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My 3 latest...

Who better than Chris Garver to fill a crucial spot on my forearm? I requested his rendition of a phoenix inspired by a line drawing in Ed Hardy's latest book, "Drawings for Tattoos." Aside from that, I told him to do it however he wants. I guess he wanted to make it perfect and pink. "Well... it's more of a coral." Either way, I'm digging it and I feel much more complete!

@Morrigan its all good - only your mother has any control over her emotional state and perspectives - I'm 45 and my father doesnt like my tattoos - though he wont say as much to me - you gotta live your life and do what works for you - partly i think there is a generational issue at play - if it was me - i'd be straight forward - 'mom i love you and you dont have to love my tattoos but your frustrations with what i do with body wont have any influence on what i will continue to do with my body' - end of story

@pidjones sounds like it couldn't have worked out any better for you. i had a similar experience recently, although unfortunately I'm not ready to retire! everyone at my site was told in a group meeting they were going to be made redundant, i was nearly in tears. as soon as thee meeting was over my MD said he needed a word with me, i was expecting something even worse. luckily he said that he was making my position a work from home role, if i was happy with that it would be couple with a wage increase and a new company car. so I'm over the moon. can't help but feel sorry for all colleagues who are losing their jobs though :(

Friends are (insert appropriate word/phrase here such as God's, Buddah's, Life's, etc) way of apologizing for your family. @Gingerninja - you totally rock it. I love your confidence and your perspective. I'm not sure if I have mentioned this anywhere before - and I do so now only for perspective - but I was very close to the point of impact of the plane that hit the Pentagon on 9/11. Several times that day I stared death in the eyes and won. Any time you can find yourself included in a Smithsonian Museum exhibition...and be alive to see it...is a positive outcome.That experience, and other close calls I had while in the Army, gave me a totally new perspective on life, on my priorities and on my approach to others. I don't let others control me - but I also am more attune to other points of view. I may not agree, but I am much more tolerant and open to considering those viewpoints. I can't make everyone happy...but I CAN make myself happy. Life is about choices - we make them every day. Not all are right or good but as long as we are willing to accept the consequences of those choices then, it seems to me, that it is a correct way to go.

every time i get a new tattoo my mum says she isn't going to talk to me ever again because she is too disappointed in me, so we agree to never speak again (this isn't an argument by the way). She always rings me a couple of days later too invite me for tea. we must have bene through the exact same process at least 15 times. At the end of the day its only because mothers care, they just have outdated views!

I'm 61 - and got my first tattoo 4 months ago. My mom, who is 83, loves it. Go figure. As much as we want to please our parents, in the end, we are wholly responsible for our own happiness. It seems that your husband is at peace with your choices and supportive. That is a sign of a very positive and healthy relationship. Your mom is clearly trying to bully you emotionally, to do as she wishes. It is a control issue. As you work though your reactions, though, only you can determine how much exerting your independence will impact the relationship with your mother and how comfortable you are with it. That, too, has an impact on your happiness. So, weigh it all out and do what makes you the most happy. No matter the choice, you will be doing what is right for you, not for her. Just $.02 from one of the older crowd here.

This is the best advice one can give for sucky situations such as these. Not everyone will understand tattoos and the culture, but thats why we have an awesome community here.

Tell her that you love her and hug her when you can. Oh, and maybe not post any more photos. :) Side note: None of my family approves of my ink. When my brother gets mad at me he calls me a "tattooed white trash whore". I, too, have multiple degrees and a great job. My strategy is to kill them with kindness. You most likely can't/won't change her mind but don't let that impact you being an awesome, loving daughter.

@marley mission dude you are the epitome of zen. You always seem so even and calm. You should start teaching classes @Morrigan it's a bummer to read this. No matter how old we get, we always want to please our parents. It's pretty natural. I would try humor in this situation. Humor always seems to cut directly to the issue and disarm it a bit. I bet most of us here have parents that are not thrilled with our choices when it comes to tattoos. Some handle it better than others. All I know is that if you can manage to make her laugh, the subject will get easier. All the best to you and good luck.

So I got another tattoo the other day. Seventh one, all of my tattoos can be covered for work and are beautiful and tasteful in my eyes. I love all of them. Mother saw the photo on facebook and wrote a couple of message to me, saying that she is in shock, trembling and doesn't want to live anymore, since I am mutilating the body she gave me and I must be psychically damaged if I do so. Also, she mentioned she would rather die before seeing yet another tattoo on me. I tried to explain my view on body art, that I actually quite like my body and love to get it decorated, but she wouldn't hear of it and requested that I promise I will not get any further tattoos until she dies, which, she emphasized, will be soon anyway (she does have some health issues now). After days, I still can't believe this discussion really happened. In my eyes, my mother is manipulating and emotionally blackmailing me. I can't believe she would do this to me. Maybe I'm wrong or I don't have the right perspective? I am 36, a mother myself. My husband and my 3 year old daughter love my tattoos. I am independent of my mother, have my own life, carreer. I serve as Chief Legal Counsel for a major international holding operating in Central Eastern Europe. Just needed to write this somewhere. Perhaps some of you have a similar experience and would like to share it.

