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Stoned Sailor Jerry Wolf!:cool:

In the interests of completeness, @Cork and I survived the tattoo contest so I'll answer my original questions here for posterity and other potential contestants. A couple pictures are attached - the three from @Cork in the http://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/lst-get-togethers-tattoo-conventions/6245-philadelphia-tattoo-convention-2015-a.html thread. Aside from the awesome photo bomb from Brian O'Halloran from Clerks, you see @Cork waiting for his turn to show while a girl is illustrating one clothing option and showing how to "assume the position." I also included a picture of my contest slips and of what it looks like trying to see the stage from the crowd - I had my camera held up over my head. Well before the contests start, you head to a table by the stage and enter as many of the contests as you want. Sign up, pay your $10, and you get a slip of paper with the category and your number in the category. You hand/show it to the judge when you get up there - it's supposed to be anonymous. There were about 30 of us entered in the backpiece contest. It was on Sunday, which apparently has fewer attendees. For comparison, there were fewer in Extra Large Color (which I was gently ragged-on for also entering). There were about 5 for Overall and around 10ish in categories such as hand and neck. There were many more than 30 for small and medium color and black and grey. The announcer presented a girl with an underboob tattoo and announced it as "The New Tramp Stamp." <cringe> Sigh. There were mutterings that there should be gender classes for the "chest" category. Anyway... There were two judging tables - one on the stage (which was elevated about 2-3 feet - the same stage that was set on fire by this genius: Caught on Cam: Fire Breather Catches Fire During Tattoo Convention | NBC 10 Philadelphia) and one table on the floor just in front of the stage. They ran both at the same time with different categories at each (for example, at the start, they ran all black and grey from the left at the lower table, and color from the right at the upper table). We went right up to the table and turned. The three judges sat behind the table and didn't come around. For thigh pieces and the like, the entrants backed up a couple feet to allow good viewing. Not very, other than when they call your category, you had better get in line. And because they were running two tables, the categories got out of sync and didn't go in order - they called XL Black and Grey which is listed AFTER XL Color, and I thought I missed it! So a category is announced like this, "Backpiece, line up on the right of the stage starting with Number 1, Bob, Number 2, @SeeSea, Number 3, @Cork, through to 30, and you all have numbers so figure out the rest on your own." The line is not behind the stage or behind a curtain - see the pic of me standing in line for XL Color. The first person waits to be called and they go up the steps. You tell your number then turn around and stand there, looking at the crowd, which is somewhat paying attention but often just chatting among themselves. Then you look back a couple times because you have no clue if they are done, and eventually they will nod or say, "Thank you." Most people didn't turn to show the audience - I remembered to for XL Color but forgot to for backpiece. No one is announced - after the person in front of you finishes, wait a short moment then head up and lather/rinse/repeat. Some time later, when those scores are tallied, the announcer will just announce the results over the loudspeaker while judging of other categories continues. Somewhat controlled chaos. And boring. Because you can't really see anything, everyone is just standing around waiting, wondering if you can get through the line at the bathroom in time. I saw all kinds but no pasties. Many girls wore halter tops or bikinis of some sort, and untied them or pulled them aside. This is what I did. My halter covered a bit less than the pictures show - I used those heavy clamp paperclip things to pull back the sides on the bottom so the entire tattoo showed. There were a few girls who had hoodies or jackets turned around and unzipped them. In the picture where @Cork is walking up to the stage, you can see the girl in front of him doing just this. Then there was this girl who was right in front of me in line. She had on a string. Just a string. And she looked great in that string. She had a black and grey astronomy tattoo that went down one cheek so it was a good outfit to show the entire thing. Obviously for the dudes, shirtless was easy. @Cork dropped trou, weighted down by his belt they slammed down BAM right on the stage, drawing a quick look of surprise from a female judge. Good times. Then he crunched up his boxers to maximize visual impact for the judges and maintained a strong look of decorum, staring straight into the crowd. I don't recall fundoshis for Backpiece, but I saw some for Overall. Wearing a fundoshi and then waiting to drop pants/shorts on stage facing away from the judges would have been just fine for those concerned about public displays of cheekage. Nope, not for backpiece or any contest on Sunday. On Saturday, there are gender classes for many but they don't do backs on Saturday. Apparently this is the case from what I hear. Second place was a black and grey Ben Franklin theme. We were in Philly. Go figure. Although, the three trophies went to a back-to-thighs new school odd evil fish with teeth organic things with extra eyeballs that was pretty cool, black and grey Ben, and then back-to-thighs Japanese. So it clearly wasn't restricted to a particular style. Overall, it's an experience and you'll see a wide variety of styles and quality wandering around in the crowd that is waiting to be judged. There were some really great tattoos there, and some less fortunate ones.

