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Looks like I'm hanging in there for the "Oldest Living Person on Last Sparrow" award. Considering the alternative, I'm OK with that.

I have to admit to being 50 at this point then :-)... thought it was just me with the continuing tattoo thing ...obviously not then- which is of course marvellous.

I had no idea that at 47 I'm the kid here.

GingaNinja you cant be over 29....LOL Russell

Hey, hey, glad to see I'm not the only one that started/continued at an older age. I'd like to think that I'm past the point where I'll regret it later in life. lol Here's a pic of my first. Never have taken the time to get a good one.

Hey all. I just got my first tattoo in August... at the ripe old age of 56. I've always doubted the 'once you get one, you'll want more', until I got one. It's true, I'm already planning my next. Thought it be nice to join up to be able to ask questions and enjoy everyone else's work. John

By Brett Burnham Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

As a tattoo artist, I can say that when someone closes their books, there could be a lot of reasons- we are people, too, and sometimes we need a break. Sometimes we have a personal reason. Sometimes we are booked out too far in advance and the idea of tattooing beyond a set point is too much stress to manage. Closing books to be able to focus on the clients already in progress isn’t laughable, it’s a responsible thing to do to ensure the Clients you have get the attention they need from you. Tattooing isn’t easy- it’s physically and psychically demanding, though it is enjoyable. that being said, there is nothing wrong with getting tattooed by multiple artists and any artist that tries to lay a claim on your body is someone you should run away from, and quickly. Whether someone decides to take on a piece will depend on how much freedom the artist has to design and how interested they are in the style and project. If they aren’t interested, keep looking. Or ask what the artist is excited to do. This and some solid time spent looking at portfolios should give you an idea of if they are passionate about doing the thing you want. As for not seeing the sketch until the day of, this is totally normal. If you need more time to consider, ask if you can schedule a second consultation to review the drawing before the day of your appointment. I hope that helps. If you come at us with the understanding that we are people, too, and not machines put on earth to do whatever you say, things will go well.

Couple more thoughts on #1 1. If you don't ask you, you won't get the opportunity. Send the email and articulate what you want. You will either be ignored or will get a brief reply with instructions on the next steps. Don't email back repeatedly and be annoying, pushy and demanding. Those emails go to the trash can. I think an email a month or two later to followup if you haven't heard anything is ok. Be mindful that tattooists get very busy - tattooing all day and sketching at night - and are focused on the tattoo and client in front of them. The best bet is to go to the shop IN PERSON and make a human connection, along with your awesome idea. Those folks get usually get bumped up a cue.

1. "Books closed" always makes me laugh. The best tattooists I have encountered don't advertise their books are closed, they will tattoo anything anytime (if they choose to). If the schedule is full, they will just tell you to wait or ignore you. My $0.02 "books closed" is my red flag. 2. No problemo. Some people like the consistency and stick to 1 trusted artist. But I think it's great to get tattooed by lots of different people, they all tattoo a little different and you get a variety of different experiences. I have 20 tattooists who have worked on me to date. 3. Not seeing the sketch until the day of is part the game. It gives the work that proper tattoo magic. Very rarely have I seen my tattoo sketches in advance. It's normal to be freaked out about this but after a few tattoos you come to love the anticipation and excitement. It's like Christmas morning. Most tattooists sketch out your tattoo the night before or the morning of. Keeps the tattoo idea fresh and focused. 4. Question marks mean you haven't thought enough. WHAT DO YOU WANT. You should be able to answer that question in as few words as possible. Keep it simple. And be open to the tattooist expanding on your idea. 5. If your nervous about 'outing' your tattoos a) don't get a tattoo, they are not for everyone b) pick a spot easier to hide. I had this same feeling and I got a bunch of body work before I dropped my tattoos down to the wrist. And before I had my sleeves, I made myself wear long sleeves to work for 3 solid years (winter and summer) to prove to myself that I could do it. You will eventually get to a point where you don't care, the tattoo is for you. I am at the point where if people have a problem with my tattoos - who I am - then I have no time or room from them in my life. The commitment, permanence and standing by your principles is something I have learned from getting tattoos over the years and really helped me find who I truly am and be comfortable in my own skin. Good luck with your next one, sounds like a good choice for keeping some symmetry. Enjoy the ride ! Also, you are in Alberta - we have lots of excellent tattooists that are accessible (without closed books) scattered throughout Edmonton, Calgary, Red Deer and some of the small towns in between. There is a lot of tattoo history in Western Canada.

going forward. the eyes of the tiger will be colored the same color as the owl. under the blue eye on my inner forearm will be trees and woods, similiar to what is under the owl. so what do you guys think so far? how is the work? good job so far? suggestions? tips on what to do next?

Sending all the love in the world. @Gingerninja. <3

That's not possible!!!!! You're not older than 35!!!!

Welcome! At 62, I'm the oldest guy...to post so far. I got my first tattoo just a few weeks before my 61st birthday and my second 6 months later. I have the itch badly at this point but have not found a local artist I want to work with and haven't had any time to really concentrate on an artist and what I want to do for my next. At some point, though, the itch will overcome my patience...............