Leaderboard

Congrats, @beez. That is truly awesome. Here's an awesome thing I did last week: held this guy for the first time. He's pretty chill, and his big sister is already infatuated with him--for now. :)

I was checking the London Convention line up yesterday. I'm going to be there that week end all ready but hadn't planned to get tattooed. By accident I was browsing the 2014 lineup, thinking it was this year. My mind was like "Mike The Athens.. Duncan X.... Eddy Deutsche, Ed Hardy, Filip Leu (and so on and so forth....).... wooooot?! This is some crazy shit!!!" and then I realized my mistake. Anyway, I ended up getting booked in with Mike Rubendall. So I am very happy True story

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

My UK artist list: Joe Ellis because I was tattooed by him and is a really nice guy. Soap because he tattooed my friend and is a really nice guy.

I felt the need for a solar plexus tattoo too, but I do hope to be skipping about naked at 80, well, if I fancy it. The standard underboob placement was never going to be optimal on me, I've never had the right sort of breasts. So, my tattoo comes up and onto to solar plexus, rather than being placed around it, if you see what I mean. It ends just, just under the band of my bra/bikini. But, I'd say, with breasts like you describe @TrixieFaux, it's not boob saggage that's a potential issue with this placement, that's never going to mess things up too much. Rather, it's the way the underboob placement tends increases the visibility of the natural asymmetry of the breasts (that all women have). That asymmetry does become more apparent as the breast softens with age and reproduction even if there isn't significant sagging. Even on the very young, pert, instagram chests I've more than often seen the placement emphasise the asymmetry, making the tattoo look slightly wonky even though, technically speaking it is perfectly centered etc. which is a shame. With mine being designed and placed as it is my breasts (when roaming free) actually look more symetrical than they did before, rather than less. Which is nice. I've posted it on latest tattoo lowdown already but here it is again. - - - Updated - - - With asymetry, I mean the often subtle differences in roots of the breasts, rather than the slight differences in size and shape between the breasts (which we are usually aware of). The differences in height of the base of the breast and the precise distance from the from the center of the breast bone to the root of the breast can be pretty much imperceptible on a lot of women, until you place something that is utterly symmetrical in between and under them...

My frog looks so much better now! I got him originally in 1998 so he was 17...not sure how old that is in frog years but he's way cuter now. He even has freckles!! I let Dominic pick all the colors, and we discussed where we're going next w/the expansion-I told him he has free reign for design and colors and he was pretty stoked about that.

Got this about a month ago from Jeff Zuck of Name Brand in Ann Arbor. Definitely going back!

Come on mate... Like I said, it's in no order. just list your favourite artists! It's who I'd like to get tattoos off! It's not meant to be disrespectful..

This happened yesterday... It wasn't until this morning I figured out I didn't have photo before tegaderm got put on. Outline/black shading done in April and the rest finished yesterday. Artist: Tony Caporusso

After 7 years of hustling, freelancing, not having my shit together, and then getting my shit together - I GOT A FUCKING JOB YO!!! AND A REALLY COOL GOOD ONE!! AND I'M A GOOD GUY/ WHITE HAT!! Because it's for a large corporation I don't think I should say much more here in a public forum, but guys: I work remotely, full time, full benefits, and a 401fuckingk. I have not had these in my adult life!!! I AM STOKED!!!! You know what this means, right? More money for more tattoos. :D

Hello everyone. I'm interested to know your favourite artists in the UK. Maybe I'll learn something. Mine change on a weekly basis but I'll start. in no real order by the way! 1: Andrea Giulimondi 2: Sway 3: Oliver Macintosh 4: Joe Ellis 5: Rich Hadley What are your opinions on my list?

