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In 1993 when I was a young Marine with little money, I walked into a tattoo parlor and chose a stock tattoo from the board in my price range. After a few short years, I realized that the tattoo had no personal importance to me and it didn't match my personality. Nonetheless, tattoo coverups just weren't common then and I had few option to add or modify it. Fast forward 22 years...After seeing seem some incredible artist nowadays and some unbelievable coverups, I decided it was time to see what my options were. I went into the consult without any expectations as to what could be done regarding design, colors, shapes, etc... I was surprised to be told that it wouldn't be an issue and I just needed to let him know what I wanted and he would make it happen. The big day was tuesday and while I need to go back for a few more hours in a few weeks to finish, we got alot of work done this session and are at a good stopping point. All I can say is that I am totally blown away beyond expectations, to the point that all I can think about is more tattoos. PSA, Please do be impulsive about your first tattoo. Please do not settle because money is limiting your options. Be patient and don't do what I did. So, here is the work in progress:

I've been looking at pictures of my own back/ass on my phone at work. If i get caught, I can't get in trouble for looking at my own ass right?

Too fast? ...tattooing isn't a race Going too fast is when you have a bunch of tattoos lined but none are actually finish. I'm surprised how many people I see and know that don't finish what they start (and not just in tattoos, but in the ins and outs of life). If your arm is only lined in, why are you getting hand and neck tattoos? The ADD generation of tattooing. Focus, commit and get the project done. Take your time to enjoy the experiences and the tattoos. Enjoy watching the tattoos heal and age. But most importantly take the time to enjoy the other things in life aside from tattooing. Balance. I'll pass on the 'too fast' and stick with the tried and true method of the tortoise, 'slow n steady'. That's how I achieved my coverage over a dozen years thus far, the way I've made my pictures and my stories. I like what was said before about "the journey" and about "the larger experience". cheers :)

I'd express your concern with the shop owner and the tattooer. Hopefully they will ease your worries. But it sounds like this is out of your control. Which, unless you are tattooing yourself, is always the case. Ask questions. Get answers. Make a decision. Be patient.

good idea. haven't posted a write up about my 1st session experience yet but will soon.

You should stick that blog in your signature. I already forgot which thread you posted it in originally.

Out of excitement I open a thread and forgot that this one was meant to post about your latest work... 1st sessions. 5hrs.

Welcome! I'd love to see pictures of the Crucifix tattoo. They were such a good band but I feel I hear very few people talking about them. Good to see them getting a little recognition.

@CultExciter What else are you going to do because it's not like there's already a thread for posting your tattoos in. Maybe somebody should start one.

DAMN @Pleadco Really dig the antlers the wicked wolf is popping out through, cool idea. Rob Noseworthy is at Black n Blue ? Was a cat named Bobby Tripp there? I was tattooed by Bobby 5 years ago, he's got a great work flow. @BrianH Wow, I really love the head and expression of that lucky dragon! You're a lucky guy, that is going to be a powerful backpiece. Nice starts, respectively, gentleman I'm in for round 3 on monday, round 4 the week after, wish me luck :cool:

good idea! i forgot about the dm feature. edit: i can't fit it all in the little instagram square so here it is for all the internet

Here are the results of the first session with Rubendall at the Kings Ave Manhattan shop: I have a few more pictures to share but I want to organize my thoughts and write a little blog entry to post along with those photos.

Finally, after a handful of attempts over the past four years, managed to book in with Guy Le Tatooer. Going down to Toulouse, and his (by then) newly opened studio, in the end of march to get my lower belly tattoo. Very happy!

Getting my back done in a couple of months by Chris Garver .. trying to figure out exactly what i want.. Kinda difficult only because this may be my last one. Also because I have most of the tattoos I like already like.

Hi there - I'm Lia, and I figured it was finally time to stop lurking. I've been crazy about tattoos since I was tiny - I'm 27 now - but I just haven't had the funds to get the work I wanted and so stayed away from staring at tattoos/thinking about tattoos/talking about tattoos as much as I possibly could (it was too much of a temptation). I'm hoping that now is the right time to finally, finally get to work on some of my plans. So far I only have two pieces: a nine year old quote on my right forearm which may/may not end up covered up (depends on how sentimental I'm feeling that day), plus the Narnia lamppost illustration (forest, snow, the whole thing) on my calf. Right now I'm not sure if I want my next tattoo to be a lady head or more black-line illustrations on my leg; I guess it depends on what the waiting lists are like with the artists I choose. No pictures yet, since my poor old quote tattoo isn't worth the pixels and the lamppost is still pretty fresh, but hopefully I'll have something to show for myself soon.

