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So, this turned out way better than I could have expected. Got it finished in two sessions with the second one at Allstar Ink in Limerick, Ireland. Chris Stuart was guesting there for a day prior to the London convention so I was lucky enough to grab the spot. A great experience again. I couldn't speak highly enough of Chris and the atmosphere was enhanced with the liked of Nagle, Peck, Topper, Noble, Arment all working there on the same day. Anyway, I'll let the pic do the talking ? Sent from my D5803 using Tapatalk

Finally, I called State of Grace today and Horitomo's assistant picked up the phone and I called the day she was making appointments. She was really happy to book me the moment I called since I asked for a MonMonCat back piece. I fly out mid-march for consultation since I want to meet and talk in person for the consultation.

My little birthday present from me ;). "Borrowed" the pic from the artist's Facebook since I 'dermed it as soon as I got home and didn't think to photograph it first. Hand poked (by a licenced tattoo artist at a professional studio). I found the technique super relaxing & interesting, and this will probably not be my last although I'm craving some colour next.

I got my first tattoo about 5 years ago when my wife decided it was time for her to get a new tattoo after a long break. We decided to get matching tattoos of a terrible drawing I had done on a Mother's Day card of the two of us and our daughter all holding hands. Think of those stickers people put on their mini vans except drawn by someone who can't even print his own name legible most of the time. It is by far my worst tattoo and one of my favorites. I never thought that it would lead to all these other tattoos.

Starting my right half sleeve with Randy Muller this evening. Oversized chrysanthemum with a couple of extras in and around. I'm finally gonna have some balance (now there's an old thread . . . ).

I didn't mention what my tattoo is, so I'll add it here. It's a drawing by the artist Keith Haring called "Barking Dog." He was a pop/graffiti artist from the 80s. He died of AIDS in 1990. I studied 20th century art in college and grad school, and I've been a fan of Keith's since I was a kid. I have two other drawings by him tattooed on me, too: a dancing man behind my left ear (from one of his larger drawings) and Funny Bunny on my right ankle. I also have a crown from graffiti artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, who was a contemporary of Haring.

I got my first tattoo a week ago and it is a sea serpent/dragon. I just saw it in a flash book of Sailor Jerry stuff and got it. I didnt think of any meaning at first other than it looked neat to me but as I was getting it, it reminded me of my unit's logo design, the beret flash when I was in the Army. Its also a little ironic because while my brother was in the Navy for the time I was in the army yet I am the one with a SAILOR Jerry tattoo, go figure!

My general rule of thumb is to act online how I would in person. I might as well be a decent person.

Amid all the discussion we've had of late about how we interact with new members and people wanting advice, this is the epitome of a perfect interaction. Advice sought, open to suggestions and the advice given and grateful for what is provided. Whether or not any of it is used, we all come away feeling good. Nailed it.

If tattooing just worked by placing a pool of ink under the skin, then the force of impacts could force it to move like squashing a blood-filled tick. But it doesn't. The ink placed in the epidermis during the process is mostly consumed by macrophages which are sent by the body's immune system to deal with the intruding ink or absorbed by skin cells - fibroblasts. The majority of the macrophages and fibroblasts remain in the epidermis and retain the ink which is why the tattoo remains visible. Over time, some ink does break down and gets carried away which is why they fade over time. But, the cells don't get moved about when you get hit. You may have bruising as the body reacts to the trauma...much like when you got tattooed, but the cells don't get rearranged and pushed out into other areas on the epidermis. I learned this by watching a TED video.

I guess this could either be an awesome or shitty thing depending on how you look at it, I'm choosing to look at the positive side: I'm quitting my full time job (with benefits, gulp) in social work and taking a part time job at a copying and printing center, with plans to go back to school for graphic design ASAP. It's fucking scary to lose all this pay and my insurance and all that but something needed to change. My co-workers suck (there's a rumor I've been dealing with for months that I'm an alcoholic and come in to work drunk all the time), my bosses suck, and our schedules are about to start sucking when they make us all work 12.5 hour shifts starting at the end of this month. I knew I needed to get out because this place was going to drive me crazy. I've wanted to do graphic design since I was in high school but I let various people (guidance counselors, my parents, myself) tell me I wasn't good enough for it, so I chased all these other career paths and now I'm thinking "Fuck it, I should have done this in the first place." So this copying and printing center gives me some entry level graphic design experience, gives me a chance to network with local businesses that might use us, and gives me the time to go back to school and work on an art portfolio. In the short term, it's going to be financially tight and more stressful, but in the long run, I really need this. I'm just glad my boyfriend is doing really well at his job and can help with rent and bills, he's also thrilled I'm quitting because he knows how much of a toll this job has taken on me over the years.

I think once you have a tattoo in that area, no one will notice the beauty marks one bit, whether the ink covers them or not.

