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Last Saturday I got tattooed by Jill Bonny. No photos as we started background shading on the Warrior Monk piece I started last October, but here's a pic of the outline from then. I don't think I ever posted this. https://www.instagram.com/p/9nIkHlpDV8/ Sunday I also got tattooed by Horitomo. All machine work this time. Finally, I have a skull tattoo and a praying hands tattoo. It's part of a pair but I was a bit under the weather and after lack of sleep, flying, and being tattooed the day before, I could barely lay through the sitting to finish 1 side. https://www.instagram.com/p/BEUlGU-sVLv/

Just had Kim Saigh at Memoir in L.A. add on to my half sleeve to even it out with my other arm. I like symmetry. Will post pics when she does the color in June. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

@oboogie I don't at all. I'm 30. This tattoo was part because I came out as an atheist and wanted to celebrate that, part because I felt ugly and old after my ex left me for a 21 year old right before my birthday and I wanted something beautiful, part because I finally realized that a switch didn't flip when I turned 30 that changed who I was or how my body worked, and part because I've wanted a tattoo since I was 13 and finally felt confident enough to to do it. He's the owner of the shop and the only tattoo artist there. He also has a piercer who works there who's super nice. They are currently out at the Ink Masters expo (he has a purple beard) having fun and staying busy, but he still took the time to check up on me and answer a question I had. @marley mission No problem. I totally get where everyone was coming from and know it was just a simple misunderstanding caused by me not providing enough information. I can't wait to share pics of it once it heals!

Grez in 3 days!

first time posting a picture on here... here is after today's session. we added more background around the elbow, and colored in the leaves. edit: looks like i need to learn how to resize... right click and open in new tab works!

Well, today was the day! What a long, but great day! It began a little before 11:00am. I was the first one in Triple Crown Tattoo with Scott Ellis (most of the day, there were 10-15 people there, and at one point six artists were tattooing simultaneously). He had been working on a few designs based on the sleeve length I wanted. Over the week between today and our consultation, I had decided to ask him to put the dragon's head somewhere on my arm instead of with the head in the more traditional chest area. I was a little worried to be asking for this, as Scott has a relatively new sleeve with the head in the center, and the last thing I wanted was for him to think I was trying to copy his own tattoo. Luckily, when I got there, he informed me that the last several dragons he had done had the head on the chest, and he was dying to do something new. Perfect! His sketches had just what I wanted. It was a really good sign. However, getting it right took some time. Using thin paint brushes, he created the design over four separate layers. The dragon's head had to be moved several times, and the unique swirl of the dragon we decided on what difficult to get right without looking like the head was plopped onto the center of the body... but Scott is a perfectionist, and after a lot of erasing and revising, and then relining, and revising, etc... we were finally done with a design ready to be inked at 2:40. With only a few short breaks, it took a lot longer than I expected. But the result is something that works specifically with my body as opposed to just slapping a template onto my arm. I love it. Here is a quick snap of Scott somewhere between layer 2 and 3 of sketching on me: I haven't had a tattoo in nearly 20 years, so I had no idea what to expect from the pain, especially over so many areas. Tattooing in the ditch was no treat, but not as bad as I had come to expect from reading. The outside of the elbow lived up to expectations. But the worst was around my collarbone, where any wincing or tightening of my face would risk pulling the skin under his needle. And there was one spot on my chest where I could clearly feel the vibration on my pec, but the pain was in my neck. I could have sworn at the time he was tattooing my upper-middle neck. Long story short (yeah, right), we finished up the linework a little after 5:00pm. I am absolutely thrilled with the result... and was getting tons of compliments on it by the many artists and clients in the shop throughout the day. Here is a front shot: It is a little difficult to see from this angle and with only linework, but the dragon's body actually goes out the back of the head and swirls up and around the shoulders through the clouds and comes out belly showing under his head before turning again towards the end of the sleeve. It makes a little more sense visually if you can see the back. I also have the dragon clutching a pearl with his talons on the back on the sleeve and will actually be filling the pearl with a significant flower logo in the next session. Overall, a fantastic day. I couldn't be happier that Scott got all the elements I wanted into the design, was able to keep it very traditional, but also with a great deal of uniqueness built just for me. If any readers are in Austin, Triple Crown Tattoo on Chicon Street (right around the corner from Franklin's BBQ!) is a must-visit.

