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Hokay, cross-posting by request, cos SeeSea is such a flatterer. I was going to wait until Greg posted the pictures he took of the new stuff, but he may not. Sun came out today when I was about to head to the gym, so I tried to get some myself. I got a diving girl, and we started a cobra, though we didn't finish it. They're looking a little bit foggy/chalky because I peel fast; they'll probably start flaking by tomorrow. It makes it hard to see the blue details in the diving girl, sadly. Sorry for the terrible angles! These links are just an overview of the whole thing, before we added the cobra. https://instagram.com/p/1gugZ7TBPK/ https://instagram.com/p/1guZOxTBO-/

Thank you very much!! I am thrilled with it. You aren't alone in those feelings. His instagram gets comments frequently from people lamenting the passing of his 'animals wearing necklaces' phase, though less these days than before, since he refuses to tattoo it anymore. That original style is what first drew me to him; it's beautiful artwork and seriously impressive...but maybe not very optimal for a tattoo. He's told me that he was really into it while he was doing it, but he was tired of it, and he said he's realized they're all going to age very poorly. Listening to him talk to one of the other tattooers in the shop one night, he also said he finds doing the actual tattooing with traditional much more satisfying and enjoyable -- that he used to enjoy when he achieved the effect he was going for with the neo-trad, but he didn't actually enjoy the labor of it. This last time I was down there, he talked about how he admires the simple economy/elegance of the designs...that he's played with altering some of them and most of the time he discovers that the thinking that went into that simplicity is actually extremely complex, and most of the designs he likes best just cannot be improved on; that it's difficult to change parts of them without compromising something else. As for the sleeve thing, originally I did want a full sleeve. I've known I wanted to be tattooed since I was pretty young -- early teens -- but I wasn't much for American traditional. I made a lot of the same ill-informed judgements about things like flash and whatnot that I hear other people making these days. I did love Japanese traditional, though. I wanted to be covered with it! I even exchanged faxes with Horiyoshi III back in the day. (Faxes. Seriously.) I don't regret the way things worked out, though. Like Bmore, I find the use of negative space extremely striking. It's fun to show up to the shop and not know what you're going to be getting; it's sort of like getting a present. And you can get all kinds of different things -- so many different artists doing different takes on all kinds of styles and subject matter. Full sleeves (and squid pants :o) are gorgeous in their own way, but they eat up real estate. It's a trade-off, I guess. Also, I sort of feel that piecemeal sleeves like this one ARE full sleeves, in a way. You may not know what the full character of the sleeve will be until it's done, but when I see people who have whole limbs done in this style I still get a very specific impression from the overall collection of images -- something with no less an identity as a cohesive piece. It's one of the things I was thinking about when I read all of the nice comments on the other thread...I almost wish I could get some distance on my arm and see it the way other people see it, as a whole thing rather than a collection of parts. It's hard to do when it's on myself, for whatever reason.

Some people's tattoo worlds seem really small... (In my own world, there are lots of cool different ways to get tattooed.)

Unrelated to the last post, here's today's session with Derek Noble on my ass and thigh.

Mine goes in deep enough so that when I am standing normal, no empty butt crack skin is visible. That seems to be how Dana does all his backs. Also upon close inspection of my butt, I made the comment here that my wind bars are appropriately scalloped in that area. I'd rather not put my special collection of tattoo pictures on the internet. Just kidding I don't have any like that, but they're on my computer. Regards to social comfort, it's very awkward, but if your guy just plays it professional, you'll both finish with dignity still intact. Regards to body comfort, for me there were a few tweak spots where you can't help but twitch. It hurts as much as you'd expect, but it ends. I wish this was a bigger picture. I don't actually have a nice one of the heal product, so I stole this from Dana Helmuth's website.

I think you've got it right there. Neither of you will be having fun when the needle goes right into the Grand Canyon though!

Oh! Haha. Welllll, I dunno. Coverage still takes time, and tattoos still hurt, and they're still expensive, no matter how many hours you book at once. The endurance trial is certainly an experience, I imagine. I'll find out whenever I get around to my back, since I know already I'm going nape to at least the back of the thigh, and probably Japanese. Nice dinosaur!

So gross. But the outline is complete and most of the shading is done. Now to heal up and get the ninth off!

Both done by Taylor @ Till Death Tattoo in Tulsa. Neck is love and faithfullness.

Well clearly chocolate is better. Everyone knows that ;-)

Here's a shot of inside of my left thigh. Purple is my underwear. Bottom is the backpiece and top is the front thigh piece. Hope that helps in getting a sense of how "deep" things can go:

Looks good. I'd say go back to that same artist and have him design the rest of the sleeve and then outline it in one shot. That's the best way to have it flow.

