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@Lance I'll elaborate on the story a bit, it was a fun trip after all. I show up at the shop around 12. Like I said, I came expecting the worst, but I wanted to exceed the expectation and knock this thing out in one day. Johan shows me the drawing, and in my head all I can hear is Gob from Arrested Development, "I've made a huge mistake." So much hair and little lines, fuck me. So we spend the next 45 minutes or so with general setup and talking about placement as I reconsider my goals for the day after seeing all those lines. All laid out, I assume the position. He starts low at the hip and works the way up in sections. The hip bone made my body vibrate, and the nerves radiated at certain times where I swear he put a line down my shaft, or up higher it felt like he ran over my nipple. Nothing worse than expected though. Nothing that made me break out in an instant cold sweat like when my lower back got hit. Just general "this sucks." so I was able to make it. @hogg recommended a focused breathing technique, and pretend to blow out candles from far away, well I blew out the equivalent of a forest fire over the course of the day. My lips were chapped and my throat was dry. Anyhow, after almost 4 hours of lines, I was again reassessing goals for the day. This was about the point when I was feeling the worst. I was almost ready to call it a day, but I was actually looking forward to pretending to be tough in front of @ironchef, so I pushed on. Johan and I had to be realistic about what was left, and what we thought we could finish that day. We opted for coloring the low hanging fruit; the horns, the belly, and the fire. Especially because we couldn't settle on body/hair colors. So after the first strip of fire, Johan can tell I'm close to the end and I might not make it. He offers some vasocaine spray. At first I'm a little reluctant, but after some time to consider it, I take him up on the offer. He assures me that for most people, it takes away ~50% of the pain. Well goddamn if it didn't work for me. At this point, ironchef shows up, and who knows what he thought of meeting me as I'm able to hold a conversation getting my ribs worked on. A second wind combined with relief from the spray, I felt really good at this point. We all talked and had a good time while Johan wrapped things up, and ironchef and I took obligatory nude pics together. I was out of the shop around 8 and on my way home for a shower and very restless sleep.

Booked with Grez on May 12th to tattoo my knee. I have both shins done and then my lower thighs, so the gap at my knee is oddly shaped. No one I'd trust more than Grez. Now I have a few weeks to figure out what I want! - - - Updated - - - Booked with Grez on May 12th to tattoo my knee. I have both shins done and then my lower thighs, so the gap at my knee is oddly shaped. No one I'd trust more than Grez. Now I have a few weeks to figure out what I want!

It won't look good. Come up with something that represents the vows.

I say do it! I'm 45 years old with two kids and definitely don't have my 25-year-old body anymore. I recently finished getting my entire a$$ tattooed, mid back to mid thighs. Stretch marks and cellulite included. It looks so much more awesome than plain stretch marks and cellulite :) Wildcat

Finished up my chest piece by London Reese in Lake Forest, CA. Took 18 hours on my back to piece together this dragon. Was inspired through various influences and references. London is a really cool and easy going guy. 10/10 would get tattooed by him again. Vatican Studios is seriously wicked too. Rad artsy layout, with some seriously talented artists.

If you go big and bold it's going to look fucking rad. Tattooed flesh looks better than non-tattooed flesh. Fat doesn't figure into it at all.

That Lehi Tiger / Snake on your back says otherwise... - - - Updated - - - That Lehi Tiger / Snake on your back says otherwise...

Dude. That wrathful offering is killer. So is the Jondix work too, but you knew that already. Very cool stuff. - - - Updated - - - Got this super-cool little moth from @cltattooing . It was a nice change of pace from the large-work I've got going on right now. Pumped on this little guy! https://www.instagram.com/p/BEC8O07DEkE/?taken-by=handoftheforge

Hello everyone! My names James and I will be getting my first tattoo pretty soon, so I decided to join the forum!

I'm obviously biased because I have a huge one from him, but I think Grez at King's Avenue has some of the sickest eagles goin. And being in NEPA, you're not far from NYC. He doesn't have his own instagram, but searching #grez on IG will show you plenty. I'm also very partial to Steve Byrne's and Aaron Coleman's.