Richard Stell, this Friday at the Oklahoma Tattoo Convention.

@JBluewind hey it sounds like the whole thing worked out for you then post some pics when. you heal. up also. good for you not getting worked. up on some. of my feedback wasnt trying to be harsh with ya just feedback - - - Updated - - - @JBluewind hey it sounds like the whole thing worked out for you then post some pics when. you heal. up also. good for you not getting worked. up on some. of my feedback wasnt trying to be harsh with ya just feedback

i zone out usually about an hour in i dont. like. to talk alot while getting tattooed whatever convo is natural really if you are really lucky you might here some cool stories but. hey whats said. in a tattoo. session should stay there imo

Agree completely, marley mission. I talk about music, films, politics (because we're of the same ilk politically), religion, books, whatever. But I don't ask a zillion questions. I find the whole experience pleasurable. I don't care what needle he's using. He knows what he's doing, and that's all that matters.

My tattoo guy gives me an estimate and always ends up charging me less. So he gets a bigger tip. :-) I just can't imagine trying to haggle him down. My philosophy: If you can't afford to pay what he quotes, then you shouldn't be getting a tattoo. This is what they do for a living. I can't imagine someone trying to haggle down my price for my proofreading services.

What tremendous strength and courage you have - thank you for sharing the meaning behind your design. My wife and I have worked with our local Childrens' Advocacy Center for years so we've witnessed the devastation caused by abuse. I have no doubt we will see that koi design some day.

I have a barn owl on my outer calf. Here was my thought process: I knew I wanted a barn owl with a mouse in its beak or talons, partially to symbolize overcoming some personal fears, and partially just because it was cool and would differentiate me from the other girls getting cutesy owl tattoos. As far as style, I had no idea. As far as background, I was kind of thinking cherry blossoms just because they're my favorite flower. I met an artist who had done some awesome owls and I fell in love with his style and personality. We talked and he steered me away from cherry blossoms, because he said they weren't native to this owl's environment, and suggested we do a more woodsy type theme. I loved his concept. As he was laying the stencil, he suggested we could expand this idea into a leg sleeve, which I also loved. I had him add a hare ("I want a big, ugly hare, not a cute little bunny") on the other side of my leg. Still had a couple spots I wanted him to fill on my shin and back of my calf, but he unfortunately passed away before we could. Suicide is a hell of a thing. So that's my story of my barn owl tattoo. I guess what I'm hoping you take out of that is that there are tons of directions a tattoo can go, and if you find someone you work well with, they'll come up with something cool you'll love. Maybe even something you could never imagine. Sometimes we worry about getting the "perfect" tattoo, but honestly, we'll never know what might have been if we went a different direction. So just find an artist you like and enjoy the ride. Life is short, get tattooed. :) Here's a pic of my owl:

Got one from Adam Hathorn (aka Honkey Kong) yesterday at Guru Tattoo in San Diego. First time getting tattooed in my hometown, Adam made it a really memorable session. The dude is full of stories and a super interesting guy, I'd recommend anybody in So Cal to go check him out if they get the chance

I vote for a Jesus head with a dagger through it.

Good for you for doing something for yourself. I'm sorry you've had a difficult time recently. I look forward to seeing the tattoo when you take your bandage off. I got my first tattoo when I was 25 or 26 after giving it zero thought. I covered it with something I did want just before I turned 40, and I haven't stopped getting tattoos since! :-)

I waited another 30 years to get my first, almost 31 since I turn 61 next Saturday. Over those years I learned time and again not to let others determine how I feel about myself. Enjoy that tattoo, enjoy life, love yourself for who you are..not what someone else thinks you should be. And post pics after that patch comes off! I'll be in the chair Tuesday afternoon getting some shading done so I will post pics too.