Thanks for the advice and artist suggestions guys! I really appreciate it!

Today I celebrate Scab Free Day!!!!!! The last of the scabs flaked off when I was in the shower this morning. Now it's smooth sailing as I heal this awesome tattoo. I'll be dropping by the shop to talk with my artist on Friday and have him look it over - then schedule for touch up as necessary. Woo Hooo!!

if it were me - i'd keep an eye on this guy: http://instagram.com/julianbast also this shop http://instagram.com/absolutearttattoo you can check the interview section too to listen to Mike Rennie and Brian Bruno from Absolute talk tattoos

start local - instagram makes it super easy - i like the concepts you're thinking of - but yeah ultimately you'll be bringing those ideas to a solid tattooer who can make something you'll be proud to wear - keep having fun with the art though - some of my earlier tattoos were based on drawings i made - enjoy

When my wife and I met in the late 1960s, we had no interest in tattoos. We were still dating a few years later, when articles about tattooing started to pop up in magazines and newspapers, and I was becoming interested. I struck up a conversation with her about it, and she jumped in, suggesting that we get matching tattoos. I had started to think that tattoos on women were rather attractive, so I thought it was quite cool that she wanted one. But I was also quite shocked, because (I’m embarrassed to confess here that I thought this) I didn’t think she “was the type of girl would would get a tattoo!” Today, she has four tattoos, I stayed at one + some background added a few years later, until I recently started planning a back piece. Today I look at those first tattoos on me, and on her and I smile. Its hard to explain. They are still there over 40 years later, after everything we have gone through, a constant. It really means something. And I’m glad she was “the type of girl who would get a tattoo,” because I still do find them quite attractive on women, and it has been sort of “icing on the cake” for us. Looking back, I realize it was amazingly serendipitous that I connected with a woman at that time, when tattoos were pretty rare, who would want to have tattoos, even though tattooing was not on the radar for either of us when we met. I feel kind of lucky. It is hard to imagine not being with her. But if something were to happen to her and I had to form a new relationship with someone, I’m tempted to say that she would have to be tattooed, partly because I find that attractive, but also to understand me, and why I want a back piece. But at my age, there are not a lot of tattooed sixty-something ladies out there, and relationships are so much complex than that, that I’m not sure it is realistic to put that kind of limitation on choice of partner. Comments here reinforce that plainskins and tattooed folks can have great relationships. ... and @Gingerninja - Like Viagra? Yup...

I have the Minor Threat black sheep on my foot, I got it a couple months after turning 18. Not the greatest experience, the guy I went to was a little unfriendly and the shop wasn't the best. Tattoo came out okay but probably needs a touchup by now. I used to be straight edge so it held a lot more meaning then than it does now, but I still like the band and it reminds me of my past and all that good stuff. I probably wouldn't do it again if I had the chance, but it doesn't really bother me either. I've considered getting a hop tattoo on my other foot for a humorous contrast between feet: one for straight edge and one for beer.

i got my first tattoo when i was 16, an outline of a cross on my chest. My second tattoo was to cover up the first. Cant say i felt attached to either, its been in the way of other stuff for nearly ten years now.

I got my first about six months ago...a month shy of my 61st birthday. Got my second last Saturday. After many years of finding excuses not to do it, I finally decided it was time to make it happen. Where do I go from here? I have no clue...but you never know.

I did a search but didn't see anything more than "getting/just got my first tattoo" type threads. Wondered about everyone's first ever tattoos. Do you still have it? Do you still like it? Do you feel attached to it? Etc. I got my first two days after I turned 18, on Halloween, 1992. My best friend and I got matching tattoos-a rose off the wall. Hers is teal, mine is purple. We were the only tattooed students in high school, and were considered huge bad asses. People remarked about how large it was and I thought, really? It didn't seem large to me, but, yanno, then party dots became like the "cool thing" to do, so if you put my rose next to a party dot it looked like I had a full bodysuit to those people I guess. As I've gone along in my tattoo adventures, I had one of mine covered, which ended up turning into this big Japanese wind/water deal, and now I'm looking at my first few from my 18-21 year old self and wondering if I want to keep them like they are, rework them, incorporating them into something new either way..or remove/cover them w/something else that fits me now.

i'd resist the urge for a touch up - to me a one off is just that - a marker in time - thats just me though

Welcome to the forum!! There are lots of great people here who can offer a wealth of wisdom. By all means, take your ideas of what you want/like and talk with some local artists. Look at their work and see how they respond to your ideas - and you are not looking for someone who will give you whatever you want. You need to find the one who understands your ideas and desires and then will create the right tattoo for you - the one that not only represents your ideas but that also fits, flows, is properly placed and sized and that is technically and artistically correct. Notice that I didn't say "perfect." You will always be disappointed if you expect perfection. This is art, it is done in real time and it is one of a kind. Great? Yes. Awesome? Oh yeah!!! Find the right artist and awesome is guaranteed.