Day one finished with Emily Rose Murray. Back tomorrow to do the other thigh.

Hey guys! Thank you for the warm welcome! I'm excited to talk tattoos with you all! Okay, I'll eventually get the hang of embedding, but for now links to peep's instagrams will have to do. All these are from when the tattoos were still fresh (of the ones I could find) because I actually don't have pictures of my work. But I'll try to get around to taking decent photos of it all healed up and settled. Anyway, let's start: First session for my sleeve with Thomas (going for my second appointment soon): Instagram Instagram Eva is by far the person I have the most work from. Chronologically: Instagram Instagram Instagram Instagram Instagram Instagram From Sarah Carter. Least painful tattoo ever: Instagram My Valerie girls. I love these things: Instagram (Side story: You know that gorgeous punk rock Virgin Mary Valerie did a while back? I was supposed to get a punk girl from her that week she was at Kings Avenue, but decided to delay it because I thought these two made a better pair. And then she came out with that Virgin Mary and I've been kicking myself since. I'm actually thinking of going to England to get a second pair of girls on my calves to finally get my punk girl. She will be mine. Oh yes, she will be mine.) I'll try to get pictures of the other ones, since I couldn't find them online. Disclaimer: My skins swells up like crazy when I get tattooed, so some of these are kinda distorted. Like I said, nice pictures of healed work on their way.

Hi All, Pushing 50 and never been inked. I've wanted tattoos more than half of my life but there's always been a reason not to but I'm a big boy now and it's about time I started making my own bad decisions. I had an epiphany recently and found myself asking "Dude, what's the worst that can happen?" so I've found a local artist whose work I like and I have a five hour slot booked a week from now. I've had sleepless nights worrying about what I'm going to have done - it's not that I can't think of anything, it's because I can't decide on only one thing - but one thing I do know: she'll come up with something far more impressive than I if I only let her have her creative freedom. So I'm gonna give her the broadest of briefs and let the chips fall where they may.

My name is Laura, and I've been a part-time lurker for a while, but finally decided to join today. Though I must say I'm still a bit intimidated, I'm starting to feel more comfortable calling myself a collector, and it seemed fitting to formally join the tattoo community (in however small a way). I'm currently in graduate school and just shy of a couple of years from my PhD in Chemistry. Tattoos have not been a problem, it turns out. On my second year I got pulled aside by a professor who, after seeing my sleeve, went on to show me a couple of Ed Hardy pieces he had done in the 80's. (It was a bit weird, but kinda cool.) I've been fortunate enough to have been tattooed - in chronological order, 'cause why not - by: Eva Huber, Allyson Bennett, Valerie Vargas, Cris Cleen, Steve Whittenberger, Sarah Carter, and Thomas Hooper. I have many more ideas I'd love to see executed by the many insanely talented people in my wishlist, so I hope I can continue to forsake my non-existent savings account for years to come. Anyway, just wanted to shoot the shit with some like-minded folks who enjoy and respect tattooing, artists and enthusiasts alike. So - hey everyone!