I asked what kind of ink and such because I have several really bad allergies to certain things and wanted to be sure his ink didn't have that stuff in it. I also told him I had OCD (his wife does too). Without me saying a word about it, he actually showed me everything, explained how it all worked, showed me the needles and ink, what the witch hazel did, his training, aftercare, everything to expect with healing,... everything! I was entranced and sincerely fascinated. It really helped me to relax more. He said he knew how someone like me thought and was completely cool with it. I'm really glad I found him. As far as price, like I said I didn't haggle. I made it clear that I was willing to pay the amount, but would have to wait a bit. He's really a nice guy, explained the reason behind the price, and then lowered it. I fully intend to give him $30 when I see him again because he earned it. In the meantime, I've been telling inked people and interested plain skins alike about his shop all over town. I know I've sent him at least one customer who is getting her first tattoo. Edit He's a perfectionist and likes to inspect his work after it heals and fix every minor thing like a little spot without ink.

planning for. a touch. up? you havent even seen the tattoo yet

It wasn't that I haggle with him. I know better than to haggle with an artist. He quoted me $150, I was a little taken aback as friends said it would be $50 or so (they flipped over the price and thought he was overcharging me) and I had budgeted $100 with a $25 tip, I told him I was willing to pay but my friends were bugging me (they really were because they said it was a simple 30 minute tattoo that wasn't complicated and 1 color) to find out the reason for the price, he told me (quality tattoo, $50 ever 30 minutes, aftercare included in price, and free touch up at 3 months), and then (without me asking) he said he could come down to $125 which made me ecstatic because that meant I didn't have to wait to save up the extra $25 and could get it done before I had heavy work in the garden (it will be covered). I plan on giving him a tip when I go back in for my touch up. He never let up on it and packed a lot of ink in the little space. It definitely sounds slow, but he looked to be working fast judging by his movements and he was constantly dipping in the ink (he used a full cup to the very bottom). I think the speed had more to do with the fact it was straight liner and he used 14 needles or less.

Yes, exactly. I spent ages talking to Richard Stell. So funny, so smart, so many great stories to share. He's a rock star. His wife Jennifer is, too. I feel privileged to sit and chat with them.

not to pick on the OP. - take it as constructive...feedback just one. mans opinion you see but the amount of tattooing process info you. write about leads. me to believe. you were asking alot of 'tattooer' questions i see that as. a bit off-putting but. maybe thats. just me 100 hours of. getting tattooed i never have asked. about ink. or needles. or machine type i just like to get tattooed maybe. a little bullshit. about. life,, the weather, relevant things anyway - some food for thought man

a SJ ALOHA monkey is on my list of classics i need on me - - - Updated - - - a SJ ALOHA monkey is on my list of classics i need on me

Agree with that, try to not haggle again and go for tattoos just when you have plenty of money and you won't care about paying 50 more dollars or 50 less :/ Two days ago I had my cats tattoo touch up and I the artist told me it was 150 euros, but then after finishing it he told me that it was so much because it wasn't so much time doing it (it just took 1 hour and a half, as yours) and he just charged me 110 euros! (anyway, here in spain things are a little bit less expensive), and it was SO CHEAP I felt SUPER BAD and I told him that it was okay for me to pay 150 euros, but he insisted. So, my advice for you is finding a nice and righteous shop where you will pay for what it really costs, so you won't need to haggle! :/ Tattoos are expensive, and I think 150 dollars is a nice price for what he did! Also, this kind of tattoos need a lot of precission so the outlines can be perfect, every single mistake will be SUPER NOTICEABLE, so I think 90 minutes is not beign slow, I'm sure he/she tried so hard to make it perfect that he/she just took its time, hahaha