DO IT i had a friend who years ago made the comment "tattoos only look good on really fat dudes and really skinny dudes"

Well, that pic was the day I got it. She has healed nicely though, I just got out of the itchy phase. I don't heal the light blue well though. The blue that has the most white in it has turned kind of yellow brownish. Don't know if I just don't do good with the whites, if my skin tones are coming through, or if a touch up will fix it. Either way I'm not bothered by it, I think it's one of those things that only I can tell. I'll try to get a more recent photo up soon

Awesome beginning @Cork! So would you say it's easier than getting a backpiece then? Also how long did you sit for? - - - Updated - - - Awesome beginning @Cork! So would you say it's easier than getting a backpiece then? Also how long did you sit for?

Thanks! I'm thinking about seeing what it'll look like in both black and white (adding shading) and color.

Good idea.

Hello again! :D I think I can help you because I was as obsessed as you to knowing EVERYTHING, every little detail, about the healing process. It's just okay to worry about it, since it's something super important. For this small piece, just don't worry: you can take care of it as if it was a little wound. I mean, nothing will stick on it since it's just so small! This is just outlines, right? Don't worry, ointment the first 2-3 days and then a regular lotion to moisturize. As 9Years said (how can I mention someone??? I can't find the option) just use the lotion you usually use, non-scented, obviously. Avoid alcohols too. For the larger one, that's what I'm doing healing my whole back piece: The first three days use ointment. You can use just lotion if you're 100% sure you won't touch anything dirty with the tattooed area. If not, use ointment, because it kinds of protect you from the dirt better than a simple lotion. Then you should switch to the lotion, since the tattoo will make a "heavy skin" on it that protects itself, so you don't need this extra protection. Don't let ANYTHING to rub the tattoo, NEVER, until it's 100% healed. I recommend you to not letting anything to touch it as much as you can (if I'm in home, I just go without a shirt, totally nude on the tattooed area, my entire back. In your case, go with shorts! The upper ankle is a super easy area to keep exposed to the air) , but since it's impossible while we're dressed outside, just try that your clothes are 100% clean and VERY loose. Your small ankle tattoo is not going to stick to anything, so don't worry. Just try to sleep with it exposed to the air. But I realle not recommend to wrap it. I know some people will say that's okay, but this is an open wound and you should let it heal exposed to fresh air, you know... I never wraped a tattoo, never ever. Also, I actually have a tattoo in the upper ankle (you can see it in my gallery, the cats one) and it was super uncomfortable to wear socks: try to not wear socks. If you have to, try to wear loose socks that will not rub on the tattoo! For the big tattoo you're planing: the same, 3 days ointment, then lotion. For my back I just wash it twice a day (morning and night), dry it with kitchen paper (because it's tough and it won't let you small pieces of paper as the toilet one), let it alone 5 minutes, and then put the ointment/lotion on. For sleep the first 2 days I did it without shirt, so you should sleep without pants or with shorts if they don't touch the tattoo. Also without sheets on. Yes, I had a cold. Hahahaha. But that's the best to avoid fresh tattoos sticking to sheets or clothes. After the third day you can sleep with loose clothes and it won't stick. At least, mine didn't stick the third day when I slept with shirt! About the aloe, mmmh... I don't know. I used to use it on my face to heal some acne scars and it irritated my face sometimes, and you really don't want to irritate a tattoo... so go and ask your tattooist! He/she will know better than us. hope it helps!

@Cork Awesome Kirin and can't wait to see it finished. Did Johan say when he'd be back to NYC again? - - - Updated - - - @Cork Awesome Kirin and can't wait to see it finished. Did Johan say when he'd be back to NYC again?

Man, I hear you on this one. I have the most abrupt gap between an El Monga lower-leg-total-domination and a Tim Lehi big-ass-tiger with full background...Monga comes up high and Lehi comes down low. Not sure what I'm gonna do to fill it up but it's driving me nuts! I was thinking a panther or monster etc head-on but with no bottom jaw. - - - Updated - - - Man, I hear you on this one. I have the most abrupt gap between an El Monga lower-leg-total-domination and a Tim Lehi big-ass-tiger with full background...Monga comes up high and Lehi comes down low. Not sure what I'm gonna do to fill it up but it's driving me nuts! I was thinking a panther or monster etc head-on but with no bottom jaw.

