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Chippin' away at the ol' front. https://instagram.com/p/3pzXp1MVGD/

Franz Stefanik, Okey Doke Tattoo Shop, Toronto, Ontario

She strikes me as a horrible person. And I hate her tattoo. But that's, like, my opinion, man.

:) made a trip to belgium last weekend and got this funny thing from https://instagram.com/burtonursaeminoris/ (stole the picture).

Hello All, I am relatively new to the tattoo community. I am currently in Southern California and fortunate enough to be surrounded by many talented artists. I realized that in order to build a thoughtful cohesive collection, I need good advice and thought I would reach out to LST community. Hopefully I can return the favor and contribute. Thanks

I read that post and another post on that blog and that woman is fucking annoying

I LOL'd The article is written by a person who clearly does not understand tattoo and is whining because tattoo wasn't made as accessible as she would like it to be. Christ almighty! Putting your kids name in micro-font on your neck...isn't about "art". Go have another cab-sav and slag off !

Selfishly, I wish tattoos didn't hurt because I am not into the pain aspect of it all. :D But if I really think about it, I agree that I'm glad they do hurt. It helps weed out "undesirables." If you're not willing to handle even a few minutes of pain to get your upside down wrist script, then you clearly aren't invested in it. Tattoos should be seen as a commitment...that's the part of it I'm addicted to. You do your research on artists, styles, subject matter...you sit through the pain and pay hard earned money for it...and you live with the consequences of your action as you're now "a tattooed person" or a more "heavily tattooed person." If you're not really committed to every aspect of that process, you're not ready to be tattooed. It's just another test to prove how much you want it. And honestly, you feel so much more accomplished and proud of yourself when you make it through a tough session, it makes the experience more fond and meaningful.

Thanks for making the thread a success, guys. I love reading about other people's ideas almost as much as I like thinking about my own. ;) More thoughts: I'd like to start bigger projects, like ribs, back, chest, etc. But I feel like torso tattoos are really bold statement pieces, especially on women, so I want to make sure my ideas are perfect for each spot. I'm kind of thinking about an underboob type design that's actually not geometric for once...I'm thinking a couple of panthers and/or tigers facing off, with their bodies/tails curled up and around each boob and their faces meeting in the middle. Think this kind of pose, but obviously more suited to the female body: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/8a/a9/38/8aa938f599b1da484ff4d620cbf6cbe5.jpg Gotta think about it for a while, though.

Guilty as charged:tigers 1 of 3 Tattoo Picture | Last Sparrow Tattoo

That article made my blood boil. I've only ever had awesome experiences at NY Adorned (and Josh is the best). I've seen people walk in with mighty horrible ideas for tattoos and the staff at NYA be nothing but gracious and helpful. Agree with @bongsau. Poor lady, she walked into one of the best shops in the city and got told "no" for the most general tattoo one can get, wah-wah-wah (or weh-weh-weh). Not to be as petty as her - but her tattoo looks awful placed where it is.

Would really like a big tiger on my thigh, i think. Or even up the thigh and onto the hip/stomach area. I have an artist in mind, but don't wanna jinx it.

This seems like a good enough place to post this: http://millihelen.jezebel.com/dont-tell-me-i-cant-get-a-fucking-neck-tattoo-1707496653

Cool! Yeah, it seems like it's something that makes you a little more relatable to the clients, sometimes people think the workers are stuffy and not like them at all. Tattoos are always a conversation starter. I think the people closest to me are starting to realize that tattooed me is way more confident and happy than the non-tattooed me ever was. They still shake their heads in mild disapproval, but I don't get nearly the amount of grief I used to.

My luck should run that good.. but I do attract some lively ladies in the gym, too bad they're all over 75...

@MMtexas ... find a new symbol. also, the tattooer will probably re-draw your image and it will likely exceed your friend's expectations. everyone else... be nice!

After finishing my arm this weekend, this is the first time in a few years that I don't have anything at all booked or scheduled. I have talked with Scott Sylvia about something for the Pagoda City convention and it should happen, but nothing set quite yet. It's a weird feeling.