Hi Everyone, I dont do too well talking about myself but I'll give it a try. Since this is a forum for Tattoo aficionados, I'll try and stick with that and not stray. I'm sort of old for a person to get into tattoo's I guess. At 35 I have a solid 18-20 years on many collectors when they first started. I never saw myself as the type of person to get a tattoo. I'm just super fickle. Plus, I always lamented my more embarrassing styles growing up so I was never willing to commit to something permanent. Now that I'm older I embrace that I once had a mullet, once had a metal phase, tried the goth thing, even was a cowboy for a while. Thinking back to my mullet used to create a small pang of embarrassment (it was a serious mullet...like Billy Ray had a candy ass mullet compared to me). But now I embrace it as part of what makes me...Me. Now that I can embrace things like that rather than regret them, I feel I 'm in a mental place to get tattoo'd. I've also realized that I have a really crappy memory. I've also realized that I have a really crappy memory. I remember being places, having feelings associated with an event, but rich details about my past elude me. I have a tough time living in the moment and tend to always focus on the future. I think that makes me a bit aloof and thus I never solidly lay down the neural pathways for cool memories. I dont want to be a boring old person who cant remember all their own stories. To me, tattoos seem a way to cement a memory in physical form and help one to remember details otherwise forgotten. Take my scars for example...I love every one of them. And when I look at them I am transported back to the event of their creation and all the feelings, events, people involved in my life at that time. I love that! Lets see... I suck at Art. By suck I dont mean "You really should work on adjusting the angle of your light source..." No no no my friends. By suck at art I mean unable to draw a fucking smiley face. My stick figures are so bad, that were inability to draw a disease, I would need to be put down. I chose a life of science instead...and thank the Lord almighty. Dont get me wrong, I love artistic expression (I'm here right), I just need someone else to express it for me. So that leads into my profession, I'm a doggy doctor, porcine proctologist, Shiba Inu shaman, a feline wangateur...or just a veterinarian. I also happen to be in the Army (at least for a few more weeks). So, I'm a vet (veterinarian) and a vet (veteran) - VetSquared. Tattoos - none yet. I have two days booked with Uffe Hansen of Meatshop in Copenhagen this June. The wifey and I are going to take our first real break from the youngin and take a holiday to Denmark (and get a rad tattoo). I'm not really into tribal, or neo-tribal, but they are doing some amazing dot work in a, I guess, "Neo-Nordic" style and I just love it. Plus my last name originates from a character in Norse mythology so I figure it fits. I also just booked a consultation with Horitomo this December. Hopefully that means we'll get started in February sometime...not really sure. Honestly, I'm not sure an image has ever resonated with me as much as his Monmon cats. Dont want to say too much until its in my skin...but I'll share when they're done and healed. Basically, It'll be a Nordic wolf like image on the left lower leg, a Monmon on the right lower leg. I'm a small animal veterinarian, cats and dogs make up 90% of what I do all day. I'll have a dog on one leg and a cat on the other. Honestly, I am still wrestling with where I want the Monmon cat. I like the lower leg because, if you're special, I can pull up my pant leg and show it to you. But it's also a great piece of artwork from a famous artist and thus feel like it needs a higher place of honor, like my shoulder/upper arm. Feel free to chime in. To finish off - my hobbies. I'm into adventure motorcycling. I have a dual sport bike fitted out for adventure travel. Done a couple big rides, including across america on dirt roads from east to west. Planning an around California ride this summer, starting in So-Cal, going up through Sequoia, yosemite, kings, over to the lost coast, and back south. Going for as much dirt road as we can find. I also like mountain biking, backpacking, fly fishing, and building stuff. I'm not very good at responding to PM's, or even on my own threads...I'm just too damn busy to sit at my computer all the time and Tapatalk doesnt work for shit. I'll try and get email notifications set up so I actually communicate. I also tend to not be a huge participant in online forums because, frankly, there are just too many dicks...so, so many dicks. Albeit, the only other forum I'm on is ADVrider. And, as everybody knows, all motorcyclists are assholes ;) You all seem to be a pretty good lot though. Hopefully I'll find this site more inclusive. Cheers, Clint

I recently met Khalil and Megon who work at Fist Full of Metal in Seattle and both are really nice people in addition to making great tattoos. I believe they had some good examples of coverup work in their portfolios.

It's true, I am the grumpiest person here. And of course we all have our favorites--you can tell who mine are because I've been tattooed by many of them--I just really don't like the idea of a top whatever list or ideas about "the best" because that kind of stuff belongs on reality TV or on know-nothing clickbait sites. The best tattoo is the tattoo that is made well, that you like, and that you had a good experience getting. If you like a tattooer, get tattooed by him or her. Everything else is silly.

