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I got this from Stewart Robson at the Bay Area/SFO Convention :)

Now that it's xxx'ed out, she can claim that she was very nice and genuine, and that she never said a rude or inconsiderate thing. That she didn't make global condescending remarks about all of us as a whole. That she didn't barf out drama queen splat. And because she xxx'ed everything out, she can pretend that she specifically thanked the many people who helped her out. Which she didn't. I don't recall that she ever said a kind word to anyone who helped her. Now she says she cried. Maybe she did, and part of me still feels bad that she is upset about her tattoo. But this passive-aggressive deleting of her posts and then claiming all the terrible things that were said to her, with no reference as to why anything was said ... well, that's juvenile behavior purposely designed to make other people look bad. Put on your big girl pants and drop the drama. And I recognize you don't respect me, but pretend someone you really respect just said this to you. Calm down, go read a bunch of threads here like this and other good posts, reset, and come back after you've put the drama behind you. You will find that this is the most resourceful and knowledgeable bunch of tattoo folks on the internet. http://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/general-tattoo-discussion/2396-what-makes-good-tattoo.html

Here's my chest that I had done by Jason Phillips at FTW in Oakland. My only thing was no eagles (I already have one on my arm). I've always wanted this design on my chest. Finally came into fruition.

Truth. Most of us treat this space as a community. We have limited patience for people who treat it as a service, and treat us like their employees.

just got this from Stewart Robson... I have a couple on my back from Grime that I'll post once they're done...

Had a session yesterday to color more peonies, then she went back to put some fine line details in the petals from last time and add a bit of brown to the leaves. Will get a better pic when it's healed :)

Kids love looking at tattoos so if you get some new ones it's kind of a present for everyone.

Ok, I tried. @Mick Weder maybe you can gather us all around the campfire and sing a few songs? I'll feeling awfully down and attacked when all I tried to do is help. ::sniff sniff:: But she's amended it to only "SOME" people on this board. ;) Chalk up another one. I think I got some of the same "love" from you immature and inconsiderates when I freaked out about blow-out early in my LST days. I suppose the LST welcome rules should include a clause and understanding that at some point, someone will break your balls. But hey, those were some of the most exciting "lurker 10 thread minimum" amusing posts in a while. - - - Updated - - - If a mod stops by, leave up this thread as an example of how a newbie expect the world to stop when they ask a question and then ignore the answers they don't like. Answers from excellent tattoo artists and those with a boatload of experience and those sporting tattoos with blowouts. Answers that complete strangers spent time writing and holding her hand. Yeah, we are a completely terrible rude bunch. We should all (ok, mostly) be banned. I mean, really. :: rolls eyes :: (And yes, I know the thread won't be deleted.)

<. < ....>.>

Juan Puente for me in November, and then I'm done for the year! It has been a great 2014. Definitely the best tattoo year by far.

This is the best thread! This picture was taken a few months ago at my sister-in-law's wedding and I was immediately struck by how much I LOVE the way the tattoo looks with the flowers and the floral print dress. I would like my whole body to look like a floral dress one day -- Since taking this picture I've gotten a few more big flowery pieces and I am slowly inching toward the goal :)

@flowergirl I can understand how not getting the perfect tattoo that you wanted can be emotional. It's on you forever, and now you see it as something that's messed up. Everyone here is trying to help you come to terms with it and move on. Blowout, migration, whatever, every tattoo is unique. Now so is yours. I think the backlash from this community is coming from what it seems your intent is: blame the artist for messing up and proceeding to write a bad review (presumably on Yelp). You'll find that once you get in to the tattoo community and appreciate what artists can do and have to deal with, you'll side with the artist 9 times out of 10, which is basically what everyone in this thread is doing. We've been through it before and experienced the same thing you're experiencing. This is not the crowd to coddle and hand hold though. Since it didn't sink in on the first 2 pages of comments, things got taken to the next level. I've seen the usual suspects post in this thread that have posted in others, and I doubt anyone's intention was to make you cry. I'm not going to apologize for anyone, but seriously, don't sweat the minor blowout. Get something bigger around it or over top of it and you'll never even remember it was there. Although you'll forever be emotionally scarred from this thread. (That's a joke.)

Did 4 more hours today. Was supposed to be a 6 hour session but due to circumstances on both mine and Kian's side we changed it to a 4. I am glad to say it is now time to re-commence my backpiece. For the last 2-3 months it has been all about things and butt etc etc. I had actually forgotten that I was doing a backpiece. :) I am quite tall so my butt and thighs is a substantial amount of area to tattoo. Today we have all but finished up that area and started colour on background elements further up. I love looking at the progress after every session but after starting colour on my "back" I realise I still have a long way to go.

I should just open a direct account where State of Grace and Horitomo can directly auto debit from me everytime they come out with more MonMon Cat stuff...

