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from Chad Koeplinger @ Tattoo Paradise in Wheaton, MD

Forgot to post pics. We nearly finished this up a couple weeks ago. One more short session next month to darken and tighten things up. Here's some terrible quality photos I got the next day: And just yesterday I got a closeup of the horse head, which gives you an idea of how much the blue is really starting to pop now that it's almost fully done healing. I need to get better quality photos of the whole thing.

@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.

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.

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.

I got all of these touched up last week by my artist, Josh Henderson. Next tattoo is scheduled with Richard Stell at the Oklahoma Tattoo Convention at the end of this month, then I'm finishing my half sleeve on my right arm with Josh in May. Looking forward to both!

i think i've gone into collector mode little bit nothing wrong with it love meeting new people checking out new shops having a good time with it all all good imo

Your weight should have nothing to do with your tattoos, and vice-versa.

Go for it! I did one side of my stomach even though I am a slob.

Go for it. The way I see it, if the way your tattoo looks is your biggest problem once you get to that age, then you'll have lived a good life.

do it! from a fellow fattie ;)

Hey, all, I'm Jen, and I'm new round here. I've read a lot of posts here, so I thought I'd join in the banter. I am a tattoo collector. 90% of mine are by Joshua Henderson at Brainstorm Tattoo in Fayetteville, Arkansas, who I think is crazy talented. I also have been tattooed by Richard Stell, and I'm getting another from him the Oklahoma Tattoo Convention at the end of this month. I'm a big admirer of Richard and Jennifer Stell, who are two of the coolest people I've had the chance to meet. I've been helping Jennifer with proofreading and updating the tattoo convention website. Good times! I guess I'll post a few of my tattoos in subsequent posts. Thanks for letting me join here, and I hope to become a regular! - - - Updated - - - - - - Updated - - -

Hi :) I've been tattooing for 1,5 year and yesterday I did my first portrait of a child. Would love to hear your opinions and what to do better/different next time :)

Hey everyone. ...new to l.s.t. blog...been watching the videos on YouTube for years...favorite by far is flatmo......anyhow ...glad to be here

Thanks for the welcome, SStu. This is a picture of my first tattoo. It was from Ben Volt now of Form 8, when he worked at 2 Spirit tattoo in San Francisco.

So.... We're putting on a show.... April 24-26, 2015 in Downtown Tulsa, OK.... We are still working on the site, and getting artwork done, but.... oklahomatattooshow We're trying really hard to get a well-rounded line-up together, and put on a nice event for not only the artists and vendors, but more importantly to showcase some amazing tattooing to our new home state.... Feel free to message me or shoot an email directly to the show if you or anyone you know is interested in participating, or just attending the event... Thanks, Jen

diggin this collection - welcome!

Yes!! This is killer! - - - Updated - - - Yes!! This is killer!

welcome. This site is a great resource for learning.

from Chad @ Tattoo Paradise in Wheaton, MD

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

it had to happen right....lets see those fat belly tatts folks - crossfitters - look away

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

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

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.

Just got this by Marie Sena.Electric Eye Tattoo.

I've been lazy as all hell and haven't posted any new bangers in a while....... Right BUTT cheek - Alex Boyko - December MOM Cover up on the wrist AND LEMMY tribute- Jon Larson - January ©Ankle - Jon Larson - February Wrist banger - Jon Larson - March Left SWELLbow - Chad Koeplinger - March

This is 2-3 days after my 3rd sesh w/ Jason Brooks. Got a little of the background to finish, but gonna start to fill in the scales next time. Can't wait till the next appointment!!! BTW, these boards introduced me to Jason. THANK YOU ALL :D

Gotten a few fun ones over the last six months or so: Steve Byrne at Temple before the Bay Area Convention of the Arts: Healed Robert Ryan at the Convention: Crappy healed photo: - - - Updated - - - Got a couple from Miguel Montgomery aka Uzi to start the year Healed - - - Updated - - - And most recent is a little one shot by Alex Petty based off of some old Milton Zeis flash Flash Piece (still healing)

made a trip to michigan over the weekend jeff zuck @ name brand tattoo. not sure why the picture looks weird at the top of the flames alex boyko @ sunhouse then today on my way home i swung by old soul and got this from john hill

I'm with @Shaun1105 on this one. I've never used the term collector, but I don't see anything wrong with the word. It's only a word, a description & probably a description that differentuates between a person that has a tattoo & a person that spends their time being tattooed. Makes sense to me, I don't think the word requires an analytical study of its' comprehension. But yeah, I've referred to myself on the odd occasion as an enthusiast. Like, when some fkn idiot asks me...mate, why so many tattoos? I say...I don't know what you expect me to say mate, I'm an enthusiast. Yeah, I'm fuckin' enthusiastic about tattoos.