Leaderboard

I got this from Tony Nilsson at Blue Arms Tattoo in Oslo today. It's based off an old Percy Waters drawing that Tony had wanted to do for a while, and I had no specific requests so we just went for it. I'll admit that I did cheat a bit, after the outline we did use a numbing spray or something like that, which basically made me not feel a thing until we started doing the colors. Happy we did, since then we got to finish it so I don't have to wait until the next time I'm home.

You could always try the halt-the-conversation-with TMI approach if it gets really uncomfortable. "This Hot Stuff represents my struggle with irritable bowel syndrome." This was a super fun way of dealing with annoying questions about whether I was pregnant when I gained weight a few years ago.

got this from lee knight today, first of 2016! planning to tie it together along with some other elements to the walking panther he put on my shin last year. had a shift at work straight after so the top part is looking real angry right now, hope it hasnt goofed with the healing too much think i forgot to post the last few i got, these two are from one of my mentors curtis pettigrove and not a good photo really but i also got these two kissing nuns from rose whittaker. having big legs rule caus ive got tonnes of space still. getting tattooed by joe chatt next week with any luck. years starting off well!

I don't get asked these questions. I recommend you start giving off unfriendlier vibes.

Hey. Figured I might just make an account here after a bit of lurking. I got my first tattoo 13 months ago and got 8 professional tattoos since that time, with more planned. After getting into tattoos, I've really enjoyed reading and learning about the history of tattooing, especially after I found out that my great grandfather got tattooed when he was a ship captain between 1910-1925. So I ended up here after watching a bunch of the LST interviews... I'm born and raised in Norway, but I currently live in Vancouver BC where I work for a major sportswear company.

Greetings all, just discovered this forum and figured it was about time I got back into the game! From Saskatchewan originally, been living in Edmonton for the past 12 years and have been on a bit of a hiatus tattoo-wise -- between 2002 and 2010 I got between 30-40 hours tattooed on my legs and chest, but then life got in the way and sadly (that's an understatement) I haven't had any work done in over five years. Well, 2016 is a new year and hopefully that is about to change! Aside from a couple of small pieces I got at 18 my plan is to do a full pirate-themed suit. My chest was tattooed by Chris Iwaniuk from Lucky Strike Tattoo (back when he was still at Showdown) and my leg (in progress) is by the incomparable Steve Batt (also formerly at Showdown Tattoo in Edmonton, if anyone knows where he is now please let me know!). Will find the time to take some pictures and post them as soon as I can. Cheers! -Trevor

Testify! Probably from the old BME days? Wow that takes me back hahaha. I started getting tattooed by Steve at Capital Q, followed him to Showdown but haven't been able to track him down since, I wasn't even sure if he was still in town or not! And your back piece is SICK, mad props dude!

Currently on my nyc tat-cation. First up was Eli Quinters. Next is Hillary Fisher White. When I first got to jfk airport, I was charging my phone at an outgoing terminal and the loudspeaker guy at the desk was listing people that needed to come see him and named Richard Stell. Didn't see him though.

I made two appointments today for April and May for my shoulder-to-elbow tattoo. Excited. I consulted with the artist today very briefly mainly to see if she is interested. Proper consultation on February.

One for today only.

I don't get asked these questions. I also don't draw attention to my tattoos. The annoying ones for me are "Show me your eagle!" to which I reply "Let me see your chest too!" If someone is asking for meaning they're trying to feel included and fuck them for not being able to stay in their own damn lane

for someone not known for his Japanese work, he seemed to do a pretty fine job on the upper half.

Thanks, @BrianH! That's beautiful work. I'm considering something similar to take my 1/2 sleeve down to 3/4.

there is some pretty awesome takeover about him on https://www.instagram.com/americanatattoos/ going on right now!

just got this from mark cross at rose. honestly best experience I've ever had. great shop. coolest people. mark was so nice. this family came in because their little kid wanted to see a tattoo shop and mark stopped zapping me for a few minutes to hang with them and put a temporary tattoo on the hand of the little kid. so sick. backtard

Was supposed to have my next session on Christmas Eve-we got halfway down there and had to turn back around, the snow and ice were just too much. I'd felt like such a wuss, but they ended up w/a bad storm so I guess I was glad we went back home. But on the way home I called and called and the line was busy--so when I finally got thru to cancel, I said I understood how hard it is to get in to see my artist, and I would just take whatever I could. The guy says "Well, I actually just got off the phone w/someone cancelling for next Sunday-you want it?" Uh-YES! So, we trekked back down yesterday. He ended up adding some stuff to the right side top and bottom, where I thought we were done, more waves and such, added some wind to that side too, and whatever, I'll deal w/it if it means it will be an even better piece. Hurt like a bitch this time. Not sure if it's b/c it was such a big area this time, or b/c of what time of the month it is..guys you don't care but girls you understand.

And here's a fantastic version by Ben Siebert posted yesterday on LivedInTattoos IG: https://www.instagram.com/p/BAGiFSeMA94/

Couple choices in how to respond to this re-occuring question: 1. Be unfriendly about it. 2. Share the meaning. Like, the most obvious meaning of what the tattoo appears to be. 3. Share the meaning. Like, the most personal meaning from the depths of your soul. Example, case study: I got a dragon tattoo last week. It's on my hand, out in the open. 1. "What does it mean? Fuck off or feel the wrath of my dragon fist!" 2. "What does it mean? It's a dragon, obviously. And dragons are fucking awesome!" 3. "What does it mean? It's a reminder! 'Wake up and be happy, everyday'" There are very few people that will actually care what the tattoo means. It's usually just an conversation opener so that the person asking you can followup with talking about their tattoo and themselves. At least this has been my experience. It's your tattoo. You don't need to justify why you got it or the meaning of it to anybody but yourself :)

I actually have something of a meaning for the tattoos on my arms, though for some I assigned that meaning later to a tattoo I got because I thought it would be cool. I don't find questions annoying, I like seeing what people will say back. For tattoos that have actual meaning, my favorite is "It's a funeral urn. It reminds me I'm going to die." And there's always, "It's a panther and a giant sword. I got it because it's awesome."

I just feel really awkward, but I find it's usually people who want to tell you the meaning of their tattoo that will ask

"It means I got tattooed that day." That's my first response, honestly...and it tends to quiet the person asking (because we all know that fellow collectors would never say anything like that.) It usually just kinda stuns the asker, as they think "How could a tattoo mean nothing more than that?"

Agree with Marley, while I don't have many, when in asked, I just respond that I like tattoos and the art, there is no meaning.