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Got the pig to go with the chicken from Chris Partain.

@michaelshane bacon to go with your eggs.

Got a little spider from Dylan Homer at Tattoo Union in Vancouver Also, how do you embed instagram posts? I can't figure that out...

Just got my first tebori from Bunshin Horitoshi. Tosi is a great guy! Highly recommended. I went with something classic and simple for my first japanese tattoo

Tattoos like to ride, too.

Some more work on my arm ...

@Devious6 That's tough news...I am thinking about you and your mom. Sending you positive vibes. @Dan Welcome to #teamcolonoscopy! My hubby is an absolute trip when gets out of the procedure (and yes, I laugh at him). I was sleepy but he's a wide awake, silly drunk.

I am so sorry, Mark.

Turns out that dry healing is so much better for my weird skin. Wish I'd known this about 25 tattoos ago. Hahahahaha.

where's my Powerball ticket . . . ?

Welcome to LST. Above all else, YOU should be the one who likes your tattoo. That being said, some very valid points have been made. Consider finding an image that resonates with you, with our without the text. I bet your artist could integrate that quote into a nice traditional piece that will not only look great, but still hold the personal meaning you're looking for. Tattoos don't need to have a reality TV style "deep meaning," but that doesn't mean that sharing your feelings in a tattoo is necessarily bad. I'd also reconsider placement in case of future tattoos...

Bottom line - you have to wear it, forever. There's a ton of wisdom in this thread by people who are very heavily tattooed, who know both the art as well as the technical aspects. Take your time and reflect on what has been said in this thread. There are good people giving you great advice - don't take it personally that feedback hasn't been overwhelmingly positive. Really think about the placement and placement. I'm the owner of a shitty wrist tattoo that I thought was awesome at the time. Now, I have to laser it and plan for a cover up!

It strikes me as quite a "teenage" tattoo and I'm not sure how you'll feel about it in a few years. I'd say you will be sick of people asking what it means, it definitely might be better to have it somewhere more hidden, so it's more personal for you. My boyfriend has a quote hidden under his armpit as part of a sleeve and even he gets annoyed with having to discuss it with every randomer at the pub!

http://instagram.com/chrisadamek

I would go with Merck. Or maybe Dimitry Vision or Sarah Miller even though they specialise in colour realism. Also maybe even Acker but again another color realism artist. Also John Pohl...

Ha nah I wish. My tattoo budget for the next year or so is already on allocation.

@HettyKet That's the one that inspired me! I love how that sits. Gives me hope that not all women's chest pieces need to be symmetrical and/or birds.

Yes, there is worse about. Still. As well as LivedInTattoos I'd recommend vintage_tattoos and classics_done_twice both jammed with healed, lived in work.

I've seen waaay worse check out LivedInTattoos on the 'gram - I think that is one of the best, most honest tattoo feeds because it's straight up healed tattoos. The internet is severely lacking in the healed tattoo department.

So far, so good with the dry heal. This may be the way forward. I have an appt. on the 30th. Really excited about what's next ...

@SynesthesiaI'm ashamed to say I've lost the accompanying information, but I'm pretty sure this is the Pharaoh's Horses you're talking about, saved it from here a few years ago: It's amazing. Google reverse image search seems to suggest that it's by Prof Falcon but I can't vouch for that. I also really love the use of space with this Marius Meyer eagle: Edit. Ah, found it on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/yc0-fSwB_2/?taken-by=prof_falcon

Most of us aren't tattoo artists. If we have a bad day at work, we get a scolding from the boss and go home without any lasting repercussions. When you mess up at work, it's on someone forever. Instead of getting defensive, you need a serious attitude change and to take your craft more seriously. You can't go through your career saying "Boy I really fucked up that guy, oh well, I had a bad day. Next!" Whats your excuse for nearly every other pic in your profile? Because most of them are jacked up.

I've got a few new ones over the last 2 months... Very stoked. Have a cool Japanese yokai tattoo booked for Saturday...

I mean to come across as a jerk here, but looking at your Instagram, I'd suggest getting the fuck off the Internet and learning to draw and tattoo properly because your shit is fucking horrendous. You should be ashamed of what you're doing to people.

@irishowl to be EXTRA sure I'll ask strangers on the internet can i just direct you to our coverup threads now dont get this tattoo too small bad placement etc you obviously have the itch so stick around - stay on the latest lowdown thread and check out some cool tattoos and get your bearings on finding a good artist to help you with your ideas also not a fan of first tattoo on the forearm

I only dry heal. Just keep it clean.

you'll be all good @oboogie - dry heal is the way - i only do 1 application of aquaphor after 1st wash - then - thats typically it

I am trying a dry heal for the first time on my bicep. Finished my half sleeve on Thursday. Saniderm came off Friday morning and so far, so good. Any tips besides keeping it clean?

fun spur of the moment tattoo from Jesse Calderon, 2nd year apprentice at Modern Times Tattoo in Spotswood, NJ. Young, talented, determined and super cool tattooer. Was also the first time that I was getting tattooed until 3am. Cross that off the bucket list ;) Fire Ant Attack

@Dan Get it done, man! I waited until I was 57 for many of the same reasons and had a grandmother who died from colon cancer. My wife and I finally decided to have them done. She was clear and I had a pre-cancerous polyp which was removed during the procedure. I just had my 3 year follow up colonoscopy last fall and was clear. The procedure itself is so easy I was amazed. Even the prep isn't as bad as people say it is. In fact, the prep was the worst part and that wasn't bad at all. odds are you are fine and having that piece of mind will be priceless. And, even if something is found, treatment today is much better the even a few years ago with good outcomes. You do have amazing tattoos! But I'd prefer to have you around to guide us through our own journeys. You need to have that piece of mind to truly enjoy those trips to Hawaii....and I want to see those beach pics for years to come. Now, listen to the Colonel and get your ass in there, literally, and get the procedure done. Anyone who says they aren't scared in your situation is lying. I know I was. But, believe me, not knowing really is worse.

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