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Got 4 more hours in with Jason this week. So close...

How blessed can I be to be able to get a group picture with three GIANTS of the tattoo world (@shige_yellowblaze @gogueart @carlostorresart) who just happen to be the three artists that collaborated on my torso!?!?!?!! I am truly humbled and honored to be able to wear the work, but more importantly to be able to call these class guys my friends. Much love!!! Special shout out to @jessyentattoo and @jasonbutcher who also took part but could not be there. - - - Updated - - - James Tex in March at Summit Convention on my armpit to finish my torso!

The people who said they didn't think the elbow was too bad are all insane. Or they have magical elbows. More fun stuff on the arm with Greg. Took the photo from his instagram. Feels weird to include something this little this week when there's so much crazy stuff on my instagram from the Bay Area convention, but oh well! The trend of 'never actually doing what we previously planned on' continues. At this point I kinda hope it always does. And now I am done until the end of November!

It was a great convention this year. I had no plans on getting tattooed yet got a piece from Stewart Robson and Miyazo. (I will post pics when healed.) It was great hanging out and going to a amazing dinner with @Lance and @CABS. Although we didn't really meet except for a brief second it was nice seeing all the stellar work @MoistTowelette has in person.

Probably the last tattoo session this year: some time in later half of november, some hours on my backpiece with Rudy Fritsch @ Original Classic in Trieste, Italy. Will be a fun trip!

First off, Holy shit!!! And are you getting tattooed by who I think you are?

Got this photo realistic elephant I once saw... spot on by Eli Quinters yesterday, at the Bay Area Convention.

Beyond happy with this rose from Chris Garver this week. Pic stolen from his IG

Three things: 1. Went on a week long trip to Spain, visiting and making new friends in Barcelona and Granada. Had such a good time! 2. Decided to work less (finally!) so I have time and energy for doing fun stuff/art and taking care of relationships 3. I'm in love with someone who's in love with me. It's the best!

This reads like a personals ad.

See you guys tomorrow! I'm a 23 year old tattooed lady with green hair if anyone wants to say hello (:

Well I haven't posted in forever but I've been following along, anyway, started my back on the weekend, didn't finish the outline but after 7 hours I had to call it quits, Im pretty embarrassed I had to tap out. Anyway, Done by Scott Duncan at Sugar Shack Tattoo in Kincardine

@DeathB4Decaf - Thanks! As for how long I've been working on it, well that's a bit of a loaded question. I started it about 5 years ago, but Jason moved to Portland literally after 2 sessions. So, progress slowed down quite a bit but I'm just about done! @Cork - Thanks! No filter. Just my wife on an iPhone and my fat ass in all it's glory!

my left arm (with the tribal marks) i dunno what i wanna add as filler...was thinking of doing some kinda skulls behind them or something?

These last few days before a big appointment(s) are excruciatingly slow. Can't concentrate on work.

Learn about colour theory, get a colour wheel, consider the other colours in the tattoo and do the oni in whatever colour works best given all that. Or trust your artist's judgement because that's how he's deciding on colours.

Any thoughts on green or red for the oni?

9/10 I agree with you -- also, I'm a huge fan of deloads and rests. This one just fell smack in the middle (by necessity) of a cycle that was progressing nicely. Had a rest programmed in 3 weeks anyway ,so all is well.

Over a year ago I had a couple tattoos lined up, but I had to back out. I managed to tear my labrum in my shoulder, which put me out of commission for quite some time. It sucks when a 100lb woman at physical therapy can make you want to cry. Anyway, everything is put back together, and I was able to get another appointment. I have no tattoos, but have always wanted a full back piece. So, I guess I'm just jumping in the deep end and going for it. My wife thinks I'm crazy, but I'm on the books for Dec 13.

What a great topic. So what has tattooing taught me... Where do I start with that one. I have really gotten into tattooing over a period in my life where I have transitioned from education into the working world and both things have taught me a lot about myself and tattooing has definitely been a big part of what I have learned. The first thing that I think it has taught me is a great appreciation for anything that is made with a bit of heart and soul to it. This for me has revolved around things that are hand made and require time and effort. So everything from a good books, decent music, art and any sort of traditional craft. Art particularly has been something that my parents are quite interested in and I have never found an aspect of it that I really connected with. Tattooing has however taught me a huge amount about different types of visual imagery and as a result I have learned to read the images I see a lot more. It's gone deeper than the simple aesthetic though as I now know a huge amount about the history of where certain images come from and the cultural history that they stem from. This has then been something that I have been able to give back to my friends and family even in a small way. I have also started collecting original paintings and prints myself which just brings me a lot of joy to see them every day. Tattooing has also inspired me to start drawing and painting more myself. Now I would never claim that what I produce is great art, or even particularly worth spending a lot of time examining, however it gives me an opportunity to focus on something outside of myself and it inspires and frustrates me in equal measure. It has also given me the opportunity to give something back to my friends and family in a very honest and simple way. Especially over the last three years as I have steadily drawn more and more for other people. As other people have mentioned it has also given me the opportunity to meet some very interesting people. I have had some great conversations with friends and strangers alike and learned a huge amount as a result. There was one tattoo artist particularly who introduced me to sacred geometry and the patterns of nature which is another form of visual imagery that I now see everywhere. The variety of music that tattoo artists particularly have introduced me to as well is great. For example who knew that the verses in Lateralus by Tool follow a Fibonacci sequence. Youtube it... I found it fascinating. As a general statement to summarise tattooing has changed the way I live my life from the things that I am interested in, to the conversations I have with people and what I choose to do with my spare time. And I couldn't be happier about it. Here's to continued adventures within this world we call tattoo...