On a slight side note, I've just seen on Instagram that Matthew Houston is moving back to London... This is sensational news as he is another favourite of mine. Can I say he's a favourite or will other artists get offended?!:)

The only one i know off the top of my head is Liberty Tattoo, which is very highly regarded. There are a few locals to that area on here though that can chime in maybe. @beez is from the PNW i think? (Might be totally wrong there.) If you're willing to make the trip to Portland i know of some great shops personally, but i know you have some world class artists in your area!

@rufio Gonna have to find that magazine in store somewhere and read the story too :) Thanks for the heads up!

Couldn't post pics in the getting tattood thread so I'll try here. In Copenhagen getting my leg done. Somewhat of a shamanistic experience getting tattood in the place where Nordic tattoo revival began. K

there is so much going on in this 20 minute segment. I love the world he talks about, and the digs he takes at things exploiting the culture. This was a great post, thanks for sharing it

I use Saniderm,same kind of product, I keep the original saran wrap & Vaseline that the tattooist put on for about 5 hours,then wash it with anti-microbial soap,(tattoo finished about 4PM) *this was "scrubbing hard in warm water with my hand and anti-microbial soap in the shower* then applied some cocoa butter and another saran wrap(about 5 or 6 hours) until the next morning,then wash again with anti-microbial soap, then I apply saniderm(to clean dry skin ONLY) the following morning (no cocoa butter or aquaphor or anything,pat dry with clean cloth using clean sterile surgical gloves) *or have someone help you with clean sterile gloves*and don't take it off for 4 days, the secret is to apply saniderm after all of the initial fluids(ink,plasma,etc) have come out,after the first 8 or 10 hours and two anti-microbial washings in the shower, remember ! all this is skin area after washing and when applying the saniderm make sure it's only touched with new sterile surgical gloves !

Hahah yeah. It was a nice suprise seeying your but on A4, especially couse i didn't expect it.

This thread never fails to amaze me. I cannot imagine what it must feel like to have the backside of your body be that intricately covered from neck to thighs. All that color. I think it'll always seem crazy and unreal to me.

I've gained and lost weight recently and my torso isn't exactly toned, but that area doesn't seem to have changed much. Seems like a safer tattoo, in terms of droop, than a chest piece even. Plus it's a private spot...a good place to get a tattoo that's "for me." :p In which case, who cares if your boobs sag?

Damn right. It's been a very bittersweet week here.

Congratulations, @beez. That's wonderful news. In other wonderful news, I'm celebrating with millions of others, today's historic USSC ruling granting marriage equity.

Oh sweetheart, just wait. You have no idea. @TrixieFaux - I like the sports bra idea.

Hi ladies! So yesterday for the first time I wore one of those sports-bra tops to my hot yoga class instead of a full tank top... This was helpful in getting a better idea of what my body was doing during postures, and good for the heat. But more importantly, I started wanting a tattoo centered on my sternum... Yoga class always makes me think of what tattoos I need! Good idea though, right?! Not this exactly, but this type of placement:

Healed photo of my back that was finished last year in September, and a fresh one to the left. Both by Marius Meyer

I survived a week long fishing vacation w/my husband, both kids, and my parents-and didn't fight w/my dad. That's some big shit.

I gotta hand it to you, @bongsau. You make me feel not-so-tattooed. Very solid look you got.

It's in the skin now, too late to second guess the placement! But you've expressed you are more or less happy with it so don't overthink it (which is totally natural, but stop yourself). There is no such thing as a perfect tattoo... Don't cover it, get tattoos around the fox and adjacent area on the forearm.

I got more of a cubist feel than origami honestly. Doesn't make it bad though. if you love it then stop looking for flaws

Oh what the hell. Might as well post my finished back piece. A year long process has come to an end and I can't wait to start another piece! Done by Stacey Martin-Smith at Golden Age in Austin, TX.

I think there needs to be more than two entrants in a given month - even though one of the above two will end up the winner. I'll throw my chest in and hope to have a chance at the 'best one-shot tattoo of the month' ;) edit: Done by Steve Byrne at Rock of Ages in Austin.

I'm getting my inner forearm done monday by Dustin Golden from Deluxe in Chicago/ Skin Thrills Roanoke - covering a laser faded piece (finally after 19 months) I'm getting a Sumerian priest, can't wait