Would have taken a nap if it weren't for that annoying buzzing. Honestly though, I was prepared for the worst. I was going in thinking it would all feel like the lower back, which is still by far the worst spot I've ever experienced.

Pushed as long as I could with Johan Svahn to get this far. Will finish on Johan's return to the States. Had a great time at the Kings Ave in Manhattan, very cool shop. It was great to see @ironchef and his incredible tattoos in person. I know you guys want to see more, slightly blurry, ass.

And here we are. This pic is post 6 hour session. Probably about 45 mins of tracing/freehanding etc and 5 hours of tattooing. I was very worried about how knee and ditch was going to feel but overall I found it Ok. Lower leg probably swelled up for about 5 days after the session and it is definitely taking slightly longer to heal. I hobbled around walking for about 3 days after so I can recommend taking a few days off work afterwards. Overall not as bad as I was expecting. :)

I think you are making progress. It looks more refined than the original version. Ultimately, though, you have to be satisfied with it. It has such meaning to you so make sure it's perfect for you.

@Naiemh If you are collapsing and having some pretty adverse symptoms multiple times after big tattoo sittings...it's your body telling you you're putting it under too much stress and to take it easy. Try eating a simple healthy meal mid-way through the session, that may help. Or talk to your tattooer and perhaps you can schedule more shorter sessions. Being impatient may be your other problem. Finishing a back tattoo in under a month is biting off more than most can chew, especially if you're having adverse symptoms like fainting and blurred vision. Finishing a big tattoo project in 3-4 months is still very quick and respectable. You need to give your body enough time to recover from the tattoo session and deal with healing the areas. The numbing gel isn't going to solve your problem. It may help you get through the last 1 hr if you and your tattooer are strategic about where/when to apply it. But you're still going to have to sit through some times of feeling everything. After the numbing wears off it is going to hurt waaay worse. good luck

I have my second appointment on the 20th with Horitomo at State of Grace - during the first appt he outlined my arm dragon. Will be adding color during the second. Just can't wait. Such a nice man! - - - Updated - - - I have my second appointment on the 20th with Horitomo at State of Grace - during the first appt he outlined my arm dragon. Will be adding color during the second. Just can't wait. Such a nice man!

I have an appointment with Steve Byrne on the 22nd. Really looking forward to meeting and getting tattoed by him! - - - Updated - - - I have an appointment with Steve Byrne on the 22nd. Really looking forward to meeting and getting tattoed by him!

Thanks a lot!!! The tattoo artist name is Nil Marqués Coll, and I'm super happy with my decission! He is so talented! Unfortunatelly I just have bad quality mirror auto-pictures of it (since it's not finished I won't worry about taking good photos, yet, hahaha), but I can show you at least these pics :D First session, just drawing the outlines And this one is from the second session

Today I learned that the posterior of my body is home to multiple portals to hell! Seriously, I kept expecting cenobites to show up and drag me off with hook chains. Whoever said the butt crease is magical sure knew what they were talking about. But the most surprising thing for me (and for Greg, actually) is that there were a couple of spots near my shoulder blades that actually made me burst into tears instantly! It was the strangest thing...it wasn't like I just bottomed out and couldn't take it anymore, it was a huge surge of adrenaline and emotion that felt completely involuntary. And just in those spots! We tattooed well into armpit territory and it was honestly a relief after those other spots. So strange. I would post the Instagram but I'm on my phone. :( it's on his page, though, butt crack towel and everything.

Just got this reimagining of a Rock of Ages by Aaron Hodges at Spider Murphy's. Stolen from his instagram:

Many people have seen this all ready I guess. By Jondix, 11 days ago. Had such a great time. Stayed at the shop past midnight, talking and eating after the session. Everybody should get something from him. Super good heart, attitude and knowledge of tattooing and art. Wrathful offering of the five senses by Jonas Nyberg from last year.

Welcome from another newbie!! How long have you had this one? I've found that I am anxious to get another now having had my first - only thing holding me back is that I love to swim and don't want to miss any of our pool season.

i dont even care. im saying this.