It was awesome to meet u guys @Lance @CABS!! Hope to see u tomorrow!

I have learned that in spite of all of the work I had done on so many levels I was still carrying the subconscious imprint of social beauty ideals and enculturation. On some subtle levels, I was carrying the social responsibility of ensuring that the appearance of my skin was still palatable to the general populace...the belief that women are still meant to be a part of the scenery and therefore "be attractive" (in a social sense). I really had to confront this in order to continue getting tattooed. It's amazing to be free of this. On another level, I saw that I lived in fear of being noticed or really "seen". Also, I learned that I can do anything if I have good company...walk through fire (or at least get both of my feet tattooed in the same session ;) ). And that snacks are never ever, in any situation or time ever, a bad idea. I love this thread.

@Lance, @CABS - it was nice to meet you guys. Wish we got to hang. I'll be there again tomorrow with @ELTOTTAGO to finish up with Mitsu if anyone wants to meet up. @ironchef - thanks so much for the tip on the scotch. Mitsu says you're a good dude.

bad photos but i got the dragon yesterday from Andre Cleary and the girls head a month ago from Adrian Hing , both are really nice humble guys. also sorry for the sideways pics ive tryed everything cant figure it out.

Looks like I will be going to this one! I refuse to look at the sfo thread because I don't want to know what I am missing....it already sucks knowing I am not there....LOL Anyway.......I am going to go it looks like BUT so far the two tattoos I plan to get will not be done at the convention....ha ha ha! One will be done in VaBch Friday morning.......and the other one will be done at a shop of the tattooers choosing in Richmond! I've wanted to add tattoos from these two gentlemen for at least 10 years but could never make it happen.....so it looks like now it will! There is one person at the convention I'd like to get something from as well so we'll see if that happens!

Fresh one my girlfriend picked up this afternoon. Its a Nick Oaks design tattooed by a local artist, Mike Young.

Sneak peek of my first day. Convention lighting sucks balls.

What in the fuck is going on in this thread. Y'all are killin shit! *bows down*

Fun times in New York with my newly immigrated fiancée. Bug is on her by Bert Krak, torch and rose are on me by Eli Quinters and Beau Brady, respectively.

All this print making talk is making me want to screen print again. I'd love to see some of you fine folks lithos/intaglios/etchings. Here is one of my favorites I've done, albeit it isn't saying a great deal.

I still want a hand poked Slayer tattoo, so, you know....sometimes you gotta.

Here's an update on my Mimi-Nashi Hoichi (Hoichi the Earless) back piece by Fil Wood at Black Crown. Second session and going strong

A little snippet of my back done by Grime...

Finally finished. Ever since my first "off the wall" flash tattoo in 1989, I have always dreamed of a full back tattoo. It was a year long experience that I'll never forget. I'm happy it's done and really happy I won't be in a constant state of healing anymore!

OK so I tried to put this post up about three days ago but whilst I was doing it a power line nearby got struck by lightning and we lost power for a while. So that was the end of that. Now that we have power again and I have a bit of time I will try again. I had the fourth session on my back last Monday. I was hoping it would be the last session of outlining but that went straight out the window when Ian started the session by asking me "How do you feel about Tibetan skulls?" Luckily enough I think they are cool and the design that Ian had drawn up was pretty killer so we went for it. The result is that I now have a Tibetan skull on my my ass cheek and the back of my leg. I love it and am very happy to have it on there and we definitely have only one session of outline left. So after 12 hours of work so far my back looks like this. I have included a close up of the skull as well.

A few different guys; my "regular artist" (if you will) is Nick Oaks, and I have 5 pieces done by him (and filler upcoming). Also been tattooed by Franz Stefanik, Ron Wells, Dennis m del Prete, and a local guy in Vermont. The cobra, morning star, rats, reaper, and dagger are all Nick, the church is Ron Wells, the ponies are Franz Stefanik (one shot, might I add), and the eye of providence is Dennis m del Prete.

I'm down to meet up. Got an appt. with Valerie Vargas Friday night.

i am perfectly content with my dumb phone