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Got this panther/rose from Juan Puente a few weeks ago. photo by Juan that day.

Got this little memorial for my father from Tim Pausinger at The Pearl in Toronto on Monday. Its been a long long journey.

Haven't posted in a while, but I've finally gotten tattooed again, so I thought it would be a good time to revive my account. Anyway, the talented Johann Ingemar recently started working at my favorite shop in Copenhagen, The Sailors Grave, so this one was a no-brainer: Dragon in a nice big gap on my lower leg. Just healed and still shiny, so sorry for all the glare in the photo. EDIT: Why won't my picture show up as an actual picture in the thread, but just as a link?

Hey guys...I'm not on the boards too much lately because frankly, I'm kind of tired of even thinking about tattoos at the moment. This current project I'm working on is the most grueling yet. Once I finish this piece, I think I'll go back to traditional one shots on my arms, because this thing is burning me out. Anyway, I met with Sam Warren recently to work on doing some coloring (so far we've done one for lining, one for black and gray shading, and now one for color). One more session to go next month to finish coloring and maybe do some touching up. Sorry the pic is horrible but have you ever tried taking a picture of your own thigh? It ain't easy. Here's some close ups of the key components:

Getting tattoos could help keep you from getting sick

https://scontent-sjc2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t31.0-8/fr/cp0/e15/q65/12823389_10206758820987493_1781662114968890668_o.jpg?efg=eyJpIjoidCJ9 Newest piece done today. Pretty stoked about it!

Just confirmed session #2 of my back-piece. Less than two weeks away. Also more work coming up with Theo Mindell Apr 1. Working thru some bigger pieces so not many pics yet but I'll post em up as we finish up.

Here is the piece I just got in Springfield, Oregon at the Evergreen Tattoo Invitational. It's not quite finished but will get it's final touches in Vegas in a couple weeks. It's a collaboration piece done by Christian Buckingham and Dwight Bulb who both work out of Revolt in Vegas. Christian did the black and gray realism of Archangel Gabriel and Dwight did the Neo Traditional Jasmine flowers. Ended up sitting for almost 11hr over 2 days and had a blast! It was my first convention and was such a great setting to get a tattoo. Had originally scheduled with Christian who did my first 2 tattoos but when he asked if I had any interest in doing a collaboration with Dwight I felt honored and jumped at the opportunity. I'm amazed at how nicely the Neo Traditional works with the Realism and it really does frame out the angel is such a stunning way....basically two great tattoos in and of themselves. Dwight did all of the flowers freehand and they fit my arm so perfectly. In June this sleeve will be continued onto my lower arm in some way. I want to have a cavern with a devil and maybe some dead trees and/or wilted flowers...?? The art isn't decided yet but will be a Heaven and Hell sleeve basically. Will have Christian and Dwight collaborate on the lower half too so that it carries well. Hard to get all of the piece in one pic but will get some nicer pics after the work is done and it's healed. I'm so completely stoked about this tattoo and feel like I got such a great one for it being my 3rd piece.

I love this. It's so true. Sometimes my mum has commented that if I'm worried about money (I do tend to worry a lot being self employed) maybe I shouldn't have got that last tattoo. I can't take it back to the shop though! I also had to explain to her that even though I was a bit strapped there was no way I could cancel my appointments with Sneaky Mitch or guen Douglas because I'd waited so long for them! (I'd saved enough anyway). Sometimes I do wonder how I afford it, but I guess you just do! I save every month, own my own house and always make sure my mortgage and bills are paid before I buy any luxuries. I do ok but am in no way 'rolling in it' yet I've been able to afford a lot of high quality tattooing. Go figure.

I'm going to be driving back to the north-east from Austin. I plan on checking it out.

year number 2 coming up end of april. Anyone inclined should make it out, good times good tattooing going on.

This is a good place to get your first tattoo if this is the place you want your tattoo, that's all anyone can really say about it. There is no hard and fast rule, though I think most would agree hands and neck/face should be later on down the line! I think a lot of women these days tend to start out on their feet, hip, shoulder, or other places like that where they can very easily keep the tattoo hidden. Then, they either stop there and never get another one, or they like it and start to get more. I always have a very specific idea in mind of where my tattoos will go and I can't explain why, but there's no need to. If this is the spot where you picture your design on your body, then this is where it should go. It should be a pretty simple process in terms of the logistics of having it done, just by wearing a cami or tank top, like you say. You'll only see it in a mirror though, and that's the bummer (to me!) about tattoos on the back, but it is a great spot since it looks good, doesn't necessarily get a lot of sun exposure (less fading) and is easy to hide or not hide, depending on the circumstances.

I say get what you like your tattoos will age some more gracefully than others but hey look your tastes may change maybe you end up with tattoos of different styles along the way picking a good artist though is more important than the style why worry what its gonna look like in 10 years aint no day promised to ya but the one your living besides - they look good "lived in"

A little twist on a classic. Picked from the incredibly twisted, but amazing, sketch book of Matt Kerley.

Check out Mike Moses in Columbus, OH. He's very illustrative, but not exactly like the above style. There are plenty of sketchy tattooers in the US however, they usually do full sleeves for a pack of smokes and dimebag.

I think of tattoos more as a hobby than a luxury. A luxury is something I treat myself to when I have time/money/cravings (I'd sell my mother for some chocolate ice cream at the moment.) A hobby is something (IMO) that I find important enough to make time/money for. Yep, my car is a piece of shit. Yes, I'm pretty broke at the moment. But I wanted more tattoos, so I made the effort, cut back on frivolous spending, and got some tattoos. Those tattoos will outlive the new clutch my car needs; I'll still be enjoying them 10 years from now, when I'm doing something totally unrelated to my goals at the moment. Lets face it, life is super unpredictable. I'm gonna do what I enjoy, cause if I have a heart attack and die tomorrow, my tattoos will be in the box with me... my savings account won't.

For me its simple, tattoos are not a necessity. I do however derive personal fulfillment from being tattooed and sharing/discussing tattoos. I have always liked/had the desire to be tattooed. I share more personally when in a setting talking or getting tattooed substantially more than I do in other settings. On occassion my personal situations actually help others. Not long ago I was talking tattoos and the talk of loosing a loved one came up and I shared my losses and my outlook on them. He let me know some weeks later that what I said really helped him along. Tattooing is a positive thing for me, maybe some people feel better with a TAG watch and it helps them with self esteem or worth. For me I appreciate tattooing and art done by them and in a very small way I feel I help them continue their craft all the while allowing me to look way cooler than I am and actually interact with people in an unguarded way. For me that's more than a luxury .