I keep returning to this thread, maybe I am a glutton for punishment but... I have a tattoo with a blowout that has lightened up over time, when it first happened I was like, "oh shit, that sucks. Oh well, nothing to be done about it now." I am pretty sure I flinched when it happened. Regardless of the imperfection (or the why of the imperfection) I LOVE that tattoo. I would not want to be without it, and I highly value the experience of both getting the tattoo and having the tattoo, and what the tattoo represents to me. I love everything about it - even the imperfections. Life isn't perfect, we aren't perfect, and it is a nice little reminder that things won't always be perfect (if you want to start getting all meta about it.) So, why bother posting in this thread again? @flowergirl - tattoos are permanent in that they will be in your skin until your body dies, they change (just like your body will change as it ages), accepting the imperfections in yourself (and your tattoos) shows a certain level of maturity, and pragmatism. So, by "dealing with it" you are sort of forced to accept and love yourself as you are, just like accepting and loving your tattoo for what it is. It can be hard, I know. Go to the thread on things you've gotten into since getting tattooed. Take care of yourself, take care of that tattoo, and if it is still bugging you in 3 months then go and talk to another tattooer about what you can do with it. There's really not much else to be said about the whole thing. The folks who posted were trying to help you understand the situation since your initial post came across as you needing the help. The people who are involved on this site are great people, have amazing tattoos, and are super knowledgeable about tattoos/tattooing whether they be tattooers or not. We spend our time on here, we don't get paid, we are here because we like the people and community here on LST. If you don't like it, or can't step out of yourself enough to see what kind of place this is, then you shouldn't be here. Period.

I think a group hug is in order

As the Dead would sing, What a long, strange trip it's been:

Haha @KBeee, yep you totally outed me, in the cutest way possible! And yes, my dreams are filled with Aaron Coleman back pieces, and Valerie Vargas girl head dancing like sugar plums! And also panthers :) The bolder the better, just trying to line up some time to go make it all happen. Bring me to Arizona please universe ;)

That's the plan? Usually around the holidays I try not to get tattooed, and get gifts for my nieces/nephews.

Roll call! We've got 25 participants in the Warriors Fund show so far! Thought it'd be a good progress report. So stoked to have this many super talented artists on board already. I know, I know.. it's five months away. BUT STILL. Follow along on instagram @warriorsfund and tell yo' friends! Jeb Maykut Amelia Martin Robert Ryan Daryl Rodriguez Justin Weatherholtz Ron Perry Scott Sylvia Miguel Uzi Montgomery Jacob Redmond Betty Rose Eric Rose Kevin Edwards Don and Deb Yarian Cheyenne Sawyer Bart Bingham Andy Perez Nash Hogan Michael Aul Patience Biggs Dave Wallin Sophie C'est La Vie Jake Fraser Jason Flanell Tron

About my tattoos? My first was from Lizzie Renaud - a bird perched atop a skull - with the bird clutching a pen and a brush, a small wolf head (some of my more unkind friends refer to it as a rat) from Javier Rodriguez, a rose, again from Lizzie, a skull & snake combo from Aaron Hill and my most recent was a panther / rose combo from the excellent Brad Tompkins

@flowergirl Sometimes you get what you give. You got plenty of good advice here--far more than you deserve--but you're still acting like an entitled brat. And yeah, you got a tattoo that was never going to work. Even if the linework was really precise and crisp right now, every tattoo is going to blow out over time because that is the nature of tattoos and skin, and a line an inch or two long with tiny markings at right angles to that line to mark fractions of that inch, is never going to age well. It's on you now though, so deal with it.

Kannon, dragon, or both. I've got until February. Maybe I'll just let Tomo decide!

Cat prints and new shirts now available online! Just placed my order. Now have to convince someone to "buy" them from me to give them to me for Christmas. Didn't want to miss the prints I wanted! Yay!

He loves you, right? Does he think that a marriage certificate is the best way of proclaiming his love and commitment? No way, that needs to be done in blood. - - - Updated - - - I saw that on his instagram and it RULES.

For what it's worth, I rewrapped and dry healed my elbow and it healed up really well. On my other elbow I only have one tattoo that goes into the elbow area but not on the elbow directly (it's about an inch away from the elbow so is still on a boney, moving part) and I also dry healed that one with no rewrapping and it healed up really well also. I usually heal really dry anyway though. I've started using some moisturizer while healing now that I'm working on my back because dry healing is way too uncomfortable on that large an area, but even then I'm moisturizing once a day after my shower when it gets to that really tight part of healing. It looks like whatever you're doing for aftercare is working for you so I wouldn't mess with that too much. Worst case, you get it touched up.

It HAD tattoo artists, but not many of them wanted to stick around when people came around acting rudely because they didn't like the very good answers they were given.

Was lucky to get this dragon head from Horinao (IG: @horinao1) at the Bay Area Convention. Not sure if I want to add background to it later or leave it in that American piecewise style as I really like the negative space.