Hi, posting at you from northern europe, Finland, to say i really like the site! I've found out about a lot of great artists and got good advice from here in my time lurking. I've been meaning to register for over a year since i found the site but i've put it off for not having any good recent photos of my tattoos, and i thought if i just register maybe i'll finally put the effort into taking some. I got my first tattoo 6 years ago at 18 and ever since i've been steadily adding to it a few pieces a year more or less. I decided very early on im going for full coverage but im saving the hand and neck tattoos for when im 30 if i still feel like it. Anyway, i managed to dig up some pictures, most are from artists instagrams i think. In no particular order: by Hexa, used to own Precious Tattoo, not sure where he works from now. Hexa Hexa Hexa Oni by Javier Betancourt at Ocho Placas I think i heard of him from here, theres so many crappy shops in Miami it was a chore to find something worthwhile but man am i glad i found him. Crow by Gustav Fröberg, also did my lower left arm which i dont have any pics of upper left arm is JPWikman no better pictures yet sorry Demon granny is by Hexa again In the last picture you can see a peek of the rooster on my ribs started by Jonas Nyberg and im gonna get that one finished up at the Helsinki Ink Convention next weekend! I'll try to get better pictures of all of it or at least the ones i dont have any of and post after i get back from the convention. Hopefully with a rad cock! :D

Not sure what else to get, but i want to eventually have a full sleeve. And I really want the sleeve to flow, not just have random things to fill the space. Any ideas what other tattoos, or ideas would be greatly appreciated. I have attached a picture of my current St. Michael Tattoo. And the space remaining that i want to fill up. Thank you

Heey guys, I just came across this cello cover of thunderstruck. I think its brilliant

From a personal standpoint: I have one-point tattoos so far. I am sometimes impulsive. Don't really see an issue with my tattoos possibly conveying this about me...

i'm buckling my seatbelt for this thread... ok - i'm ready...

Just got an email from Greggletron. He is going to tattoo a spider on my chin. It will go under my chin with the legs peeking up onto the front. Stoked!

Lol -

Have you seen Jeff Ensminger's work at Resurrection in Austin? Nate Beavers might have fun with that idea, too - if you are heading to Houston . . .

Hi @Beans yes I had Fibromyalga from around 2000 to 2012 / 13 . As far as getting tattooed I found the tattooing process probably a little easier as I was so used to feeling uncomfortable most of the time with the condition . Mentally tattoos also helped me because looking at them and finding out about the history etc gave my brain a break from Fibro and allowed me to focus on something each and every day that I really enjoyed which didn't wipe me out totally like most of the other activities I had previously loved . Particulary I think this site helped me a lot too so stick around and I hope you get out of it what I have .

I still use those particular machines too. I think they have their place. My wife is majorly into training (she's much better informed than me) and always recommends this site - there's a lot of good articles in the drop-down menus. Hesitate to call it a 'women's lifting' page but I guess it is. http://www.stumptuous.com

I was just going to post that if this was my sleeve I'd see about squeezing a little frog in there. @sophistre it's really been a pleasure seeing you go from a poster with no tattoos to having this completely gorgeous sleeve. I am glad you shared it with us.

Some awesome inner bi's here. I'm quite fond of skulls in this location. Brian Bruno Chris O'Donnell

I'm getting tattooed by Jef Whitehead in 3 weeks...

I'll throw my WIP out there. Nautical Disaster Calf Sleeve Done by Nathan Blankenship of Exile 2, KCMO Can't figure out how to turn those sideways, so enjoy the neck pain!

In Progress by Matt Dinovo. BLACK SQUIRREL TATTOO.

Essentially healed tiger head from Tim Lehi. Done at the Summit Convention here in Colorado.

Progress shot....pretty much finished the top half.

Here goes. Head tattoo by Jesse Roberts. 3 sessions about 3-4 hours each, then one quick touchup session. Completed in about 2 months.

I saw Chad Koeplinger while he was in town the other day for rose #4. Done at Rock of Ages in Austin.

The entry here is the knee demon done by Franz Stefanik at The Okey Doke in Toronto. This is the best pic I have of it, so please filter out the surrounding work.

Well, here is mine. Still have a bit of work to be done but is almost there :D Done by Elijah Nguyen from Skin Stories Tattoos in Spring, Texas.

Appropriately posting this one on Easter. I got this one from Matt Arriola a few weeks ago at Spotlight. Photo stolen from his IG: For reference, it's on the back of my thigh:

Ok @Iwar, si I'm your first contestant! Here's my thigh piece done by Mikael De Poissy last year (hard to take a photo of the whole piece)

Looks like Ed Hardy is going to be at the London convention again this year! http://instagram.com/p/050NHnivGU/

You sound really insecure about something that hasn't even happened yet. Jesus Christ.

so today on Kauai we participated in the dog field trip program with the Kauai Humane Society today,they let you take a dog out for the day with an "adopt me" vest on and they supply leash/water/water bowl/treats/potty bags and we took her on a hike and to the beach all day today,her name is Jillian,what a cutie. we had a totally great day with her. It gives the dog a chance to get out of the kennel for the day and it exposes them to more potential adopters. Shelter Dogs on Field Trips | Kauai Humane Society . . .

Rib toad

@chrisnoluck Fuck yeah! Here is what I got from my friend Adde Ramstedt the other day. Felt so good to get the other foot done, never more (still need to do sides and toes...) Adde just moved down to Berlin and will be working at Lowbrow Tattoo Parlour for about 6 months. I encourage anyone to visit Berlin, hugely inspirational city with many things to experience and explore. While you're there, get tattooed by Adde too ;)

Done by Ed in 1979! GOD DAMN!!!!!!!

While I was at Frith Street my beautiful squeeze had her second session. A really stunning Day of the Dead Girl, tattooed by Stewart Robson.