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My wife just got this little guy on her foot. Instagram

Marius Meyer was kind enough to let me shoot some video while he put the finishing touches on my friend @Wilhell's back piece. Hope you enjoy it! (Sorry German LSTers! This unfortunately won't play in your country due to the licensing restrictions of the soundtrack)

These newish photos from Cripwell's instagram of The Chap With The Legs need to be here, I think. <swoon>

Got this rose from Holly Ellis at Idle Hand's Get What You Want/Get on Saturday. I was hoping to end up with her and I'm glad I did because it was a LONG day.

It might be a language barrier thing, but I have no idea what you tried to convey with that post. Welcome to the forum though. Regular sized font is appreciated on future posts though.

@9Years. I was the opposite. I found the ribs, and both solid panels to heal extremely fast, no discomfort at all and all just flake heal within the week. They healed so fast and easy we were trying to work out as to why. We just put it down to blood flow/ organs etc. Nothing to back that theory up of course, just a drinking edumacated guess. The application though, there was areas that were real tough for me, drilling into the floating rib area, carving between the ribs, man oh fkn man...it took everything I had to maintain composure. They fucked me out both physically and mentally. Ya just won't know mate until your lying under that machine, on the day. But as @9Years mentioned, prepare yourself for it mentally, that's the key. I've made the mistake in the past walking into sessions thinking ...walk in the park. I've learned to always treat every session with the respect they deserve.

Hey! Finished my back piece by the great Marius Meyer last week. Take a look on this thread by @Iwar: http://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/general-tattoo-discussion/5940-i-made-little-video.html#post102519 Enjoi! I will post healed pictures in a couple of weeks I think..

My peonies from Rodrigo Souto (brand new in this picture so very swollen, nicked from his Instagram. They've healed up perfectly). He's a lovely bloke too.

Aw yeah, it's really coming together now. Sadly, Dana says he can finish in 1 more session. Picture stolen from his Instagram. If you don't follow him by now, you should @danahelmuth.

There U go @Lance 3rd session done by Shige two days ago, View image: IMG 4374 View image: IMG 4383 View image: IMG 4384 View image: IMG 4385

I had to edit out all the crying and squirming. Didn't go so well with the rockin' soundtrack ;) Nah, Wilhelm is tough as nails! He sits better than anyone I know, present company included. The man got a one shot Kirin tattoo across his belly and ribs for christ sake. Who the hell does that?

Picked this up from Ethan Franklin at James River Tattoo in Lynchburg, VA while I was up there yesterday (picture stolen from the James River IG page).

Incredible piece, i've been all but convinced to contact Marius about starting my backpiece. Love the music, too!

Done by Rev. J.R. out of Vicious Ink in Rochester Hills, MI.

Agreed, @jimmyirish - lots of good points, here! I think it might also be something I ponder often because I really like tattoos, but I usually don't feel "part" of the culture -- I feel out of place in many shops because I'm not heavily covered at all, and I don't know a lot of the things that people who are into tattoos usually know, like the names of all the Japanese figures and scenes, or what particular styles are called, or many of the most famous tattoo artists, etc. I guess I just usually feel like I'm not quite in the culture, but not quite an outsider either. I do like reading about tattooing, though -- and lately I have stumbled across several artists whose work I love, and who I'm excited to follow a bit, etc. So that's always fun. I dunno. I try not to take any of it -- or myself -- too seriously and just enjoy it! This forum helps :)

As long as you get tattoos from good artists, any collection of tattoos will look good.

That Cripwell suit is beautiful and so perfectly executed, but I find it a little too perfect for my tastes. Looking at those tattoos, I don't know if I get much of a sense of the person who has them. I guess aesthetically I prefer a more organic mish mash of tattoos where you get tattoos of different ages complimenting and clashing with each other and you get a whole that transcends any individual tattoo.

The ribby edges of my back was the only time I've ever felt irrationally and violently angry at a tattooer ha ha.