@Transplant You're reaction speaks volumes to the person that you are.

Whaaaaat? You have the loveliest, friendliest face. I am mad at your brother for saying such awful things about you. I'm glad you kill them with kindness.

@marley mission Yep. I think she knows I will do what I want with my body and I won't be asking for her approval. As a mom, I love my kid unconditionally and I respect her, even though she's a toddler now. And yes, while I consider myself quite open-minded, there are body modifications that I don't like and that I'd personally consider "too much" (horn implants, split tongue, doesn't really matter), but if my baby girl came home with a split tongue, the only thing I could ever tell her is that I don't like it but I will always be respectful if she is happy about whatever she does. I just was so sorry my mum couldn't do the same for me. I don't need her to agree with me or share my view. If she'd only respect my choices. @SStu Fortunately not. She did mention the "don't you care how people will look at you?" thing. I don't really care about what people think/say and anyway, most of my friends and even colleagues at work like my tattoos. I've inspired more than one person to get inked :-)

My parents don't like my tattoos, either, and my Mom (whom I love and adore completely) actually called me the other day after perusing my Instagram and seeing one of my new tattoos. I'm older than you are, @Morrigan, have multiple degrees, have a great job, and she was still critical of my tattoos and "disappointed" I'd gotten another one. I've lost count of how many I have, and I keep thinking she'll get used to the idea —apparently not. Just try not to worry and keep doing your own thing. She'll get over it (or at least get used to it).

@lance = pictures or it didn't happen.

@Padji he is just finishing up his 50 state tour - he is in NYC today and I think NJ tomorrow - he post on his IG on the reg regarding his whereabouts - god bless dont know how he travels so much - here's hoping he settles down near jersey one day :)

So here's mine? Sent from my D5803 using Tapatalk

I'm always staring at people's tattoos, I love seeing the awesome work people have. I hope if they have ever noticed me they realise I am staring with interest and appreciation not judgement.

What has been shitty for some ended up pretty awesome for me. Yesterday was told that due to business changes, my position has been eliminated (I don't like that term). BUT! I don't end employment until Sept 30, 2017 (the day I had planned to retire)! AND, I get a very nice severance package that includes 6 months COBRA (health insurance). I can't think of anything that I've done to be so blessed in life, but I'm sure not complaining. Many have not been so lucky, and I sure feel for them.

Took me way too long to post this. Got a pretty nice start on the chest by Chris Stuart in Charlotte back in early June. Hopefully get the rest finished at the Pagoda City convention. Couldn't recommend Chris highly enough. Great experience in the shop. He's since moved to his new place in midtown which looks awesome Sent from my D5803 using Tapatalk

Not sure if I posted in this thread yet. But this is my lion chest piece when just done. I really like it now after several months.

@Gingerninja its kind of you to say, thank you. i must admit though, its much easier to be sympathetic towards some people than others!

You know those nasty orange slice jellies? Yeah, those. I power munch those. I only eat them when getting tattooed. They are delicious and when they stick in your teeth, it gives you something else to think about.

thats the best thing I've read EVER.

i get a few awkward looks, i work in an industry dominated by the older generation. Once at an exhibition a guy came up to me and said i could never be successful at my job because tattooed arms. After some conversation he warmed to me, opened an account with my company and now trades with me monthly. He has since tried to poach me from my current employer. I like to think he takes a different view on people with tattoos now.

Thanks for the kind words! My brother is a more than a piece of work @oboogie. Our families never make it easy on us when they don't approve of the choices we make. You can choose your friends but not your family, right? My brother can pound dirt. My mom, I'll love to the end of her days regardless of her perspective. I would assert that having tattoo's have made me more empathic, kind and tolerant. Lessons a lot of people could use. I can't control them but I can control me.

his mass stop was on July 9th at Redemption Tattoo in Cambridge. Worry not though. He'll be at the Montreal convention (worth the 4.5 hr drive) and most certainly will be back in Portsmouth, nh at some point (also worth the trip)

Had my left armpit done in May or something like that. Mind you I was a bit under the weather, but it sucked getting tattooed. Great tattooer. Great tattoo. But no more tattoos while sick for me. It wasn't so much the pain of being tattooed. What got to me was the position we had to put my arm in to stretch the skin and make it easy for the tattooer to work. My arm was raised over my head and cranked towards myback. It's odd to describe but the lack of blood flow almost made it feel like severe ice burn flowing all along my arm, down to my hand and pinky and ring finger. I needed multiple breaks to get feeling back in my arm. Session lasted for 4 hours or so. I was a bit embarrassed about it as I've never had to ask for a break before because of pain. That said it healed awesomely and totally dig it. I have an appointment coming up next month for the other side. I'm hoping I do much better this time around though.

Come on, once you get most of your thighs done and the backpiece is in place (not covering the your whole behind) sooner or later a time comes for getting the ass tattooed. Am I right? Would look really weird of you saved that part of your body but covered the rest. Personally I'm leaning towards marquesan style tribal, but haven't really thought too hard about this yet. So for those of us who was not smart enough to extend the backpiece the whole way down, what are good type of designs/subjects/styles to be put bellow the belt? This is a threat to discuss and post pictures of your favorite tattoos centered around the butt.

