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I know this thread is super old, but I wanted to post a rant about my experience but didn't want to make a new thread for it. I just got one forearm tattoo about a month ago now. I have a few on my upper arms that peek out from short sleeves sometimes, so it really isn't that huge of a jump when you think about it. But in my mind, it still felt huge. I knew I was ready for the jump to visible tattoos for probably about a year now and had been thinking about what to get for most of that time. For the first few days after getting it, it was pretty jarring. It was weird having a tattoo that I could see all the time (I kind of have to look around for my other ones, sometimes I forget I have certain ones!) and I felt like it stuck out like a sore thumb. I was really worried I made a mistake and that I would never adjust. I was less worried (but still a little) about the judgments that people would make. It's much harder to hide the fact that I'm tattooed now, were people going to have more negative things to say...? Actually, I've gotten nothing but compliments. A lot of compliments. From co-workers, friends, strangers, other artists...most of these people don't even usually like traditional designs. I'm sure some people do silently judge me (although how can you hate a patriotic lady tattoo?) but I'm hearing overwhelming praise for it. In time, I got used to seeing it and it's starting to settle in and look more it belongs there. It's now maybe my favorite tattoo on myself and I can't believe I was so worried about it. As far as jobs go, I work in a field where no one really cares what you look like (social work) and plan on eventually moving into an artistic field where it'll matter even less. So to answer the initial question...yes, this seemed like the BIGGEST deal at the time, but it ended up being a non issue in every aspect of my life. I'm really surprised at the warm reception this piece has gotten. Like all my tattoos, it ultimately makes me feel better about myself and I love seeing it all the time, so it was more than worth it for me personally to "pay the price" of being a more obviously tattooed person. Hell, part of me even enjoys the extra attention a little lol.

Yep, that's a blowout. It might fade slightly when it heals and I assume you're getting it colored anyway, so I don't think it's exactly a disaster. I have blowouts. It happens sometimes.

I agree ^^. I can't offer any other advice but am sorry you are going through this.

Jesus. That looks bad. I am so sorry this happened to you.

My boyfriend (of 7 YEARS NOW, will we ever get engaged?!) has come a long way since my first post in this thread, and the days where he would make me promise not to get any more or tried to talk me out of traditional designs (which he thought were too simple and cartoony). I got tattooed on vacation recently so of course he was there with me. He browsed some of the art books and flash with me while we waited for my stencil to be made. He chuckled at some of the goofy designs (instead of asking me "why would anyone want that?"), and looked with an unmistakable level of admiration at a lot of traditional designs I think he would have previously turned his nose up to. He was in awe of some of the designs that had dates on them, and spoke in an almost hushed reverence of their age and that people were still getting them to this day. He even pointed out a couple traditional lady designs and said were beautiful. He was actually genuinely stoked to see what I was getting and see every step of the process. I fully expected him to try to talk me out of the placement at the last minute or question certain aspects of it, but he was completely supportive. He also admired Matt Lambdin's portfolio and even took one of his business cards...it might not be long now before he gets his own finally!

Thought I'd drop an update here. So last night I got the OK from my doctor, he didnt think the bleeding would be a problem, and told me I could pause the meds a couple days before just to be sure. So now I'm pretty damn happy! ? I initially wanted to get a whole halfsleeve (damn that sounded stupid) on my lower arm in 2 days back to back, but I'm thinking I'll just go with the inner part of my arm first. Partly to save money, and partly because I imagine healing half a limb in one go can be a hassle with a physical job etc.

So, I'm in Atlanta for a software conference and it let out earlier than I expected and I found myself with an afternoon with nothing to do. Browsed the interwebs for shops close by and didn't see anything promising. Just as I was about to give up and found one that looked good and ran over and got this done. It is a really bad pic but you get the idea. It wraps a bit so I doubt I will ever rally get a good shot. Tattoo by Stenvik Moström @stenviking_libertytat2

Not even close to realistic, but it's a well done tattoo in a nice style so maybe you'd end up liking it. I would even start adding some traditional birds near the flowers :)

Alicia, I have been there. In my case, one of mine was poorly done (not by my regular artist), but it was smaller, and it was a bit spur of the moment. I think it would have been worse if I had been looking forward to it like you were. Maybe you can get it recolored/retouched/reworked? I don't know. In the end, I just had my regular artist completely rework it, and now I love it. Just let it heal and give it some thought. You aren't stuck with it exactly as it is. Things can be done to change it and improve it.

Looks like he went too deep with the needle and the ink bled under the skin. Only advice I'd give: see a dermatologist and don't get another tattoo from that artist again. Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

Mr. Oliver Peck was visiting in Asheville yesterday at Hotstuff and i was able to get in for a quick oneshot.

YES! Just watched the trailer and am suffering sudden hearing loss and an erection lasting more than 4 hours. Should I consult a physician?