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I figured it was time to contribute! I've really enjoyed all your pics/post the last couple years...good stuff. This is my mountain goat piece. I'm into it 60 of estimated 70hrs but who we kidding...I'll keep going. I've been flying down to Guru Tattoo in San Diego from the Pacific Northwest every other month since March. The artist is Aaron Della Vedova. I've been doing two 6 hour sessions each visit accompanied by a miserable flight home. I had an existing shoulder piece/mountain scene that he tied into. I'm heading down next week for another beating. This is where I'm at so far...

Here's one that's all ready healed, hairy, a bit dry and shiny: Chad Koeplinger made this at the Stockholm Inkbash in august this year. I wanted a meditating figure but not in buddhist or hindu style and send him a bunch of different ideas of present and historical cultures/religions to get him started. I was very happy when I arrived for the appointment and he decided to not draw one of my suggestions, and instead made this hopi indian in a thunderstorm. Also this is the first tattoo with tattoos that I have my body, and the first swastika. Happy about that

Somewhere between 5 or 6 hours of outlining today with Sam Warren. He ended up going just the tiniest bit bigger than I thought he would, but I am so stoked to get this started. Oh, and this goes into the dreaded butt crease, which had me seeing stars.

Time for color!!

As others may have commented, I think you should be choosing one particular artist more than the shop. You're only going to be tattooed by one person and you should choose him/her. i.e. the work done by other people there doesn't really affect the work done by your artist. And the various people at the shop can specialize in different styles. If you're going to be in the Bethesda area and you've not already done so, I suggest you check out Tattoo Paradise which has several branches in the area. And going a little farther there are quite a number of places in Baltimore.

I experienced hell on earth the other day when I got my butt crease tattooed (where your butt and leg connects). We hit tons of bad spots that day: knee, back of the thigh, hip...bit none as awful as the butt crease. Literally felt like I had a white hot sewing needle being jabbed into my butt! And he just kept going back into it to add details...

Kore posted a picture so I thought I'd share it here Shou from 36 Ghost by Horiyoshi3 Made by Kore Flatmo About 30 hours so far

Old left knee and new right knee from Chad Koeplinger. If feels good to finally have this shit out of the way.

Im in the process of restoring this footage- originally shot on 8mm film in the 1970s, converted to VHS in the 80s where this rip comes from. Doing me best to color correct it, but the VHS is suffering digital rot. Shot at Ken Myers Kissimmee shop.

Finding out my buddy in Paris is ok

Wow...I want to get tattooed by him.

OK, how cool is this? Waylon sent this email last night: I am really excited about the Tattoo you are allowing me to give you. This email is to let you know that I have drawn more than what you've asked. Mostly because you seem very serious about wanting great tattoos and because I like giving everything I have when given the opportunity. I badly want to send you a picture of your design but feel the wait til Saturday is better for me so that I can see the look on your face. I have drawn it with some background and an extra surprise that I'm sure you will love. Can not wait til saturday.

I've been too busy/lazy to post these...... from the last 5 weeks: Wrist and Left Ankle/Achilles - Jon Larson @ Harlequin Couple little guys on the bicep- Lightning Bolt and Flying Eyeball - Tony Caporusso @ Lucky Monkey Right Ankle - Greg Christian @ Tattoo Faction

First session from my long and humbling journey with Horitomo, in August. Ignorantly assumed that I'd be able to schedule within 90 days and was sadly mistaken. Won't have my next appointment until July. It's probably for the better, I needed to pump the brakes.

I am in the consultation stage with this artist to get a hand tapped piece when we go back to Maui in May Mo'o Tatau | Polynesian-style tattoos I know it's not the preferred style here,but it's going to be something in this area & style. .

Well it's been a year since I've had my back worked on and per our usual fall schedule, Henning was in town and this time we FINISHED my back! Some of you might have seen the updates via Instagram. So happy with this collaboration between Henning and Rubendall being completed! WARNING, PIC HEAVY!!! Put your browser on FULL SCREEN! The master himself, Henning Jorgensen. Such a great artist and humble man. Filling in the phoenix...tail feathers, breast, head and a few touch ups here and there. Such a pleasure watching Henning work. I was so stoked with the zebra/tiger striped pattern he chose for the remaining tail feathers. Touch up on a tender spot...the spare tire. Slowly getting there. Details details details... Close-up of the phoenix...beautiful! Full view from my right side. There was poor lighting inside since it was dark out, so they propped me up on a table and surrounded me with lights. A quick reminder of the work Mike Rubendall did on the lower half of this collaboration. LOVE his water! Another angle of my lower half. Here's the finished top half. Finished full back in all it's glory. My back is a sea of colors! Hope everyone enjoyed my show and tell! (don't mind the feet on the left or right, hahaha)

Each first time I see this Jeff Srsic snake & peonies back piece, my jaw stays dropped.

the latest term that is being used way too freely ..."Gap Filler" Dear tweeners on Instagram: I'm sorry if you can fit a palm sized tattoo in between 2 other palm sized tattoos it is not a "gap filler". It's a tattoo. It's just a tattoo in between some other tattoos. /endrant

I knooowwww, man. I think that's the closest I've ever seen to the perfect tattoo, no joke. Those are going to hold FOREVER, too.

Those LINES!

I stay pretty busy trying to make sure that my five year old daughter, and two year old son don't grow up to be assholes. It is not glamorous but I like it.

some new knuckle tattoo designs sent my way.....