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exactly what @el twe said... keep getting tattooed! aside from the interviews here, there is a lot of great knowledge if you sift thru the right threads. also, feel free to share the tattoos, stories, and experience that you've gained so far!

The one thing it seems everyone agrees on when it comes to getting an apprenticeship is to GET TATTOOED. Show your enthusiasm, be patient, and maybe you'll get lucky. In the meantime, keep drawing! It looks like you've got an eye for it. Oh, and welcome to LST!

thanks for sharing your backs, everyone! @GraceAnnne, @scottyg, @Colored Guy and @Stephanie . can't wait to see the continued progress! hang in there!!! @breakthischain nice work! that picture looks fuckin cold tho! hahahahhaha. @cfmartin67... the main piece is amazing, but that smaller lady parts swastika is somethin' else!

well, we all know water inherently has a lot of bacteria in it,(city/local water's acceptable levels) that's the only thing I think about, but if that works for you then great !

??? Don't be hard on yourself, 4.5 hrs is NOTHING to be ashamed of, especially on the back. You go girl ! And to the rest of yous posting in this thread...you are all a bunch of motherfuckin' tattooed warriors !!! You're all looking great, keep up the good work and keep the momentum :)

Aaaannnndddd one more: this tiger is an add on from Colin Baker who works at State of Grace Tattoo in San Jose, CA. The tiger wraps around the inside of my right thigh. The Lady Warrior tattoo was completed in August earlier this year. The tiger was an add on. He also completed a very intricate Rat Warrior (yup the Chinese zodiac thing is lit on my leg), but that one was done on the back of my thigh. When I can figure out how to do a 360 degree shot of my leg, I'll post pictures of the complete battle scene. The Chinese calligraphy that I posted above, compliments this battle scene. Loosely translated it means: Brave woman, escape the ordinary.

Yup here's another one. This one was completed in Hong Kong by Erin, the owner of Bubblegum Tattoo Shop, which he runs with his wife (also a tattoo artist). He is known for his Chinese calligraphy. This was hands down the most painful tattoo experience, not only because it was on the ribs, but because he banged it out in 2 hours (I had another appointment and the design process took longer than planned).

Got this nugget in Seoul, South Korea. Done by an artist with the instagram handle @Yuuztattooer. Took about 5 hours to complete. Doesn't speak much english, and I specifically went to Seoul to get a tattoo by him (I tacked on this special trip while in Hong Kong). Quite the experience, traveling to a foreign country I have never been to before. I wouldn't trade it for the world. Enjoy!

I finished my back 9 years ago and it hurt like a bitch. I prefer the traditional look anyway, but they tend to go a lot quicker too. Which is always a plus. Richard Stell did this in only two sessions. The first one was about 4 1/2 hours and the second was 10. Picture taken 10 minutes ago...

Got this in November from Mike Fite when he was at the new Kadillac Tattoo in Hatboro, PA.

yearly trip to see scottSylvia, always great spending time with him 1st session done, super happy :)

As of yesterday! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

whoa, you folks weren't lyin! The back is tough! I was disappointed that I was only able to sit through 4 1/2 hours. It was done by Ian Lutz who tattoos in Denver CO. He was in my hometown (Pittsburgh PA) guesting at a local shop, so we were able to start this project on my turf. Next sitting is in January at his shop, World Tattoo. LOTS more to go, but excited for the journey. Also...the outline on the love handles?!?! HOLY HELL! I never knew pain like that existed lol i have my inner thighs/feet/chest all done and i didnt think pain could get much worse but WOW!! i could have almost passed out when he was hitting those spots. I felt like such a baby!!!

Last night, 3.5 hours, a couple of small breaks. Got home after midnight. This is round 3, maybe 1 more to go.

another session down, this time the background down my right side. here's a healed photo Takashi took of the left side:

And here's what Mike made for me on Saturday. Next level chrysanthemum. I am so thrilled!