Hey, the names Jessica, posting from the lovely state of Rhode Island. I have some tattoos, I want more tattoos, and I love looking at and talking about them as well. stoked on the community here, quality artists, and quality people. thanks for having me.

This seems like great advice. If the situation is really that one of their artists is struggling to get back into the country they are probably stressed about it too. Talk to them and show compassion for their situation while also standing up for your rights/needs. Maybe you can work out a mutually agreed upon resolution. Something like: if the artist isn't back and able to schedule an appointment by (reasonable date in the future) you will get a refund and go to another shop or, perhaps, another artist at the same shop if that is an option you are open to.

Well just reporting back my experience.... Breathing did work! I also found that relaxing the area works a ton as well... Now when I was getting down to the 4th and 5th hours concentration was not there any more.... TV's where loud and I was unable to focus away from the pain.... I had no clue that the back was so sensitive.

I'm binge watching Trailer Park Boys right now and I feel like a shit drop in a shit storm that's about to turn into a shit tsunami

Thanks guys I think Walter's is more our speed, but damn Maison has 34 different oysters on their menu..... @CultExciter forgive me for sounding stupid, but is a co-op, like a deli or convenience store?

I have repeats as wells. 2 dragons 4 planets several galaxy's

so far these are the repeats i have: 2 dragons 2 roses 2 daggers 3 skulls 3 snakes 4 hannyas and will probably end up with more skulls, another dragon, and another snake.

@herewego The little co-op next to Saved is great too if you need something in a pinch to get your sugars up.

Two from about a year ago: Watercolor pens, water, ink and paintbrush, some marker. A4-sized

Just got back from my 5hr back piece session. Looking awesome!!! Picks to follow up after the first cleanup. :D - - - Updated - - - Pic fresh out of the chair! 2 more sessions to go... - - - Updated - - - The next two sessions we will finish the rest and start the cover up of the neck tattoo and the yin yang.

Bae = Danish word for poop. That's what I found when I had to look it up. lol I'm turning 40 this Sunday and I am an 80's/90's kid, if you consider an 18 year old, still a kid.

@BrianH - what a start - that is going to be awesome! Cool you are keeping a blog. I have a personal diary of my journey that I may edit down into something publishable but I need a break from tattoo-on-the-brain. Keep up the blog!

Hey guys, I am Matt from New York, or laowhy86 on youtube, and I have been getting involved with the tattoo scene here in China. Things are changing here, and I have been doing some interviews with mafia folk, students, artists, and people that are involved in the tattoo scene. Hope to get some insight here! Check out my first interview.

I just logged into last sparrow. @Graeme should I start a thread about it?

nah.. I like the battle royal but I would rather have a back piece that is readable. Less is more.. dragon and eagle and maybe throw in some flowers but that's about it

@BrianH jesus that is going to be amazing... I'm not trying to be a fanboy but I feel like he has upped his game with backpieces this year

Thanks [emoji2]. Aye, Rob is at Black and Blue with Bobby Tripp, who is another artist out of there I wouldn't mind getting tattooed by :). @Graeme, When I came back across the border I told them that I had been "visiting friends" per your suggestion. I got way less crap, hah. Lesson learned. P.S. I still have to take my wife's foot long hunting knife out from under the seat before the next trip.

some spots were okay, some were bad, and some were really bad.

We call them "mentors" If it can be fixed get it fixed, and you have faith in the artist that did it to fix it then give him another shot, If you went to an apprentice (which is what it sounds like you did) then holla at his mentor and him and get it square yo.

Very cool process! I learned a lot as well, thanks for sharing @Mike Panic

First 8.5 hr session done! Got the deaths head moth done. Still have color to do on the girl and skull.

Just updating to say that I decided to go with it. I had an unhealthy relationship with my ex in which I would make every personal decision about my appearence or otherwise based on his approval and opinion, and I lost a lof my self-respect (and independance) that way. This is something I have made changes to ever since, and while the dymanic had definetly changed for the better with my current partner, I decided that I really didn't need his approval for something I really wanted. In talking to him, I realised that he was a little nervous about the change, but I have changed things about my appearence since we've been together that he has been suprised about, but quickly loved. So, in short, I got my crystal, and he will still love me because I am the exact same personbas before (with a little more colour). @Coloredguy just adding to say that I'm sorry for what happened.

few more split sheet with Handsome Jake couple of new efforts

I dreamed that all the blue color washed out of my tattoo. I was then checking the warranty on my tattoo to see if that was covered or not...

Popped into my buddy's local shop today (Keith Reed at X-Treme Ink) to take a look at a small filler spot on my leg. Picked out a little Lehi flash to throw in there in the very near future.