There are some cool ideas there but don't design your own tattoo. Find an artist whose work you love, present your ideas/sketches/etc. and let them go to work. That's how you get a good tattoo. Spend those next two years saving your money and looking at artists on Instagram and elsewhere instead. Seriously you've done enough. I'd ditch the quote though. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Big decision! Too many people get stuck in a rut, waste their lives doing what they are told is the right thing to do!

I have a bunch and when I got tattooed, my artist went over them. No problems thus far but he said some people have them raised off their skin. he would avoid that, but mine weren't raised.

If punches could damage tattoos, the UFC would be out of business.

cuts,deep scrapes,surgery,yes,can possibly damage tattoos, but getting slugged with a fist or running into a door,no,it will not affect a tattoo IMO,it's just gonna hurt. . I had broke my wrist a several years ago and had surgery and the scar fucked up a little part of my tattoo,but a little touch-up and it was fine.(see below)

she is super cute,and thank you for adopting ! . .and the pic sizes are fine :) I believe this forum software resizes pics automatically anyway

Dragons and roses make me happy.

F*ck yeah. "Why didnt you get a dragon?" " I did."

Well, my 2nd session with Garver went down this past Friday. This pic was taken right when it was done. Best part is, he asked if I was interested in sleeving out my arm. I obviously agreed and more sessions are to come. Going to connect my Back to the Future portraits with some other elements.

So I wasn't expecting another large scale piece. But Steve Byrne loved my basic idea, and I DID specifically tell him, apparently, quote "go nuts". I am a wreck this morning kids. Link to video:

Session two with Horitomo! Almost done with the lining and am looking forward to the shading.

Kim Saigh @ Memoir in L.A. added on to my half-sleeve to match my other arm. Impressed by how seamless she made it look. Healed pics by @TrixieFaux.

Healed photo of my back that was finished last year in September, and a fresh one to the left. Both by Marius Meyer

@Synesthesia I'm definitely thinking of a devilish goat tattoo too! I keep my right knee for it. I have one tattoo project first but I guess it will be the next after.

Not exactly a devil, but I've been brainstorming for a while about getting a goat tattoo. I can't decide what direction to go in. I definitely want it to be evil looking. I'm thinking either 1) just your normal super serious goat head in a traditional/neotraditional style with a pentagram or whatever incorporated in it 2) something sort of funny and goofy, like a half goat/half human wearing a leather jacket with spikes. Some stuff I kinda dig:

Second session with Chad Koeplinger! Done at the Grim Reaper Tattoo Shop in Roma! Great Shop, great guys!

Finished the outline yesterday and posted some pictures to my blog thing

love both of these - - - Updated - - - Thank you. I couldn't find any pictures of the flash or anything but i'll take your word for it. - - - Updated - - - And here is mine from Saturday. By Craig Boxcar Chazen

Whenever I think of devil/demon tattoos, the first person that comes to mind is Derek Noble. Don't think it gets much better when it comes to the demonic stuff. And like a couple people have already said, as badass as they look, I don't think I could properly rock something like that. But they do make for some badass tattoos.

Wait, don't you have a hot-stuff (or two)?

Mine from Marc Nava (pic from his Instagram)

Marius Meyer was kind enough to let me shoot some video while he put the finishing touches on my friend @Wilhell's back piece. Hope you enjoy it! (Sorry German LSTers! This unfortunately won't play in your country due to the licensing restrictions of the soundtrack)

My back is now officially done! :cool: We had a little 1 hour session today, which was totally brutal unfortunatly, probably a lot of places weren't healed enough from the previous session (about a week and half ago ;-) ). Some statistics : My backpiece was done in a 6 month period in a total of 31 hours :cool:

Today a little bit of everything has been done (in just 2 hours), red in the arrow, the glove, the shoe, the nails of the fox, even more red in the man's face etc. Next time we have some small things to do (which we couldn't do today because it's in parts that were not fully healed from the previous session, and to tidy everything up. I talked to my artist about the 'blank' part in the fox, and aked if he was planning on keeping it this way (as i think it looks a bit 'unfinished') but he gave me a firm 'yes' so I guess that's how it will stay :)

It's been a couple months since some serious butt work, I forgot how fun it was. My glorious buttocks create quite the shadow in that lighting, but I've got myself a nice new pink and purple lotus. Also referred to as the big ass lotus, or the big ass ass lotus. Whichever you prefer. Also the blue is finished, and the snake got touched up a little. Very productive. Picture is as always from Dana's Instagram because I'm lazy, and I can't really get a better picture either. Damn my rear end constitution.

I was browsing Tim Lehi tattoos and found this fucking sweet one (obviously not mine, maybe someone's here?)

This is what I've had done so far. Four sessions; the rose and yet more black went in last Friday. By Grez at Kings Avenue.