Hi, I'm Jordan from Melbourne, Australia. I'm a 23 year old Electrician. I became fascinated with tattoos when I got exposed to Punk Rock when I was about 10 years old. Since then I got into heavier music and eventually started getting tattoos. I could never choose a specific style as a favorite so I chose to have my arms and back dedicated to Japanese style pieces and my legs and front are slowly getting covered with American Traditional tattoos. Unfortunately, I play guitar which is not a cheap hobby so that has put the brakes on getting tattooed as much as I'd like to. But it does help me become a little more confident in my choices so I don't have to go through any more unnecessary laser sessions. I have been tattooed by a few of my favorite tattooers but there is still plenty more on my list. Tattooed by; Tim Lehi Josh Stephens Matt Wisdom Charley Gerardin Ben Ross and some others not worthy of a mention I'd like to be tattooed by; Matt Cunnington Stevie Edge Josh Sutterby James McKenna and heaps more. This little list is quite achievable as they're all in Australia. So hopefully I can cross them off soon. The main reason I registered for this forum is because I'm trying to hunt down a picture of some Dan Higgs flash that I saw at Black Heart Tattoo SF. It's a crazy looking light globe/bulb. I'm hoping to get it for myself as a present for completing my Electrical apprenticeship. I can't find it anywhere! Thanks for having me LST!

Could be, I'm not confident saying that they come from a pre-internet civilization though because, well...how would the Picts have found out what they mean without the Internet?

I was filing the "this just in" pile of my record collection and found this David Allen Coe outlaw country record I had picked up a while ago, with super-cool tattoos on the album artwork: "To all who hear me let them know that this is the truth. And to those that see me let them tell their children they have witnessed a miracle. And to those that love me let them forgive my shortcomings. And to those that despise me let them spend half the time in Hell that I have. And to those who judge me let them look in the mirror. And for those that want it here is one more tattoo. Take it its yours." Got me thinking about other album covers and musicians with tattoo art...I know there have been a bunch that influenced me at an early age. Especially that Santana album, blew my mind when I first saw it as kid. post em up! - - - Updated - - - Santana - Abraxas Rose Tattoo (!!) Johnny Winter DLR being awesome ...and my personal fave...Vybz Kartel

Cro Mags. Hardest tattoos ever. This is what tattooed people should look like.

snake with rose done by Marcus Hardy (thats me!) at Planet Ink Tattoos in Hiram, Georgia! there was a terrible light blue and white cross on the wrist, we just blasted over it and will complete the cover with a background once its healed. enjoy!

Ha! I sat with Garver last Thursday for this.

Marius Meyer started this one a couple of weeks ago. Gonna add more dragon next time.

By Jasmin Austin down in Perth, Australia.

I love this contest. Have been to busy looking at amazing stuff, but now i figured it´s time to show something off. This is my backpiece by my favourite Norwegian tattooer, Marius Meyer.

Just found this and thought I would share. Senior Citizens Reveal What Tattoos Look Like on Aging Skin - My Modern Met

I'm sharing this so you can get a grasp of how quick the procedure is, for those who are wondering, and to showcase some of my skills. This client is heavily modified and has decided to change their look in order to facilitate further modifications. This is the first pace on half of their face, we treated both sides during the same visit. Most full removals will require 10-12 treatments over a one and a half to 2 year period. The white "frosting" that appears immediately after the the laser is water vapor, a byproduct of the laser tattoo removal treatment. Within 10 minutes, this fades and is not a burn or blister. In the left hand of this video is a hose, it's a cryo-chiller, a device that blows extremely cold air onto the skin before and during a treatment to help reduce any short-term swelling, a common side effect. It is not a vacuum. What you see here was filmed in real time, showing just how fast tattoo removal treatments are.

Welcome David, hope everything works out great for ya. I think that's wonderful that you are the age you are and saying hell yeah, it's time to finally get the tattoo you've always wanted. Life's too short and you're never to old to start something! No regrets bud.

Brian, So basically I booked work back to back with two different artist... I just didnt realize it till I started looking at the calendar. :) Thanks for the recommendation.... I might just do it...