I think you can post other threads after 10 posts on the forum. And I don't think that will work well as a tattoo. Too many fine lines that will thicken and blur with time, leaving you with a black blob in a few years time. Even if you did that as a massive backpiece, it's just too many lines too close together. What may work better is something like Ron Henry Well's smoky/drippy designs (pictured is an example), still sort of abstract and giving that fading in/out look that the drawing has, but with shading, which will hold up infinitely better. I would suggest finding a really good, creative artist, and giving them free reign to come up with something inspired by that picture. We can offer suggestions maybe if you say where you're located.

I finally had my rib piece finished after 3 years. It feels good to be able to start on new tattoos. Done by Luke Kehoe (except the ribbon, just touched up by him). I didn't want to cover the ribbon, so we added things around it.

Alix Ge added this awesome Hannya on my forearm

my first trip to NYC is finally coming this weekend! Jondix on Sunday and Garver on Monday!! I need to figure out what to do on Saturday, Monday morning, and Tuesday... food, galleries, museums, i think... and maybe a stop by smith street. i'll be staying with a buddy in huntington, but if anyone has a couch closer to the city, i'd be willing to fork over a fee! ;) i might have to dig thru old threads on couch surfing.

@Dan A mix of Skittles and M&Ms?! You, sir, are a true psychopath.

Finishing up my knee with Grez on Friday.

Old Guy At Home Depot: Hey, those tattoos look expensive. How much you pay for those? Me: Well, you know what they say, "Good tattoos aren't cheap and cheap tattoos aren't good." Old Guy's Wife: His were cheap.

I just booked with Yushi yushi_horikichi on Instagram. He comes to Seattle in about a month. The appointment day that he suggested in August just happened to be my birthday! First time getting tebori and first tattoo since 2012. Beyond excited. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

This is good advice. Find a different artist you like and don't look back. Unless you want to laser it off and start fresh which I do not recommend. What you have looks good. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

that's cool and so is he,really down to earth dude,we spent about 5 hours with him ,my wife and myself drove 3 hours to convention in Fresno a couple months ago and both got work from him at that show,it was a great time,and great tattoos,it was super fun for my wife and me to get tattooed by the same guy at the same show.He is a real kick to talk to. I am trying to nail down 2 more appointments with him for us at SF in october.

About to drive down to Denver and meet Oliver Peck, woo hoo Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk

I bring a wad of cash. Give me art. Take my money. Make another appointment. Repeat cycle.

My butt in between two Paul Jeffries butts ended up in the city newspaper last year lol - - - Updated - - - I think heavy black neo-tribal would look awesome and compliment your backpiece! Would you just get Iain Mullen to add-on, drop it down? I think his particular style could make a really unique butt design. Other butt-placement ideas: angel/devil, geisha/hanya masks, Grimm style sun/moon, naked ladies, big big flowers, poly-tribal blackwork, propellers, pattern/illustrative blackwork, ...HOT STUFF...

Rubendall and Henning said I "buck the Asian stereotype" of having no ass :D

old classic... just thought of the ass synonym "fanny".

finally... a thread i can get behind. ;) i don't have anything there yet, but chad discussed the possibility of extending my back piece down. my wife is strictly against the idea, but then again, she wants me to slow down on getting tattoos in general. i have the same sentiment as expressed above by @<a href="http://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/member.php?u=54750" target="_blank">The Tig</a> ... i have a lot of skin to cover before "doing da butt" (song below, for your pleasure)... less painful and more prominent spots take priority, at this point. speaking of mr. koeplinger, one of my favorite uses of the ass in a tattoo is the kali he did... photos below.

Waves and rocks, my backpiece extends all the way down. Black in the crack, it creates a shadow effect, to make the tattoo fit naturally on the buttocks. Go as deep as you and the tattooer feel comfortable with. If you don't, you'll be wishing you did and you will hesitate returning to the painful memories. My ass tattooing session was a very valuable lesson in humility and vulnerability. Plus my black ass looks fantastic now. You should definately bring a wooden spoon or ask your tattooer for a piece of old leather to bite down on. Seriously.

I think people without tattoos might assume getting tattooed these days is simply a trend, as a way to explain its popularity, but I definitely am not a follower of trends and have simply come to a point in my life (middle age) where tattoos are more meaningful to me and I love the art of them, and the way I can express myself through them, plus I'm less concerned about public perception (getting employed, looking "professional", etc). Also it is easier now to find amazing artists than it used to be because of social media and the internet. As for parenting, I'm realizing now, after having my own kids, what kinds of things affected my parents and how I was raised, and I'm cutting them a bit more slack! I can see how hard it is to relax and allow kids to become who they are, and how anxious you can get over your kids not making the same mistakes you did, etc. My mother and I will never be on the same page, but now I realize she can't help it, lol, and she's learned to just accept me for me.