Had my first session with Rob yesterday. Probably the nicest tattooer I have met. Everyone at the shop was a blast, and even as beat up as I felt for a relatively short (4.5 hours) session, I can't wait to go back. We started off with the general wolf that I had wanted for years. Then after looking at some of the awesome norse pieces he had done recently we started spit balling ideas with Fenrir and a skull from one of the deer eating from Yggdrasil. There is a sizeable cover up at the top, and we start down towards the back of legs in the next session probably :)

@Hands On My thinking is even if no one else reads it, I at least documented it for myself to read and relive later.

March 10th I will be headed to Saved Tattoo for my consultation with Virginia Elwood. March 14th I will go back and get my chest piece started. I am getting both of my grandfathers' Navy portraits on either side of my upper chest/shoulder area, a battleship in the middle with two flying fish under my pecs. Maybe a rose in the middle of my sternum, and rope with knots "framing" the rest of the area on top. Basically letting her run with colors and design. I'm hoping she can do all the line work and a good first pass on the portraits in my first sitting. I don't know about her speed so we shall see. I have been planning on this for at least 20 years, that I can recall, so I am nervous and excited with anticipation. I trust she will kill it.

In roughly 2 weeks my kung fu school is performing at a big Chinese New Year celebration. The organizers said "we hope the guy with the full body tattoos will be there, the Chinese community love him!" haha. Well this year I've got a Shaolin monk on my back while I run the dragon ball, as I lead around a 9-person dragon team so its going to be mega-awesome :) The day after I'm going to relax from all the CNY training and festivities. The day after the day after I got another sit on my back scheduled with TheGangOfOne and then the week after yet another backpiece sesh. I'm about 8hrs/2sessions in at the moment. I'll let my body heal and then I'm working towards a 2-day sit a few weeks later. Felt pretty strong after my last back sitting and my kung fu training is really helping me relax when I sit and improves the way my body heals. By the end of February I will be hitting a tattoo milestone for myself...the 200hr mark after 12 years of steady progress :)

I've seen the commercials for Z Nation but only saw one episode. Old dude falls down a shaft and get caught in cables with another zombie. He thinks he's gonna die so he smokes a joint and blows the smoke in the zombies face. I kinda wonder if it's purposely bad or does the sci-fi channel actually say "we've got a great show here" in the corporate meetings? hahaha

I am curious why bad tattoos are so popular. I mean, I can understand that someone who knows nothing about tattoos goes to a bad artist and gets a badly done tattoo. I did that myself. What I don't understand are why tattoos lacking any creativity or art are so popular. For instance, why do people want to put typewriter text on themselves? Why do they want so much text but no images? Why do they want flowery, descriptive text but not an image of what that text is describing? This makes absolutely no sense to me. I've been as dumb as anybody regarding tattoos but one thing I've never had pop into my mind is to want words describing beautiful things rather than the beautiful things themselves. Another one are the fads like the inifinity symbols, the text on the wrist and the exploding birds thing. Back in the 90s when I first got a tattoo the fads (the fairies, the curly tribal stuff on the lower back) at least were flattering. The current fads are so ugly. I saw a girl with the exploding birds and it looked like someone had attacked her with a marking pen. The small crap on the wrist thing looks like you're trying to sneak crib notes in to the test. The straight lines of text tattoos are so unflattering to men and women alike. I just don't understand. Am I just an old fuddy-duddy complaining about the youth of today? Has there actually been a real change in the culture to prefer ugliness over color, shape, texture and art? Any ideas?

hey friends! Short little session on Saturday with Scott at Sugar shack, I was feeling quite sick so we only did a bit, background down the left side and gave the tiger some stripes. Really wished I could have gone longer. Since finishing I havent been able eat much without puking. Its been a shitty couple days. Really hope to have a good long session next time, hopefully finish background down the ass and thighs.

Funny that you chose to resurrect this, because what I just posted in the post-tattoo blues thread probably belongs here. I don't think I'm getting tattooed at a particularly fast rate relative to a bunch of folks here, but that's not a realistic comparison for me to make. Like, I've enjoyed pushing past my comfort zone, but I can probably be a little more laid-back about it - my skin isn't going anywhere. Getting travel tattoos has been a lot of fun, but feeling spooked at how fast they've filled up space is probably a sign that I should put a little more planning into my next couple. Dealing with a bounty of contradictory advice from well-informed people can be way harder than tuning out all of the bad advice out there.

John Joseph is unlikely to write a poem about his fixed gear bicycle though so he's cool. - - - Updated - - - Though if John Joseph wrote a song that was like "FIXED GEAR COMIN YOUR WAY" it would be hard as fuck.

here's my chest.. i don't think i've posted it in here yet. done by brandon montero