I'm confused.... but 2 days in a row is do able. I recommend going for it. It will feel like a great accomplishment at the end of day 2.

Haha, a model I am not! I might do it again while the tattoo still has that super newness to it or my artist suggests it, but I certainly won't be a tattoo convention contest roadie. It was fun to try so I certainly don't regret it.

I'm sure everyone has seen this a hundred times, but this is what I hope to look like when I have grand kids sitting on my lap.

I wasnt able to access site fore several months so I am on page 685 ish sorry I forgot that when I posted but its so good

@bongsau That Santana album cover is one of my favorites. I would go through my dad's collection back when I was a pre-teen just to get a glimpse of that perfect boob, and then listen to Samba Pa' Ti. - - - Updated - - - Disclaimer : I am a huge "Dead Head", not your typical stinking hippie though (No offense to any hippies :) ) Seeing hundreds of Dead album covers, I always felt that the artwork was tattoo inspired or great reference for awesome tattoos. Here are some of my favorites that I feel would make good tattoos or inspiration for a tattoo. "Seems like the least I could do"

I am not sure why you said you were intimidated to join here in your first post. You have a lot of excellent tattoos and know how to get them, you want to be part of the community, and you're an intelligent and articulate person. If only we had more people joining like you! I hope you stick around.

100% agree, tattoos really get better with age. It's like looking at vintage cars.

The inside of both wrists and feet, totally tolerable for me. I've had odd small spots here and there that were pure fire though, like my chest and outer bicep.

Well this is my first time logging on in a while. I've been going through some emotional stuff and needed to take a good long break from tattooing to get things straight again. I have an appointment coming up this Friday to get back into the game with a bang...starting my "sleeve." This is my first above the knee tattoo, and my first traditional tattoo. It's scary, but weirdly liberating to start making progress on more visible stuff (forearms someday!). I'm getting an eagle and rose by Brian Via at Golden Ages. https://www.facebook.com/goldenagestattoo#!/media/set/?set=a.486756928091524.1073741827.486086374825246&type=3

Inside the arm, near the armpit has been the worst for me. That shit burns. I feel like most spots are pretty tame if you just go over it once or twice, but any spot becomes a nightmare when the artist has to go over it multiple times (shading, layering, etc). But then again, I think I've pretty much run out of easy spots so everything will be straight suckage from here on out.

@Mark Bee It's ok if you like old time country. I'm from Alberta so it gets a pass lol (my punker and reggae friends, we all like good honky tonk stuff). There is a couple rippers on it but mostly slow ballads. Nitty Gritty Dirt Band feel. I like it because the cover is awesome and I really like the little poem on the back. I'm a pretty heavy record collector so even if I don't listen to it, something like this album belongs in my collection. I'd rather listen to Charley Pride though.

check out Dark Horse

Great to meet you too, @SeeSea! Here's my recap from the weekend Wrap Up: 2015 Philadealphia Tattoo Convention

Perfect translation. I was thinking something like "Picture not found."

Welcome Laura! Nice intro. I am sure I'm not the only person here who would love to see pictures of your tattoos.