I've got both rib panels almost fully covered and I think the healing is worse than the application. My left side involved a lot of travel to finish and therefor some long-ass sittings (a few 7/8hr sessions) which I had totally psyched myself up for...they were worse in my head than in reality. The next few days, however, sucked. Very tender and not-so-mobile. I find that area takes a long time for the skin to feel normal. In my experience lifting my arms over my head or stretching my sides was really weird for several weeks after the skin was healed.

Bongripper's SATAN WORSHIPPING DOOM rules also. Check it out. If you guys haven't seen YOB live it's a must-see...seen 'em twice now and I can easily say they are the heaviest shows I've ever experienced.

Was flipping through this book at Carolyn's station. So damn cool. I could have stared at it all day, but FTW closes at 7pm so I had to go, haha.

I agree on the NY experience. Was thinking of getting both Boltz and Santoro on the same trip. But I highly doubt I'll buy a plane ticket. Like you said, prob just gonna spend that plane money on more tattoos. Lately it's been Bert and Eli at SOG for the past couple years. Boltz will make the Bay Area trip, but it's like on the super low low, and the moment I find out, it's too late. And if I fly out to NY, I would definitely want a Regino tattoo as well. And an Albrigo tattoo. Fuck.

This isn't exactly "news" as these have been out for a while, but Scott Harrison recently put out the second issue of his Weltworld comic. It's dark, perverse, grotesque, and just plain weird, and I mean that in the best possible sense. You can buy them here: The Artwork and Comics of Scott Harrison

just got my copy in the mail! had a brief flip through this morning this book is awesome, lots of cool historical flash and photos!

Love it! I've got peonies on one of my arms behind some spiritual cranes. Also a pair of peonies on each knee...get it? Pee-knees...yes hilarious What I love about peonies is that you can contrast the colours between the inside and outside of the leaves. And make that contrast as subtle or wild as you'd like. Purple/Blue, orange/bubblegum-pink, white/mint-green, orange, red, blue, neon-pink, make em nice and fluffy haha

Shinji's peonies

Thanks for the welcome and the recommendation of Mike Dorsey. It's interesting to me that I live quite literally within walking distance of his studio, but with it being a private studio I'm not sure if I would have known about it without being here on LST.

Yes, Brian Kaneko's peonies are what made me appreciate peonies! I love them. Stolen from his IG:

I (now) know this sort of thread can make people here feel like pulling their teeth out but the patience and effort of LSTers is a great thing and I remain eternally grateful. Honestly. So, despite the shame of bumping this I'm adding photos of the finished project 'cause it's maybe nice to have it all together. I already put them on Latest Tattoo Lowdown though, wasn't thinking! I did take an enormous mass of over thought out context and reference photos in but that went down fine and was actually appreciated. Balanced it out by giving him free choice on what to use from it all and full control on colour and placement. I like to think it worked out nice. Back again in November for a start on the next bit of me.

I took the plunge - I called SOG. Molly and Taki are out of the office, but they are passing along my info for a consultation. ::happy dance:: @cvportagee, @Lance, @TrixieFaux - thank you for the replies and the info. You've all convinced me that this is possible and doable flying in and out for a quick trip. I had planned to fly out to CA in the fall - I'd love to make it a combined trip! So excited!!! ^^^Word. Yes, I would regret it tremendously. And that pretty much makes the decision for me - Monmon cat and tebori if he wants!

Totally agree about bongrippers Satan worshiping doom. My favorite.

@9Years I saw YOB around when Atma came out and they were touring with Dark Castle and I will enthusiastically second them being a must-see band. They are one of those very few bands that are so good live that everything else other than the music is totally irrelevant.

Bongripper is great @Graeme I'm a fan of "The Great Barrier Reefer," it's a little more experimental, but so much fun! The new YOB does rip.

Liked for any Hold Steady reference. I got to see them open up for The Replacements earlier this month. It was amazing.