A healed, and much better photo of my peony I got a couple weeks back. Much simpler than what's been posted. Done by Glennie at the Pearl Harbor Gift Shop. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

All these pics are gorgeous, and all so different. These are from Lara Scotton at Daredevil in NYC, a cover-up taken from her instagram: I haven't gotten any of mine colored in yet, but I have an appt soon :)

I couldn't find a thread directly related to this topic, so I am asking, what are your thoughts/experiences with healing an elbow tattoo. I got mine done last night. My other elbow is done also, and healed decent, however it is a large piece so the focus isn't on the elbow, per-say. My new tattoo, however, is a rose right on the elbow, and draws a lot of attention so I think I am a little more self-conscious about healing it well. My artist is under the impression that dry is best, even for the elbow. What do you guys think? I will definitely take his advice, since he made the tattoo. Also, I am worried since he used red; in my experience, red heals a little "splotchy" on me. But any experience would be helpful. Thanks!

Don't feed. Also, I would just put a panther over it.

Hi guys, I have been infrequently lurking here for about 3 years now. I don't want to get too cheesy but this forum has really helped me grasp and differentiate between 'good' and 'not so good' tattoos. So thank you to all the posters / forum members for their insight. I got my first tattoo from an artist I read about on here about 3 years ago and I currently have 5 tattoos with a 6th coming later this year. I work in the 'creative industries' (yuck) so I appreciate and respect the art and craft of tattooing a great deal. So yeah, hi everyone.

wow, the cover up is amazing! You're so stoked!!!

Gorgeous colours @CShaw. I'm a huge fan of pink and yellow together like that.

I just had a fantastic healing experience with a slight variation on the tegaderm process I was told by my artist to wash the tattoo as normal the night of the tattoo, put no cream or a&d on it - just pat dry / air dry and leave it with nothing on. Same deal the next morning and once it's dry "apply tegaderm, take off after 3 days and it will be healed" Sounded way to good to be true . The problem was I couldn't purchase tegaderm so I followed the above instructions however the first 24-30 hours of the tattoo being covered was with a non-adhesive wound dressing/patch. Once I finally found a pharmacy with tegaderm I swapped the non-adhesive patch for tegaderm I left the tegaderm on for a further 2.5 days,so probably 4 days in total I was a little bit worried because in the change over between patches I noticed the line work was slightly raised (extremely light) before placing the tegaderm on. So I was totally paranoid that when I lifted the tegaderm off it may pull these lines out. Anyway, when I took the tegaderm off my tattoo basically looked like a bright, 3-4 week healed tattoo. What peeling there was (and bear in mind this was only a 4 day old tattoo) was so light it wasn't even noticeable at all even to me ... There was ZERO scanning, not even light, and ZERO itching Basically I feel like I skipped the whole healing process and I'm now of course putting in mouisterizer but it barely seemed necessary And my tattoo is now exactly 7 days old. Incredible results Not sure if it's something to do with the luck of the method I used (due to not being able to get tegaderm straight away) but next time I'll get tegaderm ready before getting inked and go straight to that as instructed by the artist. It was too nerve racking applying/removing the tegaderm to an already healing tattoo - next time will prefer to put it on the morning after and let it works it's magic Seems kinda freakish lol maybe I lucked out or this product is insanely good

Phil Sparrow contributed a lot not just to tattooing, but also to the understanding of sexuality thanks to his work with Alfred Kinsey, so I would hardly call the recorded anatomical details in his Stud File to be "gross".

My inner thigh leopard tibetan dagger done by Chad Koeplinger at last Barcelona Tattoo Expo.

^ that is fuckin cool "Booze, Blues & Tattoos"

Nice meeting you too @Pete tattoo freak. Your new shark is super clean! I think I saw you walking around on Saturday, but I have a shit memory especially after the visual and mental overload that is walking the floor of the SFO convention. Your countenance is now captured in the electronic realm of my external hard drive and LST. Speaking of which, here's a few more shots. One of the clients instantly reminded me of the last illustration.

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

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.

True true true. But I think I'm going to take a break for a couple months. The constant sessions are wearing me down.

Agreed completely with this. Dan Gilsdorf is my favorite tattooer. I really should fly out there and get something. Cheyenne Sawyer is killing it too. I also want tattoos from Jeff P and Ross over at Art Work Rebels too. Portland's got lots of good tattooers.

Tattoo experiences have got me into some cool music: Mastadon, The Dickies, Three 6 Mafia, American Me (soundtrack). But most importantly tattoos are teaching me how to own it, how to be confident being my own god damn self !

Regino Gonzales of Invisible NYC. He's a cool dude.

Here are some of mine from Kurt Wiscombe!

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

8 weeks after my 4th session: Dropped by Eye Candy just over a week ago and Randy Muller seems quite happy with the results and advises we're easily to a fade level that will give him good options for a cover. He took a couple of pictures and we'll consult again in a couple of weeks. Hoping to be starting on my back piece in September.