Hahaha, nice topic. I had my frist tattoo when I was 18, but I never hid it. I left from home when I was 18, so far from home. I lived in an Island and I took a flight to go to another part of the country, the peninsula. So, I never hid it, but I didn't tell them the same day. I told them about it like one month after doing it, just because I thought it would be more kind to tell them before they just realize seeing some Facebook pictures or whatever, hahaha As I left home, they realized I could do whatever I wanted to do (as I was capable to), so they didn't complaint about the tattoo. They didn't told me any opinion about it neither. It was when I moved again to my island when I started to get more tattoos, and then the opinion of my parents got out, hahaha They just didn't care about small tattoos (they already thought I was crazy, so me revealing my tattoos was just one more proof of that for them, so, they didn't care so much). My dad was the first one to see the big tattoo on my back, and he was so surprised and at first he didn't like the idea, but he's kind of open mind now after a few years after me leaving home, so after a few minutes he admited it was a really cool tattoo and a nice piece of art, so he was okay with that very soon. About my mum... Well, I aready knew she didn't like tattoos, and for her it was just like the worst thing I could ever do. She didn't care about my other smaller tattoos, but she didn't like them neither. But, for this one, she was super scared. She was like one week telling me horrible things like "you will regret it", "you're fucking crazy", "you don't know what you're doing", "you are a shame". Hahaha, worst reaction ever. Ayway, I live on my own, and I just see her some weekends when I feel the obligation to visit home and also to see my brother, so... They are not a problem, fortunately. Also, my brother loved my last tattoo, and he was so excited (he's 19 now) that he's going to have his first tattoo done very soon, hahahaha. My mum is going to deal with a lot of displeasure.

That seems super slow for that simple design, but I'm so glad you're happy with it. And please don't haggle with your artist. Eeeeek.

agreed to 125? were you haggling? lets hope not 90 minutes - well everyone has their own pace i suppose that seems towards the slower end of slow for this piece btw - it looks like the tattooer hit the mark for what you wanted good luck with the heal enjoy - - - Updated - - - agreed to 125? were you haggling? lets hope not 90 minutes - well everyone has their own pace i suppose that seems towards the slower end of slow for this piece

OMG!! I really love it, the colors are just so perfect and harmonic!!! Congratulations man! the design is amazing and it's perfectly done

It looks fabulous! Love the wolf in sheeps clothing idea.

Thank you! I really love how it turned out. It's getting a hair itchy now, but not bad. I really expected to be sore, but I haven't been. It had a little warmth the first 24 hours, but that's it. Considering I've hit my tattoo several times over the last few days (because I'm a klutz, a little nearsighted and have dogs), I'm glad I had the film over it to protect it. I'll post another pic after I take the tegaderm off on Monday and another once it's fully healed. By the way, my artist used a liner for the whole thing and fresh disposable needles. I think the ink was Fusion if memory serves. It took about 90 minutes of pure tattoo time. He put a little A + D on it afterward, wiped it clean, did a tight witch hazel wrap for 10 to 15 minutes (he put something like a paper towel over my ink, soaked to towel in witch hazel, and wrapped it tightly with a self adherent wrap) to pull out some of the plasma, dried it well, then put on a Tegaderm film (leaving over an inch between the edge of my tattoo and the edge of the film to leave space for plasma buildup) with instructions to leave it on for 5 days, use an ice pack as needed, keep it out of the sunlight, and use tattoo safe lotion and gentle soap once I take it off. His shop was nice, clean, kid friendly, welcome to all religions (from Christians to Pagans to Atheists), LGBTQ+ friendly, and full of jewelry made of natural materials. The piercer was a fierce looking woman with various piercings and tattoos (including her scalp which was shaved) but a total sweetheart (she actually took a minute to tell me about what she does and checked out my ink when he was finished).

@jrayr90 This is my plasma buildup after 3 days. Again, solid black using only a liner, so more plasma/trauma then if he had just used a shader which would have taken less time. You can see its about the same as those with the same type who didn't use a tight witch hazel wrap, but did wait 10 hours to apply the Tegaderm.

Nice one! I am also going for the outer calf. I would like a skull and some maple leaves. We are going to see what we can accomplish in one day so it may not turn into a sleeve unless I make another trip. I have been working with this artist on my back tattoo for a couple of years now but this was my last planned trip (8 hour drive). I leave in the morning! I decided on a barn owl because they are nocturnal and symbolize secrets. As a survivor of significant child abuse those two concepts have a lot of meaning for me. This is a tattoo of ownership of my past. I plan an upward facing koi sleeve for when I have progressed enough in therapy that my flashbacks stop. That will be a triumphant tattoo.