@jimmyirish - agreed on all counts. I just think tattoos are not the big stand against the man that young people sometimes think they are! @keepcalm - I also don't "look like" a tattoo person due to my very strategic coverage and my bookish appearance, but have been lucky enough to get to know people in this community that see past that, respect the work I do have and return my own respect for them, and they have been very welcoming. Lately I have started to feel more "a part" of the community than I ever expected to with my almost bare arms. It's funny how this particular subculture can work (or rather, collection of subcultures). Anyway, that's a whole other topic, but I'll just say that I am very grateful to live in a place with a really awesome and warm tattoo community. Back to the thread topic - I had to give a lecture in a very warm and tiny room yesterday, so halfway through I could not help but take my jacket off. The dress I was wearing totally exposed the top of my backpiece, so I just made sure not to turn around, haha.

Let's be clear: neither getting tattooed nor not getting tattooed helps to assert you as an "individual" who is outside some kind of norm. Subcultures are cultures too.

just got this hand/knife done on saturday on the 'ol thigh, studio city tattoo in Los Angeles image url

Wait a second, this is an introduction thread??? Welcome to the forums!

My favorite shop in the region is Empire Tattoo in Asheville, I have a lot of work from the guys there. Can't say enough good things about them, just a stellar group of guys. Hot stuff is another favorite, can't go wrong with any of the people there. Danny Reed did both of my feet and the man is a wizard. Charlotte has some really good shops and artists too - Rodney Raines at Ace Custom, anyone at 510 Expert tattoo. Highly recommend checking them out too.

Danny Reed Hot Stuff Asheville NC

Finished up my Valkyrie tattoo yesterday. Couldn't be happier with how it turned out! Beautiful work by Megon Shore at Fist Full of Metal in Seattle.

I'm with @Graeme on this one. Lots of great shops in New York to get tattooed at. Add Three Kings, Fun City, and New York Adorned to the list. I know everyone thinks of Smith Street as the New York shop, but it doesn't even make my top five shops in that city.

i'll post a healed pic of this birdhead in here since i uploaded it to my flickr... a month old. the wizard is two weeks old. whitehead birdhead by misomad, on Flickr

Little bit of knee action

I got a thing today. Hard to believe it too me almost 33 years to finally start. A fun Percy Waters bird from Greggletron/Greg Whitehead at Scapegoat Tattoo. I stole the picture from his instagram. Side note: I really appreciate this forum. I went to my appointment totally prepared and actually knowing more than the average bear (which is still only a very little, admittedly), and he kept asking me 'are you sure this is your first tattoo?' He kept talking about how pumped he was to work on somebody who'd give him creative license, who knew about Good Tattoos and what makes them good, and...yeah. It made me feel really good. I'm pretty sure I learned all of that here. He would probably thank the forum too if he could. Haha. Booked my next appointment for October. IT BEGINS.

Both looking awesome @misterJ and @Graeme. Love tigers in Japanese art and they make such a great center piece for a huge backpiece. Sometimes I wish i had 4 backs so I could do a different theme on each. :) No wait I am glad I don't have 4 backs, not sure I could do it 4 times. Another session today and I can safely say we have now started colour. :) The severed head now is finished. Jason.

I just met an older biker lady that has a Paul Jeffries piece she got 18 years ago. Koi fish and phoenix on the side of her leg - calf, knee and thigh. The finger waves and the blue ink was spectacular, bright and vibrant, no browning. Incredible. Tattoos definately do look the best after they've aged for several years...if you get em done right! Come to think of it...I think I have seen her tattoo before, maybe in this book? I'll have to check my bookshelf later Tattooing from Japan to the West: Takahiro Kitamura: 9780764321238: Amazon.com: Books I'm pretty spoiled though, my buddy has been getting tattooed exclusively by Paul Jeffries and we get to see his regular progress. Half sleeves, chest plates and full back. They are now finishing up by extending the arms down to the wrist with a Smiling Buddha tribute on his forearm. Awesome :cool:

Since we are posting Hardy backs, this one is from the panther tattoo thread:

I had Ben Grillo jam in a little black and gray skull in a rose between some other pieces on my arm. I'm very happy with it. He also added an itsy bitsy spider and some single-needle webs on my elbow: