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Front Side Back Hello all, I just got back from my trip and got my first tattoo. This was freehand representing "Family & Strength." Hope you guys like it. Leave honest feedback.

It’s been a long road, and soon I will start the next chapter on this adventure of mine. I was laid off from a job I had for 21 years in July of 2016 because of downsizing, I left there on good terms believe it or not. Thanks to the Human resources manager and general manager, they were both willing to and did give me great references the entire time I was job hunting. To back up a little, my job search actually started in late 2014 as I knew the company I worked for was doing badly and was in the process of barely surviving, downsizing, maybe going under. So I had started applying big time, I knew I wanted to work for the state of California, or county of Sacramento, or City of Sacramento, and I also told myself that I never wanted to have to cover my tattoos again, like I did with the job I had. After countless applications and interviews, and a couple seasonal jobs and used up unemployment, and several offers from a variety of places, mostly part time, no benefits, limited term, low pay,etc,etc. So fast forward to July 2017, I finally got a job offer from an application I did in May of 2015! After all this work and trouble, Not only did I get a good offer, it was the PERFECT offer! I start August 21st with the County of Sacramento Probation Department ! Which is going to be 7am to 3pm M-F, 12.5 paid holidays, 2 weeks’ vacation to start(5 weeks after 5 years),paid benefits for my wife and myself, permanent full time,good retirement pension, etc, etc. I held out for a few things and got them, weekends off, I don’t have to cover any of my tattoos, and paid benefits.(those may seem trivial but they are important to me) After a year of no permanent good work, this is really huge for me and my wife, any of you in the job search world, you know how important benefits, full time, and permanent are. It took me almost 3 years of searching to get to this point. So that’s my awesome news!

Neither has a whole lot of geometric stuff on their instragrams, but both do illustrative blackwork real well and lean in the direction you're looking for, I think. Check out Kelly Severtson and Jacob Kearney, both in Chicago.

Of course I'm happy. The artist did an awesome job. More than I expected. I'm going back to him when I get another one.

If you are willing to travel to Columbus, Ohio then I'd hit up Dino Nemec.

Ok, Knoxville may be a scruffy little town on the Tennessee river, but it has a tattoo convention and it has some GREAT mountains (the Great Smoky Mountains, in fact) nearby. This is the 5th year for the convention, and I've really enjoyed the three times I've been. Location is in the bottom level of the Holiday Inn World's Fair site and there is free parking just up the hill from it in city garages. Here is the web site: http://www.knoxvilletattooconvention.com/ I guess the burlesque and other things non-tattoo are common to these shows (the local one is all that I've had a chance to attend). Enigma has been here with his act a couple times. What I really like about it is seeing so many people enjoying their passion. The artists at the show don't often have their names mentioned on here, but that doesn't take away from their talents! It isn't a huge show where the far side of the room gets lost in the haze from bodies. They use two big halls and a nice entry area that is set up for refreshments and vendors. So, take a little trip here to the hills of Appalachia. Knoxville is just a short hop from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the touristy areas of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Or if you prefer "the quieter side of the Smokys", you can enter the park through Townsend via 321.

Hi guys! I'm a 29yo tattoo enthusiast from San Marino. Here in Southern Europe we have plenty of awesome tattoo artists, but unfortunately there aren't dedicated forums and communities so I've been lurking here and there during these months. I had piercings in my teens but after my ph.d I focused only on tattoo art so now I'm at 30+ but planning to do much more and get more and more ideas here, and maybe give some advice since even if I'm still young, I've got some experience (some bad ones too, I'm a little bit of a stray so for two or three years I liked to try many different places.. almost 10 tattoo artists, maybe more I think, now I found my three studios :) ) Hope to see everyone around!

Oh, I usually don't like that type of tattoo but yours looks really awesome!!! As thyes said above, "tribals" as a general category here in Europe at least are the never-ending tread.. everyone has been wanting a "tribal tattoo" since the '90s.. Some of them though look really good and have a meaning and a history, they're not pure decorative pieces of ink with no connections. And I really like yours!

It looks like you got what you were looking for. I'm glad you like it.

I just removed my second layer of Saniderm. To my surprise there was ink on the bandage when I removed it, I guess that's normal and all, but I couldn't see any fluids under it before I removed it. The tattoo looks great, and feels alot more healed now that I had this layer on for 4 days. 5 days since I got tattooed. I can see no scabbing, apart from a small piece of skin sticking out. It's so small that I thought it was dust or something and almost tried to remove it, until I realized that it's probably best to leave it be. Maybe it will scab more later in the healing process, time will show. Applying the Hustle Butter made it feel great, but I the whole area feels a bit.. stiff, in lack of a better word. Kinda like a sunburn that's almost healed. I'm gonna keep applying a thin layer of HB 3 times a day for the next 3-4 weeks or so. One thing is for damn sure though, I'm never healing a tattoo the old way again. I've seen the light, Saniderm all the way from now on! Fingers crossed I won't need any touch-ups!

@Groundzero112 it looks like a mix of a few pacific islander styles ,I have 2 in the Marquesas style from Sam Shaw on kauai,and 3 other polynesian pieces too, nice tattoo you got there.

Hi. Not sure what the name of those styles are, my guess would be dotwork/geometry. As far as finding an artist goes; check out Tattoodo, they have a great catalogue over many things, including artists/shops in major cities. There's also an app you can dl to your phone.

Doctor and artist....talk to them!

Just as a side-note for anyone thinking about ordering Dermalize or Saniderm. I liked Saniderm better than Dermalize. It was easier to apply and remove, and it feels.. thinner, more natural. My artist also commented on it being easier to apply. Will definetely order some of this stuff for my next trip!

Yep. Cut and piece together as needed.

Spent another 2 days with Chris Crooks, he lined and shaded the back of my right leg on day1 and colored 2 lotus flowers on day 2. Going back in January to finish color and start the back of the left leg. Video of day1 on his instagram.

Hey @sister123, I'd encourage you to rethink your entire plan. If you don't want obvious tattoos on your hands, getting tattoos on your fingers isn't the best way to go, white ink or not. Right? Could they look like scars? Maybe. Could it look like just a bad tattoo? Maybe. Could the ink fall out and it leave you with something distinguishable on your hands? Maybe. I don't have any white ink tattoos (other than white as part of a design). I heard it's tricky...someone else can comment on that. But I say don't tattoo your fingers unless you are fully committed to having finger tattoos.

don't let your thoughts get out of control from reading here, everyone told me my ribs,knees,elbows,wrists,hands,fingers were going to be brutal,and to be honest none of these spots I have had done were as bad as I had built them up to be in my head, I still preach that pain is mostly in your head,as humans we have a really good ability to overcome pain through mental focus, it works for me,and I find it a welcome challenge to work on when getting tattooed,I have come to embrace it. it starts with what you are doing now,mental preparation ,to preparing the day and night before,and through the morning of the tattoo up to and during the tattoo,it's an entire experience that I embrace and practice. here is my "pre-tattoo agenda" mentally prepare yourself in the weeks leading up to the tattoo sleep good and don't drink alcohol the night before (or the day of), pre-hydrate the day before and day of and while being tattooed,(water or Gatorade) eat a good non greasy healthy meal right before getting tattooed, bring candy (I bring M&M's and Skittles) to eat during the tattoo(the sugar will keep you from passing out),I also bring a banana,beef jerky, and a few cold bottles of water in a little ice chest(no artist has ever minded me doing this,as a matter of fact they have liked it). bring your phone for pics but mute the ringer and all sounds, keeping up body sugars,potassium,and electrolytes will help to keep you from passing out , get yourself mentally in a good place.in the days leading up to and during the tattoo. ask for a few 5 min breaks to stand up ,stretch,and get the kinks out. this all helps me have a better overall tattoo experience,and the artist will appreciate it too.