@Killercook76 That's comforting, I think. I have a lot of open space on my front :( Haha @polliwog I'll probably post some progress shots if I get permission! But to provide some level of satiation to the curiosity, here's the reference I gave him. Kind of a bad photo because it's an actual painting I own and I took the picture with my phone at night in the living room @Lance Kahlil Rintye :)

Made the trip up to Davis to see George Hernandez and came away with this fun one: [/img]

@Killercook76 WOW!!!!!!!!!!! So. 4 days and then IT BEGINS. Very nervous, very excited. The drawing is out of control, I almost cried when I saw it and left the shop a mess of nerves. I'm told that Kahlil is gentle and efficient so that's some small iota of comfort. Hopefully the age-old tactic of building it up in my head to be the worst thing in life serves me well. Yeah, super excited. I'll be sure to DM pics to the LST folks on instagram when the first session is done but I probably won't post anything here (sorry) as I'm sure it won't go over well.

Round 1 of my eagle/dragon. Tattoo By Chris Garver (thanks fairgreen) at Invisible NYC

My just completed full back piece based on the tale of Mimi Nashi Hoichi by Fil Wood at Black Crown Tattoo in Leeds For those who would like to know more of the tale please look here The Story Of Mimi-Nashi-Hoichi And you can check out Fil Wood's work here https://instagram.com/fil_wood/

So Saturday I got asked if I I wanted to do a Geo/B&W Realism Portrait for this upcoming expo in SA. I jumped all over it, When I got the details I found that the portrait is of a woman, I still was ok with it... Well it turns out the wifey is not ok with me getting a woman portrait specially realism and on my thigh. So this AM I had to back out... I suspect the artist was some what suspicious because he did ask me... Are you ok with a woman portrait? Shit... I am ok, Is all good with me! BUT on the mist of discussing the plans for this week end we had the talk of the pieces I am getting up in SA... Than it hits.... Huge argument wish I quickly lost... Than I had to go back and think at one of the things I allways preach about... I am not the only one that is going to look at this for the rest of my life.... So is my wife... So I had to go back to rule number "If the wife is not happy, nobody is" This one was my fuck up... I feel horrible and depress. Not only because I didnt think about my wife but because I possibly fucked up a spot for my artist. I did told him that I am open for anything else just cant do a womans face... :( :( :( - - - Updated - - - Update: We are still a go. We change the subject matter, YAY!!!!

I started to click 'like' on the posts in this thread but I had to stop, because I could probably click 'like' on all of them. Greg and I started talking about backpieces the last time I was in there. We tend to be on the same page about stuff and I feel really comfortable with his choices, so I think it's a good way to go. I just don't want to rush into it until I know for sure what I want. We decided to go with Tibetan imagery (the panther-shell on the inside of my arm was inspired by the makaras in right-turning shells in the totally amazing Encyclopedia of Tibetan Symbols and Motifs, by Robert Beer). We just keep coming back to that book every time I'm in the shop. It's just SO rich that I hardly know where to start! I'm pretty sure I want an azure dragon...and a makara. So that's sky, and water, and what in between...? I am leaning toward a dakini, though. I'm very partial to them. Completely unrelated, but the style of that right-hand illustration's red beasties totally reminds me of the figures in some of doze green's work. Very cool.

The pain creates vulnerability, it reveals your true self. Through the pain you can receive clarity. My tattooer and I were talking about the tattoo pain threshold yesterday actually. We were discussing how everybody receives 'X' amount of tattoo credits, some receive more than others. But once you're credits are used up, they are used up and tattoo pain will be worse for you moving forward. So tattoo and spend your credits wisely!

@a1steaks, that is one incredible piece.

