-it" I present my left leg. @gougetheeyes now we can feel weird together. Snake/torch by El Monga last summer at spider Murphy's Candle/Skull by El Monga March of this year at tattoo city Cattle Head by Stefan Johnsson Jan of last year at California electric Planning a panther on the knee at some point but it'll have to wait a bit. The other leg has some odds n ends on the thigh, but not enough coverage for me to feel it can hang in this thread yet!

Got this Rose of No Man's Land from Josh Stephens the other day while he was guesting at Atlas Tattoo here in Portland. Couldn't be happier with it, and Josh is great!

A full back tattoo to kick off the month! Nice one. Better follow suit then. Tattooer CP, Australia. About 6 years old. Cheers.

2nd tattoo completed this past friday by brian bruno, richmond, va Sorry for the not-so-good phone picture quality...

I got this last night from Dave Regan while he is guesting at Classic Electric Tattoo in Frederick, Maryland. Beautiful shop, and town. I had just met Dave, but it felt like I was getting tattooed by an old friend. Fun times all around. Photo pilfered from Dave's instagram account. (@dutchraven)

I have a major dislike for anything sun, sea & sand. Thats probably a good thing. I hate the beach. Mind you, a front bar overlooking the beach on the other hand.

I think this year is going to be a really amazing Convention because of the line up and some specials. I didn't know Horitomo was going, but what a score! Alex Reinke is going to be launching a book about Mick of Zurich, which'll have loads of unpublished work from Mick's massive repertoire of work. The Leu Family will attend and they only do London once every 2 years. Same with Sabine Gaffron. Kurt Wiscombe is going. And Mike the Athens!! Now I'm gonna go lurk on the convention's instagram to see what else is up.... Now if i see Mike Roper I'll really fall off my chair. I have to say though it's a crazy convention even as conventions go. I mean the cross contamination that goes on in those toilets is insane. Get tattooed early I guess and try not to touch too many things!

I have only seen this in large scale Japanese work,particulary on full back-pieces and most usually in the top left or right corner of the back.It's allways in kanji and also the artists bestowed tittle hori...... If you check out back pictures from Horiyoshi III, Chris Trevino ,Horitomo it's more apparent