Sons Of Bitches. Jealousy x 3

Here is a quick pick of the back of my knees...thank god, never again. Hey unless I can get my hands on that removal cream, then let's party all over again... TheGangOfOne rolled in the blackness on the left 5 days ago, it is just continuation of my backpiece. So my whole L backthigh (and buttocks) is all black water waves and rocks. The R side was put in back in 2011 by OllieXXX, the green water connects a sperm whale on the thigh to an octopus on the leg. That lizard on the side needs a touch up yikes That red-yellow rising sun was my bright (?) idea to fill in my lower leg. It kind of looks silly but folks always seem to point it out, and the red and yellow have held really well for 10 years so whatever. I'm almost tempted to black over and continue the black/grey water waves down. The scrappy looking black tattoos on my calves are a palm tree (Island Records) and a Bad Brains bolt that I got in 2003 from this skinhead pal. THe plan all along has been to keep them open and completely fill around. - - - Updated - - - Knee tattoos are painful to get, but manageable if you have a tattooer who can work quickly and efficiently, as the knee will balloon up and once that happens the pain will intensify. The healing I find more difficult and painful than the tattoo, either when moving or at rest. Especially that friggin lizard, he took longer to heal than anything else. Hard to bend the leg when the skin is raw and tight afterwards for a few days so you will have the zombie limp. Don't let that deter you! I went jumping and kung fu kicking 2 days after a knee session, that was dumb but my leg still works and the tattoo is still there. You won't die haha. Within a couple days that swelling and bruising go away, you regain some mobility and it's business as usual, just with more colour to accentuate yourself :) the mortality rate is very low! good luck, you can do it! Also, be aware that knees take a lot of abuse over the years. I've banged up my knee a couple times since I got one tattooed. Took a big chunk out the centre and one off the side. So you have to be prepared for that happen. Just part of living life. - - - Updated - - - i found this pic of my "squid pants" from a few years ago on my computer last nite, enjoy...a colourful dude and his ugly dog. Turtle is 10 years old, from Miles Kanne. Hard to believe the blue is still blue. They do look better as they age :)

Got this on the same day i finished my sleeve. lol.

On my 18th B-Day my mom ask me what I wanted for my bday and I said.. "a tattoo"... So my mom and my older brother took me to get my first tattoo. A dragon on my arm. I was nervous but excited.... Heard the machine go off and bam! the rest is history! It was awesome. 16yrs later I still get nervous and excited... and now I am 8 Tattoos in :D

ok ok - now I know this is the heavyweight division - the best of the best - major league back pieces - epic sleeves from legendary artists from around the globe - tattooing black belts - you get the picture - but I figure - you only live once - so here is my first ever entry into one of my favorite monthly threads.... Whatever...by Jamie Sawyer outta Immortal Ink in Clinton, NJ

convention contest are a joke, what ever style the particular judges like wins, a lot of smaller conventions just give the trophies to their friends who are the artist, Philly is bigger so I wouldn't expect that though, but don't be disappointed if a much worse piece beats yours they are bogus.

One thread discussing things that happen on Ink Master is more than enough, thanks.

Every show is different. Depends on the size of the stage, the panel of judges either sit directly behind you or up the front of the crowd. No. Chicks don't go topless. You'll know what to wear. Like a top piece swimmer or similar. Most events will have a best back female and a best back male, but I have attended a combined category once before, that was at a typical "convention'" style show. I much preferred the old MC shows. Panel composition. Let's put it this way, every show has its flavour and dependant on that flavour is how the judging will go. Not necessarily does the best tattoo win the category, but best for that particular style of show could be quite appropriate. You get the feel of this after attending quite a few. I've taken out best back at some events and haven't made the final judging at others. Anyway, it's all about having some fun and showing the crowd of like minded people. You'll get more "fuck yeah" comments when you're back mixing with the crowd. No, they're not that formal. Just have fun. The best 1st place trophy I won was a Viking drinking horn. Filled full of rum by a very nice looking young lady as I made my way back to the table [emoji4]

Man, the all black and grey looks amazing! Stick with that theme for sure!

Yep, I'm the one who found that thing, I'm glad people like it.I haven't read all of this thread yet, but I think it's a great idea. I have a question, does anyone else ever get the wrong type of attention for their tattoos? Today somebody on another website messaged me saying they like me because I'm "innovative," whatever that means, and then asked me if I'm a "tattoo freak." I don't know this person at all and don't seem to have anything in common with him, he doesn't even live on the same hemisphere. I don't mind if guys are into girls with tattoos or whatever, but I'm not used to getting unsolicited attention from strangers, and the way he's acting is odd.

I've done it and I think one of the super fun things about tattooing is walking into a shop not really knowing what you want and getting something that feels right at the moment. I'm thinking of trying to get a walk-in somewhere next week when I'm visiting my parents. Spontaneous tattoos rule.