I tried watching that while pacing the house with a screaming two month old the other night. Turns out she wasn't as interested as I was, so I caught about half. I'll have to give it another go soon.

welcome! sounds like you've been tattooed relatively recently. we'd love to see pics, if you're willing to share. this would definitely help in the realm of advice. one great thing about getting tattooed that it ends up being all your own. you'll find that you get all sorts of advice, good and bad, and it's up to you to sort thru it and choose who you want to put what where. looking forward to seeing your collection come together!

@a1steaks Was it worse being lined with a machine on the torso or is the tebori beating you up more?

@polliwog, gross! I have not had the misfortune to live next to an actual lab, but I've definitely lived next to tweakers before. :/ A quick google says that the odors can be like nail polish or cat urine, which I suppose makes sense given the stuff involved. Probably a horribly chemical smell. They might just be smoking the stuff in there and not producing it, but I don't think there's any easy way to tell, aside from seeing them behave a certain way. If you DO suspect it's a lab, I mean...I personally would call the cops. Being around the byproducts of meth production can be seriously, seriously bad for your health. It makes people crazy. (In a post Breaking Bad world, I feel like everybody probably knows this now, but I haven't watched it yet, soooooo!) Feels weird telling anyone to call the cops on somebody, since I definitely had a few delinquent years in there, somewhere. Oh well. Bring me my cane and rocker on the porch, I'm ready to yell at kids to get their meth labs offa my lawn.

Like anything else.. the doctor draws blood.. go to the dentist and you'll be in pain to some extent during or afterwards. But do you pass out ( I know people who do at doctor appointments), no. And you go back when you have to. Tattooing, same deal. You know it will hurt, small tattoo, small pain, big tattoo, big pain. I've seen people tap out from a ladybug tattoo the size of a pea. I've seen artists tap out before the client did. In the end, the human mind isn't able to recreate the sensation of pain. I find it to be more of a mental thing than a physical thing. It hurts, maybe a bit as it heals... but most of us do go back for more.

I know many artists who totally shun going out into the sun all year. Some of their work that is 5 years old or more, looks new. I know people (plainskins..) who are 65 and never get sun exposure due to the skin cancer scares they've heard about.. at age 65.. c'mon, live a bit... I tan easily and rarely burn, and I'm in the pool or on the beach all summer. I use a 30 to a 50 spf product, but some of my work does get darker as I tan. But come fall and winter, it gets bright as my tan fades. I believe that any burn is bad for the tattoo and anywhere else on the body, but you have to accept some consequences for what happens to your tattoo if you like to go out into the sun. I try to think of my sun exposure when I get a new tattoo, avoid fine line work also fine detail. I had a dark tattoo from 1979 that was practically a black and blue blob by 2012. It did cover up nicely with new work.

I want to get the three fates (definitely as beautiful women) smiling, with the thread of fate curling around my pinkie as it is being cut... on my forearm. I have an artist I'm thinking about getting this from. And I want the whore of Babylon (babylon the great and the beast) on the back of my thigh.

Got this today from Antonio Roque in Frederick, MD. I am totally amazed by it...and even my anti-tattoo mom likes it. :)

Maybe they wanted more than just friendly talk if you know what i mean ;)

you might have been trying to draw one of these: buddha chart

https://fallout.bethsoft.com/ fallout 4 trailer, War, war never changes

Hi guys! Sorry I've been so slack & inactive lately! Work / study has been killing me! I do lurk from time to time however :P I flew to Auckland (another city within New Zealand) to catch Erin Chance while she was in the country & I took up all her free time here outside of the Tattoo Festival, because I'm greedy. We tattooed all day Thursday Friday Saturday, around 10hr days.. But I started & finished a full back piece.. Not including butt haha as said above ^^ I think it must finish about an inch or two lower than tailbone. Haven't decided whether I'll extend down further, probably not at this stage! It sucked, but it was worth it! Photos on my profile xD