Those look like blowouts. It happens sometimes, but if you have a lot of them, as it appears, you may want to think about how experienced your tattooer is. It should be more an acception than a rule.

My artist had a trick to help with the plasma. He placed a clean sterile towel over my piece (but he said you could use a paper towel), soaked it in witch hazel, wrapped it tightly with a self adherent wrap, and left it on for 10 to 15 minutes. Some people feel nothing while others will feel it get warm (he said it's normal). It felt soothing to me. After that, he unwrapped it and you could see plasma on it. He said it helps draw some of the plasma out. He wiped and dried it well. Then he added Tegaderm with about an inch or better space all the way around. The plasma I'm getting is no worse than people who waited 10 or so hours to apply and my ink is pure black put on with liners only (so lots of trauma). I'm not having any redness, swelling, or anything close to pain with it. I put a cool pack on it after my shower and at the end of the day and that's it. Perhaps if you wait the 10 recommended hours and then do what my artist did, you won't have as many problems with plasma. Just make sure to leave a good space of uninked skin around it to give it space to pool and run if need be. If it starts running and gets close to the edge, you can always add a piece to where it's headed before it pops open the seal.

Tomorrow morning I have Scott Ellis for a traditional Japanese dragon sleeve in Austin, Texas. First BIG piece and I am so nervous/excited, I can hardly stand it.

got this sacred heart from joe nickley almost 2 weeks ago and this from chris kline at the scranton convention this past weekend andddd yesterday i made an appointment with bert krak for next month while he's at old soul!

Wth!?! I tried to upload images but my galaxy says no images! Edit: It's up. It's up! Here's my freshly inked pretty. If the link doesn't work, just go in my gallery ;) http://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/gallery/member/19447-broken-infinity.html&imageuser=56235

My Dad saw it first, I think. He was not a fan. He told me he hoped it was fake. I told him it was and didn't say anything else about it. It was very, very small (and not very good). He really hates them still, but he's come to accept them. He jokes about them now. My Mom wasn't thrilled, either, but she was more accepting. She now tells all of her friends about my tattoos and makes me show them when I'm with her. Hahaha. She still doesn't love them, but she is used to them now, and she appreciates that they are well done. She told my artist, when we ran into him one day, that his work was beautiful — she just wishes t wasn't all over her daughter. Hahaha.

your overthinking it - i dont think the blowout will be as noticeable as you think - tattoos just arent perfect - however - if there is alot of blowout in the tattoo - you might want to take careful considerations with returning to that artist - not saying that you cant get blowouts from good artists you can - but i think there might be a point where i'd look elsewhere personally i say leave it go - get more tatts! - - - Updated - - - your overthinking it - i dont think the blowout will be as noticeable as you think - tattoos just arent perfect - however - if there is alot of blowout in the tattoo - you might want to take careful considerations with returning to that artist - not saying that you cant get blowouts from good artists you can - but i think there might be a point where i'd look elsewhere personally i say leave it go - get more tatts!

Funky frog courtesy of Eddy Deutsche. Picture stolen from him. He pretty much read my mind. It's really angry here because inner thigh tattoos are a dumb idea.

do you have to 'come out' as an atheist?...hmmm... anyway - rock that design anywhere you want just get a solid tattooer to do it otherwise you're gonna be on here in a month complaining about your blown out atheist tattoo capisce!

Seeing Eddy Deutsche in a couple weeks. Really fucking excited.

Of course I'm glad tattoos hurt: I agree it's an integral part of keeping them for the dedicated only... Willing to sit and take it for the lifetime reward of the tattoo. But... I got to admit that I stopped philosophising too earnestly about the educational or self improving nature of the pain the time I got my front lined out. It wasn't a relevatory experience for me ... I just felt like I got carved up! I guess I found my personal tipping point that day. Small tattoos, or decent pieces most places on the body... I can grin and bear it and, yes, I probably learned a thing or two about managing pain mentally. Even my back piece was pretty Ok. But a really long sessions on a sensitive place like the torso or ribs... mostly just makes me miserable end of story. Can't make a purse from a sow's ear.