I have put much thought into this and the psychology and perception around tattoos and impressions that are made. I have to admit that I myself am somewhat judgment about placement in cases where content can be offensive. That being said, I feel the same way about offensive language on shirts etc... I myself do not get offended, as I was a Marine for 11 years and there is nothing I haven't heard before. But, I realize I share this earth and thing and there is a time, place, and audience for everything. Fair or not, it will limit employment opportunities and may deter customers so ultimately unless you own your own business it's a choice you have to live with. I have a few friends with many non traditional face piercings and neck tattoos that complain about not getting jobs. I don't know any of my Marine friends without tattoos. I made the mistake years ago of getting cheap tattoos with little meaning. I live in regret for many years until of a coverup. In the 20 years I never recalled 1 person commenting on it being cool or that they liked it. That being said. I think a high quality unique tattoo(s) with a thought of them will not make someone pass judgement as quick as bunch of unplanned themeless banger with awkward placement. Just my 2cents

Session 3 done, backpiece done (although we have already talked about adding background - my bank account and body both screamed in unison). Such a cool experience, i've met some awesome people, had some great times and i've come out of it with a tattoo that i have to keep reminding myself is actually mine. To think that 6 months ago there was nothing, it's crazy! Already posted in the latest tattoo thread but i had to bring it to my chums in the backpiece thread! I now looking forward to sitting back and seeing what the rest of you guys are getting, bring em on!

Second session with Chad Koeplinger! Done at the Grim Reaper Tattoo Shop in Roma! Great Shop, great guys!

I don't want to flog a dead horse, but Jennifer Billig put up some pretty cool pictures a couple weeks ago. This is just a tiny picture on a computer screen but I'm in awe of how durable a good tattoo is, and how skilled a good tattooer is. If it hits me in the gut the style doesn't really matter to me. Yay tattoos!!! This makes me want to go get more right away.

I'll throw my hat in again this month with this piece, all healed and new :)

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 :)

Now I know how girls feel when guys are always staring at their boobs. I find that when having conversations with new people, I lose eye contact with them and they start staring at my tattoos.

Hahaha, I didn't realise "Les Elephants" was a popular Dali tattoo. I have them on my back, I had just turned 18 and they were my first tattoos. I didn't really know very much about tattoos at the time, but I wanted something from my favourite painter. Would I get something different now? Sure, but do I regret them? Not in the slightest. I think it's pretty easy to rag on people for their design ideas, but as long as it's done well, who gives a shit if they're walking around with a popular owl, or a famous painting? I'm sure some on my tattoos wouldn't appeal to a lot of people, but that's why I am wearing them; because I like them! I used to work at a tattoo shop as a receptionist, and the artists there would definitely suggest improvements on weird concepts, or poor placements, but the biggest thing was they would respect that some people's ideas are definitely subjectively "cool", so just make sure it's executed well and there you go.

"I want a sleeve. You know, clouds and stars and shit." So we did a painting of a sleeve of clouds and stars and....shit. Actual turds, with bits of corn in them and everything. Strangely enough people start to get a bit more specific when we whip it out. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Never believed in the whole "small starter tattoo" deal. How about those people getting full bodysuits by Horiyoshi III? I am sure some of those people had no work to begin with and commited to heavy coverage from the get go. If I could do it all over again, thats what I do. Have one tattoo and one only!

Hey Folks, Thanks for this thread. Instead of it being a big ole bitchfest, it really has given me a good outlook, stuff to remember when I feel like I have to write a six paragraph bible verse the size of a postage stamp. I tattoo whatever walks through the door, and sometimes it is taxing to my soul, but what is more taxing is the thought of not tattooing.

Well i pretty much do what ever people ask me to do. even the celtic tree that "should feel like strenght and love" what the fuck is that suppose to look like.....oh crisp and bright. right. when i get all upity about my job i just remind myself its not my tattoo my ego only extends till im done then its thiers for the rest of thier life. even if you got john mayers sleeve tattooed on you. haha.but i did that shit tight. seriously ill do it all i actually love tribal shit and people think im kidding but i do like it ,just not most of the people who lend to it, much like the anal retentive people who like celtic. but what can you do? i dont believe everyone should be tattooed, shoot me but this aint for eveyone.